Being Selective about Going Out
It is reported that Imām Mālik said to one of his companions:
Do not leave your house a lot, except for something that you must do. And do not sit in a gathering in which you do not benefit some knowledge.
Al-Qāḍī ʿAyyāḍ, Tartīb Al-Madārik 2:63
Taken from: https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/being-selective-about-going-out/
THE TAWBAH OF AL-FUDAYL B. ‘AYYAAD
Al-Dhahabî describes Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd as an Imâm, an example, and Shaykh Al-Islâm.
He is renowned as one of the pious Salaf, and many wise and inspiring statements are related from him. Allâh have mercy on him. Here is the story of how he made tawbah.
Al-Fadl b. Mûsâ reports:
Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd used to be a highwayman, between Abyûrd and Sarkhas. He was in love with a girl, and the cause of his repentance was that he was once climbing a wall to meet her when he heard someone reciting the following verses:
Has not the time come for those who believe, that their hearts should be humbled and submitted (to Allah)…? [Al-Hadîd: 16]
When he heard this, Al-Fudayl said, “Indeed my Lord, it is time.” So he left, and seeking a night’s shelter he found himself at some ruins, and there he saw some travelers. Some of them said, “We should move on.” Others said, “Wait until morning, Al-Fudayl operates in this area, he will rob us.” Al-Fudayl said, “So I thought and said to myself: I spend the night in sin and there are some Muslims here who fear me; I think that Allah only led me to them so that I might take lesson and stop what I am doing. O Allah! I have repented, and as part of my tawbah I will live next to Al-Bayt Al-Harâm (in Makkah).”
Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net
Question: We hear about the Dajjaal and the Fitnah (tribulations) surrounding him, from which the Messenger (peace be upon him) sought refuge (in Allah), and we have been commanded to seek refuge (in Allah) from his fitnah. So who is the Dajjaal? And what are his attributes?
Answer: Dajjaal is a man who will appear towards the end of time, and Jews will follow him. His appearance is a sign of the Last Hour, and he will bring with him immense Fitan (tests and trials) which will have an adverse effect on the Iman (of Muslims). Quite possibly many people may perish because of his Fitnah, except those whom Allah protects.As for his attributes, he would be a Kafir man, blind in one eye. He will seek to divert people from their religion by whatever means possible. So his Fitnah and danger will be immense. It is obligatory upon us to seek refuge in Allah from his Fitnah, as we have been commanded (to do so) by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Shaykh Salih Bin Fawzaan;
Al-Muntaqaa Min Fatawa, vol. 2, pg. 97.
GLAD TIDINGS FOR A PERSON WHOSE
COMPANION IS RIGHTEOUS
Yazīd al-Raqqāshī said,
"It has reached me that when the dead person is placed in his grave his deeds will surround him, and then Allāh will make them speak. They will say: 'O slave who is alone in his grave! Your family and loves ones have been cut off from you, and nothing will stay with you except us!'"
Then Yazīd wept and said,
"Glad tidings for a person whose companion (and social circle) is righteous, and woe to the one whose companion (and social circle) is a destruction upon him."
Book: The Three That Follow The Grave
By al-Hāfiz Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalī
Translated and Published by
Dār as-Sunnah Publishers
P. 39
NATION OF ISLAM (FARRAKHANISM)
More deserving to be called the Nation of Kufr, this cult has used black nationalism as its momentum in finding recruits. with elements of Muslim and Christian beliefs
The most prominent of the pseudo-Islamic groups in America was “The Lost Found Nation of Islam” which became known in the news media as the “Black Muslims”. This group’s beginnings are somewhat shrouded in mystery. A foreigner, by the name of Wallace Fard Muhammad, of uncertain origin, taught what he termed Islaam among Blacks in Detroit from 1929 to 1931. Following his disappearance in 1931, the most prominent of his students, Elijah Poole (1897-1975) secured leadership of the group and claimed that Fard was actually God in person and that he, Elijah, was the messenger of God sent to Black Americans. Elijah taught that Black people were gods, and White people were devils created by a Black scientist. Heaven and Hell, according to his teachings, are on earth in this life and there is no resurrection for the physically dead. [Black Muslims, pp. 72-78] Although Elijah claimed that the Qur’aan was the book of Muslims, he mostly referred to the Bible in his teachings. Actually, the main text of the cult was a book composed of some of his speeches and newspaper articles which he called Message to the Black Man in America. [Elijah Muhammad, Message to the Black Man in America, (Chicago, ILL: Muhammad’s Temple no. 2, 1965)]
Ask Allah a Lasting Faith
Mu’āwiyah b. Qurrah reports that Abū Al-Dardā` used to say, “We ask Allāh for a lasting faith (īmān), true certainty and beneficial knowledge.” Mu’āwiyah b. Qurrah then said, “So this indicates that there is a type of faith that does not last, and a type of certainty that is not true, and a type of knowledge that is not beneficial.”
Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā Vol. 2 p498.
Note
The supplication mentioned above is as follows in Arabic:
Text taken from: https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/ask-allah-a-lasting-faith/
Hadith: "He is not from us..."
Prophet Muḥammad Ṣallallāhu-ʿAlaihi Wa Sallam said:
“He is not from us who does not recite Qurʾān in a beautiful voice.”
● [مختصر صحيح الجامع الصغير برقم ٥٤٤٢ ، صححه الألباني]
Imām Ibn Bāz Raḥimahullāh said:
“This (Ḥadeeth) is a proof that beautifying one's voice and being attentive while reciting Qurʾān is something recommended for the submissiveness (Khushūʿ) of the Qārī and the one listening to him and it benefits both.”
Modern Day Deviant Groups : Shaikh Ahmad bin Yahyaa An-Najmee
Source: Al-Fataawaa al-Jaliyyah ‘anil-Manaahij Ad-Da’wiyyah (pg. 51-55)
Compiled by Hasan Ibn Mahmood Ibn Mansoor ad-Daghreeri.
Taken from Al-Ibaanah.com
Question: “Noble Shaikh Ahmad Ibn Yahyaa An-Najmee, may Allaah give you tawfeeq, there are found some books that include talk about these hizbee groups, which have incorporated a methodology that opposes the methodology of the Salaf in the fields of knowledge and action. And these books fall in between that which is large and difficult for the beginner to grasp of its content and between that which is short and contains little benefit. So O Shaikh, we hope that you can give us a clear but brief image of the most prominent of some of these methodologies’ founders and some of the issues they are criticized in. This is so that the Muslims can beware of falling into any part of that. And if you would be so kind O Shaikh as to direct the last of your talk to focusing on the true methodology, which every Muslim is obligated to follow…”
Answer: All praise be to Allaah, and may His peace and blessings be upon the most honorable of all creation, our prophet Muhammad, and on his family and Companions. To proceed:
Jamaa’at-ul-Ikhwaan al-Muslimoon
Definition of the Ikhwaan Al-Muslimoon:
They are the followers of Hasan Al-Bannaa. There are several points to be noted about their methodology, the most important of which are the following:
1. They show a lack of importance to Tawheed Al-‘Ibaadah [1], which is the most important matter in Islaam, since the Islaam of an individual is not valid without it.
2. They remain silent and concede to the people in their performance of major Shirk, supplication to other than Allaah, performance of tawaaf around graves, making oaths to the dead in the graves, sacrificing in their names and so on.
3. The founder of this methodology was a Sufi. He had a connection with Sufism to the point that he gave bay’ah (oath of allegiance) to ‘Abdul-Wahhaab Al-Khusaafee upon (following) his Khusaafee Shadh-lee order.
4. The presence of innovations amongst them and their worshipping Allaah through them – even to the point that the founder of this methodology acknowledged that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would attend their gatherings of dhikr and that he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would forgive what past sins they had committed, as is found in his saying:
“May Allaah bless the one who upon light in which he appeared
To the worlds, and so he surpassed the sun and the moon
This habeeb (i.e. Muhammad) along with his beloved has gathered
And pardoned everyone in what sins they did in the past.”
5. They call to establishing the Khilaafah and this is an innovation because the Messengers and their followers were not entrusted with anything except to call to Tawheed. Allaah says: “And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger, (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allaah and avoid the taaghoot (false deities).’” [Surah An-Nahl: 36]
6. They have a lack of Walaa and Baraa (loyalty and disavowment) or a weak form of it. This is made clear in their call to bring closeness between the Sunnis and the Shee’ah. And their founder was quoted as saying: “We will cooperate with one another in what we agree on and pardon one another in what we disagree on.”
7. They hate and despise the people of Tawheed and those who adhere to the Salafee Way. This is made clear in their talk concerning the Saudi state, which is founded upon Tawheed and which teaches Tawheed in its schools, institutes and universities. And it was made clear in their killing of Jameel Ar-Rahmaan Al-Afghaanee just because he called to Tawheed and because he had schools in which he would teach Tawheed.
8. They pursue the mistakes of the leaders and expose their faults – whether true or false – spreading them amongst the youth in order to make the leaders appear hateful to them and so that they can fill their hearts with contempt against them.
9. They hold detestable partisanship to the party they ascribe themselves to. So they show friendship based on this party and they show enmity based on this party.
10. They give their oath of allegiance to work for the Ikhwaani Manhaj according to the ten conditions that the founder has set forth. And there are other issues of concern, which perhaps can be dealt with at a later time.
The Qutubees
They are a people that have read the books of Sayyid Qutb and accepted what is in them from truth and falsehood. So you will find them defending Sayyid Qutb when someone criticizes him, even if the truth is with the one criticizing.
