Patience in abstaining from wrong action

Al-Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim -rahimahullaah- said ^[1], “Patience in abstaining from wrong action can be achieved through the fear of the punishment which follows the wrong action, or through a feeling of hayaa’ (shyness or shame) before Allaah -subhaanah wa ta’aalaa- for using His blessings in committing wrong actions.

That feeling of hayaa’ before Allaah -subhaanah wa ta’aalaa- can be strengthened through learning more about Allaah -‘azza wa jall- and knowing more about His Names and Attributes.

Al-Hayaa’ is a characteristic of people who are noble and possess good qualities, so the person who refrains from wrong action because of hayaa’ is better than the one who abstains because of fear.

Al-Hayaa’ indicates that a person is mindful of Allaah -subhaanah wa ta’aalaa- and His Might. The person whose deterrent is the fear of Allaah -subhaanah wa ta’aalaa- has his thoughts focused on the punishment. The fearful person’s main concern is himself and how to save himself from the punishment, whereas the “shy” person’s main concern is Allaah -‘azza wa jall- and His Glory.

Both have attained the status of Eemaan, but the “shy” person has attained Al-Ihsaan, a higher status of Eemaan, in which he conducts himself as if he can see Allaah -‘azza wa jall-,  and so his heart is filled with hayaa’.

The reason why it is so important for a believer to abstain from wrong action is because he must protect his Eemaan, as wrong action decreases Eemaan or extinguishes it.

 

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

“When the adulterer commits adultery he is not a believer, and when the winebibber drinks alcohol he is not a believer and when the thief steals he is not a believer. The believer should abstain from many permitted actions in case they may lead to that which is forbidden."

   -----------------------------------------

[1] Refer to: ‘Uddah As-Saabireen Wa Dhakheerah Ash-Shaakireen.]

Six Conditions Of Ibaadah

Conditions for the Acceptance of Actions

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H) - rahimahullaah - said, “Sincerity (ikhlaas) towards Allaah means that the person desires by his worship closeness to Allaah the Exalted and reaching His Abode of Nobility (i.e. Paradise), such that the servant must be sincere towards Allaah the Exalted in his intended purpose. He must be sincere towards Allaah the Exalted in his love. He must be sincere towards Allaah in his exaltation. He must be sincere to Allaah the Exalted outwardly and inwardly. He does not seek anything with his worship, except for the Face of Allaah the Exalted and reaching His Abode of Nobility.” [1]

Stated al-’Allaamah Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen (d.1421H) – rahimahullaah, “And in order that it will be known – O brothers – that al-mutaaba’ah cannot be actualized, except when the action is in agreement with the Sharee’ah in six affairs:

The First: as-Sabab (reason, motive); So when the person worships Allaah with act of worship that is accompanied by a motive that is not legislated by the Sharee’ah, then it is an innovation that is rejected back to its doer. An example of that is when some of the people commemorate the twenty-seventh night of Rajab under the pretence that it was the night in which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ascended. So tahajjud (the night Prayer) is worship. However, when it is accompanied with this motive, it becomes an innovation. This is because this action of worship is built upon a motive that has not been confirmed in the Sharee’ah. And this description – the conformity of the worship to the Sharee’ah in motive – is an important affair that clarifies many innovations from amongst those that are thought to be from the Sunnah, yet they are not from the Sunnah.

The Second: al-Jins (type); so it is inevitable that the act of worship be in conformity to the Sharee’ah in its jins (type). So if the person worships with an act of worship whose type is not legislated, then it is not accepted. An example of that is if a man were to slaughter a horse, then this sacrifice would not be correct, because it has opposed the Sharee’ah in the type. So the blood sacrifices cannot be done, except with cattle, grazing livestock, camels, cows and sheep.

The Third: al-Qadr (quantity); so if the person increases in the Prayer that is obligatory, then we say that this is an innovation that is not accepted, because it opposes the Sharee’ah in quantity. With all the more reason, if the person prays the noon Prayer for example as five units, then his Prayer is not correct by agreement.

The Fourth: al-Kayfiyyah (manner, mode); so if a man performs ablution, and he begins with washing the feet, then he wipes his head, then he washes his hands, then his face, then we say that his ablution is null and void, because it opposes the Sharee’ah in manner.

The Fifth: az-Zamaan (time); so if the person slaughters in the first days of Dhul-Hijjah, then his blood sacrifice will not be accepted due it opposing the Sharee’ah in time. And I have heard that some of the people slaughter sheep during the month of Ramadaan in order to draw closer to Allaah with blood sacrifice. So this action in this manner is an innovation, because there is nothing with regards to drawing closer to Allaah with slaughtering, except for blood sacrifice, gifts and the ’aqeeqah. As for slaughtering in Ramadaan along with the belief that one will attain the reward of slaughtering, such as the blood sacrifice in ’Eedul-Adhaa, or slaughtering for the sake of meat, then this is permissible.

