SHALL I INFORM YOU OF SOMETHING MORE FEARFUL THAN THE DAJJAL?

SHALL I INFORM YOU OF SOMETHING 

MORE FEARFUL THAN THE DAJJAL?

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan al Fawzaan

Mahmud bin Labid narrated that Allaah's Messenger [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] said: “The most dreadful thing which I fear for you is minor polytheism: ar-Riyaa (showing off).'' (reported by Ahmed, by a sound chain)

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan al Fawzaan Explained:

The Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] addressed his companions regarding the trial and harm of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) then he stood up from his sitting. He made the people busy themselves with discussing the trials and harms of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) due to fear from him. Severe fear of the Dajjal and his trials afflicted the companions [May Allaah be pleased with them] so when the Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] came to them he said: “Shall I inform you of that which I fear for you more than the Dajjal (Anti-Christ)” they replied “Yes! O’ Messenger of Allaah: He said “Minor shirk and it is ar-Riyaa (showing off)”.


Indeed mankind shows off by way of his good actions and wishes people to praise and extol him. This is in contradiction to sincerity to Allaah, this is polytheism because this action was done for the sake of people.


The meaning of polytheism: is to worship other than Allaah and this is found in showing off. So the person that is showing off is worshipping other than Allaah because he has performed an act of worship for the sake of the people. He did not do it for the sake of Allaah. Indeed Allaah has described the hypocrites to be from those who show off to the people, therefore showing off is from the characteristics of the hypocrites. Indeed the Prophet [May Allaah be pleased with them] has mentioned (showing off) to be from minor polytheism (shirk). Minor polytheism doesn’t exit one from the religion but it leads to major polytheism and it nullifies the actions that were performed and it becomes inconvenient upon the person who performed it without benefit. As for the major polytheism then it nullifies all actions that one has performed.


The believer is one that stays away from polytheism. However the problem is in minor polytheism. The believer has to be cautious from it, since (showing off in worship) is a type of polytheism that is hidden. It is in the heart and none has knowledge of what is in the heart except Allaah. The Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] feared for the best nation and they are the Companions. The Companions feared it for themselves because the number of those who are saved from (falling into) it are small - except for those that Allaah has saved.


It is upon the Muslim to fear showing off. The Muslin shouldn’t praise himself; it is upon the Muslim to hide his actions whatever the actions may be, it is upon the Muslim to make his intention, his apparent and hidden actions sincere for Allaah. If love for praise occurs in the Muslim’s mind or if he is exposed to showing off then it upon him to repulse it and there is no harm upon him, if it becomes grave and persists with him then his actions will be void and this is very dangerous because this is what occurs in the mind of the people. Mankind like to be praised and extolled and if this occur in a person’s actions and acts of worship, it will become ar-Riyaa.
Allaah said:

''So woe unto those performers of Salat (prayers) (hypocrites), Who delay their Salat (prayer) from their stated fixed times, those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men), and refuse Al-Ma'un.'' [Surat Al-Mā`ūn 4-7]

Allaah has promised them al-Wayl [a valley in Hell]. Allaah said:

''So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.'' [Surat Al-Kahf 110]

This includes minor and major polytheism (and associates none as a partner in the worship of his Lord), Allaah further mentioned: “I am Independent of all the partners (ascribed to me). Whoever performs a deed while associating partners with Me, I will leave him and his Shirk.”1, Allaah doesn’t accept actions except that they are sincere seeking his face and it has to be according to the Sunnah of the Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him].

( 1. Muslim from Abu Hurayra – 2985 )

Taken from The Explanation of Bulugh al Maraam on the Book of al-Jaami page 236 by Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

Translated by Abu Yahya al-Kangoli

[To read this article in spanish click here] Source: http://dusunnah.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Shall-I-Inform-you-of-Something-More-Fearful-than-the-Dajjal.pdf

Difference between Shukr (thankfulness) and Hamd (praise) -Shaykh Rabee’ bin Haadee

Difference between Shukr (thankfulness) and Hamd (praise) 

-Shaykh Rabee’ bin Haadee-

Sharh as-Sunnah: [Intro] Difference between Shukr (thankfulness) and Hamd (praise)

By Shaykh Rabee’ bin Haadee al-Madkhali may Allah preserve him

This is the shaykh’s explanation for the opening statement in the book entitled “Sharh as-Sunnah” by the great Imaam Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn ‘Alee ibn Khalaf al-Barbahaaree 329 AH.

Imaam al-Barbahaaree (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“All praise is for Allah who guided us to Islaam and blessed us with it and placed us in the best nation, so we ask Him to grant us that we keep to that which He loves and is pleased with and avoid that which He hates and which angers Him.”

The author, may Allah have mercy on him, began his book by praising Allah for His magnificent bounties upon His slaves which cannot be enumerated.

وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَظَلُومٌ۬ ڪَفَّارٌ۬

“…and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily! man is indeed an extreme wrongdoer, – a disbeliever” [Ibrahim: 34]

And the most magnificent of these blessings is the blessing of guidance to Islaam. For certainly, (this guidance) results in prosperity in the worldly life and the Hereafter. So the author, may Allah have mercy on him, praised, extolled, and thanked Allah for this tremendous blessing of Islaam.

Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

“The (scholars have) mentioned the difference between ‘praise’ (hamd) and giving ‘thanks’ (shukr) and which of the two are better. In the hadith (the Prophet peace be upon him said):

الحمد رأس الشكر فمن لم يحمد الله لم يشكره

‘Praise (hamd) is the head of thanks (shukr), so whomever has not praised Allah (then he has also) not thanked Him.’ [Abdur-Razzaq in “al-Musannaf” 10/424]

The difference between the two is that:

1.Giving thanks (shukr) is more general in terms of how it is performed and its ‘reasons’ (or causes for giving thanks), and it is more specific in terms of ‘content’.

2.Praise (hamd) is more general in terms of ‘content’ and more specific in terms of its ‘reasons’ (or causes for praising).

And the meaning of this is that giving thanks (shukr) can be performed with: a submissive obedient heart, praising acknowledging tongue, obedient yielding limbs.

‘Specific in terms of content’ refers to (being thankful for) favors and blessings. One cannot give thanks (shukr) for the attributes of Allah, and for this reason it is not said: ‘we are thankful to Allah for His Living, Hearing, Seeing, His Knowledge’. Rather, Allah is praised (hamd) for these attributes; just as He is praised for His Perfection and Justice (so we say instead: ‘we praise Allah for His Living, Hearing…’).

Therefore, whatever is connected to giving thanks (which is specific in terms of ‘content’) then it is also connected to praise (which is general in terms of ‘content’) and not the opposite way around.

And whatever falls into praise (which is specific in terms of ‘reasons’) falls into giving thanks (which is general in terms of ‘reasons’) and not the opposite way around.” [Madaarij as-Saalikeen: 2/579-580]

Translated by: Abu Awzaa’ee AbdusSalaam

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The one who expresses to the people that he is upon Sunnah but in fact he is not

                        

The one who expresses to the people that

 he is upon Sunnah but in fact he is not

Shaikh Ahmad al-Najmy رحمه الله said:

❝As for the one who expresses to the people that he is upon Sunnah and (that he is upon) Salafiyyah while in reality he is an innovator, no doubt Allaah عز وجل will indeed expose what he is hiding as long as he remains in that vile state.❞

 [al-Fataawa al-Jaliyyah (1/31)]

What is the difference between “Rooh” and “Nafs”; which of the two will be punished?

What is the difference between “Rooh” and 

“Nafs”; which of the two will be punished?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdillah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy on him

Question: What is the difference between “rooh” (soul/spirit) and “nafs” (soul)? And which one of them receives punishment (in the Hereafter)?

Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and may Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, Companions, and whoever follows his guidance. To proceed:

Rooh is nafs and nafs is rooh and the punishment is on the nafs and the body altogether, however the rooh receives a greater portion of pleasure and punishment. Thus the body receives a share of the punishment in the grave, and it goes from the body to the rooh and back, such that the punishment (or pleasure) is (perceived) throughout both of them altogether.

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Can a Person Call to Allah Even Though He Has Very Little Knowledge?

Can a Person Call to Allah Even Though He Has Very Little Knowledge? 

Shaikh Zayd al-Madkhali رحمه الل

Question: The questioner says: his knowledge is little and he hopes to be a caller to Allah but he is afraid he will make a mistake. What should he do?

Answer: “If he wants to be a caller to Allah, he only calls to what he knows. He does not unnecessarily burden himself to speak about what he does not know. That is not allowed for him to teach something he does not know. He only teaches what he knows with certainty and he will become a caller to Allah. The Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam said:

بلغوا عني ولو آية

Convey from me even an Ayah of the Qur’an

[Bukhari and Muslim]

So if a person teaches his brother surahul-Fatiha, he becomes from the callers to Allah or if he teaches the meaning of La ila illa Allah Muhammadur-Rasul Allah he is a caller to Allah. Everyone according to his ability”.

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The power of Dunya

The power of Dunya 

يقول ابن الجوزي رحمه الله:

الدنيا أعظم سحرًا من هاروت و ماروت ،

فهاروت و ماروت يفرقان بين المرء وزوجه

وأما الدنيا فإنها تفرق بين العبد ورب

Ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله said:

Dunya is Greater Magic than Haaroot & Maaroot, Haaroot & Maaroot separated a man from his wife whilst the Dunya separates a slave from his Lord.

al-mudhish 1/386

Is worse than enslavement of the body

Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah  رحمه الله said:

… If a woman is aware of a man’s desire for her, she can control him the way an oppressive master treats his slave who cannot free himself. But he is worse off than that, for enslavement of the heart, is worse than enslavement of the body.

