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An insightful request of a righteous Mufti from another righteous Mufti

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah stated why he wrote Al-Wasitiyyah: The reason for writing this book was that one of the judges of Waasit came to me- a Shaikh called Radiyyuddeen Al-Waasitee from the followers of the Shaafi’ee Madhab. He came whilst on his journey and was one of the good people and an adherent to the religion. He complained about the overwhelming ignorance and wrongdoing in his land – under the rulership of the Tartars – and asked me to write for him an Aqeedah that would be a fundamental support for him and his household; but I asked him to excuse me from this request. I said to him, “The scholars have written various books of Aqeedah, so take from the books written by the Imams of the Sunnah”, but he insisted and carried on urging me, and said, “I do not want except a book of Aqeedah written by yourself”. Thus, I wrote this Aqeedah for him whilst I was sitting after Asr”.

In that one sitting after Asr prayer, Shaikh Al-Islam wrote – accurately – this Aqeedah and fulfilled what the requester desired. Shaikh Al-Islam said, “Many copies of this book spread in Egypt, Iraq and other places”. This is the reason why Shaikh Al-Islam wrote the book.

The need to clarify the Aqeedah – making it clear to the people and attaching them to their Creator and Lord, their Master and Protector, through the sound Aqeedah and upright Iman- is the matter through which degeneration and deviation in society would be cured.

This is because the greatest cause of degeneration in society is due to lack of (truly) knowing Allah, His Greatness, Exaltedness and Perfection, and what the hearts should contain regarding Allah’s Exaltation. It has been said, “The one who knows Allah more will fear Him more”. But when a person’s knowledge about Allah is weak, then various deviations and corruptions appear amongst the people. Therefore, the Aqeedah is the cure and medication that will bring about safety. If the Aqeedah is sound, the deeds will be upright, behaviour will become good and the souls will be satisfied. Contemplate this in relation to the affair of this righteous judge and the situation in his land, such as his mention of the spread of ignorance, rife wrong doing and corruption, thus, he went to find a solution to these problems by asking Shaikh Al-Islam to write a book on creed. When you look at the state of affairs in our time, you’ll see this widespread and painful state of affairs in many societies; therefore, people are greatly in need of concentrating on Aqeedah, learning Aqeedah, nurtured upon Aqeedah, and spreading Tawheed, and Iman. This judge saw that Aqeedah is the solution and cure, and he acknowledged Shaikh Islam’s leadership in knowledge, religion, piety and great station, so he sought from him and insisted until Shaikh Al-Islam agreed to write this book. (1)

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

The rectification of every nation and its [upright] ascendancy is tied to the soundness of its Aqeedah and Afkaar [views or thoughts]; therefore, due to this reason, the Message of the Prophets came to rectify the creed [of the people]. Therefore, the first thing every Messenger said to his people was:

ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ

Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha ill-Allah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)]. [Al-A’raaf. 59]

وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah)]”. [An-Nahl 36]

And this is because Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all Imperfections] created the Khalq [i.e. Jinn and Mankind] to worship Him alone and not associate anything as a partner with Him.

وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). [Adh-Dhaariyaat. 56]

Ibadah [worship] is a right due to Allah [alone] which His slaves must fulfil, just as the Prophet said to Mu’adh Bin Jabal: “O Mu’adh, do you know what is the right of Allah upon His servants?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “To worship Him alone and to associate none in worship with Him. And do you know what is their right upon Him?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “Not to punish them if they do so.” [Bukhari]

The is the first and foremost Right [or obligation] without exception. Nothing else precedes it nor is precedence given to the rights of anyone over it. Allah said:

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنًا‌ۚ

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents]. [Al-Israa. 23]

قُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ أَتۡلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّڪُمۡ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ‌ۖ أَلَّا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنً۬ا‌ۖ

Say (O Muhammad ): “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents. [Sural Al-An’aam’ Aayah 151] (2)

Allamah Siddeeq Hasan Khan, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

(You) should know that sound knowledge does not contain any harm. Conversely, ignorance does not hold any benefits. This is because every piece of sound knowledge has a benefit that is connected to matters related to the Afterlife, the affairs of life, or human perfection. However, in certain sciences, it may be mistakenly assumed that harm can arise or that the knowledge is not beneficial due to a failure to consider the necessary conditions that must be observed in acquiring knowledge and by the scholars (themselves) because every branch of knowledge has its limitations, and these boundaries should not be exceeded. It is erroneous to believe that knowledge can surpass its intended purpose, just as it is incorrect to assume that mainstream medicine can cure all ailments. In reality, certain diseases cannot be cured through (medical) treatment. Among them is one who thinks that knowledge is above its rank in honour, just as one thinks that jurisprudence is the most honourable of all sciences absolutely, but that is not the case, as the knowledge of pure Islamic monotheism is more honourable without exception.

Among them is intending through knowledge other than its purpose, such as the one who learns for the sake of wealth or prestige. The purpose of sciences of the religion in and of themselves is not to earn wealth, but rather acquaintance with facts and refining morals. Therefore, he who pursues knowledge of the religion for the sake of professionalism is not a scholar, but rather he is someone who feigns resemblance to the scholars. The scholars of Transoxiana revealed and stated this when they were informed of the construction of schools in Baghdad; so, they held gatherings of religious knowledge and stated: “The people with lofty aspirations and the pure souls used to preoccupy themselves with it, whose intent or (goal) behind the pursuit of knowledge was because of its nobility and perfection (attained) through it, so they came to the scholars to benefit from them and their knowledge. However, if it becomes a means of earning, the mean (vile) and lazy people will approach it and this will be a reason for its disappearance, thus the sciences of wisdom are abandoned, even though they are noble in and of themselves”. (3)

Imam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Among the people are those who have vast knowledge but (afflicted with vain) desires, and Allah’s refuge is sought (against this)! He issues religious verdicts based on what pleases the people, and not based on what pleases Allah. This one is called the scholar of the Ummah (or the people). The scholars are three types: the scholar of the religion, the scholar of the state (government), and the scholar of the Ummah. The scholar of the religion is the one who propagates the religion of Islam, issues religious verdicts based on the religion of Islam, knowledge, and what the Shariah establishes, and does not care whether it agrees with the desires of the people or not. The scholar of the state (or government) is the one who looks at what the state (or government) wants and issues a religious verdict based on what the state wants, even if that involves distorting Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger. As for the scholar of the Ummah (or the people), he is the one who looks at what pleases the people. If he sees that the people are on something, he issues a religious verdict based on what pleases them, then he attempts to distort the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah to make it agree with the desires of the people. We ask Allah to make us and you from the scholars of the religion who act upon it”. (4)

Amr Bin Al-Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying, “If a Mujtahid gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct, he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, even then he will get a reward”. [Bukhari Number 7352]

A Few Points From This Hadeeth: [I] A Mujtahid is not deprived of reward. [II] The judgement of a non-Mujtahid is different from that of a Mujtahid. Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah stated that the one who speaks about the religion without knowledge and out of ignorance (is guilty of) lying and sinning. [III] The one who intentionally speaks to oppose the truth is threatened with entry into the fire of hell, as opposed to the affair of the one who speaks based on permissible Ijtihaad, for indeed he strives, fears Allah as much as he is able, desires to seek knowledge as much as he was able, speaks for the sake of Allah, knows the stronger proof and speaks based on that. This person is given two rewards if he is correct, but if he is mistaken, he receives one reward. [IV] A Mujtahid can be correct or mistaken. (5)

