The Dislike of the Salaf with Regards to Giving Religious Verdicts

 The Dislike of the Salaf with 

Regards to Giving Religious Verdicts

By al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali رحمه الله

This is similar to the hatred of the Salafus-Saalih (the Pious Predecessors) that a person should put himself forward to give religious verdicts (fataawaa) and to crave them, and to hasten to it, and to do it in excess. Ibn Lahee`ah reports from `Ubaydullaah ibn Abee Ja`far in mursal form from the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam that he said, "He who is boldest from you in giving religious verdicts, will be the boldest in proceeding to the Fire" [It is reported by ad-Daarimee 1/57 and its chain of narration is weak since it is mursal (i.e. there is a missing link or links between the last narrator and the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam)]. `Alqamah said, "They used to say, 'The boldest of you in giving religious verdicts is the one having the least knowledge.'"

`Umar ibn `Abdul-`Azeez was asked about a question and replied, "I am not one who is bold about giving religious verdicts." He also wrote to one of his governors, "By Allaah I am not one who craves after giving religious verdicts, as long as I can find a way to avoid it."

Ibn Yameenah said, "This affair is not for those who love that the people should have need of them, rather this affair is only for those who love that someone can be found to take their place." It is also reported from him that he said, "The most knowledgeable of people concerning religious verdicts is the one who is most often silent, and the most ignorant of people about them is the one who speaks the most with regard to them." [Reported by al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/166) and its isnaad is weak.]

Sufyaan ath-Thawree said, "We reached the scholars and they used to hate answering questions and giving religious verdicts until they could find no way out except to give a verdict, but if they were relieved of having to do so then that was more beloved to them."

Imaam Ahmad said, "He who puts himself forward to give religious verdicts has put himself forward to something very serious, unless he is forced through necessity." It was said to him, "Then which is better: for him to speak or to remain silent?" He said, "It is more beloved to us that he should withhold." It was said, "But if there is a necessity?" So he started saying, "Necessity! Necessity!" And he said, "It is safer for him to withhold."

So those who give religious verdicts should realise that they are transmitting Allaah's orders and prohibitions and that he will be made to stand to account and be questioned about it. Ar-Rabee` ibn Khaitham said, "O giver of religious verdicts! Look and see how you are giving verdicts." `Amr ibn Deenaar said to Qataadah when he sat to give religious verdicts, "Do you realise the affair that you have fallen into? You have come between Allaah and His worshippers and say, 'This is correct and this is not correct.'" [Reported by al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/168)]From Ibnul-Munkadir who said, "The scholar enters between Allaah and His creation, so let him look and see how he enters between them." [Reported with variations in wording by ad-Daarimee (1/53), and al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/168) and its isnaad is saheeh.]

When Ibn Seereen was asked about anything pertaining to the permissible and forbidden his colour would change and he would alter so that he would not seem to be the same person. [Reported by ibn Sa`d (7/195), al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/167) and its isnaad is saheeh]. When an-Nakhaa`ee was asked about something then hatred would be seen upon his face and he would say, "Could you not find someone else to ask other than me?" He also said, "I spoke and if I had found any way out I would not have spoken, and indeed a time when I am the scholar of Koofah is an evil time." [Reported in meaning by Aboo Khaithamah in al-`Ilm (no. 131).]

It is related that Ibn `Umar, radiyAllaahu `anhumaa, said, "You ask us for religious verdicts in such a manner that it is as if we are people who are not going to be questioned about the verdicts that we give you." [Reported by al-Fasawee (1/490) and al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/168) and its isnaad is weak.] Also from Muhammad ibn Waasi` who said, "The first of those who will be called to account are the scholars." It is reported about Maalik, radiyAllaahu `anhu, that when he was asked about a matter it was as if he were standing between the Paradise and the Hell-Fire. [Reported by al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/167) and its isnaad is weak.]

One of the scholars also said to a person who used to give religious verdicts, "When you are asked about a matter then do not let your concern be to release and find a way out for the questioner, but rather to release and save your own self." [The one who said this was `Umar ibn Khaldah az-Zurqee and he was speaking to Rabee`ah ibn Abee `Abdir-Rahmaan. This narration is reported with very close wordings by al-Fasawee (1/556-557), Aboo Nu`aym in al-Hilyah (3/260-261) and al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/169) and its isnaad is saheeh.]Another said, "If you are asked about a matter then consider - if you find a way out of it then speak, otherwise remain silent." The sayings of the Salaf about this are too many to quote and gather.

Taken from: http://www.calgaryislam.com/articles/islaamic2/methodology-manhaj/410-the-dislike-of-the-salaf-with-regards-to-giving-religious-verdicts.html

Braylwiyyah | Breilwi or Barelvi

Braylwiyyah | Breilwi or Barelvi

Name of group: Braylwiyyah
Adherent to group: Braylwee, plural – Braylwiyyoon

The Braylwiyyah are a Soofee sect which was born in India at the time of the British rule there.

It’s followers concern themselves in exceeding in their love and honour for the Prophets and the “saints” in general, and the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) specifically.