The Sixth: al-Makaan (place); so if a man performs i’tikaaf in other than a mosque, then his i’tikaaf is not correct. And that is because the i’tikaaf cannot occur, except in the mosques. And if a woman says, ‘I wish to perform i’tikaaf in the musallaa (place of Prayer) in the house,’ then her i’tikaaf is not correct due to opposition of the Sharee’ah in place. And from the examples of that is if a man desires to perform tawaaf. So he finds that the area of tawaaf has become too confined and he finds that whatever is around it has become too confined. So he starts to perform tawaaf from behind the mosque, then his tawaaf will not be correct, because the place of the tawaaf is the house.

So the act of worship cannot be considered a righteous action, except if two conditions are fulfilled with regards to it, the first is al-ikhlaas (sincerity) and the second is al-mutaaba’ah (following the Prophet). And al-mutaaba’ah cannot be fulfilled, except with the six affairs that have been previously mentioned.” [2]

Footnotes:

[1]: Refer to Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (7/112) of Ibnul-’Uthaymeen.

[2]: Refer to Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (5/253-254) of Ibnul-’Uthaymeen.

Six Conditions of Ibaadah
By Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

http://aa.trinimuslims.com/f48/six-conditions-of-ibaadah-6085/

The Tafseer of Surah Al-Faatihah By Shaikh 'Abdul-Muhsin bin Hamad Al-'Abbaad (hafidhahullaah)

The Tafseer of Surah Al-Faatihah

AUTHOR:	Shaikh 'Abdul-Muhsin bin Hamad Al-'Abbaad (hafidhahullaah)
SOURCE:	Sharh Shuroot-is-Salaat (pg. 48-61, Dar-ul-Imam Ahmad)
PRODUCED BY:	Al-Ibaanah

The author states: "The Third Pillar: Then there occurs the recitation of Surah Al-Faatihah, which is a pillar in every rak’ah (unit), as occurs in the hadeeth: 'There is no prayer for he who does not recite the opening (chapter) of the Book.' It is the foundation of the Qur’aan."

-- the explanation --

Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah in every one of the rak’aat (units) of prayer is obligatory upon the one leading the prayer (Imaam), the one being led in prayer (ma’moom) and the one praying alone (munfarid). This is based on the Prophet’s statement (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “There is no prayer for he who does not recite the opening (chapter) of the Book.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (756) and Muslim (393)]

The one being led in prayer should recite it behind his Imaam in both the silent and audible prayers. What proves that it should be recited behind him in the audible prayers is the hadeeth in which a man from among the Prophet’s Companions reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Perhaps you recite behind the Imaam while the Imaam is reciting?” They replied: “Yes, we do that.” He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Then do not do it, unless one of you is reciting the beginning (chapter) of the Book.” Or he said: “The Faatihah (opening chapter) of the Book.” [Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad (18070) with an authentic chain of narration]

Something similar to this has been reported by ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) and in its chain of narration is Muhammad bin Ishaaq who narrated hadeeth explicitly which made his tadlees safe. It was reported by Ahmad in al-Musnad (22745).

The way to combine between this report, the hadeeth that was reported about people refraining from reciting behind the Imaam, the hadeeth: “Whoever has an Imaam, then his recitation serves as a recitation for him”, and the hadeeth: “When he recites, then remain silent” is to understand all of these texts to refer to the recitation of any surah apart from Al-Faatihah.

Then the author, may Allaah have mercy on him, goes on to provide a brief interpretation of (Surah) Al-Faatihah, saying:

*****

“Bismillaah-ir-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem” (In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, Bestower of Mercy) is a request for blessing and assistance.

-- the explanation --

What is meant by this is that a Muslim says Bismillaah seeking blessing from Allaah’s Name and seeking assistance in Allaah for his recitation. This applies also to anything for which he mentions Allaah’s Name prior to doing it. He is stating Allaah’s Name in order to seek blessing and assistance (by it).

He should recite the Bismillaah silently even though it is an ayah from the Qur’aan. Is it an ayah in every surah (chapter) or is it just an independent ayah used as a divider between surahs? And is it an ayah in Surah Al-Faatihah or is it not part of the surah at all? The scholars have many opinions on this. What indicates that it is part of the Qur’aan is that the Companions included it in the mus-haf and they didn’t include anything in there except for the Qur’aan. It is reported in the Sunan of Abu Dawood with an authentic chain (788) that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was not aware of the separation of a surah until Bismillaah-ir-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem was revealed to him.”

There is no disagreement amongst the scholars over the fact that the Bismillaah is part of an ayah within Surah An-Naml.

Surah Al-Faatihah consists of seven verses. Those scholars that believe that it is an ayah in Surah Al-Faatihah count the Bismillaah as being one of the seven verses. Those who believe that it is not part of Al-Faatihah make the seventh verse: “Not of those who earned Your wrath nor of those who went astray.”

From the proofs that are used to indicate that the Bismillaah is not an ayah from Al-Faatihah is the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement in the qudsee hadeeth: “I have divided the Prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant will have what he asks for. So when the servant says: ‘Al-Hamdulillaahi Rabbil-‘Aalameen’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has praised Me…’” [Reported by Muslim from Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) (395)]

So he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not mention the Bismillaah in it.