Imam Ash-Shawkaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

We often see a man who holds a belief that aligns with truth and correctness. However, when he speaks to someone who disagrees with him- one who is inclined towards something of the innovated matters in the religion, and especially if that person holds a position of leadership or worldly wealth, not to mention a king, he agrees with him, strengthens, supports and aids him against others. The least in such circumstances is that he would hide what he believes is the truth and show contempt – in the presence of a person from whom it is neither possible to receive harm nor benefit – towards what has become clear to him is the right thing, so, what about someone from whom harm and benefit are possible? This behavior is essentially prioritising worldly things and the life of this world over the religion and the afterlife. If he observed and reflected upon what has happened to him, he would have realised that his inclination toward the (vain) desires of a man, two men, three or more individuals – among those he compliments within that gathering, conceals the truth to be in agreement with them and to gain affection, acquire their possessions, and avoid being isolated by them -is a deficiency in upholding the truth and tantamount to exalting falsehood. If it were not for the fact that these individuals hold a higher position in his eyes than the Lord, he would not have been inclined to their (vain) desires and abandoned what he knows to be what Allah wants and demands from His servants. (6)

Al-Allamah Siddeeq Hasan Khan, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

It is prohibited for a mufti to assist or guide an inquirer to his goal in matters that involve evading an obligation, permitting a forbidden act, or engaging in deceit or trickery. Instead, the mufti should possess a keen awareness of the cunning and deceitful nature of individuals and their circumstances, and should not assume the best of them. Instead, one must be cautious, perceptive, and knowledgeable about the circumstances and affairs of people, supported by an understanding of the Sharia. Without such awareness, one may stray from the right path and make other stray. There are many issues that may appear attractive on the surface but conceal repugnant injustice. The superficial observer focuses solely on the outward appearance and concludes its acceptability, while the insightful individual examines its intent and underlying essence. The former is easily misled by superficial issues, much like an ignorant person is deceived by the allure of money. In contrast, the latter reveals the falsehood, akin to a critic exposing counterfeit currency. How often does a person present falsehoods through eloquent language and polished expression, making them appear as truths? Conversely, how frequently does genuine truth get misrepresented as falsehood due to poor articulation and lack of insight? Anyone with even a modicum of discernment and experience can easily recognize this reality; in fact, it reflects the common behaviour of many individuals. Due to its prevalence and notoriety, there is no need for examples. The one closely examines all the false statements and the Bidah will find that their proponents often present them in appealing themes, using language that may be accepted by those unaware of their true nature. The intent in this discussion is that it not permissible for anyone to issue fatwas based on prohibited tricks, neither assist in this nor guide others towards them, as this would contradict Allah’s command. (7)

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When it is case that the true followers of the Prophets [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them] are people of knowledge and justice, therefore the speech of the people of Islam and the true adherents to the Prophetic Sunnah regarding the unbelievers and the proponents of religious innovations has to be based on knowledge and justice, and not conjecture and what the soul desires. And due to this the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The judges are three: one will go to Paradise and two to Hell. A man who knows the truth and judges with it will enter paradise; a man who knows the truth but judges with the opposite of it will enter the fire, and a man who judges for the people based on ignorance will enter the fire”. [Reported by Imam Abu Dawud 3573]

When it is the case that the person who adjudicates amongst the people in disputes over wealth, blood (such as murder cases, acts of physical violence, etc.), and honour is (threatened) with entry into hell if he is not a just scholar, then what about the one who makes judgements – without knowledge and justice – on creeds, religions, fundamentals of belief, divine knowledge, and general fundamental principles relating to many subject matters, as is the case with Ahlul Bidah Wal Ahwaa [the proponents of religious innovations and followers of vain desires] who follow ambiguous doubtful matters, abandon those explicitly clear texts that the Prophets have transmitted, cling to affairs that share an ambiguous similarity through mere analogy and opinions, and then present affairs whose differences cannot be reconciled or equated, just as is the case with the unbelievers and all the proponents of religious innovation and followers of desires, who liken the creation to the Creator [i.e. they give the creation the Perfect Attributes that only belong to the Creator], and liken the Creator to the creation [i.e. by describing the Creator with the imperfect attributes of the Creation], and then they put forward an evil similitude for Allah by way of thoughtless and confusing speech. This is because the false religion of the Christians is an innovated [or concocted] religion- innovated after the departure of the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and altered the religion of the Messiah through it; so they deviated from the Messiah’s, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, path and remained upon that which they innovated. (8)

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said:

We do not say that there are people of Ijtihaad amongst ahlul bidah because they are followers of desires, and Allah and His Messenger have testified to this. The misguided innovator stirs up discord and errs, and then says to you, “This is Ijtihaad”. When Hikmatiyaar and the misguided parties (in Afghanistan) murdered Shaikh Jameel Ur-Rahmaan, they said, “This is Ijtihaad”. They (ahlul bidah) do not fall into an affair of misguidance or a calamity except that they say, “This is Ijtihaad”. This is (tantamount) to diluting Islam, falsehood, misguidance, bidah and confounding truth with falsehood when the mistakes of the (qualified scholars of Ijtihaad)- for which they are rewarded- are placed at the same level with Bidah about which the Messenger declared to be destined for the hell fire. (9)

[1] Sharh Aqeeqah Al-Waasitiyyah Lesson 1. By Shaikh Abdur Razaaq Al-Badr

[2] Al-Muhadharat Fil Aqeedah 6/17

[3] An Excerpt from “Abjad Al-Uloom” 1/77-78

[4] An Excerpt from “Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen” 4/307-308

[5] Al-Arba’oona Hadeethaa Fee Usoolil Fiqh. pages 32-33]

[6] An Excerpt from Adabud Talab Wa Muntahaa Al-Adab. Pages 93-95.

[7] An Excerpt from Dakhr Al-Muhtee Min Aadaab Al-Muftee 121-122

[8] Al-Jawaabus Saheeh 1/26-30

[9] An Excerpt from ‘Ajwibatul Allaamatush Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee Al Madkhalee Alaa As-ilah Abee Rawaaha Al-Manhajiyyah page: 20]

A deeply concealed truth about truthful submission

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Featured, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A deeply concealed truth about truthful submission and the dangers of its contrary

Allah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

O you who believe! Answer Allah and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart. And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered. [8:24]

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

And know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart. And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered.

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

The first explanation of this verse is that Allah is the one who intervenes between a believer and disbelief, between the non-believer and belief, between those who obey and the act of disobedience, and between those who disobey and act of obedience. This statement is attributed to Ibn Abbas and the majority of the Mufassiroon.

The second explanation is that Allah is close to the heart of the person (by His  All-Encompassing Perfect knowledge) and nothing is hidden from Him. This was transmitted by Al-Wahidi from Qatadah. It seems that the statement (attributed to Qatadah) aligns better with the context as the foundation of this response is through the heart.

A physical response holds no value if the heart does not respond, as Allah intervenes between an individual and their heart, aware of whether the person has responded or hides the opposite. In relation to the first statement (Ibn Abbas’s statement and that of the majority of the Mufassiroon), it is indeed true that if someone turns away, they will not be secure lest Allah intervenes between them and their hearts as a form of punishment for neglecting this response after the truth had been elucidated and made evident. Thus, they will resemble what has been mentioned in Allah’s statement:

وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفْئِدَتَهُمْ وَأَبْصَارَهُمْ كَمَا لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ

And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance), as they refused to believe therein for the first time.

فَلَمَّا زَاغُوا أَزَاغَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ

So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path).

فَمَا كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا بِمَا كَذَّبُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ

But they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before.

