Four Principles of Worship

Four Principles of Worship

“(The Âyah): “You alone do we worship.” [Sûrah al-Fâtihah 1:5] is built upon four principles:- Ascertaining what Allâh and His Messenger love and are pleased with, from [i] the sayings of the heart and [ii] of the tongue; and [iii] the actions of the heart and [iv] of the limbs.

So al-’ubûdiyyah (servitude and slavery to Allâh) is a comprehensive term for all these for stages. The one who actualizes them has indeed actualized: “You alone do we worship.”

The saying of the heart: It is i’tiqâd (belief) in what Allâh - the Most Perfect - informed about His Self; concerning His Names, His Attributes, His Actions, His Angels, and all that He sent upon the tongue of His Messenger sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam.

The saying of the tongue: It is to inform and convey (what Allâh has revealed), to call to it, defend it, to explain the false innovations which oppose it, to establish its remembrance and to convey what it orders.

The action of the heart: Such as love for Him, reliance upon Him, repenting to Him, having fear and hope in Him, making the Dîn purely and sincerely for Him, having patience in what He orders and prohibits, having patience with what He decrees and being pleased with it, having allegiance and enmity for His sake, humbling oneself in front of Him and having humility in front of Him, becoming tranquil with Him and other than this from the actions of the heart which are actually connected to the action of the limbs ... and actions of the limbs without the action of the heart is of little benefit, if any benefit at all.

The action of the limbs: Such as Prayer and Jihâd, attending the Jumu’ah and being with the Jamâ’ah, aiding those who are unable and displaying goodness and kindness to the creation, and other than this.”

[Madârijus-Sâlikîn (1/100-101)]

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Reference:
Fawaa'id - Points of Benefit - by Imâm Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

How to Deal With A Bad Companion

How to Deal With A Bad Companion

ibn al-Qayyim rahimullah said:

"Know that the greatest of losses is for you to be preoccupied with one who will bring you nothing but a loss in your time with Allah - the Mighty and Majestic - and being cut off from Him, a wasting your time with the person, a weakening of your energy, and the dispersing of your resolve. So, if you are tested with this - and you must be tested with this - deal with him according to how Allah would wish, and be patient with him as much as possible. Get closer to Allah and His Pleasure by way of this person, and make your getting together with him something to benefit from, not something to incur a loss from.

Be with him as if you are a man who is on a road who was stopped by another man, who then asks you to take him on your journey. Make sure that you are the one who gives him a ride, and that he is not the one giving you the ride.

If he refuses, and there is nothing to gain from travelling with him, do not stop for him, bid him farewell, and do not even turn back to look at him, as he is a highway robber, regardless of who he really is.

So, save your heart, be wary of how you spend your days and nights, and do not let the Sun set before you arrive at your destination. "

['al-Wabil as-Sayyib'; p. 45]

Criterion To Distinguish A True Scholar From An Imitator – Shaykh ibn Baaz

Criterion To Distinguish A

 True Scholar From An Imitator 

– Shaykh ibn Baaz

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu ‘ala rasulullaah
Amma ba’d

Is There A Criterion That A Person Can Use To Distinguish  A True Scholar From An Imitator?

Question :

There are several individuals these days who claim to possess knowledge and, because of this, people have become very confused in their religion. Is there a criterion that a person can use to distinguish a true scholar from an imitator? Please benefit us, may Allaah grant you much good.

Answer by Shaykh ‘Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullaah)

In the Name of Allaah, and all praise belongs to Him. The sign of a true scholar is clear; he is the individual who presents the Qur`an and the Sunnah as proofs.You become aware of his correctness by asking the people of knowledge who know him. Also, a person should investigate and ask the trustworthy people about him, in order to be safe that he is (actually) from the people of knowledge. The true scholar is furthermore known by his (correct) religion and uprightness, and his diligence in seeking verdicts, and by the proofs he presents.

He is also known by his actions in addition to the recommendations mentioned by those who know him. It is not befitting that a person takes this matter lightly and asks anybody; rather one should investigate, as it relates to his religion, and ask the trustworthy and reliable from amongst the people of knowledge in his country or in the country he travels to.

This should be done in order for him to be at ease, because he has asked the people of knowledge regarding this matter.