It is well known that Sayyid Qutb was not from the men of religious knowledge. His original status was that he was an author. Then he adopted the beliefs of the Ash’arees – the belief of ta’weel (misinterpretation of Allaah’s Attributes), as did others among the learned people from Egypt. He has serious and vile errors, which the people of knowledge have refuted and exposed. But when they expose these errors, this results in the rage of the Qutubees befalling them by way of their criticizing, speaking ill and discrediting them. So Allaah is sufficient for us and He is the Best of Guardians.
So the basic principle is that: Men are known by way of the Haqq (truth) and the Haqq is not known by way of men. So it is obligatory on us to accept the truth and to worship Allaah, Lord of all worlds, by it, and to abandon everyone that treads an innovated methodology. And we must place as our role model, the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), his Khulafaa, his Companions, and those who followed them amongst the Imaams of guidance. And Allaah is the One who grants success.
The Suroorees
The definition of the people who adhere and ascribe to this methodology:
The Suroorees are a group of people or a sect that ascribe themselves to Muhammad Suroor Zayn-ul-‘Aabideen. They have some aspects of the Sunnah and some aspects of Bid’ah (innovation) in them. The most important characteristics that can be noted from them are:
1. They attack the rulers and speak about them in a manner that results in evil, corruption and danger. It appears that they declare the leaders to be disbelievers, but this can only be understood by way of their circumstances and actions and cannot be picked up from their words. This is since the path they take is the path of the Khawaarij or close to it, knowing that the religious texts state the obligation of hearing and obeying the rulers.
And our rulers in this land (of Saudi Arabia) are Muslims – all praise be to Allaah. They use Allaah’s Legislation for judging in their court systems and they establish the prescribed punishments (hudood). So declaring them to be disbelievers or talking about them in a manner that leads to revolting and rebelling against them is considered a great form of causing corruption. Due to this, we must warn against those who adhere to this methodology or rid ourselves from them, especially since they have attacked the scholars of this land by reviling them, making slanderous remarks against them and accusing them of betraying the Deen. This matter indicates what they are behind.
2. They call to Jihaad, but they do not intend by it the Jihaad against the disbelievers. Rather it seems like they intend by it to change the leaders, knowing that we cannot rid the leaders of their errors. And we do not claim that they are infallible however we say: It is obligatory to obey them and to advise them in a private manner because they are Muslims. And the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbade us from rebelling against the leader unless the one rebelling sees clear disbelief upon him by which he will have a proof from Allaah in the matter.
3. They claim that the scholars in this land do not understand the current affairs. And they can be refuted by the fact that the Muftees and the judges do not issue a fatwa in a single issue nor do they judge in a single matter except after coming to know its state of affairs, which encompasses it, such as the cause, the conditions for the ruling and its effects. So whoever claims that these scholars and judges do not understand the current affairs then he has wronged himself and spoken what is not permissible for him to say. As for knowing the plans and schemes of the enemies and so on, then this falls under the jurisdiction of each country’s army.
Jamaa’at-ut-Tableegh
They are a people that follow Muhammad Ilyaas, the founder of this Jamaa’ah.
A biography of the founder: Muhammad Ilyaas was born in 1302H. He memorized the Qur’aan and read the Six Collections of Hadeeth. [2] He was upon the Deobandi methodology, taking the Hanafee madh-hab, the Ash’aree and Matureedee Creed and the Sufi way. They have four Sufi orders amongst them:
1. The Naqshabandees
2. The Sahroordees
3. The Qaadirees, and
4. The Jishtees
Shaikh Muhammad Ilyaas gave the Sufi bay’ah (oath of allegiance) to Shaikh Rasheed Al-Kankoohee, who later became Shaikh Rasheed As-Saharanpuree. Then he renewed it with Shaikh Ahmad As-Saharanpuree who certified him to take oaths of allegiance. Muhammad Ilyaas would sit in detached isolation (khalwah) by the grave of Shaikh Nur Muhammad Al-Badaayunee, in what is known as the Jishtee Muraaqabah (self meditation). And he would go out to the grave of ‘Abdul-Qudoos Al-Kankoohee, the one who forced the ideology of wahdat-ul-wujood [3] on him. He resided and taught in Delhi and passed away in 1363H.
Circumstances that brought about the start of the movement:
Shaikh Abul-Hasan An-Nadwee saw that Muhammad Ilyaas took refuge in this way of giving Da’wah when the ways of blind-following failed to rectify the people of his region. Shaikh Miyaan Muhammad Aslam quotes one of Ilyaas’ sayings that he received kashf (mystic disclosure) to follow this way through a dream in which he was inspired with a new tafseer (interpretation) of Allaah’s saying: “You were the best nation brought out for mankind, commanding good and forbidding evil and believing in Allaah.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 110] And it was that going out (khurooj) to call people to the way of Allaah cannot be realized by staying in one place based on Allaah’s word “brought out” and that one’s Eemaan increases by going out in this khurooj based on Allaah’s saying: “and believing in Allaah” after having said: “brought out for mankind.”