This verse serves as a cautionary reminder about the importance of responding with sincerity from the heart, regardless of any outward physical actions that may have been taken. (1)

The Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

Sins breed similar sins, and they give rise to one another, making it difficult for a person to abandon them, as some of the pious predecessors said, “Indeed, one of the punishments for an evil deed is to commit another one after it, and one of the rewards for good deeds is doing a good deed after it. When a servant of Allah does a good deed, another good deed says, “Let me be like that one.” The third one does the same, and so on, leading to an increase in rewards and a multiplication of good deeds, and the same applies to evil deeds, until good deeds and sins becoming essential traits and established habits. If a person who does good neglects obedience, they will feel constricted and uneasy, much like a fish out of water until it returns to its natural environment to find peace. If a sinner turns away from wrongdoing and embraces righteousness, they may feel a sense of inner turmoil, leading them to revert to their old ways. Many wrongdoers engage in sinful acts not out of pleasure or desire, but rather due to the discomfort they experience when trying to abandon those actions. (2)

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَن زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَعُوذُ بكَ مِن عِلْمٍ لا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا

O Allah! Grant my soul its piety, and purify it, for You are the best of those who purify it. You are its Guardian and Protector. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered. [Sahih Muslim 2722]

(1) An Excerpt “Al-Fawaa’id” pages 140-144

(2) Ad-Da’u Wad Dawa 60-61. Publisher: Dar Al-Hadith Al-Qahira 1430H (2009)

[3] Shaytan

Written by faizkara on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Mental Health, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Repentance, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡخَمۡرُ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرُ وَٱلۡأَنصَابُ وَٱلۡأَزۡلَـٰمُ رِجۡسٌ۬ مِّنۡ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ فَٱجۡتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيۡنَكُمُ ٱلۡعَدَٲوَةَ وَٱلۡبَغۡضَآءَ فِى ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمۡ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَعَنِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ‌ۖ فَهَلۡ أَنتُم مُّنتَہُونَ
وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَٱحۡذَرُواْ‌ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ

O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, Al-Ansab , and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan‘s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful . Shaitan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salat (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain? And obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad ), and beware (of even coming near to drinking or gambling or Al-Ansab, or Al-Azlam, etc.) and fear Allah. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest way. [Al-Maa’idah. 90-92]

Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Allah has cursed alcohol, the one who drinks it, the one who pours it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who squeezes (the grapes etc), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who carries it and the one to whom it is carried.” [Sahih Abi Dawud 3674]

Anas Bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Allaah cursed ten with regard to alcohol: the one who squeezes (i.e. the thing used to make it], the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who pours it, the one who sells it and consumes its price, the one who buys it and the one for whom it is bought”. [Tirmidhi 1295]

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Indeed, a people from my Ummah will drink alcohol, [and] give it other than its [real] name”.

Al-Allamah Zaid Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “This hadith contains a Prophetic miracle in relation to the information given by the Prophet about a matter of the unseen and that this will definitely occur. What the Prophet stated that alcohol will be given a name other than its real name will definitely occur. Indeed – in our era – alcohol has been given another name to deceive the people and urge them towards it, such as the name Mashrub Ruhi [i.e. (The sprightly drink or the drink that makes you lively), instead of giving its real name Khamr (i.e. alcohol) as it is said, Al-Khamru Takh’murul Aql – Alcohol veils (or obscures) the intellect]. And they have given it other names as well but it does not isolate it from the fact that it is khamr [alcohol] and it is forbidden”. [1]

Ibn Umar said: The Messenger forbade [two matters related to eating and drinking]: sitting at a table where alcohol is consumed and a man who eats whilst lying on his stomach.

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

In this hadith, there is guidance regarding the manners of eating food, because these two deeds are not from good manners. Firstly, sitting at a table where alcohol is consumed: It is not permissible for a Muslim to sit at a table where alcohol is consumed, because alcohol is the mother of all evil and a person is not safe [in such a situation]. The least sin regarding this affair is that one has shown approval to the one who consumes alcohol at a table. Secondly, regarding the [deed of] a man who eats whilst lying down on his stomach, it has been reported in a narration that the Messenger said about lying on one’s stomach whilst sleeping, “Indeed, it is a way of lying down that Allah hates”. [Sahih Al-Jami 2271]

It is not permissible for a man to lie on his stomach, rather he should lie down on his back, or on his right side and that is noblest manner of lying down, or on his left side and there is no harm in that. [2]

Read articles on the links: Huge Global Study in the Lancet: There Is No Safe Limit in the Consumption of Alcohol (And the Prohibition of Alcohol in the Qur’an):

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

Muslim Attitudes to Alcohol and Intoxicants: The effect upon societies and individuals:
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/muslim-attitudes-to-alcohol-and-other-intoxicants-and-their-apparent-effects-upon-societies-islam-4-4/

The Dangerous Effects of Drugs & Alcohol in Society in Light of the Quran & Sunnah:
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-evil-effects-of-drugs-alcohol-in-society-in-light-of-the-quraan-sunnah/

WHY DO MUSLIMS NOT DRINK ALCOHOL? A brief explanation of the wisdoms behind Islam’s prohibition of alcohol and its benefit to society:

 

https://twitter.com/AbuIyaadSP/status/869850059277467648?s=09/embed

https://twitter.com/AbuIyaadSP/status/869850059277467648?s=09/embed

[1] at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. 1/338
[2] at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. 1/408

Wellbeing

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Mental Health, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, 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 Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked: The question is from Imran Farghali. He is an Egyptian residing in Al-Qassim, (specifically) in Buraidah. He says in this message, “Is it permissible for a person to supplicate to their Lord to distance him from trials and tribulations related to the religion, oneself, wealth, or children, despite the fact that it is mentioned in Allah’s mighty book (i.e. that one will face trial)?

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لا يُفْتَنُونَ

Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. (Al-Ankabut 2)

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ

And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). (Al-Baqarah 155)

And the statement of Allah, The Exalted, regarding what some hypocrites said to Allah’s the Messenger during the departure for some military campaigns:

ائْذَنْ لِي وَلا تَفْتِنِّي أَلا فِي الْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌ بِالْكَافِرِينَ

Grant me leave (to be exempted from Jihad) and put me not into trial.” Surely, they have fallen into trial. And verily, Hell is surrounding the disbelievers. (Al-Tawbah 49)

Response: Yes, you (are permitted) to ask, and you should seek refuge in Allah from the trials, both those that are apparent and those that are hidden, as well as from the misleading trials. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sought refuge from such trials, and the authenticity of this has been reported from him. The fact that these trials occur does not mean that one is prevented from seeking refuge from them that they should not to occur. [Footnote a] Some people are led astray by a trial and face destruction. There is nothing to prevent you from asking your Lord, saying: “Protect me from the trials, both those that are apparent and those that are hidden. O Allah, protect me from the misleading trials. O Allah, protect me from the trials related to my wealth and my children.” You should ask your Lord for wellbeing that He protects you from these trials because wealth can be a trial, children can be a trial, and certain spouses and relatives can also be a trial. You should ask your Lord for wellbeing, for you may find yourself put to trial by your child, thus, you become misguided; you may be put to trial through your wealth, thus, you become misguided; you may be put to trial through your wife, thus, you become misguided through her; you may be put to trial through your friends, thus, you become misguided through them and other than that. Asking Allah for wellbeing that He (protects you) from trials is Amrun Matlub (i.e. something sought from a Muslim in the Shariah, either obligatory or recommended). [1]

Asking Allah For Wellbeing

Abdullah Bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, never abandoned these supplications in the morning and evening:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العافِيَـةَ فـي الدُّنيا والآخِرَةِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العَفْوَ والعافِيَـةَ فـي دِيني ودُنْـيايَ وأَهْلِي ومالِي، اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُـرْ عَوْراتِي، وآمِنْ رَوْعاتِي،
اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِـي مِنْ بَـيْنِ يَدَيَّ، ومِنْ خَلْفِي، وعَنْ يَمِيـنِـي، وعَنْ شِمالِي، ومِنْ فَوْقِي، وأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَـتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتالَ مِنْ تَحْتِـي

O Allah! I ask You for well-being in this Dunyaa and the Aakhirah. O Allāh, I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family and my wealth. O Allah! Conceal my (faults, shortcomings etc) and safeguard me against everything that will bring me fear and sorrow. O Allah! Protect me from in front, from behind me, from my right and my left, and from above. And I seek refuge with Your Magnificence from being swallowed up from beneath me.

This great supplication begins with one asking Allah for [العافِيَـةَ -wellbeing] in the Dunyaa and Aakhirah. Nothing can be equal to wellbeing, for whoever is granted well-being then indeed he has received his complete share of good.