(Al Fatawa, pg. 118) Translated by : Abu Isma’eel Mustafa George

Source : Clear Advice For Benefiting From Islaamic Lectures [Seminars, Conferences], lectured by Shaykh Salih bin ‘Abdul-’Azeez Ala Shaykh (hafidhahullaah)

Source
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Domestic Violence against Muslim Women

Q: What advice can you give to a Muslim woman who is going through domestic violence?

A: Firstly: She should be patient and ask Allah to guide her husband and also ask Allah to make her situation easy for her

Secondly: She should try to find someone whether they are from his family, friends etc… Someone who can speak to him, advise him and advise him to fear Allah

Thirdly: She should look at her situation and weigh out her options. She must seek guidance in Allah and then look at the pros and cons of remaining with her husband, if he persists upon abusing her. So if she has children from him, or she will go through a great hardship, or there isn’t anyone who will provide for her, etc… then she should stay with him and try to remain patient, this is her decision

Fourthly: After seeking guidance from Allah, if she sees that the abuse is too much for her and he won’t change; then she has the right to seek the Khula’ (annulment from the marriage) from him, Na’am

Answered by: Sheikh, Dr. ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abdir-Rahman al-Jarboo’, (may Allah raise his status in both worlds).

Translated by: Muhammad Ibn Muneer ‘Abdul-Hameed.

What is better to isolate oneself or mix with the people?

Shaykh Fawzaan – What is better to isolate oneself or mix with the people?

In the name of Allaah, the All-Mighty, All-Wise. May peace, blessings and salutations be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions. As for what follows;

‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them both, narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, may Allaah bless him and grant him peace, said:

الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ ، وَيَصْبِرُ عَلَى أَذَاهُمْ ، خَيْرٌ مِنَ الَّذِي لا يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ ، وَلا يَصْبِرُ عَلَى أَذَاهُمْ

“The believer who mixes with the people and endures their annoyances is better than the one who does not mix with them and does not endure their annoyances.”

[Related by Ibn Maajah with a good chain of narrators. At-Tirmidhi reported thishadeeth without mentioning the Companion]

Shiekh Saalih ibn Fouzaan al-Fouzaan, may Allaah preserve him, explains this noblehadeeth by saying:

“At-Tirmidhi reported this hadeeth without mentioning the Companion,” the absence of knowing the Companion isn’t an issue because all of them are upright and trustworthy even if they aren’t mentioned by name. This doesn’t do any harm in the science of hadeeth.

This hadeeth is about isolation and intermingling with the people. A person is sociable by nature as it has been said meaning that he cannot live alone by himself without any interaction with the creation. He needs the people and they need him likewise. However if there is evil or those who you are mixing with are upon evil, is it correct to isolate yourself from them or mingle with them?

The Messenger, may Allaah bless him and grant him peace, explained in this hadeeththat “The believer who mixes with the people and endures their annoyances…”This is the condition that he endures their harm and annoyances “is better than the one who does not mix with them adn does not endure their annoyances.” If your mixing with the people brings about rectification, inviting to Allaah, teaching the people good, commanding what is right, forbidding what is wrong, etc then this interaction is recommended.

Allaah says: “O my son! Aqim-is-Salat (perform As-Salat), enjoin (people) for Al-Ma’ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befall you. Verily! These are some of the important commandments ordered by Allah with no exemption.” [31:17]

And He says: “By Al-’Asr (the time).Verily! Man is in loss,Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma’ruf) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad, etc.).” [103:1-3]

So the one who mixes with the people, corrects them, calls to Allaah, commands the good and forbids the evil, teaches the ignorant, aids the needy, reconciles between the people is better than the one who stays away.

The one who isolates himself escapes the harm and evil of the people however the one who mixes with them and endures their harms is better. This is the eplanation of this matter of interaction and isolation from the people. If mixing with them will result in good then it’s better than isolation.

But if mixing with the people is going to result in the person being affected negatively by them and not positively affecting them, then isolation is best in this scenario.”

Translated from: ‘Tasheelul Ilmaam bi fiqhil Ahaadeeth min Bulooghil Maraam’ by Sheikh Saalih al-Fouzan.

A woman leaving her house 3 times

 

Some wise men said that there used to be a time when a woman would only leave her home three times: From her mothers womb into the dunyaa, from her fathers house to her husbands house and from her husbands house to her grave.

