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Tag: tafsir

Contemplation and Understanding of The Qurān – Shaykh b. Bāz

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaykh b. Bāz (rahimahullāh) said,

In general, memorisation is from knowledge and fahm is greater and the head and foundation of knowledge is the Qurān.

Therefore whoever desires knowledge then let him contemplate on the Qurān and give importance to the Qurān, in terms of memorisation, contemplation, revision and action upon it.

And the knowledge of the companions, most of it was from the Qurān, some of them did not memorise except a few ahādīth; however Allāh benefited them by their knowledge and their concern with the Book of Allāh (Azza wa Jal).


Shaykh ibn Bāz’s Sharh Kitāb at-Tawhīd min Sahīh al-Bukhāri pg 410-411

22 Benefits Extracted By Shaykh al-‘Uthaymīn from the Verses of Fasting (Al-Baqarah:183-186)

‎يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O you who believe! Observing As-Ṣaum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqūn (the pious – see V. 2:2).

‎أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

[Observing Ṣaum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskīn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.

‎شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

The month of Ramaḍān in which was revealed the Qurān, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Ṣaum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Ṣaum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allāh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allāh [i.e. to say Takbir (Allāhu-Akbar; Allāh is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramaḍān and Shawwāl] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.

‎وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

And when My slaves ask you (O Muḥammad ṣallallāhu alaihi wa salam) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.

Shaykh Muḥammad Ibn Ṣālih al-‘Uthaymīn(raḥimahullāh) extrapolates 22 benefits from the 4 āyāt of Al-Baqarah:183-186:

  1. The obligation of fasting Ramaḍān upon this nation.
  2. That fasting was obligatory upon those who came before us from other nations.
  3. The importance of fasting, since it was obligatory upon all of the nations.
  4. The tremendous wisdom of fasting is to attain the Taqwa of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic).
  5. That fasting is an easy obligation; in that it is not performed for years or months; rather it is only for a fixed number of days, specified for this nation during the month of Ramaḍān.
  6. Fasting is not obligatory to be performed by the sick person, who fasting is difficult upon, or the traveller.
  7. At the beginning of the obligation of fasting, the people had the choice between fasting or feeding a person, this was to make it easy for the people and to allow them to adjust to the obligation of fasting.
  8. Affairs wherein there is difficulty on the souls, then there is wisdom in the Islamic legislation in progressing gradually.
  9. The specifying of Ramaḍān for the obligation of fasting upon this nation.
  10. The wisdom behind specifying Ramadhan for fasting, is that the Qurān was revealed in it.
  11. The virtue of the Qurān, due to that which is mentioned of its tremendous characteristics.
  12. An exhortation and encouragement to return to the Qurān for whosoever desires guidance and beneficial knowledge.
  13. Clarification that Allāh wants for this nation, ease in their religion.
  14. Affirmation of the Will of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic).
  15. Allah wants from us to complete the period (of fasting) and to glorify him due to Him guiding us.
  16. It is obligatory to make up the amount of fasts that were not kept in Ramadhān, even if it was 29 days (of fasts to catch up).
  17. Carrying out and establishing acts of worship is from showing thanks and gratitude to Allah (The Most High).
  18. Allah blessing upon his servants by clarifying that which they asked about Him.
  19. Allah is close to His servants by way of His Vast Knowledge of them.
  20. Allah answers the call of the supplicant, who supplicates to Him, when he supplicates to Him with sincerity and truthfulness.
  21. The obligation of seeking after the answering of a request of Allāh to your supplications and having ēmān in Him.
  22. Seeking Allāh’s response and answering of your request and having ēmān in Him is guidance and a cause of guidance in all deeds.

Al-ilmām bi b’ad Āyāt al-Ahkhām Tafsīran wa Istimbātan Pgs. 256-257

The Repugnant and Reprehensible Person – Imām as-Sa’di (rahimahullāh)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

‏O you who believe! Why do you say that
‏which you do not do? (As-Saff: 2)

Imām as-Sa’di (rahimahullāh) explains this verse,

“Whoever speaks (and disseminates guidance and) the truth, yet their actions are in opposition to it; they (and their actions) are repugnant and reprehensible. Whereas the praiseworthy outcome  is for the person whose outward state, inward state, his statements and his actions are in conformity with the truth.”