The following can be noted from what has just been mentioned:
1. The Qur’aan is not interpreted by makshoofaat (mystical disclosures), and by Sufi dreams, of which the majority of them, rather all of them come from the inspirations of the Devil.
2. It is apparent from what was stated previously that the founder of this Jamaa’ah was engrossed in Sufism from head to toe. This is because he gave two oaths of allegiance on it and was tested by its false beliefs and because he would spend his time sitting by the graves of Sufis.
3. The founder of this Jamaa’ah was a qubooree (grave worshipper) and a khuraafee. This is clear from his saying: “…and he would sit in detached isolation (khalwah) by the grave of Shaikh Nur Muhammad Al-Badaayunee.” And concerning the second person, he mentioned that he forced the ideology of wahdat-ul-wujood on him. So his being attached to the grave of the one who forced the ideology of wahdat-ul-wujood on him is without doubt a clear proof that he held that same belief
4. Those who believe in wahdat-ul-wujood claim that Allaah embodies Himself inside the attractive woman – and refuge is sought from Allaah! This is a matter that has reached the highest level of repulsiveness. May Allaah give them what they deserve of His curses and wrath!
The methodology of the Jamaa’at-ut-Tableegh can be summarized in six issues or six principles or six characteristics:
1. Actualizing the statement of Tawheed: “Laa Ilaaha Illaallaah Muhammadur Rasoolullaah” (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and Muhammad is His Messenger)
2. Praying with full submissiveness and humility
3. Knowledge of the Virtues (Fadaa’il) and not the Fiqh issues (Masaa’il) along with knowledge of dhikr
4. Showing generosity to the Muslim
5. Correcting the intention
6. Calling to Allaah (i.e. Da’wah) and going out (i.e. khurooj) for that purpose in the Way of Allaah upon the tablighi manhaj.
There is an objective behind each of these six principles or characteristics as well as a virtue to be attained. So for example the objective behind (Laa Ilaaha IllaAllaah) is to: “Eradicate the corrupted yaqeen (Certainty) from the heart while placing the correct and valid yaqeen into the Essence (dhaat) of Allaah.” They really intend the belief of wahdat-ul-wujood with this.
Point to be noted about Jamaa’at-ut-Tableegh:
1. The founder of this Jamaa’ah was raised upon Sufism and gave two oaths of allegiance on it.
2. He would position himself by graves, waiting to receive Kashf (Sufi mystical disclosure) and meditative ideas from the deceased inside them.
3. He would perform the Jishtee Muraaqabah (self meditation) at the gravesite of ‘Abdul-Quddoos Al-Kankoohee, who used to believe in wahadat-ul-wujood.
4. The Jishtee Muraaqabah is to sit by a grave for half an hour of every week, covering the face and reciting this dhikr: “Allaahu Haadiree, Allaahu Naadhiree.” [4] This statement or this action if done sincerely for Allaah is an innovation. And if it is done for the person in the grave then it is committing Shirk with Allaah. And the last of the two is what is most evident.
5. They have four of their graves located in the masjid from where their Da’wah emerged.
6. The founder of this Jamaa’ah believed in Kashf.
7. The founder of this Jamaa’ah was a grave worshipper.
8. The Tablighis perform their worship with an innovated form of dhikr, done in the way of the Sufis. This is by splitting up the statement of Tawhheed (Laa Ilaaha IllaAllaah).
9. Whoever cuts off the negation part of the Statement of Tawheed from its affirmation part intentionally, by saying “Laa Ilaaha” (only), then this necessitates the fact that he has committed disbelief. Shaikh Hamood At-Tuwayjiree stated this, quoting it from the scholars.
10. They make it permissible to wear amulets that have on them mystical writings and names of unknown people, which probably are names of devils! And this is not permissible.
Footnotes:
[1] Translator’s Note: This is the category of Tawheed related to the Oneness of Allaah in the worship that is performed to Him, i.e. that we worship only Allaah and no one else.
[2] Translator’s Note: The hadeeth Collections of Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad.
[3] Translator’s Note: Wahdatul-Wujood is the belief that Creator (Allaah) and the Creation is one existence.
[4] Translator’s Note: This has something with the meaning of “Allaah is my ever-Present Accompanier, Allaah is my Watcher”
The World of Jinn (Spirits)
The infamous ‘spirit beings’ that are found in so many sources about Islaam. What
are they? Do they possess people? Are they Muslims?
Maybe there is a Jinn sitting in the corner of your room right now, or
even one behind you. If so, then how will you deal with this creation of
Allaah? Learn Islaam properly and you will be able to deal with all of
Allaah’s creation - and not just the Jinn.