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“Al-Hamdulillaah” (All praise is for Allaah): “Hamd” means praise. The definite article (Al) before Hamd is for including all the commendable acts He does. As for the good things that one has no role in bringing about, such as beauty and so on, then praising that is called madah and not hamd.

-- the explanation --

The servants’ praising of their Lord is worship and it falls under Tawheed-ul-Uloohiyyah, which is the Oneness of Allaah in His servants actions (i.e. worship). Allaah is the One deserving of praise and commendation for every blessing that the servants achieve regardless if one of the servants played a part in it or not. This is since all of the credit in that matter belongs to Allaah, as He says: “And whatever blessings you have, it is from Allaah.” [Surah An-Nahl: 53]

In his advice to Ibn ‘Abbaas (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “And know that if the entire ummah were to gather together to bring you some benefit, they would not be able to benefit you except with something that Allaah has already decreed for you.”

So therefore all commendable acts in reality belong to Allaah. So He alone is the One who deserves praise in every circumstance. And as for the servants, whatever good things they do out of their own free will and choice, such as nobility, kindness and doing good deeds, then they should be praised and lauded for that. And whatever good that is in them, which they played no part in producing, such as beauty and good appearance, then they should be commended for it but not praised.

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“Rabb-il-‘Aalameen” (Lord of all that is created): Rabb means the One who is worshipped, the Creator, the Sustainer, the King, the One who administers and brings up all of the creation through His favors. With regard to ‘Aalameen, everything that is apart from Allaah then that is considered ‘Aalam. He is the Lord of everyone and everything.

-- the explanation --

This consists of Oneness of Allaah in His Lordship, Names and Attributes since Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah means the Oneness of Allaah in His Actions. So He is One in His creating, sustaining, giving of life, and causing of death. He has no partners in His Lordship nor does He have any partner in His Worship. To Allaah belong the most perfect of Names and Attributes. Two of Allaah’s names have been mentioned in this ayah: “All praise is for Allaah, Lord of all that is created.” They are Allaah and Ar-Rabb. In another ayah, Allaah says: “Salaam – a word from the Lord (Rabb), Most Merciful.” [Surah YaaSeen: 58]

*****

“Ar-Rahmaan” (The Most Merciful): means He grants a general mercy for all of the created beings. “Ar-Raheem” (The Bestower of Mercy): means He gives a specified mercy for just the believers. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement: “And He is ever an All-Bestower of mercy to the believers.” [Surah Al-Ahzaab: 43]

-- the explanation --

Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem are two of Allaah’s names that indicate one of His Attributes, which is mercy. All of Allaah’s names are derivatives that indicate meanings, which are attributes. So an attribute from among His many Attributes can be extracted from every one of Allaah’s Names.

The name Ar-Rahmaan is more general than Ar-Raheem and it cannot be applied to anyone except for Allaah. So it can’t be said to someone that he is Rahmaan. But as for Raheem, it can be applied to Allaah as well as others. Allaah said about His Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you. For the believers, he is full of pity, kind and merciful (raheem).” [Surah At-Tawbah: 128]

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“Maaliki-Yawm-id-Deen” (Master of the Day of Judgement): refers to the Day of Reward, Recompense and Accountability, the Day when everyone will be compensated for his deeds – if they are good, then there will be good (for him) and if they are evil, then there will be evil (for him). The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:“And what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is? Again, what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is? (It will be) The Day when no person shall have power (to do anything) for another, and the decision that Day will be wholly with Allaah.” [Surah Al-Infitaar: 17-19]

There is also the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “The shrewd person is the one who subjects himself and works for what comes after death. And the feeble person is the one who allows his soul to follow its vain desires, while aspiring for Allaah to grant his ambitions.”

-- the explanation --

Allaah is the Owner of everything. He is the Owner of the worldly life and the Hereafter. Allaah has only particularized the Day of Recompense here as Him being the Owner of it because it is the day in which all of the created beings will submit themselves to the Lord of all that exists. This is contrary to the worldly life for there can be found in it those who are insolent and haughty and who say such things as “I am your lord, most high” and “I didn’t know you had a god besides me!”

The hadeeth mentioned by the author was reported by At-Tirmidhee (2459) and its chain of narration contains Abu Bakr bin Abee Maryam who is weak.

*****

“Iyyaaka Na’budu” (You alone do we worship): meaning we don’t worship anyone except You. This is a covenant between the servant and his Lord that he will not worship anyone besides Him.

“Wa Iyyaaka Nasta’een” (And in You alone do we seek assistance): This is a covenant between the servant and his Lord that he will not seek the assistance of anyone besides Allaah.

-- the explanation --

Allaah says: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Surah Adh-Dhaariyaat: 56]

When you place the object of the verb (You alone) before the verb (we worship) in issues of worship and seeking assistance, this indicates a limitation and particularization. So you are limiting the worship to only Allaah and particularizing Him alone by it. So no one is worshipped except Allaah and no one’s assistance is sought except for Allaah’s.