Seeking [العَفْوَ -pardon] necessitates that one is forgiven for his sins and they are wiped away. As for [العافِيَـةَ – Well-being], it is safety Allah bestows on a servant of His- protects him against every punishment and trial, by averting evil from him, protecting him against calamities and ailments, evil and sins. Thus, the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked for wellbeing in the Dunyaa and Aakhirah, as well as wellbeing in his religion, worldly affairs, his family and wealth.

Well-being in one’s religion is protection against everything that will bring dishonour to one’s religion or deprive him of it. Well-being in the Dunyaa is to seek protection against everything that will harm the person in his worldly affairs, such as calamities or trials, severe poverty and ailments. Well-being in the Aakhirah is to seek protection against the extreme hardships in the Aakhirah and its various punishments. Well-being in one’s family is that they are protected from trials, calamities and tests; wellbeing in one’s wealth is that it is protected from drowning, burning, theft etc… [اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُـرْ عَوْراتِي – O Allah! Conceal my faults, shortcomings etc] [ وآمِنْ رَوْعاتِي – safeguard me against every affair that will frighten me and bring sorrow upon me].

اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِـي مِنْ بَـيْنِ يَدَيَّ، ومِنْ خَلْفِي، وعَنْ يَمِيـنِـي، وعَنْ شِمالِي، ومِنْ فَوْقِي، وأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَـتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتالَ مِنْ تَحْتِـي

O Allah! Protect me from in front, from behind me, from my right and my left, and from above. And I seek refuge with Your Magnificence from being swallowed up from beneath me.

Meaning: Asking Allah to protect you against destructive things and evils which a person is exposed to from the six directions, for indeed evil can approach from the front, behind, the right, the left, above or below, and he does not know which direction calamity will suddenly come upon him. [2]

———————————————-

Footnote a: Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

” وكل داع شافع دعا الله سبحانه وتعالى، وشفع: فلا يكون دعاؤه وشفاعته إلا بقضاء الله وقدره ومشيئته، وهو الذي يجيب الدعاء ويقبل الشفاعة، فهو الذي خلق السبب والمسبب، والدعاء من جملة الأسباب التي قدرها الله سبحانه وتعالى ” انتهى من”مجموع الفتاوى”(1/131

Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, stated: “Every suppliant and seeker of intercession who invokes Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, and seeks intercession, their invocation and seeking intercession cannot be except by Allah’s Qadaa wal Qadr, and His Will. He is the one who responds to supplications and accepts intercession. He is He who created both the cause and the effect, and supplication is among the means that Allah has decreed.” [3]

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

فالأقدار تردها الأقدار التي جعلها الله سبحانه مانعة لها، والأقدار المعلقة على وجود أشياء كالبر والصلة والصدقة توجد عند وجودها، وكل ذلك داخل في القدر العام المذكور في قوله سبحانه: إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: The things Allah has decreed are repelled by other things Allah has decreed which Allah has made a means of stopping them. The decreed matters that are connected to the occurrence of other things, such as charity, kindness, and maintaining family ties, occur only when those actions are present. All of this falls under the encompassing decree that is mentioned in Allah’s statement:

إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ

“Verily, all things. We created (them) with Qadar (their prior determination and ordainment inscribed in the Preserved Tablet)..” https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/54_49 [4]

Listen to an important lecture by Shaikh Abu Iyaad, may Allah preserve him, on Al-Qadaa wal-Qadar: https://youtu.be/hKgIjOKSNQQ?si=z7s8SUuQc4R9BXm9

[1]

https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/7275/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%86

[2] An Excerpt from Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal Ad’kar 3/32-33

[3] Majmu’ al-Fatawa” (1/131)

[4]

https://binbaz.org.sa/speeches/266/%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%82%D8%A9#:~:text=%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%20%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A7%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A%20%D8%AC%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%87%D8%A7,%D9%8A%D8%B7%D9%81%D8%A6%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%20%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%8A%20%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%87

Another link: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/3437/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B1

“Guide us to the straight path” – An overarching need of a lifetime

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

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

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Guide us to the straight path. [Al-Fatihah. Ayah 6]

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

Meaning:

Guide us and direct us, and grant us success on the straight path, which is the clear path leading to (the Pleasure) of Allah and His paradise. It is to know truth and act upon it, therefore, guide us to the straight path and keep us steadfast upon it. The guidance to the straight path entails adhering to the religion of Islam and abandoning all other religions, while the guidance along the path includes direction in all religious matters, both in knowledge and practice. This supplication is among the most comprehensive and beneficial prayers for a servant of Allah. Due to this, it is obligated to a person to supplicate with it every Rak’ah in his prayer due to one’s overarching need for it. [1]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated about the levels of guidance:

First: The guidance of knowledge and clarity. Allah enables one to know the truth and understand it. Second: Allah gives one the ability to reach it; otherwise, one remains incapable on their own. Third: Allah enables one to be a desirer of it. Fourth: Allah enables one to act upon it. Fifth: Allah enables one to be steadfast and continue upon it. Sixth: Allah removes the obstacles and opposing influences that are in opposition to it. Seventh: Allah guides one along the path itself – a specific guidance, which is more specific than the initial guidance. This is because the first one is a general guidance along the path, whereas this second one contains its stages in detail. Eighth: Allah enables one to see the true goal along the path and draws his attention to it, so that one remains focused in his adherence without being hindered from the paths leading to it. Ninth: Allah makes one witness his neediness and overarching need for this guidance above every need one cannot do without. Tenth: Allah enables one to witness the two divergent paths that are away from the straight way, and they are the path of those who have earned Allah’s anger due to turning away from the truth intentionally and out of obstinacy, and the path of those who have strayed due to ignorance and misguidance. [2]

We ask Allah:
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ

O Turner of the hearts! Keep my heart upon Your religion.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ، وَالْعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ

O Allah! Indeed, I ask You for steadfastness in this affair (regarding sound adherence to the religion) and firm resolve to adhere to the path of guidance.

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [3]

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720] [4]

اللّهُـمَّ رَبَّ جِـبْرائيل ، وَميكـائيل ، وَإِسْـرافيل، فاطِـرَ السَّمواتِ وَالأَرْض ، عالـِمَ الغَيْـبِ وَالشَّهـادَةِ أَنْـتَ تَحْـكمُ بَيْـنَ عِبـادِكَ فيـما كانوا فيهِ يَخْتَلِفـون. اهدِنـي لِمـا اخْتُـلِفَ فيـهِ مِنَ الْحَـقِّ بِإِذْنِك ، إِنَّـكَ تَهْـدي مَنْ تَشـاءُ إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقـيم

O Allaah! Lord of Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel and Israafeel, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, The Knower of the seen and the unseen. You judge between Your slaves regarding in that which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is differing, by Your Will. Verily, You guide whomever you will to the straight path. (6)

The scholars say that these creations [i.e. Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel, Israafeel, the heavens and the earth] have been specifically mentioned, even though Allaah is the Creator of all the creation, just as has been established in the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah with regards to the specific mention of every created thing that has a great and mighty status as one of Allaah’s creation, such as the statement, “Lord of the Heavens and the Earth”, “Lord of the Supreme Throne”, “Lord of the Angels and Jibreel”, “The Lord of the two Easts (places of sunrise during early summer and early winter) and the Lord of the two Wests (places of sunset during early summer and early winter)”, “The Lord of Humankind”, “The King of Humankind”, “The Only True God of Humankind”, “The Lord of all Created Things”, “The Lord of the Prophets”, ” The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth”, “The Originator of the Heavens and the Earth” etc. All these things and what is similar to them shows Allah’s Greatness, All-encompassing Power and absolute Sovereignty. [5]

In this supplication, one employs the means of seeking Allah’s [love, aid, pleasure, assistance etc] by way of belief and affirmation that He is the Lord – in general and specific – of these three Angels, who have been given a means of giving life. Jibra’eel is given the responsibility to convey the revelation (to the Prophets) by way of which the hearts and souls are given that type of life that necessitates the presence of sound belief in the heart that leads to all righteous deeds. Meekaa’eel is given the responsibility to bring the rain by way of which the earth, the vegetation and animals are given life, and Israafeel is given the responsibility to blow the trumpet by way of which the creation are resurrected after their death. Also employing the means of seeking Allaah’s [love, aid, assistance, pleasure etc] by way of belief and affirmation that Allaah alone is the Originator of the heavens and earth, meaning, He is their Creator and the one who brought them into existence prior to their non-existence, and that He is the knower of the unseen and the seen- meaning, the hidden and apparent, and due to the fact that He alone is the One Who judges between the servants in that which they differ, so that He guides you to the truth in that which they differ. As for guidance, it is knowledge of the truth together with having the intent to follow the truth, and preferring it over other things. The guided person is that one who acts upon the truth and desires it, and it is the Greatest blessing of Allah bestowed on the servants. We ask Allah to guide us all to the straight path and grant us every good. [6]

The Jihad of a Lifetime Against Four Things!