Throughout history man has always had a deep attraction for the supernatural and the unseen. The existence of a world parallel to our own has always fascinated people. This world is commonly referred to as the spirit world, and almost every set of people have some concept of one. With some people, these spirits are no more then the souls of dead peopleor ghosts. With others, spirits are either the forces of good or the forces of evil - both battling against one another to gain influence over humanity. However, both of these explanations are more in tune with folk tales and fantasy. The true explanation of such a world comes from Islam. Like every other way, Islam also claims to explain this realm of the unseen. It is from this realm that Islam explains to us about the world of the Jinn. The Islamic explanation of the Jinn provides us with so many answers to modem day mysteries.
Without the knowledge of this world, the Muslims would become like the non-Muslims and be running around looking for any old answer to come their way. So, who or what are the Jinn?
ExistenceThe Jinn are beings created with free will, living on earth in a world parallel to mankind. The Arabic word Jinn is from the verb 'Janna' which means to hide or conceal. Thus, they are physically invisible from man as their description suggests. This invisibility is one of the reasons why some people have denied their existence. However, (as will be seen) the affect which the world of the Jinn has upon our world, is enough to refute this modem denial of one of Allaah's creation. The origins of the Jinn can be traced from the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Allaah says:
"Indeed We created man from dried clay of black smooth mud. And We created the Jinn before that from the smokeless flame of fire" (Surah Al-Hijr 15:26-27)
Thus the Jinn were created before man. As for their physical origin, then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has confirmed the above verse when he said: "The Angels were created from light and the Jinn from smokeless fire"[1]. It is this description of the Jinn which tells us so much about them. Because they were created from fire, their nature has generally been fiery and thus their relationship with man has been built upon this. Like humans, they too are required to worship Allaah and follow Islam. Their purpose in life is exactly the same as ours, as Allaah says:
"I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Surah Ad-Dhariyat 51:56)
Jinns can thus be Muslims or non-Muslims. However, due to their fiery nature the majority of them are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Jinns form a part of the army of the most famous Jinn, Iblis- the Shaytan[2]. Consequently, these disbelieving Jinns are also called Shaytans (devils). As for the Jinns who become Muslims, then the first of them did so in the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) when a group of them were amazed by the recitation of the Qur'an. Allaah orders the Prophet to tell the people of this event:
"Say (O' Muhammed): It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said; 'Indeed we have heard a marvellous Qur'an. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it, and we will never make partners with our lord." (Surah Al-Jinn 72:1-2)
In many aspects of their world, the Jinn are very similar to us. They eat and drink, they marry, have children and they die. The life span however, is far greater then ours. Like us, they will also be subject to a Final Reckoning by Allaah the Most High. They will be present with mankind on the Day of Judgement and will either go to Paradise or Hell.
Abilities
That which clearly distinguishes the Jinn from mankind, are their powers and abilities.
Allaah has given them these powers as a test for them. If they oppress others with them, then they will be held accountable. By knowing of their powers, we can often make sense of much of the mysteries which go on around us. One of the powers of the Jinn, is that they are able to take on any physical form they like. Thus, they can appear as humans, animals trees and anything else. Over the last few years the interest in the subject of aliens and UFO's has become heightened. Programmes such as the X-files and the Outer limits have increased the popularity of the theory that aliens exist. Thousands of people have sighted strange looking creatures all over the world. These sightings however, have still not proven substantially that aliens exist. Rather - and it seems more plausible all the sightings of such creatures were just Jinns parading in different forms. So the next time you see something that looks like E.T, its most probably just a wicked Jinn trying to scare and confuse you!
The ability to possess and take over the minds and bodies of other creatures is also a power which the Jinn have utilised greatly over the centuries. This however, is something which has been prohibited to them as it is a great oppression to possess another being.
Human possession is something which has always brought about great attention. But the true knowledge of this subject is rare amongst the people. Over the last 3 decades the subject of possession has become very commercialised. During the 70's films such as The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby were used to educate people about possession. However, because such institutions (the film industry) were heavily influenced by Christianity, knowledge of the subject was non-existent. Rather then educate people about Jinn possession, films such as The Exorcist just tended to scare the living daylights out of us![3]
Only through Islam can we understand such a phenomena. We know as Muslims, that Jinns possess people for many reasons. Sometimes it is because the Jinn or its family has been hurt accidentally. It could be because the Jinn has fallen in love with the person.
However, most of the time possession occurs because the Jinn is simply malicious and wicked. For this reason we have been told by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) not to loiter in those places where the Jinns reside, e.g. graveyards, ruins, deserts, market places etc. We have also been commanded to recite the Qur'an frequently in our houses as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Indeed, the shaytan flees from the house in which Surah AI-Baqarah (the 2nd chapter of the Qur'an) is recited"[4].