Therefore, a servant (of Allaah) does not ask assistance from the angels or the jinn or anyone absent. But as for him asking assistance from a person that is present and who is able to assist him and help him achieve the benefit or repel the harm, this is permissible and not forbidden.

*****

“Ihdinaas-Siraat-al-Mustaqeem” (Guide us to the Straight Path) means direct us, show us the way and keep us firm on as-Siraat (the Path), meaning Islaam. It is also believed that it refers to the Messenger and likewise that it refers to the Qur’aan. All of these meanings are true. What is meant by Mustaqeem (Straight) is that which has no deviations in it.

-- the explanation --

The people’s need for being guided to the Straight Path is greater than all of their other needs. And their requirement of it is above any other requirement they may have. Their need for it is greater than their need for food and drink since food and drink are only means for them to continue remaining in this worldly life. But as for their being guided to the Straight Path, then it is a cause for their success and happiness in both this worldly life and the Hereafter.

Asking to be guided to the Straight Path consists of requesting Allaah to direct and show you to the path of truth and guidance. It also entails asking Him to grant you the ability follow this Straight Path. When a servant asks his Lord in every rak’ah (unit) of the prayer to guide him to the Straight Path, this entails asking Him to keep him firm upon whatever he achieves from guidance. It also entails asking for an increased and additional guidance, as Allaah says: “And as for those who are guided, He increases them in guidance and gives to them their Taqwaa (dutifulness).” [Surah Muhammad: 17]

There is no contradiction between interpreting “Guide us” to mean “show us, “direct us” or “keep us firm” nor with interpreting the “Straight Path” to mean “Islaam”, “the Messenger” or “the Qur’aan because that is only a difference of diversity and not a difference of contrast. This is why the author went on to say: “All of these meanings are true.” The interpretations of the Salaf are for the most part like this. Either their interpretation is by way of words that are close in meaning, which are all true and don’t contradict each other, as is the case here, or it is by way of example, which is done by interpreting a general word to mean some of the parts that fall under it, such as Allaah’s saying: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 201]

There is no contradiction in interpreting the “good” of this world to mean a righteous wife or a righteous child or pure wealth. This falls under interpreting by way of example.

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“Siraat-aladheena An’amta ‘alayhim” (The Path of those You bestowed Your Favor on): meaning the way of those who have received your Bounty. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “And whoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Favor, such as the prophets, the first to believe (in the prophets), the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” [Surah An-Nisaa: 69]

“Ghayr-il-Maghdoobi ‘alayhim” (Not those who earned Your Anger): They are the Jews since they have knowledge but do not act on it. You are asking Allaah to protect you from their way.

“Wa laad-Daalleen” {Nor of those who went astray): This refers to the Christians, who worship Allaah based on ignorance and misguidance. You are asking Allaah to protect you from their way. The proof for those who went astray is Allaah’s saying: “Say: Shall we inform you of the greatest losers with respect to their deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought they were acquiring good by their deeds.” [Surah Al-Kahf: 103-105]

And there is also the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “You will indeed follow the ways of those who came before you, in exactly the same manner, to the point that if they were to enter the hole of a lizard, you would also enter it.” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah, do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He said: “Who else?” Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim reported it.

And the second hadeeth is: “The Jews split up into seventy-one sects and the Christians split up into seventy-two sects. And this ummah (of Muslims) will split up into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Hellfire except for one.” They said: “Who are they O Messenger of Allaah?” He said: “Those who are upon the same way that I and my Companions are upon.” 

-- the explanation --

The Straight Path that a Muslim asks his Lord to guide him to is the path of those whom Allaah bestowed His Grace upon, such as the prophets, the siddeeqoon (first true believers), the martyrs and the righteous people, as Allaah says: “And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow the other paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you so that you may become dutiful (Muttaqoon).” [Surah Al-An’aam: 153]

He asks Allaah in every one of the rak’aat (units) of his prayer to direct him to the path of truth and guidance and to protect him from the path of those who are astray and in error, such as the Jews and Christians.

The hadeeth: “You will indeed follow the ways of those who came before you…” was reported by Al-Bukhaaree (7320) and Muslim (2669) from Abu Sa’eed. Its first part is found in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree with the wording: “You will indeed follow the ways of those who came before you hand-span by hand-span and forearm by forearm…” and in Saheeh Muslim with the wording: “You will indeed follow the ways of those who came before you inch by inch and cubit by cubit.”

The hadeeth about the splitting of the ummah has been reported by a group of the Prophet’s Companions. For the referencing of this hadeeth, see the comments to hadeeth no. 16937 in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad. Also see Silsilat-ul-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah of Al-Albaanee (203-204) who quoted its authenticity on Ibn Taimiyyah, Ash-Shaatibee and Al-‘Iraaqee.