Fath ar-Rahīm al-Malik al-‘Allām fī ‘ilm al-‘Aqā’id wa at-Tawhīd wa al-Akhlāq wa al-Ahkhām al-Mustambita min al-Qur’ān – pg 213

The Result of Seeking Guidance from Other than the Qur’ān and the Sunnah – Imām As-Sa’di (rahimahullāh)

Imām As-Sa’di (rahimahullāh) explained the following part of āyah 73 from sūrah Āli Imrān:

‎قُلْ إِنَّ الْهُدَىٰ هُدَى اللَّهِ

“Verily! Right guidance is the Guidance of Allah” (Āli- Imrān: 73)

This verse and those similar to it, show us that whomsoever seeks guidance and the correct way from other than the Qur’ān and the Sunnah, then he has become misguided and left the correct path. Because (true) guidance is restricted to the guidance of Allāh, that which he sent with the Messenger (sallallāhu alaihi wa salam).


Fath ar-Rahīm al-Malik al-‘Alām fī ‘ilm al-‘Aqā’id wa at-Tawhīd wa al-Akhlāq wa al-Ahkhām al-Mustambita min al-Qur’ān – pg 216

Oh Muslims, Give Concern and Time to Studying the Qurān – Al-Imām ibn Kathīr

Al-Imām ibn Kathīr quotes and says in his Tafsīr of the Qurān:

وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ ۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكۡتُمُونَهُ ۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمۡ وَٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِهِۦ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً۬‌ۖ فَبِئۡسَ مَا يَشۡتَرُونَ (١٨٧)

(And remember) when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu alaihi wa salam)  and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought. ((Aali Imrān:187)

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشۡتَرُونَ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَيۡمَـٰنِہِمۡ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَا خَلَـٰقَ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَلَا يُڪَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا يَنظُرُ إِلَيۡہِمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَڪِّيهِمۡ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬ (٧٧)

Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allāh’s Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Paradise). Neither will Allāh speak to them, nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment. (Aali Imrān: 77)

Allah has censured the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) due to their turning away and abandoning their revealed books; likewise they have been censured for devoting themselves (primarily) to (attaining the pleasures of) the worldly life and preoccupying themselves with other than what they have been commanded with – following the revelation (which was revealed to them).

So upon us, oh Muslims, is to refrain from those (aforementioned) affairs which caused Allāh to censure the People of the Book.

We should fulfil that which we have been commanded with. We should (pay attention and give concern to) studying the Book of Allāh, (which was revealed to us) teach it, understand it and teach its understanding (to others), Allāh said:

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ. (الحديد:١٦)

Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allāh – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allāh’s Reminder (this Quran), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injīl (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fāsiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allāh). [Al-Hadīd:16]


Tafsīr al-Qurān al-‘Adheem lil Imām ibn Kathīr Vol.1 pg 5

FOLLOW THE TRUTH AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT THOSE WHO OPPOSE IT – SHAYKH SAALIH AL-FAWZAAN

Follow the Truth and Don’t Worry About Those Who Oppose It

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan in explanation of the following verse:

And indeed, We sent Nûh (Noah) and Ibrahîm (Abraham), and placed in their offspring Prophethood and Scripture, And among them there are some who are guided, but many of them are Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh). (Soorah al-Hadeed: 26)

MEANING ALLAH REVEALED THE BOOKS TO THE PROPHETS FROM THE OFFSPRING OF NOOH AND IBRAHEEM (ALAYHIMUS SALAAM), FROM THEIR OFFSPRING ARE THOSE WHO ARE GUIDED; ALLAH GUIDED THEM AND THEY FOLLOWED THE MESSENGERS AND BELIEVED IN THE (REVEALED) BOOKS, {BUT MANY OF THEM ARE FASIQUN}, MEANING THEY HAVE LEFT THE OBEDIENCE OF ALLAH, LEFT GUIDANCE AND THEIR HARM IS UPON THEMSELVES.