[1] An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Madarij As-Salikin 3/510

[3] https://salafidawah.uk/2021/01/01/o-allaah-let-me-live-if-life-is-good-for-me-and-let-me-die-if-death-is-good-for-me/

[4] https://salafidawah.uk/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/

[5] Sharh Saheeh Muslim 5/50

[6] An Excerpt from Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal Ad’kaar 3/139-140

Defenses for the heart against shirk, vain desires, and detrimental despair

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Mental Health, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah, The Exalted, said:

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ

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. [Al-Rad 28]

Allah said:

ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَٰبًا مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ

Allah has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. [Al-Zumar 23]

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

The religion is based on two matters: remembrance of Allah, which necessitates having knowledge and awareness of Allah, 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- the reason for which reward and punishment are determined, (the reason for which) Allah 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 Allah that there is no purpose behind the creation [free is Allah from what they attribute to Him].

Allah [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!]

Allah [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).

Allah [The Most High] says: [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…]

Allah [The Most High] said: [مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٲلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ – Allah did not create this but in truth]. Allah [The Most High] said: Allah [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]?

Allah [The Most High] says: [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?]

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

Allah [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.

Therefore, based on what has (already) been mentioned, it has been established that the purpose behind the creation and the Command is so that Allah is remembered and thanked. Allah is to be remembered and not forgotten, and He should be thanked and not shown ingratitude. Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] acknowledges 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 Allah is the reason Allah acknowledges the one who does so. Being grateful to Allah is the reason why a person is given an increase in blessings and favours. Remembrance of Allah is to be carried out with the heart and tongue; gratitude is to be carried out with one’s heart- out of love for Allah 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). [1]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: The sincere person tastes the sweetness of servitude to Allah which prevents him from servitude to other than Allah, because there is nothing sweeter and more comforting to the heart than the sweetness found in belief in Allah–The Lord of the entire existence. [2]

The Impact of Love, Fear and Hope In The Worship and Behaviour of Muslim

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

The basis of all sins – major and minor – are three: the heart’s attachment to other than Allah, going along with the intense strength of one’s anger and the intense urge of one’s desires. These three things constitute shirk, injustice and indecency. Ascribing partners to Allah and invoking other than Him is the ultimate thing related to the heart’s attachment to other than Allah, murder is the ultimate thing related to going along with one’s intense anger and fornication is the ultimate thing related to going along with the intense urge of one’s desires. Because this, Allah mentioned the three together in the verse: [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]. [Al-Furqan. 68] [3]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said: The people enter the fire through three paths: Ambiguous matters that bring about doubt in the religion ordained by Allah. Desires that leads to giving precedence to evil desires over obedience to Allah and seeking after His Pleasure. (Uncontrolled) anger that leads to transgression against Allah’s creation. The basis of all sins are three: Pride, and it is what led Iblees to the situation he found himself. (Uncontrolled) eagerness, and it is what led to Adam’s expulsion from Jannah. Envy, and it is what led one of the sons of Adam to (kill) his brother. Whoever is protected from these three affairs will be protected from evil. Disbelief occurs due to pride, sins occur due to disobedience and transgression and oppression occur due to envy. [4]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Hearts that are emptied of love for Allah, turned away from Him and seeking remedy from others besides Him, are afflicted with infatuation with images. This is because when the heart is filled with love for Allah and a strong love for meeting Him, this infatuation with images is repelled from it. For this reason, Allah, The Most High, stated about Yusuf, peace be upon him:

كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ ۚ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ

Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves.

This shows that sincerity is a means to repelling (evil). Because of this, some of the pious predecessors said: “Infatuation is an agitation in empty hearts”. Meaning: emptied of other than what they crave for. [5]

Allah, The Most High, said:
وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكۡرَهُواْ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّڪُمۡ‌ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ۬ لَّكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ

And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” [AI-Baqarah. Verse 216]

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

There is for the servant -in this verse – a number of insightful guidelines, underlying benefits and welfare. (This is) because indeed if he knows that Al-Makruh (what is hated) can bring forth Al-Mahbub (i.e. what is beloved), and vice versa, then neither would he feel safe from the harm that might occur from something that makes him happy nor would he lose hope whilst expecting a final source of happiness from a situation of harm. This is because he does not have (infinite or perfect) knowledge of the Awaqib (i.e. the final outcomes), but Allah knows that which he does not know.

There is nothing more beneficial for him than fulfilling Allah’s commands, even if it is difficult for him in the beginning and his soul dislikes it, because all its end result will be good – a means to happiness, pleasure and joy. Similarly, there is nothing more harmful for him than doing what he has been forbidden, even if his soul desires and inclines towards it because all its end result will lead to pain, grief, evil and calamities. A distinguishing characteristic of (sound) intellect is that it prefers to bear little pain whose end results will lead to great enjoyment and abundant good, and it avoids that little enjoyment whose end results will lead to great pain and prolonged evil. The observations of an ignorant person does not permit him to (pay attention to the true or real) goals behind events that occur from the very beginning of an affair, but as for the sensible person, he always looks at the (true or real) goals behind those events. He looks at the praiseworthy and unpraiseworthy goals that are not obvious (to the ignorant one). He sees what is forbidden as tasty food that is mixed with deadly poison, therefore, whenever he is urged towards eating that food due to its tastiness, he is turned away due to the poison in it. As for the commandments, he sees them as bitter medication that will lead to physical well-being and cure; therefore, whenever he is turned away from the medication due to its bitterness, he is then urged towards it due to its benefits.

However, this requires the blessing of knowledge by way of which a person can perceive the (praiseworthy and unpraiseworthy goals) behind those events that occur from the very beginning of an affair, as well as firm patience that would enable him to bear the difficulties upon the path towards achieving the expected goals. If he does not have certainty and patience, it would be difficult for him to achieve that; but if he has firm certainty and patience, he would be facilitated with ease whilst bearing every difficulty in his pursuit of everlasting good and enjoyment.

The servant should hand over his affair to the One (Allah) who knows – (perfectly without anything hidden from Him)- the end result of affairs. He should be pleased with what Allah chooses and decrees for him because of the good end result he hopes for.

Neither should he make suggestions to his Lord nor put forward his choice over that of his Lord, nor does he ask for something about which he has no knowledge because it may be that what will bring about harm and destruction on him is found in what he asks, whilst he does not know. Therefore, he does not choose anything over what his Lord chooses; rather he asks his Lord to choose the best for him and make him pleased with what has been chosen for him, because there is nothing more beneficial for him than this.

When he hands over his affair to his Lord and is pleased with what has been chosen for him, his Lord facilitates him with strength, determination and patience in that which has been chosen for him; repel the afflictions he would have encountered due to the choice he makes and show him some of the good end results of the choice his Lord made for him, which could not have been attained through the choice he makes for himself.