What is meant by the word “ummah” in this hadeeth is the ummah (nation of people) that have responded to the Call. These seventy-three sects are Muslims. The “Saved Sect” are those who are upon what the Prophet and his Companions were upon. Seventy-two of the sects are under the threat of being placed in the Hellfire due to their deviating from the path of truth. Their affair is up to Allaah – if He wishes, He will punish them and if He wishes, He will pardon them.

As for the ummah (nation of people) that requires the Call, they consist of every human being and Jinn from the time of the Prophet’s advent to the establishment of the Hour. Those who fall in this category are the Jews, the Christians and all of the other religions of disbelief. This is based on the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement: “By the One in whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, no one from this ummah (nation of people) hears about me, whether he is a Jew or a Christian, then dies without believing in what I was sent with, except that he will be from the inhabitants of the Hellfire.” [Reported by Muslim (386) from Abu Hurairah; Also see the Fataawaa of Shaikh-ul-Islaam (7/218) and Fataawaa al-Lajnat-ud-Daa’imah (2/157)]

*****

Published on: June 11, 2007

Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah in Every Prayer?

Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah in Every Prayer

AUTHOR: Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee [D. 1416H]
SOURCE: Sharh Shuroot as-Salaat (pg. 25-27)
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

In his classical treatise, Shaikh Muhammad bin 'Abdil-Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy on him, says: "The pillars of the prayer are fourteen: (1) Standing, if one has the ability to do so; (2) The opening Takbeer; (3) Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah..."

In his explanation of this last pillar, Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

This applies to everyone – the one leading the prayer (Imaam), the one being led in prayer (ma’moom) and the one praying alone (munfarid) in the same manner – and according to the most correct opinion even in the audible prayers.

The ma’moom listening to the recitation of the Imaam and remaining attentive to it does not remove the obligation of reciting Surah Al-Faatihah from him according to the most correct opinion of the scholars. This issue is one of differing since the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) statement: “There is no prayer for he who does not recite the opening chapter of the Book” includes the one leading the prayer, the one being led in prayer and the one praying alone. He ( sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “There is no prayer for he who does not recite…” Listening is not reciting.

It’s true that the one being led in prayer should remain attentive to the recitation of the one leading the prayer. However, the extent in which it takes him to recite Surah Al-Faatihah is exempted from this, whether he recites Al-Faatihah along with the Imaam in succession or he is able to recite it during one of the moments in which the Imaam pauses or he recites it while the Imaam is reciting the (next) surah in any of the opportunities he gets. This is since there is no mention (in the texts) of a specific time for the one being led in prayer to recite Surah Al-Faatihah.

Regardless, he must recite it since the prayer of the one who does not recite Surah Al-Faatihah is invalid whether he is leading the prayer, praying alone or – according to the most correct view as stated before – even if he is being led in prayer and standing behind an Imaam that is reciting out loud. The strongest proof for this is the qudsee hadeeth in which Allaah said: “I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves.” What is meant by “prayer” here is Surah Al-Faatihah. Allaah referred to Al-Faatihah as the prayer.

“I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant will have what he asks for. When the servant says: ‘Al-Hamdulillaahi Rabb-il-‘Alameen’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has praised Me.’ And when he says: ‘Ar-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ And when he says: ‘Maaliki-yawm-id-Deen’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has honored Me.’ And when he says: ‘Iyyaaka Na’bdu wa Iyyaaka Nasta’een’, Allaah says: ‘This is between My servant and I and My servant will have what he asks for.’

And when he says: ‘Ihdinaas-Siraat-al-Mustaqeem. Siraat-aladheena an’amta ‘alaihim. Ghairil-Maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-Daalleen’, Allaah says: ‘This is for My servant and for My servant will be what he asks for.’”

Allaah has referred to Surah Al-Faatihah as the “Prayer” in this qudsee hadeeth. This includes everyone who prays, meaning: Whoever does not recite Al-Faatihah has no prayer. So the hadeeth explains itself and supports itself.

Therefore, a person who prays behind someone – even an Imaam that is reciting out loud – should not leave off reciting Surah Al-Faatihah just because of what he has read in the books of one of the madh-habs. If he considers this type of hadeeth to be authentic as well as the second hadeeth “There is no prayer for he who does not recite the opening chapter of the Book” and other narrations concerning Surah Al-Faatihah that bear a similar meaning, it is not permissible for him to turn away from these ahaadeeth by claiming that he is following the madh-hab of so and so and that this madh-hab says it is not obligatory upon the one being led in prayer to recite Al-Faatihah particularly when the Imaam is reciting out loud. This is not a correct stance.

Imaam Maalik, may Allaah have mercy on him, the Imaam of Madeenah and one of the great ones to have taught at the Prophet’s Masjid during the time of the Taabi’-ut-Taabi’een who would teach in the proximity of the garden would advise his students saying to them: “Every person’s statements can either be accepted or rejected except for the inhabitant of this grave” and he pointed to the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) grave, which was close to where he was teaching.