If a person does become possessed, then the name of Allaah has to be used in expelling the Jinn. If we look at the practice of the Prophet and his companions, we find many duas (supplications) to exorcise the Jinn. All these duas invoke Allaah to help the possessed person. How contrary this is to many modern-day exorcists. Many exorcists, Muslim and non-Muslim, often invoke the names of others besides Allaah to exorcise the Jinn[5]. When the Jinn does leave, these people believe that their way was successful. However, this is a ploy of the Jinn, as it knows that if it obeys the exorcist, then it has succeeded in making him worship others besides Allaah i.e. commit shirk. The Jinn often returns when the exorcist leaves, as it knows that nothing except the words of Allaah can stop it from oppressing others.
It is not only humans which are possessed, but also animals, trees and other objects. By doing this, the evil Jinn hope to make people worship others besides Allaah. The possession of idols is one way to do this. Not so long ago the world-wide phenomenon of Hindu idols drinking milk, shocked the world. From Bombay to London, Delhi to California, countless idols were lapping up milk. Ganesh[6] the elephant god, Hanuman the monkey god and even Shiva lingam, the male private organ(!), all seemed to guzzle down the milk as if there was no tomorrow! Unfortunately people were taken in by this (including Muslims) and many flocked to feed (?) the Hindu gods. Anyone who knows about Jinn possession, will undoubtedly know that this is a classic attempt to make people commit shirk. And it worked, as many people started to worship these lifeless pieces of wood and marble.
Anyone with half a brain would say to themselves, 'why on earth does a god need to be fed?!! Surely if Ganesh, Hanuman or Shiva were divine then they wouldn't need feeding?'
However, such common sense seemed to be lacking as the Jinns played havoc with these gullible people.
The Occult
Through their powers of flying and invisibility, the Jinn are the chief component in occult activities. Voodoo, Black magic, Poltergeists, Witchcraft and Mediums can all be explained through the world of the Jinn. Likewise, so can the illusions and feats of magicians.
Because the Jinn can traverse huge distances over a matter of seconds, their value to magicians is great.
In return for helping them in their magic, the Jinns often ask for the magicians to sell their souls to them and even to Iblis. Thus the magicians take the Jinn andIblis as lords besides Allaah. In our day, some of the feats performed by magicians and entertainers are without doubt from the assistance of the Jinn. Making the Statue of Liberty disappear, flying across the Grand Canyon and retrieving a ship from the Bermuda Triangle [7], have all been done by the Jewish magician David Copperfield. There is NO way that a man could do such things without the assistance of the Jinn. It would not be surprising therefore, if David Copperfield had sold his soul to Iblis himself. Because of their involvement with the Jinn, and its result in shirk, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The prescribed punishment for the magician is that he be executed by the sword"[8]. Some may argue that this is barbaric, but if, the likes of David Copperfield truly had powers, then they could just put theirheads back on again!!
One of the most frequent activities associated with the Jinn, is fortune telling. Before the advent of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) fortune-tellers and soothsayers were wide spread. These people would use their associates from the Jinn to find out about the future. The Jinns would go to the lowest heaven and listen to the Angels conversing amongst themselves about events of the Future which they heard from Allaah.
The Jinns would then inform the fortune-tellers. This is why before the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) many fortune-tellers were very accurate in their predictions. However, upon the Prophet's arrival the heavens were guarded intensely by the Angels, and any Jinn who tried to listen was attacked by meteors (shooting stars):
"And We have guarded it (the heavens) from every accursed devil, except one who is able to snatch a hearing and he is pursued by a brightly burning flame" (Surah Al-Hijr 15:18)
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said: "They (the Jinn) would pass the information back down until it reaches the lips of a magician or forrtune-teller Sometimes a meteor would overtake them before they could pass it on. If they passed it on before being struck, they would add to it a hundred lies"[9]. Thus, it is clear from this as to how fortune-tellers get predictions of the future right. It is also evident as to why they get so many wrong. Men like Nostradamus[10] are an example, as some of his predictions of the future were correct whilst many were completely wrong. Unfortunately, the amount of fortune telling which occurs amongst the Muslims is also increasing. By visiting Muslim lands such as Morocco, one is able to see as to how much inter Jinn-fortune-teller activity there really is. If you look up at the sky on a clear night in Morocco, you will see the heavens ablaze with shooting stars! A clear display of the devils being chased away from the heavens.