He is relieved of the difficult reasoning about all types of choices and his heart is emptied of projections through which he ascends one obstacle and descends into another. And alongside this, he cannot escape what is decreed for him. If he is pleased with Allaah’s choice, then what has been decreed will come to him, whilst he is deserving of commendation and graceful in it; otherwise, what has been decreed will come to him while he is blameworthy and ungraceful, because he is left with the choice he made for himself. [6]

There is no justification for anyone to commit suicide

Allah said:

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا

And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. [Al-Nisa 29]

Allah – The Most High – said:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَعۡبُدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرۡفٍ۬‌ۖ فَإِنۡ أَصَابَهُ ۥ خَيۡرٌ ٱطۡمَأَنَّ بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَإِنۡ أَصَابَتۡهُ فِتۡنَةٌ ٱنقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجۡهِهِۦ خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأَخِرَةَ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخُسۡرَانُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ

And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were, upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face. He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss. [Al-Hajj. 11]

Imam Al-Bukhari said, “Chapter: “And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were upon the very edge” . Ibn Abbas said about this verse: A man used to come to Madinah and if his wife gave birth to a son and his mares produce offspring, he said, “This religion of Islam is good”. But if his wife did not give birth and his mares did not produce offspring, he would say, “This religion is evil”. [Al-Bukhaari 4742]

Imam As-Sadi said about this verse: There are those among the people who are weak in Iman- neither has Iman entered into his heart (with certainty) nor has it tasted its sweetness; rather, it entered into his heart either due to fear or by way of custom (merely entered due to what he saw the people doing) in a way that does not allow their Iman to be firm during trials. [فَإِنۡ أَصَابَهُ ۥ خَيۡرٌ ٱطۡمَأَنَّ بِهِۦ‌ۖ – If good befalls him, he is content therewith] – Meaning: When his provision continues to come easily and he does not face any hardship, he is contented due to that good and not due to his Iman. It maybe that Allah grants this person well-being and does not put him to trial that makes him turn him away from his religion.

[وَإِنۡ أَصَابَتۡهُ فِتۡنَةٌ ٱنقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجۡهِهِۦ – But if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face] – Meaning: Either due to hardship or cessation of something he loves, he exits the religion.

[خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأَخِرَةَ – He loses both this world and the Hereafter] – Meaning: As for in the worldly life, he does not receive what he wishes due to exiting the religion. The one who makes apostasy his main source of wealth – as a replacement of his religion through which he thinks that he will obtain what he hopes for, he will not receive except that which has been portioned out for him by Allah. As for the afterlife, it is clear that he will be forbidden from entry into paradise whose expanse is as wide as the heavens and the earth. He will be deserving of the hell fire. [ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخُسۡرَانُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ – That is the evident loss]. [7]

Imam Ibn Al-Jawzee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Indeed, many people become helpless when their loved ones die. So amongst them is one who tears his clothes, one who strikes his face out of despair and one who raise objections. Indeed, I have seen an old man who reached nearly eighty years of age and used to strictly guard the congregational prayer. Then a son of his died and he said, “It is not worthwhile for anyone to supplicate, for indeed he will not be answered”. He then said, “Indeed Allah has turned away from us, for He has not left us with a child’’. Thus, I realised that his prayers and performance of good deeds was merely a customary thing because they were not nurtured upon knowledge and Iman. These (people) are those who worship Allah on an edge. [8]

Everyone will face trials: https://salafidawah.uk/2025/03/20/the-prophet-drew-a-square-to-demonstrate-the-worldly-hopes-afflictions-and-death/

Sa’eed Bin Jubayr, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Patience is the person’s acknowledgment that what has afflicted him is from Allaah, seeking for reward from Allaah and hoping for Allaah’s good recompense. Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you see nothing from him except patience”. [9]

Regarding the statement “Patience is the person’s acknowledgement that what has afflicted him is from Allaah”, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Innaa lil laah – to Allaah we belong”. So, the person acknowledges that he belongs to Allaah and his owner does whatever He wants with him. Regarding the statement “Seeking for reward from Allaah”, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon – and to Him (i.e. Allaah) we shall return”, meaning we shall return to You, so that you reward us due to our patience and the reward for being patient during calamity will not be lost”. Regarding the statement “Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you do not see from him except patience”, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Patience is not that one bears the whip, rather it is to restrain the heart from getting angry with Allaah’s decree and to restrain the tongue from complaining about Allaah. Whoever is whipped and his heart is displeased with Allaah, then he is not one who is patient”. [10]

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The best life we ​​have attained is through patience, and if patience was a man, he would have been an honourable (or noble man)”. [11]

Ali Bin Abee Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Indeed, patience concerning Imaan is the same as the head to the body, so if the head is cut off, the body will perish”. Then he raised his voice and said, “Indeed, there is no (sound) faith for the one who has no patience).” [12]

Ash-Sha’bee [may Allah have mercy upon him] reported that Shurayh [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Verily if I am afflicted by a calamity, I praise Allah four times. I praise (Allah) that it is not greater than what it was. I praise (Allah) as He blessed me with the patience to bear it. I praise (Allah) as He bestows on me (the ability) to remember what I hope for of reward, and I praise (Allah) for not placing this calamity in my religion”. [13]

Yahyah Bin Mu’aadh [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Paradise is surrounded by hardships and you hate them, and Hellfire is surrounded by desires and you seek them, so you are nothing except like a severely ill patient. If your soul exercises patience with the reluctance to take medicine (and then take it), you gain wellness (wellbeing) through patience; but if your soul is anxious about what it faces (and thus you refrain from taking the medication), the illness with which it suffers will prolong”. [14]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: Despair only serves to delight one’s enemies, disappoint friends, anger Allah, please the devil, diminish one’s rewards, and weaken oneself. However, if one exercises patience and perseverance, they will frustrate the devil and send him away defeated, please Allah, bring joy to friends, and dishearten enemies. Furthermore, they will support their brothers and offer them consolation even before seeking solace for themselves. This exemplifies true steadfastness and the highest form of perfection, which is not found in actions such as striking one’s face, tearing one’s garments, or lamenting with cries of despair and frustration over what is decreed. [15]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: “When a servant of Allah realizes that he belongs to Allah and that his ultimate destination is with Him, he finds solace in his afflictions. This understanding serves as one of the most effective remedies for those in distress, beneficial both in this life and the hereafter. It encompasses two fundamental truths that, when acknowledged by a person, and provide comfort in times of hardship. The first is that the person, along with his family and wealth, is truly the property of Allah, the Exalted. The second is that the servant’s return and accountability lie with Allah, his true Master. Ultimately, he must leave the world behind and approach his Lord alone, just as he was created initially, without family, wealth, or kin, but only with his deeds, both good and bad. Given that this is the servant’s beginning, what he possesses, and his end, how can he rejoice in what he has or grieve over what he has lost?” [16]

Ibn al-Qayyim stated, “The bitterness of this world is, in fact, the sweetness of the Hereafter, as Allah Almighty transforms them in this manner. Conversely, the sweetness of this world is akin to the bitterness of the Hereafter. It is far better for one to transition from temporary bitterness to everlasting sweetness than the opposite. If this is unclear to you, consider the words of the truthful and trustworthy: “Paradise is surrounded by hardships, while Hell is surrounded by desires”. (reported by Muslim, 2822). In this context, the intellects of people vary, revealing the true nature of individuals. Many prefer the fleeting sweetness of this world over the enduring sweetness of the Hereafter, unable to endure a moment of bitterness for the sake of eternal bliss, nor a moment of humiliation for everlasting honour, nor a trial for the sake of eternal well-being. For them, the present is a testimony, while the future remains unseen, their faith is weak, and the authority of desire prevails. This leads to a preference for immediate gains and a rejection of the Hereafter.” [17]

We ask Allah:
اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [18]

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [19]

[اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ، وَشُكْرِكَ، وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ – O Allah, help me remember You, thank You, and worship You in an excellent manner]. [20]

[1] Al-Fawaa’id’ page 192-194]