This is what it means: It is not befitting for a Muslim – especially a student of knowledge – that comes upon a hadeeth of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) to claim that this hadeeth opposes our madh-hab, and then abandons it claiming that he is doing so out of following his madh-hab. Following one of the madh-habs is not obligatory. There does not exist at all any creature whom we are obligated to follow and for whom we will be questioned about following – if we fall short in doing that – except for the Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad, ( sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Such a person does not exist.

As for the one who says: “And it is an obligation to blindly follow a scholar from amongst them” as the saying goes, using such wording that implies the same understanding of this statement made by the author of Jawharat-ut-Tawheed, then such a statement is baseless.

We are not obligated to follow any one of the four madh-habs. It is not an obligation. In fact, the most correct view is that it is not even permissible. The term “obligation” is a legal ruling and a legal ruling does not become established except by a proof from the Qur’aan or the Sunnah.

Whoever claims that something is obligatory is required to bring forward the proof for his claim. What is meant by the saying that we are obligated to follow the madh-hab of Imaam Maalik?? How could this be when at his time there were three other Muslim Imaams of his caliber? And altogether, these four Imaams were considered the Imaams of the world during the time of the Taabi’-ut-Taabi’een as Ibn Taimiyyah said: “These four are the Imaams of the world during the time of the Taabi’-ut-Taabi’een. Amongst them is Imaam Maalik in the Hijaaz, Al-Laith bin Sa’ad in Egypt, Ath-Thawree in ‘Iraaq, and Al-Awzaa’ee in Shaam.” So it is not permissible to blindly follow three of them but as for the fourth, we can?!?!

Where did they get this from? What is the proof for it? For three of them it is not permissible, ok, it is not obligatory. It is not permissible for us to blindly follow Laith or Thawree or Al-Awzaa’ee, but as for Imaam Maalik, we must blindly follow him? Where did such a division come from? Who is the one who made such a thing an obligation? Did some revelation come down saying: “If an Imaam reaches the level of Imamship, the ummah is obligated to follow him?” There must be some text similar to this reported. And because there is none, the claim that blind-following one of the four Imaams is a false claim.

I am only using Imaam Maalik as an example here because I used his statement previously. Afterward, I remembered the three other Imaams that were of his caliber. Imaam Abu Haneefah, Ash-Shaafi’ee, Maalik and Ahmad were all Muslim Imaams, but there were others along with them who were just like them. Weren’t they more knowledgeable than them? It was said that Laith bin Sa’ad was more knowledgeable than Maalik. The point I’m trying to make is: The only one whom we are obligated to follow and for whom we will be questioned about following is Muhammad ( sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

Every Muslim knows and memorizes the three questions that he will be asked in the grave. When a person dies and is buried, he will definitely be asked these three questions: “Who is your Lord?” “What is your Religion?” And “who is your Prophet?” In some wordings of the narration, it states: “What do you say about the man who was sent to you?”

This is in reference to Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). One of the questions will not be: “Who is your Imaam? What is your madh-hab? What is your way?” No such report has been mentioned. Our Imaam, our example, our prophet and our leader to Allaah is Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). We have no other Imaam. The four Imaams as well as those who were of their caliber and standing would call the people to follow this same Imaam. They did not come with the purpose of calling people to follow them. This is why Imaam Abu Haneefah would say: “It is Haraam (unlawful) for anyone to blindly-follow us until they know from where we took (i.e. the sources).” Several scholars have reported this statement on him, such as Ibn ‘Abdil-Barr and Ibn ‘Aabideen in his Hanafee notes.

I would like to reiterate to the students of knowledge that the act of following the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) does not fall second to the act of worshipping Allaah. This is since worshipping Allaah is what is meant by “Laa Ilaaha Illaa Allaah” whereas following the Messenger of Allaah is what is meant when you say: “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasoolullaah.” These two statements are like one statement – the first part of it is not complete without the second part or the second part without the first. We must understand this point well. So the opening chapter of this Qur’aan is one of the important pillars of the prayer.

Published on: June 6, 2007

Time And The Student Of Knowledge By Musa Millington

Time and the student of knowledge

Time is from the favours of Allah which the majority of people either waste, kill and lose out on.

Time is one of the most precious commodities of the student of knowledge therefore it is either he cuts it or it cuts him.

Hence, we have to know how to do 'time management' and do not worry you do not have to go to a university to learn it.

A student should use at least 6 hours a day to seek knowledge and only to seek knowledge. And the time he has otherwise he arranges it in a suitable manner.

Therefore, forget that after Fajr nap you love so much. You must sit down after Fajr and give yourself 45 minutes to memorize and one hour and 15 minutes to review what you have
memorized from before.

In other words what you review is much more important than what you are about to memorize.

For example, do not try to be like Ibn Taymeeyah and memorize by reading once. You have to repeat and repeat and repeat until you actually get a mental picture of what you have memorized.

In other words you have repeated it so many times you can picture the page in front of you. When you can do that you have memorized it without doubt.

It also means...

You memorize little and review much.