{Taken from Ahkaam An Nisaa By Ibn Jawzi}

10 things which cause damage, if they are kept inside the body!

10 things which cause damage,

if they are kept inside the body!

The Noble Shaykh Ibn Qayyim-il-Jawziyyah:

"There are ten different things which cause damage if they stay or are kept inside (the body):

1. The Blood if it is on its way out,

2. Sperm,

3. Urine,

4. Excrement,

5. Gas (I.e. fart),

6. The vomit,

7. The Sneeze,

8. The sleep,

9. Hunger,

10. Thirst.

All these ten things lead to some sorts of damage if they are kept (in the body while it

wants to exit it)."

(Zad ul-Maad (4/7))

Reciting Surat Al-Mulk every night

Reciting Surat Al-Mulk every night

 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood said: "Whoever reads 'al-Mulk' every night, Allaah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam), we used to call it al-mani'ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah, there is a chapter [and] whoever recites it every night has done very well." [Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib, no. 1475]


Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) said, "Verily, there is a chapter in the Qur'an which contains thirty Ayat that will intercede on behalf of its reciter until he is forgiven. (It is): 'Blessed be He in Whose Hand is the dominion.'"

[This Hadith was collected by At-Tirmidhi and the four Sunan Compilers. At-Tirmidhi said concerning it, "This is a Hasan Hadith."]

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) saying, "There is a Surah in the Qur'an which contains thirty Ayat which kept interceding for a man until his sins are forgiven. This Surah is 'Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion.' (Surat Al-Mulk 67)." [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary from Riyad-us-Saliheen: This Hadith means that on the Day of Resurrection this Surah will intercede with Allaah for the forgiveness of its reciter. This Hadith has been narrated (in Arabic) in the past tense because, like the past indefinite, its occurrence is definite and not open to inquiry. At some places, however, it has also been narrated in the present tense.

He (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) used to recite Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Al-Mulk (in Arabic) before sleeping.
Reference: At-Tirmithi, An-Nasa'i. See also Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami ' As-Saghir 4/255

Related Link:

• The Virtues of Some Surahs of The Noble Qura'n : as Graded By Imaam Al-Albaanee. [PDF] 
  Fadwaail Suwaar al-Quraan al-kareem kama haqqaqaha al-Imaam al-Albaanee.
  A collection of Authentic and Weak Ahadeeth on the Virtues of Some Surahs and Verses.
  All using the grading of The Reviver of The Era, The Imaam , as-Shaykh Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee .."

Accompanying the poor…

 

Awn ibn ’Abdullaah, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

 

صحبت الأغنياء فعظم همي لأني كنت أرى ثياباً أحسن من ثيابي ودابة أحسن من دابتي، ثم صحبت الفقراء بعد ذلك فاسترحت

 

“I accompanied rich people and there was no one more depressed/sad than me, if I saw a man with a better garment than me and a better scent it would depress/grieve me–so I accompanied the poor and [finally] relaxed.”

 

["Al-Hilyah", 2/95].

Qur’an and the Hypocrites

 

Abul-Jawzaa, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

 

نقل الحجارة أهون على المنافق من قراءة القرآن

 

“Hauling stones is easier on the hypocrite than reciting the Qur’an.”

 

["Al-Hilyah", 1/459].

Three Conditions to Acquire Excellent Character

Three Conditions to Acquire Excellent Character

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Excerpted from his Risâlat-ut-Tabûkiyyah

---

This is one example of the excellent character with which Allâh, the Exalted, has equipped his Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He described him as,

“Verily, you (Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character.” [Al-Qalam (68): 4]

‘Â’ishah (radiyAllâhu ‘anhâ), described him as,

“His character was just [a reflection of] the Qur’ân.”^[1]

Such excellent character cannot be attained without three conditions:

1. The foundation must be good. If one has a rough and dry nature, it will be hard for him to submit to this [excellence of character] through knowledge, will, or practice. On the other hand, a mild and smooth nature will be ready and willing to receive the plowing and the seeds [to prepare it for character excellence].
2. The soul must be strong and capable of conquering calls of laziness, transgression, and desire. Those matters contradict perfection, and souls that cannot defeat them will always be defeated and conquered.
3. [One must possess] a discerning knowledge of the truth of matters, enabling one to put them in the rightful position, and to distinguish between flash and cancer - between glass and jewels.