It’s founder was a man by the name of Ahmad Ridhaa Khaan ibn Taqee ‘Alee Khaan who was born in 1272 A.H. (1851 C.E.) and called himself Abdul-Mustafaa (slave/servant of Mustafaa, i.e. Muhammad (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)).

He was born in the city of Braylee in the province of Uttar Pradesh and was a student of al-Mirza Ghulaam Qaadir Begg who was the older (blood) brother of Mirza Ghulaam Ahmad al-Qaadiyaanee (founder of the Qaadiyaaniyyah sect).

He was of a slim build and known to be shrewd and clever, whilst also being ill-tempered and foul-mouthed. He used to suffer from chronic illnesses, and used to consistently complain of headaches and back pains.

He visited Makkah and studied under some of the scholars there in 1295 A.H. (1874 C.E.).

Amongst his “notable” books are: ((Anbaa. al-Mustafaa)) and ((Khaalis al-I’tiqaad)).

From the beliefs of this sect is that the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) has the ability/power to control the creation and all that occurs, and that the “saints” have the ability/power to influence the creation and all that occurs.

And they have exceeded in their belief with respect to the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) such that they have ascended him to a rank close to that of worshipping him. And they have exceeded in their belief with respect to the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) such that they believe he has knowledge of the unseen, and they deny that he was a human being, rather that he was the light (noor) of Allaah. And they also permit calling for assistance from the “saints” and the Prophets and other than them from the false beliefs.

Further reading
al-Braylwiyyah: ‘Aqaa.id wa Taareekh – Ihsaan Elahe Zaheer;
al-Braylwiyyah – Masters degree thesis presented at the Faculty of Usool ad-Deen at the Islaamic University of Imaam Muhammad ibn Sa’ood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

I have four kinds of days

I have four kinds of days

"I have four kinds of days:
(1) A day when I go out and meet someone more
knowledgeable than me, so I learn from him,
and that is the day of my benefit and profit.
(2) A day when I go out and meet someone less
knowledgeable than me, so I teach him,
and that the day of my reward.
(3) A day when I go out and meet someone like
me and I study and review with him, and that
is the day of my lesson.
(4) A day when I go out and meet someone below
my level but he sees himself as being above my
level, so I don't talk to him, and I make that
the day for my rest."

- Ibraaheem An-Nakha'ee
(Jaami'u Bayaan Al-'Ilm no. 878)

Ten Things You Will Never Benefit From

Ten Things You Will Never Benefit From

There are ten things you will never find benefit in:

The First: Knowledge which is void of action.

The Second: Actions which are void of sincerity to Allah, and void of exemplification of
the Sunnah. (Note: These two conditions constitute the act being accepted by Allah i.e.
Ikhlaas and Ittiba’a)

The Third: Wealth which is not spent in the way of Allah, so the one who exhausted all of
his energy amassing it will not benefit from it in this life, nor will he see the fruits of it in
the hereafter.

The Fourth: A heart which is void of the love of Allah and the ardent desire to meet him.

The Fifth: A body which is void of obedience to Allah.

The Sixth: A love for other than Allah which is void of any boundaries. (i.e. unconditional)

The Seventh: Time which is void of benefit and the individual does not take advantage of
it to do actions which would bring him closer to Allah.
The Eighth: A thought which goes through the individuals mind and will bring him no
benefit.

The Ninth: Doing a favour for someone who, that favour will not bring him closer to Allah
nor will it benefit him in the affairs of his livelihood.

The Tenth: Fear and hope of someone whose forelock is in the hands of Allah, like a
captive in the company of his master, who can bring no benefit or harm to himself or
others, nor can he give life to the dead nor does he have any power over resurrection.

The worst and most detrimental of these ten is two:

1) The Heart
2) The Time

Firstly the heart, because its corruption stems from giving precedence to this transient life
over the hereafter, and time because it makes the individual feel like he will live forever
(which enables him to be even more negligent about his obligation to Allah)
The most amazing thing is when someone is presented with a situation and he turns all of
his attention towards Allah to fulfil his needs, but never takes the time to ask Allah for the
remedy he is need of to bring his heart back to life from the death of ignorance and
negligence, and the cure he is in dire need of for his disease of Shahawaat (following his
lowly desires) and Shubuhaat (doubts and misconceptions). Indeed if the heart dies, he
will never be conscious of the sins which he commits and his disobedience to Allah.


Sheikul Islaam Ibn Qayyum al-Jawziyyah
Reference: Fawaa’id of Ibn ul Qayyum – P384

Wife seeks divorce due to husband’s premature ejaculation

 Wife seeks divorce due to

 husband’s premature ejaculation

Question: Is premature ejaculation a permissible reason for the wife to ask for divorce?

I know that sexual impotence is a [legally acceptable] reason [for requesting a divorce], however, if the husband ejaculates after [only] ten or twenty seconds, then how is he to be considered in this situation?

Response: If she is affected by that and [as a result] she misses out on her share of [sexual] pleasure, then there is no harm in her asking for a divorce, and if she has children, then she should not be hasty [in seeking a divorce]. And Allaah [alone] has the Complete knowledge [of all affairs].

Reference: Fataawa Mu’aasirah – Page 85