Let us use an example:

You are memorizing Qur'an, and if you wish the three fundamental principles, or 40 Nawawi. So what do you do?

Do you take Surah Anfaal and try to do it in one shot? And then take 20 Hadeeth from 40 Nawawi or 20 lines from the 3 principles?

Maybe if your name is Ahmad Ibn Hanbal or Ibn Taymeeyah or Imam Ash Shafi'ee then go ahead.

Note well: Imam Ash Shafi'ee memorized Muwatta in eight days and I heard a story of Ibn Taymeeyah from a tape of Shaikh Ahmad An Najmi that a man came to him and
 wrote ten Hadeeth for him on a board. He looked at it once and memorized it. And then he wrote another ten. The Shaikh read the Ahadeeth once and memorized it. And the man
did that until he reached 70 Hadeeth in one day.

As for Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, well we do not even need to go into that. One million Ahadeeth, nuff said.

If you are not then take this advice

You memorize 3-5 lines of the Qur'an and 2 lines from the three principles or one Hadeeth (if it is short) from 40 Nawawi.

When the month has ended you have at least...

5-6 pages of Qur'an (1 Juz every 4 months) and at least 20 Hadeeth from 40 Nawawi.

So the next month (and by that time your brain may be stronger) you would have 1/2 a juz and the rest of 40 Nawawi.

And you continue...

So the calculation is that once you go upon this advice for two years you would have:

6 Juz and 240 Hadeeth (at least 190 from 'Umdah Al Ahkaam)

In about 4 years you have...

12 Juz and 440 Hadeeth or even more. Because your memory may be stronger and your vocabulary bank may be larger. So I would assume about 15-16 Juz and 500-550 Hadeeth.

And by 8 years you memorize the Qur'an and you have a further 500 or 700 (1000-1200 Hadeeth)

See how it is when you take it step by step?

And this is by taking less than an hour to memorize. And if one takes more than one hour to review then this is a must.

As for another two hours it is needed to...

Review what you have memorized during the day itself, by reading it twenty times (1/2 hour or less). This could be done at the same time as the review in the morning.

Review the Mutoon that have been previously studied.

And this can be done before and after the Salaat, during Lunch or otherwise.

So if you studied the three principles then you take time to read through some of the explanations of the book.

And then another two hours are needed to...

1. Read books/ Do research/ give Da'wah (if one is capable of doing so)

2. Study new Mutoon (treatises) whether this be in the masjid (preferable) or listening to the tapes of the scholars. And this is whether the person is memorizing or not memorizing
the texts because not everything studied is memorized. Rather for every science one should memorize one text that covers the whole science.

And this should be done either after Isha or the last third of the night. However, everyone needs to arrange their time according to their capacity. But these six hours are precious every day
and if lost then we ask Allah's help and safety.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters do not waste your time and use it to the best of your ability. And if you decide on which six hours to use do not let ANYONE distract you
from that.

Wa Billahi Tawfeeq.

http://aa.trinimuslims.com/f91/time-and-the-student-of-knowledge-9655/

 

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Shaikh Rabee' said: It is upon you to place emphasis on your time. It is compulsory for a Salafi student of knowledge to not waste his time.

The Evil of Interest, Based Loans & Mortgages‏

Question:

Is it allowed for me to take out a loan (Mortgage) from a bank that deals with interest to buy a house? Benefit us may Allaah reward you with good.  

Answer:

Even if you were in dire need of eating a piece of bread to save yourself from death still don't borrow anything from the bank whatsoever, let alone buying a house or a car. When one is in a adverse situation forced by circumstance (severe hunger) Allaah has made lawful for you al-Maitah (dead animals), and the flesh of swine, and that which has been killed by a violent blow or by a headlong fall; yet ar-Ribaa (interest) has not been allowed for you, interest is very dangerous, very dangerous. So don't deal with interest and be patient; since Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
  

And whosoever fears Allaah 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. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)
   

So dealing with interest is a grave sin, a dangerous matter and the one who makes it allowable has disbelieved. Therefore if you are in need of a house then be patient until Allaah provides it for you, seek refuge in Allaah and utilise the necessary means until Allaah paves the way for you to obtain a house. 
  

Either that or you die being free from waging war against Allaah. Since the Muraabi (the one who deals with interest) is warring with Allaah - and Allaahs refuge is sought - as Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allaah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums). (Surah al-Baqarah 2:279)
  

He (Allaah) declares war upon the people of ar-Ribaa (interest) and "the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed the usurper of interest, the one who pays it, the one who records it and the two witnesses to it."
  

[Reported by Muslim in his Sahih (11/36 no.1598 - Nawawi) from the Hadith of Jaabir radiallaahu 'anhu]

  
What do you want after the curse?! Will the house benefit you when you are in front of the Hellfire?! So the believer should fear Allaah and should have patience upon his destitution and his need; for indeed Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions: And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:155)
 

Be patient and Allaah will give you this mighty reward instead of exposing yourself to His curse, His anger, His wrath and His punishment. Bear this severity in the world for it is nothing in comparison to the anger of Allaah and His punishment.