If these three qualities are present in a man, and Allâh’s facilitation helps him, then he will be among those whom the best (husnâ) has been decreed and for whom Allâh’s care has been secured.

Notes:

[1] Muslim, Abû Dâwûd, Ahmad

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Occupying Oneself with Jurisprudence And Acquring Narrations Is Not enough to Correct the Heart

Occupying Oneself with Jurisprudence

And Acquring Narrations Is Not enough

to Correct the Heart

Imaam Ibn al-Jawzee- Rahimauallaah- said:

" I feel that occupying oneself with jurisprudence and acquiring the narrations is hardly enough to correct the heart, unless he adds to that study of raqaa'iq (heart melting narrations) and the study of the lives of the Salaf us-Saaliheen (the Pious Predecessors). since they attained what is desirous from the narrations and took the outer actions what is ordered and what is wanted from them. And I do not inform you of this except after personal trial and experience. Since I have found the majority of the narrations and the students of Hadeeth are concerned chiefly in attaining the briefest isnaad (chain of narration) and increase in the number of narrarions. And the majority of the jurisprudents are concerned with dialects and how to win arguments. So how can the heart be softened with these things? previously a group of the Salaf would visit a pious servant to see his conduct and manners, not to take from his knowledge. This was because the fruit of his knowledge was his manners and conduct, so understand this. Thus, along with the study of fiqh and hadeeth, study the lives of the salaf and those who were zaahid (abstainers) with regards to the world, so that maybe a cause of softness in your hearts."

Sayid ul Khaatir p.216

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Benefits Regarding Idiots and How to Deal with Them -Ibn Al-Jawzee

Benefits Regarding Idiots and How to

Deal with Them -Ibn Al-Jawzee

Ibn Al-Jawzee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said in his book: Akhbaar Al-Hamqaa wal-Mughaffileen (Narrations regarding the Foolish and Heedless):

"The idiot is known by six characteristics:

1. Becoming angry over nothing.
2. Giving to one who should not be given to.
3. Speaking regarding that which is of no benefit.
4. Trusting everyone.
5. Spreading secrets and not differentiating (in that) between his friend and his enemy.
6. Speaking about whatever comes to his heart whilst believing that he is the most intelligent of the people."

Ibn Al-Jawzee said: From the characteristics of the idiot is to be pleased with a lie if it is in praise of him and loving to be honored even if he does not deserve that.

Ibn Aboo Zayd said: "My father said to me: 'My son, cling to the intelligent people and sit with them; and avoid the foolish people. For I have never sat with a fool and then departed except that I found deficiency in my intellect afterwards.'"

Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays said: Khaleel ibn Ahmad said: "The people are of four types:

1. A man who knows, and knows that he knows. This is the scholar, so take from him.
2. A man who knows, but doesn't know that he knows. This one has forgotten, so remind him.
3. A man who doesn't know, and knows that he doesn't know. This one is a student, so teach him.
4. A man who doesn't know, and doesn't know that he doesn't know. This one is an idiot, so reject him."

Bishr ibn Al-Haarith said: "To look at an idiot burns the eyes."


Translated by Raha ibn Donald Batts
http://maktabah-alfawaaid.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-idiot-is-known-by-six.html