[2] Majmu al-Fatawa 10/215]

[3] An Excerpt from Al-Fawa’id 131-132

[4] An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id 94

[5] at-Tib An-Nabawi. page180

[6] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawa’id’ pages 203-204

[7] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi

[8] An Excerpt from Ath-Thabaat Indal Mamaat. Page: 11

[9] An Excerpt from Al-Fawa’id 131-132

[10] An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id 94

[11]An Excerpt from “As-Sabr Wath-Thawaab Alayhi”. By Ibn Abee Ad-Dunyaa. page23

[12]An Excerpt from “As-Sabr Wath-Thawaab Alayhi”. page 124

[13]Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa 4/105

[14] Sifatus Safwa 4/94

[15, 16 and 17]: Zaad al-Ma’aad 4/173

[18] https://salafidawah.uk/2021/01/01/o-allaah-let-me-live-if-life-is-good-for-me-and-let-me-die-if-death-is-good-for-me/

[19] https://salafidawah.uk/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/

[20] Sahih Sunan Abee Dawud 1522]

[3] Fear of Allah and its tremendous outcomes

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Repentance, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad, may Allah preserve him, said:

The Qur’an contains numerous verses and the Sunnah includes several narrations that emphasise these positive outcomes, and that fear of Allah and righteous deeds lead to happiness in both this life and the hereafter. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) said:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth. [Al-A’raf. 96]

The noble verse highlights the connection between worship and the positive outcomes in a Muslim’s life. Those who fear Allah and have faith in Him will be rewarded and provided for by Allah in this world. Blessings from the heavens and the earth, such as rain, vegetation, and treasures, will be bestowed upon them. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) states about the people of the Scripture:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّہُمۡ أَقَامُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡہِم مِّن رَّبِّہِمۡ لَأَڪَلُواْ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَمِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِهِم‌ۚ

And if only they had acted according to the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur’an), they would surely have gotten provision from above them, and from underneath their feet. [Al-Ma’idah 66]

The content of these two verses regarding the inhabitants of the towns and the followers of the scripture pertains to the worldly reward for those who have faith in Allah and are mindful of Him. As for the reward in the Hereafter for the believers and the God-fearing, Allah said:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَڪَفَّرۡنَا عَنۡہُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِہِمۡ وَلَأَدۡخَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

And if only the people of the Scripture had believed (in Muhammad) and warded off evil (sin, ascribing partners to Allah) and had become Al-Muttaqun (pious), We would indeed have blotted out their sins and admitted them to Gardens of pleasure (in Paradise). [Al-Ma’idah 65]

Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُواْ قَوۡلاً۬ سَدِيدً۬ا

O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth).

This verse signifies an act of devotion, and Allah subsequently highlights its positive outcomes:

يُصۡلِحۡ لَكُمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلَكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ فَقَدۡ فَازَ فَوۡزًا عَظِيمًا

“He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger) he has indeed achieved a great achievement”.

Indeed, being guided towards righteous and correct actions and having one’s sins forgiven in the afterlife are positive results of worship. This noble verse highlights the positive outcomes of acts of worship in both this worldly life and the afterlife. In this life, Allah will guide individuals towards righteousness and goodness, enabling them to make sound decisions and follow the path of Allah with clarity. In the afterlife, Allah will grant forgiveness for sins and erase all evil deeds. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) also said:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا
وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُ‌ۚ

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine”.

This noble verse affirms that fear of Allah and worshipping Him alone, along with adhering to His commandments and abstaining from what He has prohibited, will rescue an individual from challenging and arduous circumstances. Furthermore, Allah bestows sustenance upon those who obey and revere Him from unexpected sources beyond their imagination. Allah said:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ يُسۡرً۬ا

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him”.

Indeed, as a result of fearing Allah, one can experience the ease of their affairs. Allah will simplify their journey toward righteousness and unveil paths that bring joy and contentment in both this world and the hereafter. Allah said:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفِّرۡ عَنۡهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُعۡظِمۡ لَهُ ۥۤ أَجۡرًا

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will remit his sins from him, and will enlarge his reward”. This pertains to the rewards in the afterlife that are attained through one’s fear of Allah.

Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تَتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ فُرۡقَانً۬ا وَيُكَفِّرۡ عَنڪُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلۡفَضۡلِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ

“O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty”.

The verse shows that those who fear Allah and obey Him and His Messenger will be given the ability to differentiate between right and wrong. They will follow Allah’s path with clarity and guidance in this life. In the next life, Allah will erase their sins and forgive them.

Also, in the latter portion of the verse addressing the proper conduct when it comes to loans and debts, Allah (The Most High) says: [وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ-So be afraid of Allah, and Allah teaches you].[An Excerpt from  أثر العبادات في حياة المسلم pages 15]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَن زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا، اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَعُوذُ بكَ مِن عِلْمٍ لا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا

O Allah! Grant my soul its piety, and purify it, for You are the best of those who purify it. You are its Guardian and Protector. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered. [Sahih Muslim 2722]

A profound and thought-provoking statement by Al-Hasan Al-Basri on Istighfar

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Repentance, Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imam Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported that Bin Subayh, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned that  man complained to Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, about drought; Al-Hasan said to him, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. Another person complained about poverty, to which Al-Hasan similarly responded, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. A third person said to him, “Supplicate to Allah to grant me a child”, Al-Hasan again said to him, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. Then another complained about the dryness of his garden, Al-Hasan said to him, “Seek Allah’s forgiveness”. Rabee Bin Sibayh said to him, “Men came with different complaints and you commanded all of them to seek Allah’s forgiveness!” He replied: “I did not say anything from myself, rather Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, says in Surah Nuh:

فَقُلْتُ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًا
يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا
وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَٰرًا

I (Nuh) said (to them): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; ‘He will send rain to you in abundance; and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” [1]

The Wisdom Behind Istighfar at The End of Deeds
https://salafidawah.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The_Wisdom_Behind_Istighfaar_at_The_End_of_Deeds.pdf

Repentance

Shaddad Bin Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: The best way to seek the forgiveness of Allah is to say:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

O Allah, You are my Lord! There is no one who has the right to be worshipped except you. You created me and I am your slave, and I am [upon obedience and agreement] to my covenant and promise (to You) as much as I am able. I seek refuge with You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge in your presence all the blessings You have granted me, and I confess to You my sins. So forgive me, for indeed none is able to forgive (a slave his) sins, except You]. [Al-Bukhari. Number 6306]

[اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي – O Allah! You are my Lord].

The suppliant affirms Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah which necessitates singling out Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] as the Creator- the only One with All-Encompassing Will [i.e. whatever Allah wills takes place and whatever He does not will cannot take place],  All-Encompassing Authority [and control over everything].

[لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ – There is no one who has the right to be worshipped except you. You created me and I am your slave].

The suppliant affirms Tawhid Al-Ilaahiyyah, which necessitates having love for Allah and worshipping Allah alone without any partner; acknowledges his servitude to Allah, which necessitates declaring his absolute poverty and need in the presence of Allah -in all [affairs, situations, circumstances, instances].

Then suppliant says: [وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ  – And I am [upon obedience and agreement] to my covenant and promise (to You)].

This necessitates adherence to Allah’s Shariah, His  command and the religion He has ordained, the covenant which He has enjoined on His servants; affirmation and belief in Allah’s Promise, which is His recompense. So, this [part of the supplication conveys] adherence to Allah’s command, affirming and belief in Allah’s Promise which necessitates Iman and hoping for Allah’s Reward. [However], the servants knows that he cannot fulfil this affair in the manner it truly deserves, so he mentioned his limited ability and power alongside it, saying: [مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ  – as much as I am able]- Meaning: I adhere to it based on my limited ability and power. So, he testified to two affairs – [his limited] ability and power. Then he testified to his shortcomings, saying: [أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ  – I seek refuge with You from the evil I have done].