Ibn Taymiyyah’s Fataawa (v. 10, p. 185)

Are you really happy living in Bilaad al-Kufar?

Are you really happy living in Bilaad al-Kufar?

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

“How can the believer be content to live in the land of the kuffaar where the rituals of kufr are proclaimed openly and rule belongs to someone other than Allaah and His Messenger seeing that with his eyes, hearing that with his ears and approving of it, and even starting to feel that he belongs there and living there with his wife and children, and feeling as comfortable there as he does in the Muslim lands even though he & his wife & children are in such great danger and their religious commitment and morals are in such peril?”

[Majmoo’ Fataawaa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (Fatwa no. 388)]

The Ruling on Giving Greetings to A Person Whom It is Not Clear Whether He is a Muslim or Disbeliever

The Ruling on Giving Greetings to A Person Whom It is Not Clear Whether He is a Muslim or Disbeliever  

Shaikh Zayd al-Madkhali رحمه الله


Question: The questioner from Emirates says: sometimes we cannot differentiate between the disbelievers and Muslims in their form and appearance. So how is the greetings and Salams given to them?

Answer: “According to the ability of a person. And there is no sin if  a person gives greetings to a disbeliever mistaking him for a Muslim. And being certain is a desirable affair which is is desired from a Muslim by the Legislation in all his actions. So it is necessary he is certain such that he does not give the greeting of Islam to a disbeliever who does not want it nor wants Islam”.

________

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Chains and Locks

Chains and Locks

Ibn Taymiyyah:

Sins are like the chains and locks preventing their perpetrator from roaming the vast gardens of tawheed and repeating the fruits of righteous actions.

– Majmoo’ Fataawaa (14/49)


[To read this article in spanish click here]

Source; http://daragharbi.org/2013/05/10/chains-and-locks/

Shaikh Hammaad al-Ansaaree's encounter with Maududi

Shaikh Hammaad al-Ansaaree's 

encounter with Maududi

I visited Maududi (Abul-A’laa Al-Maududi) along with some brothers during the course of his stay in Riyadh and he was in the hotel ‘bat-haa’ so we entered upon him and he was praying the ‘Asr prayer, so I began observing his prayer. So when he finished I said to him:
‘This prayer of yours needs reviewing, for you do not raise your hands, nor do you relax (be at ease) and other than that’

So he said: ‘I am Hanafee in Madhhab’.

So I said to him: ‘this is more overwhelming than the first; since it is impermissible for you to say that, and you are above such a statement. We had come to think from your writings that you are a free-thinker[1], but it has become apparent to us that you are a constricted thinker.’ Then I said to him: ‘indeed Imaam Aboo Haneefah is the one that you blindly follow; yet who are the ones that Imaam Aboo Haneefah blindly followed?’

He remained silent, and Allaah's Aid is sought.

__________________________

[1] See the book; The Methodology of the Prophets in calling to Allaah by Shaikh Rabee’ bin Haadee page: 157 onwards for detail of this. [Translators note]

Shaykh Hammaad al-Ansaaree
Majmoo' fee tarjumah Hamaad Al-Ansaaree volume 2 page 604
Translated by Aboo Haatim Muhammad Farooq

Source: http://www.fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=fd&ID=408

“…his sadness is in his parting with the worldly life.”

“…his sadness is in his parting with the worldly life.”

Ibn al-Jawzee رحمه الله said:

“Indeed, I see the majority of the people, when they are stricken with illness, they would sometimes preoccupy themselves with (feelings) of anguish and in complaining, and sometimes they would preoccupy themselves with medication.

So preoccupation with the severity (of the illness) diverts them from the beneficial commandments, performance of good deeds or preparation for death. And how many (a person) has sins which he has not repented from, or a trust which he has not returned, or a debt, or zakaat (to pay), or a misdeed in a responsibility of his, which he has not realized; rather his sadness is in his parting with the worldly life. He has no interest other than (the sadness felt due to parting with this world), and perhaps he may regain health and command with wrong doing.

The reason for this is a weakness in eemaan, as Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, said:

فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّى عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلاَّ الحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا 

ذَلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ العِلْمِ

‘Therefore withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who turns away from Our Reminder (this Qur’aan) and desires nothing but the life of this world. That is what they could reach of knowledge.’

[an-Najm: 29-30]

Indeed, this is common amongst the majority of the creation, and we seek Allaah’s protection from being forsaken. Therefore, it is incumbent upon a cautious person that he is prepared when in a state of good health before a state of poor health.”

[Ath-Thabaat Indal Mamaat (p. 31)]