THERE IS A BENEFIT TO BE EXTRACTED HERE:
IT IS THAT, YOU SHOULD NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE UPON WHAT THEY ARE UPON (I.E. FALSEHOOD IN TERMS OF AQEEDAH, MANHAJ, INNOVATIONS ETC). YOU SHOULD ONLY FOLLOW THE TRUTH, EVEN IF THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON, OR A FEW PEOPLE UPON IT. SO DO NOT FORSAKE THE TRUTH DUE TO THERE BEING A FEW PEOPLE OF TRUTH. AND DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY FALSEHOOD DUE TO THE MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE UPON IT, BECAUSE ALLAH SAID:

But many of them are Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh). (Soorah al-Hadeed: 26)


Shaykh Fawzaan’s Maa Tayassar wa Tahassal min Duroos al-Quraan fee Hizb al-Mufassal Vol.1 Pg.420-421

Does Allah Love You? – Shaykh ‘Abdul Mohsin al-‘Abbaad

Does Allah Love You?

Shaykh ‘Abdul Mohsin al-‘Abbaad mentioned in explanation of the verse:

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

“Meaning, you have received more than you desired by loving Him, i.e. Allah loves YOU, and this is greater than you loving Him.

Some wise scholars said:

The issue isn’t that you love (Allah), indeed it is only that you are loved (by Allah).

Al-Hasan Al-Basri and other than him from the Salaf said:

A people claimed to love Allah so he tested them with this verse:

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

This is why some of the Salaf named this verse: aayatul imtihaan and ikhtibaar (Verse of Examination).


Min Kunooz al-Quraan al-Kareem, Tafseer Aayaat min al-Kitaab al-Azeez ( Kutub wa Rasaa’il ‘Abdul Mohsin vol.1 pg. 196)

Reflect deeply upon these tremendous words and contemplate upon your inner belief or possibly outward claims to love Allah and His Messenger.

Are you worshipping Allah sincerely?

Are you following the prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa salam) in all possible ways (statements, actions and manners)?

Or are you opposing the commands of Allah and the guidance of His final messenger (alayhis salaatu was salaam)?

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

 

Remembrance of Allah In The Morning and The Evening

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةً لِّمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُورًا

And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession, for such who desires to remember or desires to show his gratitude. [25:62]

The night and the day differ- this one is white and that one is black. So one takes admonition and contemplates on the difference between them and thanks Allaah for them. [Ref 1] Whoever has missed the remembrance of Allaah in the morning, then indeed the evening has arrived so that he can do so. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: Source: A paraphrased excerpt from ‘Zaadul Maseer’ by Imaam Ibn Al-Jawzi (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm 1st edition 1423AH (Year 2002)]

[Ref 2: Source: A paraphrased excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar ibn Hazm 1st ed 1424AH (Year 2003)]

 

The Blessing Of Eemaan

 

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْأِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

And know that, among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you (i.e. follow your opinions and desires) in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble, but Allah has endeared the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones, (This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [Soorah al-Hujuraat: Ayah 7-8]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said:

Your love for Imaan, desire for it and its beautification in your hearts is not from yourselves; rather it is Allaah who placed it in your hearts.  He is the one who made it preferable and pleasing to you; therefore do not put yourself before My Messenger-neither speak until he speaks nor act until he commands you.  The one (i.e. Allaah) who made you love Imaan is the most knowledgeable concerning what is of benefit for His slaves than yourselves.  And had it not been the Tawfeeq of Allaah upon you, your souls would not have yielded to Imaan.  Imaan would not have been (acquired) through your consultation and bestowed from yourselves, nor would you have given it precedence because your souls are unable and weak to (do that), and cannot reach it….

[For further details, See ‘Madaarij As-Saalikeen 1/414—415]