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Who was it - The Shi`ah

Who was it - The Shi`ah

شر كبير بسبب من يتسترون بالتشيع

 الشيخ مقبل بن هادي الوادعي

 المرجع: إرشاد ذوى الفطن - ص 343

الباب: المنهج

 وقد دخل على المسلمين وعلى الإسلام شر كبير تحت ستار أهل البيت رحمهم الله، بل دخل على أهل بيت النبوة شر كبير بسبب من يتسترون بالتشيع، فمن الذي جرح قلب على رضي الله عنه حتى كان يقول لهم: يا أشباه الرجال ولا رجال؟ ومن الذي طعن الحسن بن على في عجزه؟ ومن الذي دعا الحسين بن على ثم أسلمه لخصومه؟ ومن الذي دعا زيد بن على ثم أسلمه لخصومه؟ ومن الذي ادعى النبوة تحت ستار النصرة لأهل البيت؟ ذلكم عدو الله المختار ابن أبي عبيد الثقفي، ومن الذي دعا إلى المذهب الباطني الذي ظاهره الولاء لأهل البيت، وباطنه الكفر والزندقة؟ قتلوا الحجيج في الحرم، واقتلعوا الحجر الأسود، ومن الذي كذب على أهل بيت النبوة وروى أحاديث مكذوبة في فضلهم تحط من قدرهم؟ومن الذي كان سبباً لنكسة الخلافة الإسلامية واستيلاء التتار على بغداد ؟ ذلكم الخائنان ابن العلقمى ونصير الدين الطوسي، تستراً تحت ستار التشيع، ثم خانا الله ورسوله والمؤمنين، ونصير الدين يبطن الكفر بالله، من الذي له مواقف مع اليهود والنصارى ضد المسلمين؟ إنهم الرافضة كما في "البداية والنهاية" ومن الذي يقف مع اليهود في عصرنا هذا؟ إنهم الرافضة، هم الذين قتلوا الفلسطينيين في المخيمات، ومن الذي يتستر بالغيرة على الإسلام وأفعاله تشهد بأنه يرعب الإسلام؟ انه إمام الضلالة الخميني، راجع " وجاء دور المجوس" لأخينا عبد الله بن محمد الغريب. وإذا تكلم احد في هؤلاء المجرمين قالوا أنت تبغض أهل البيت، ومن الذي وقف في طريق الدعوة المباركة، الدعوة إلى كتاب الله وسنة رسوله محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ إنهم الرافضة

Who was it - The Shi`ah

 Shaykh Muqbil ibn Haadee al-Waadi'ee

 Reference: Irshaad Dhaway al-Fitan - Page 343


 Indeed a great evil has entered upon Islaam and the Muslims under the guise of `Ahlul Bayt` may Allaah have mercy upon them, rather, a great deal of harm has been inflicted upon `Ahlul Bayt` due to those concealed under the banner of the Shi`ah.

 Who was it that harmed `Alee`s heart, may Allaah be pleased with him, to the point that he used to say to them: `You who resemble men but are not men!`?

 Who was it that stabbed Al Hassan ibn `Alee in his backside?

 Who is it that invited Al Hussayn ibn `Alee and then turned him over to his opponents?

 Who is it that invited Zayd ibn `Alee and then turned him over to his opponents?

 Who was it that claimed to be a prophet under the guise of supporting `Ahlul Bayt`? It was the enemy of Allaah Al Mukhtaar ibn Abi `Ubayd ath Thaqafi.

 Who was it that called to the Batinee sect that outwardly proclaims support for `Ahlul Bayt` but conceals disbelief and hypocrisy?

 They murdered pilgrims in the sacred land and removed the black stone from its place!

 Who was it that lied upon `Ahlul Bayt` and fabricated Ahadeeth about their virtue which only lower their status?

 Who was it that caused the relapse of the Islaamic Khilaafah and caused the Tatar to conquer Baghdad? It was the two traitors; Ibn al `Alqami and Naseer ad Deen at Toosi, under the guise of the Shi`a, they then betrayed Allaah, His Messenger and the believers. Naseer ad Deen used to conceal disbelief in Allaah.

 Who was it that used to join the Jews and Christians in their battles against the Muslims? It was the `Rafidah` as affirmed by ibn Katheer in `Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah`.

 Who is it that stood with the Jews in our era? They are the ones who murdered Palestinians in their tents.

 Who is it that hides under the guise of being protective of Islaam while his actions are a witness that he dreads Islaam? It is the Imaam of misguidance al Khumayni. Read the book `Then came the role of the Majoos` by our brother `Abdullaah Muhammad al Ghareeb[1].

 And when anyone speaks about these criminals they say: `You hate `Ahlul Bayt`.

 Who is it that stood in the way of the call to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger Muhammad, may the Salaat and Salaam be upon him? It was the Rafidah.


Footnotes
[1] This was before Muhammad ibn Saroor revealed his Hizbiyah, at the time when he used to travel to Damaaj and visit Shaykh Muqbil, may Allaah have mercy on him. He latter admitted that he had a group and Shaykh Muqbil advised him to forsake Hizbiyah. When his magazine `Majalatus Sunnah` was published, Shaykh Muqbil was pleased, but when he saw the calamities that it contained; defaming the people of knowledge, Hizbiyah and Suroriyah, he called it `Majalatul Bid`ah`. [Footnote by `Abdur Razaaq ibn Saalih ibn `Ali an Nahami.]