Fortune-tellers also operate through the Qareen. The Qareen is the Jinn companion which is assigned to every human being. It is this Jinn which whispers to our base desires and constantly tries to divert us from righteousness. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Everyone of you has been assigned a companion from the Jinn. The companions asked: Even you O Messenger of Allaah? And the Prophet replied: Even me, except that Allaah has helped me against him and he has submitted. Now he only tells me to do good"'[11]. Because the Qareen is with a person all his life, it knows all that has happened to the person from the cradle to the grave. By making contact with the Qareen, the fortune-teller is thus able to make out that it is he who knows about the person. He looks in his crystal ball or the palm of a person and proceeds to amaze him with knowledge which no one else knows[12]. The severity of going to a fortune-teller is such that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The prayer of one who approaches a fortune-teller and asks him about anything, will not be accepted for forty days or nights"[13] and: "Whosoever approaches a fortune-teller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammed"[14]
The effects of the Jinn are not just limited to fortune-tellers. Other activities such as oujia boards and seances, which are used to contact the dead, are manipulated by the Jinn. 'Are you there Charlie? Speak to us Charlie!!' are the sort of words spoken by anxious relatives (names are obviously different!) seeking to make contact with their loved ones. And it is when the Jinn starts to talk and communicate as 'Charlie', that the people are truly fooled [15].
One of the biggest manipulations of the Jinn is through visions. Through these visions the Jinns are more likely to lead people away from the worship of Allaah then any other way.
When a person sees a vision in front of his eyes it is something which is very hard to explain away. Only by having knowledge of the world of the Jinn and conviction in Allaah, can a person fight such a trial. The countless numbers of visions of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary over the centuries has been a popular choice for the devils. It almost seems as if leading Christians astray is the most easiest trick for the Jinns! Not only are Christians fooled by these visions, but often the Jinns possess and begin to talk from their voices. To the Christians this is known as the tongues of the Angels and thus a proof for their faith.
However, the amount of unintelligible nonsense and rubbish which is heard is a clear proof that this is in fact the tongues of the devils! For other people, visions of their parents or relatives are commonplace. By taking on the form of peoples parents, the Jinns can convince people that the souls of dead people still mix with the people of the earth. This is why so many people believe in ghosts.
The onslaught of satanic visions has also hit the Muslims. Many Muslims claim to have seen visions of the Prophet Muhammed (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and even Allaah! By doing this, Shaytan is able to lead astray the weak Muslims. Through such visions, Muslims are often told that the commands of Islam are not applicable to them. The Jinns tell them that Prayer, Fasting, Hajj etc. are not obligatory for them. It is a great deception and unfortunately one which has been very effective. The extent of satanic visions still continues to this day. The recent death of Diana Princess of Wales sparked off great love and adoration for this woman. In fact the grief of the British people was such, that it was as if Diana was something divine. No sooner had the mourning of Diana reached its peak, that visions of her were already being seen at Hampton Court Palace! If these visions did occur, the desire of Iblis and his army of Jinn to capitalise on this event, was evident. Such visions are clear attempts by Iblis to lead mankind away from the path of Allaah [16].
The world of the Jinn is one which is both sinister and intriguing. By knowing of this world we can explain many of the mysteries and issues which bother us. By doing this we can avoid the extremes which the people have gone to; nothing being more extreme then worshipping others besides Allaah. By learning the Tawheed of Allaah, we defend ourselves from these hidden allies of Iblis:
"Indeed he (Iblis) and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them" (Surah Al-A'raf 7:27)
Maybe there is a Jinn sitting in the corner of your room right now, or even one behind you.
If so, then how will you deal with this creation of Allaah? Learn Islam properly and you will be able to deal with all of Allaah's creation - and not just the Jinn. By becoming true Muslims and followers of Islam, the fear of Iblis, Jinns and anything else will leave us - nothing will touch the Believer unless Allaah wills.
Footnotes 1 Reported by Muslim - Eng. Trans. Vol. 4, p.1540, No.7134
2 It must be remembered that Iblis is a Jinn and not an Angel. The concept of the Devil being a fallen Angel is from Christianity and not
Islam.
3 In fact when The Exorcist was first shown on cinema, it was so scary that many people fainted and one even died!
4 Authentic - Reported by Tirmidhee
5 Whilst Christians invoke the name of Jesus, many Muslims invoke the name of pious Muslim saints! The rituals which are conducted by many Muslims are more akin to voodoo then the exorcism practised by the Prophet and his companions!!
6 Ganesh, the elephant headed deity, seemed to be the biggest drinker! In fact it didn't just stop at milk. At the time of these occurrences, a woman in India decided to see if Ganesh would drink anything else - so she offered him whiskey!! And Lo and behold Ganesh drank the Whiskey!!! Suffice to say, the woman was kicked out of India.
7 The ship which was recovered was more then 50 years old. It subsequently caught alight and was conveniently destroyed.
8 Authentic - Reported by Tirmidhee
9 Reported by Bukhari - Eng. Trans. Vol.7, p.439, No.657
10 Michel de Nostradamus was a famous French soothsayer of the 16th century.
11 Reported by Muslim - Eng. Trans. Vol.4, p.1472, No.6757
12 The classic example of how fortune tellers can be wrong is the case of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed. Both went to see a fortune teller who told Diana that she would live a long and happy life. A few weeks later, on August 31st 1997, Diana and Dodi Fayed were dead. After this the fortune tellers flew for cover, as their evil art showed its decadence.