Then he testified that all blessings come from Allah – Allah is its owner, the One worthy of [being its owner, Bestower etc] and the One who brought it into existence prior to its non-existence], saying:

[ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي– I acknowledge in your presence all the blessings You have granted me, and I confess to You my sins]- Meaning: You [O Allaah] are The One Who Deserves All Praise and  Thanks- the One Who Deserves be to exolted, all good comes from You and all blessings are from You. You are the Owner of all praise, all exoltation belongs to You and all bounty is Yours; and I am the sinner, the one who commits wrong, acknowledges and accepts his mistake, just as has been stated by one of the Aarifeen [i.e. those who truly know their Lord] that, “The one who truly knows his Lord follows the path [i.e. the upright religion] through acknowledging and bearing witness to Allaah’s blessings as well as being well aware of the faults of his soul and the faults in his deeds”. So, acknowledging and bearing witness to Allaah’s blessings [or favours] necessitates that one loves his Lord [Glorified be He],  praise and extol Him. And being well aware of the faults of one’s soul and deeds necessitates constant Istighfaar [i.e. seeking forgiveness], repentance, humility, obedience and submission.

Then after this is established in the heart of the suppliant and he seeks a means of approach to his Lord through these affairs [i.e. after affirming Allah’s Rububiyyah and Uluhiyyah; affirming his servitude to Allah, affirming that he has limited ability, acknowledges that all blessings belong to Allah, accepting his faults, sin etc], he then says: [فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْت  – So forgive me, for indeed none is able to forgive (a slave his) sins, except You] [2]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said regarding the Messenger’s statement: “I acknowledge in your presence all the blessings You have granted me, and I confess to you my sins”.  He [the Prophet] combined – in this statement – a testification to (Allah’s) blessings and a notification of the flaws in one’s self and actions. The Shaikh also said: The domain of servitude to Allah is based on two principles and they are its foundation: Complete and perfect love of Allah and complete humility in Allah’s Presence. The origin of these two principles emanates from two other principles and they are: Attesting to (Allah’s) blessings and this brings about love of Allah, and being aware of the flaws in one’s self and actions which brings about one’s complete humility [in Allaah’s presence].  If the slave establishes his path to Allah based on these two principles, his enemy [i.e. shaytaan] will not defeat him through them, except as a result of unawareness and inattentiveness, and how quickly Allaah makes him recover, notifies him and reaches out to him with His Mercy [i.e. when he falls into error or forgets]. [3]

The Three Main Conditions of Repentance, and a Fourth One Related To Rights Owed To the People

The Iman said: Know that Allah’s Mercy is extensive and His Kindness is tremendous, and that He is [الجواد – (The Munificent, Bountiful); الكريم (The Bountiful, The Generous One Abundant in Good)]. He is the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy and the best of all those who forgive [Glorified and Exalted be He]. And know that also to have (the audacity to commit acts of) disobedience is a great evil, a great corruption and a cause of (incurring) the anger of Allah; but when a servant repents to his Lord –a truthful repentance-Allah accepts his repentance. Indeed, the Prophet was asked many times about a man who (committed) a lot of such and such faults, (acts) of disobedience and various types of kufr, and then he repents; so Messenger said: “Repentance wipes away what was (committed) before it (i.e. sins)” and “Islam (i.e. when a person abandons kufr and becomes a Muslim) wipes away what was (committed) before it (i.e. sins)”. Therefore, you should know -with certainty- that by way of truthful sincere repentance, Allah wipes away sins and evil deeds, even kufr. And because of this Allah [Glorified be He] said:

[وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [24:31] So He (Allaah) connected success to repentance.

Allah (Glorified be He) said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ – O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) [66:8]

Therefore, O brother! Truthful repentance is (incumbent) upon you- cling to it; be firm upon it and be sincere to Allah in that. And (receive) glad tidings that it wipes away your sins, even if they are like a mountain.

The conditions (to be fulfilled in order for repentance to be accepted are) three: [a] To be regretful and remorseful regarding the past (acts of disobedience you committed); [b] To renounce and abandon the sins – the big and small (of them); [c] To have a firm resolve (or determination) not to return to it (i.e. not to commit them again). If you owe the people their rights- wealth or (you committed offences related to blood-shed, murder or causing injury etc) or violating their honour, then their rights must be given back to them. This is a fourth affair related to a complete repentance. It is incumbent upon you to give the people the rights they are owed. If the affair is related to retribution, then retribution is established (i.e. by the state), unless they (i.e. the people) permit that you give blood money; if related to wealth, you give them back their wealth, unless they forgive; if related to their honour and you did backbite them, you should seek their forgiveness; but if seeking their forgiveness will lead to evil, then there is no hindrance in refraining from (informing them that you did backbite them and that you seek their forgiveness); rather you should supplicate for them and seek Allah’s forgiveness for them, and mention the good you know about them in the same place you did mention them with evil. This will be expiation for (that sin of backbiting). And it is incumbent upon you to proceed –without delay- towards repentance before death, and then exercise patience and be truthful. Allah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) said: [وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُواْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُواْ اللّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَى مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ – And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. [3:135]

(So) understand the meaning of the (statement): وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ  – And do not persist in what (wrong)]- this means that they do not persist in sin, rather they repent, show regret and abandon the (sin) they committed; and they know [i.e. that persistence in sin is harmful, or that Allah forgives the one who repents.

Then Allah [Glorified be He] stated thereafter: [أُوْلَئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ – For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s Orders). [3:136].  This is the reward for those who repent and do not persist in (sin)- for them the reward is paradise. [An Excerpt from this link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/fatawa/4251 slightly paraphrased]

[1] Tafsir Al-Qurtubi 18/301-303

[2] An Excerpt from Tareeq al-Hijratayn pages 210-211

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Al-Wabil As-Sayyib page 8

A supplication of Abu Ad-Darda

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Ibn Abee Shaybah, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported in Kitab Al-Iman and also in Al-Musannaf (6/164) that Abu Ad-Darda, may Allah be pleased with him, always use to supplicate, saying:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي  أَسْأَلُكَ إيمَانًا دَائِمًا وَعِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَهَدْيًا قَيِّمًا

“O Allah! I ask you for abiding Iman, beneficial knowledge and upright guidance”.

Mu’aawiyyah Ibn Qurra, may Allah have mercy upon him, transmitted this narration from Abu Darda and then said: “This is because there is Imaan that is not abiding, knowledge that is not beneficial and guidance that is not upright”.

Al-Madkhal Li-diraasaat Al-Aqeedah Al-Islaamiy yah. Lesson 2

The Path to Maximizing the Benefits of Our Supplications

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

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

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

The one whose goal in their supplication is to draw closer to Allah while also seeking to fulfill their requests has perfected many things, unlike the one who focuses solely on his request, which is the case for most people. Indeed, this  is a shortcoming and a missed opportunity in a significant virtue. And for this (virtue) then let those who compete, compete with each other (by hastening to piety and righteousness). This reflects the benefits of valuable knowledge, as ignorance hinders many individuals from achieving lofty aspirations and the (following the) beautiful paths (to success in this life and the next). (1)

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

Supplication is three types: The first type is to invoke Allah by His Names and Attributes, and this is one of the explanations of Allah’s statement:

  وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ فَٱدۡعُوهُ بِہَا

And (all) the Most Beautiful [perfect] Names belong to Allah , so supplicate to Him by them]. [Al-A’raaf. 180]

The second type is that you invoke Allah for your need and due to your poverty, saying: “I am Your poor slave, the needy one, the one to be pitied, the one seeking help and refuge etc”.

The third type is that you ask for your need whilst not using the aforementioned two types of invocations.

The first invocation is more perfect and the second is more perfect than the third.  If an invocation gathers all three types, it will be most perfect and this is what the invocations of the Prophet usually comprised. (2)

(1) Al-Fatawa As-Sadiyyah page 43

(2) Jalaa Al-Ifhaam. 201