We ask Allaah that He protects us by His grace and favour from everything that incurs His anger and wrath. Indeed our Lord is All-Hearing of our supplications. And may the blessings of Allaah and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and upon his companions. 

Shaykh Rabee` bin Haadee 
Ad-durar an-Nadheed min 
  

Muhaadharaatil-'Aqeedah wat- Tawheed : Tafseer Kalimati-Tawheed, Questions & Answers, page 118-119. 

Translated by Abu 'Abdillaah al-Kashmiree

Strive for what benefits you

Strive for what benefits you! 

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and with their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those
who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allah has promised good. (Surah An-Nisaa: 95)

In the instance of this, the Messenger of Allah (salla lahu alayhie was salaam) said:, “...in both of them there is good.”

But the strong believer is better and dearer to Allah.

Then the Prophet said:, “Strive for whatever benefits you”...

“Strive for whatever benefits you”

In other words, struggle and exert every single effort in your pursuit of good. Conversely, there are things that are detrimental to the individual or contain no benefit at all. In light of this,
deeds are divided into three categories:
1) deeds that benefit the individual,
2) deeds that harm the person,
3) and deeds that are void of any benefit or harm.
The intelligent person accepts the enjoinment of the Messenger of Allah and seeks good. But, most people waste their time during the day in pursuit of something else. They engage in activity
that is harmful to their souls and their religion.  Accordingly, at this point it’s fitting that we say to the likes of these:

“You are not acting in harmony with the guidance of the Messenger of Allah. Perhaps this is due to ignorance or negligence. The wise and intelligent believer takes heed to this advice and strives
for whatever benefits him or her in their religion and worldly affairs.”

This is an important hadith. Every individual must make it a guiding light in their religious and worldly concerns. On account of it the Prophet said:

"Strive for whatever benefits you."

These words “strive for whatever benefits you, are general and comprehensive words. That is to say, make every effort to acquire all that is good, whether it’s for your deen or your dunya.
However, if a religious benefit and a worldly benefit conflict with one another, the religious advantage takes precedence.

(Why?) Whenever the deen is flourishing, the dunya will flourish.  As for the situation when the dunya is flourishing, but the deen is deteriorating eventually the religion will begin to worsen as well.

Taken from Al Mujahadah –The Struggle against the Soul – From An Nawawi’s Riyaadus Saliheen with explanation by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Uthaymeen. Pgs. 33-34

Sh Muqbil about Saudi Arabia and Abû Muhammad al-Maqdisî

Benefit: Instructions for Men From Shaykh Saalih as-Suhaymee Regarding Plural Marriage

What to say what one is praised

What to say what one is praised: (with arabic plus transliteration)

اللهم لا تؤاخذني بما يقولون
Allahummah La tu`akhiznee bima yaqooloon
O Allah, do not hold me accountable for what they say about me
و اجعلني خيرا مما يظنون
Wa-j'alnee khairan mimma yazhunnoon
and make me better than they think of me
واغفرلي ما لا يعلمون
Wa-ghfirlee maa laa ya'lamoon
and forgive me for what they do not know about me.

Statement of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him)

Love of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala

Love of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala

 

Ibn al-Qaiyim mentioned ten causes that result in Allah’s love for His slave and the slave’s love for his Lord. [These ten are:]

First, reciting the Qur’an while pondering over its meanings and what is meant by it.

Second, getting closer to Allah by performing voluntary deeds after completing obligatory deeds. This is as is stated in a Hadith Qudsi: “My slave continues getting closer to

Me by performing voluntary deeds until I love him.” [al-Bukhari]

Third, continual remembrance of Allah under all circumstances, with one’s tongue, heart and actions. The extent of one’s love of Allah is determined by this.

Fourth, giving precedence to what He loves over what you love when you are overtaken by your desires.

Fifth, the heart being avid of Allah’s Names, and Attributes and the heart roaming in that garden of knowledge.

Sixth, observing Allah’s kindness, goodness and bounties, both hidden and open.

Seventh, and this is the most wonderful, the heart being soft, subdued and meek before Allah.

Eighth, being alone with Allah during the time when the Lord descends during the last portion of the night while reading His Book and ending that by asking for forgiveness and repenting.

Ninth, sitting with the beloved and sincere, benefitting from the most fruitful of their speech. And not to speak unless speaking is more beneficial and you know that it will improve

your state and be beneficial to others.

Tenth, remaining away from every cause that comes between the heart and Allah.

These ten causes take the lovers to the station of true love and bring them to their Beloved.

Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Madarij as-Saalikeen, vol. 3, pp. 17-18. 
(Transl. J. Zarabozo; © Dar as-Salaam, 1996)

She Wants To Marry Him, But He Is Already Married. By Shaykh Ahmed an Najmee

Gift for Revolters- Keyboard Jihadist - Complete Fools By Shaykh Muhammed Saeed ar-Raslan