13 Reported by Muslim - Eng. Trans. Vol.4, p.1211, No.5540
14 Authentic - Reported by Ahmed
15 Ouija boards are so misleading, that people have even managed to get in touch with the spirit of Jack the Ripper!!
16 An informative book on the world of the Jinn is 'Ibn Taymeeyah's Essay on the Jinn'.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 May 2007 )
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The Principles of Aqidah
By Shaykh ul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah
1. Everything which is in accord with the Book and the Authentic Sunnah is accepted by them and everything which is in opposition to it is treated as false by them.
The first thing which distinguishes the Ahl us-Sunnah wal- Jamaa'ah from all those besides them is the methodology with which they acquire their sciences (of the Deen) and the source of the Truth from which they derive their beliefs, concepts, acions of worship, dealings (with the people), their mode of conduct and their manners. The source of Knowledge and Truth in all the various branches of knowledge with the Ahl us-Sunnah is the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) . No words other than the words of Allaah come first and no guidance other that the guidance of the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) comes first.
2. There is no one who is free from making mistakes (in the Deen) except the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam).
The Ahl us-Sunnah do not regard anyone as being safe from error as regards the Deen except the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) . The scholars are not free from making mistakes but rather the words of everyone can either be accepted or rejected except those of the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) . Therefore the words and statements of the scholars of the Ahl us-Sunnah by necessity follow or are in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and do not precede or go ahead of it.
3. The Ijmaa' (concensus) of the Salaf us-Saalih (Pious Predecessors) is regarded as a Sharee'ah proof which is necessary to hold on to for those who come after them.
And the Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah believe that the most knowledgeable of the creation as regards the Deen of Allaah after the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) are the Companions (ra) and the Salaf us-Saalih. Whatever they united/agreed upon from any of the affairs or matters of the Deen is free from being wrong and it is not [permissible] for anyone to leave it. Their Ijmaa is a Sharee'ah proof which it is obligatory to hold on to for those who come after them. All those who stick to their Ijmaa are [therefore] those who adhere strictly to their Jamaa'ah (group).
4. They do not accept or affirm any speech or Ijtihaad (Jurisprudence) except after having thrown it against these three sources: The Book, the Authentic Sunnah and Ijmaa' of the Salaf.
The Ahl us-Sunnah hold on to the [Sunnah] which the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) came with and adhere to the [Jamaa'ah] of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and they are the Companions (ra) and whoever follows their way and adopts their methodology. They do not accept any Ijtihaad or any speech regardless of whom it comes from except after having referred it to the Book, the Authentic Sunnah and the Ijmaa of the Salaf.
5. They do not contradict the Qur'aan or the Sunnah with their 'Aql (Intellect) or opinions or analogies.
And (therefore) the Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah do not rely upon, follow or cling except to the knowledge and the practise of the Salaf us-Saalih and whoever takes from them, sticks to their jamaa'ah and travels upon their trail and binds (and restricts) himself to their principles/foundations. And this is because the Companions (ra) learnt the tafseer (explanation) of the Qur'an and the Hadeeth from the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) , then taught it to the Taabi'een but did not put themselves before Allaah and His Messenger with an opinion, ones taste, ones intellect, sudden enlightenment (like that of the soofees) or other such things.
6. The Jamaa'ah (The Group that is united upon the Truth, which the Messenger (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) came with, in terms of speech and action) is the means of Deliverance in this life and in the Hereafter.
The Ahl us-Sunnah therefore, hold fast to the Jamaa'ah of the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) turning away from the places of separation and difference, clinging tightly to the totality of the Book, the Sunnah and Ijmaa (unanimous agreement of the companions), whilst being far from the places of obscurity and unclarity (in the Book and the Sunnah) which separates and divides the united. And (this is because) the Jamaa'ah in (their estimation) is the means of Deliverance in this life and the Hereafter.
7. They do not make obligatory the acquaintance with a particular type of knowledge upon he who is incapable and which is befitting for the capable person only.
And the Ahl us-Sunnah believe in what the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) came with in its entirety, however, they differentiate between the one who is capable and the one who is not with regards to knowing what the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) came with in a detailed way. And this is a mighty principle: many trials have befallen (the Ummah) due to absence of its understanding.
Peace and Blessings upon the Messenger of Allaah, upon his Companions (ra) and all those who follow in their footsteps until the Day of Resurrection.
The additional text in italics after each point is a summary of the words of Ibn Taymiyyah in his Majmoo' al-Fataawaa
Taken from: http://www.thenoblequran.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=AQD02&articleID=AQD020003&articlePages=1
