Beautiful Point of Benefit From Shaykh Rabee'

Shaikh Rabee' bin Hadee al-Madkhalee (hafidhahullaah) stated: 


When you see a person speaking ill of Ahlis-Sunnah, then this is an indication that this person is a deviant. It's also possible that he's a Zindeeq (heretic). When you see a person speaking ill of Ahlis-Sunnah and Ahlil-Hadeeth, what is it that causes him to speak ill of them except that he is in opposition to them and looking down upon that which is with them. There's no doubt in that.

If this is not the case, then what pushes him to speak ill of Ahlis-Sunnah and its followers?! Nothing pushes him except that he is one who is misguided, embodying deviance, vice and evil. This is from their (i.e. the people of Bid'ah's) signs. This is from the signs of the people of evil and the people of innovation. If he was to say: "I from Ahlis-Sunnah" don't believe him because he is a Kadh-dhaab (habitual liar)! Many from these fraudulent liars say to you: "I'm Salafi" and at the same time he's a liar. He only said this as a means of a plot (against the people of the Sunnah).

Similar to the Munaafiq (hypocrite) who says: "I'm a believer", "I'm a Muslim". He's says "I'm a Muslim"! The Munaafiq doesn't say: "I'm a Kaafir", or "I'm a Munaafiq and I hate Islaam." Rather he says "I'm a Muslim," he prays, give charity, and he does and does...at the same time he combats Islaam and hates the people of Islaam.

Many from amongst the people nowadays who say: "I'm Salafi," however you don't see him except that he hates the people of Hadeeth and speaks ill of them.


Source: Taken from Shaikh Rabee's Explanation of Aqeedatus-Salaf Ashaabil-Hadeeth, pg. 309

Translated by: Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

Beware of offering Fajr before true entrance of Fajr!

Beware of offering Fajr before true entrance of Fajr! 

Allaah, Ta'aala, says:

أُحِلَّ لَڪُمۡ لَيۡلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآٮِٕكُمۡ*ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لِبَاسٌ۬ لَّهُنَّ*ۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّڪُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَخۡتَانُونَ أَنفُسَڪُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَعَفَا عَنكُمۡ*ۖ فَٱلۡـَٔـٰنَ بَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبۡتَغُواْ مَا ڪَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ*ۚ وَكُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡخَيۡطُ ٱلۡأَبۡيَضُ مِنَ ٱلۡخَيۡطِ ٱلۡأَسۡوَدِ مِنَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ*ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيۡلِ*ۚ وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمۡ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلۡمَسَـٰجِدِ*ۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهَا*ۗ كَذَٲلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ

It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are body covering for you and you are the same for them. Allaah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allaah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall. And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I'tikaaf in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allaah, so approach them not. Thus does Allaah make clear His Ayaat to mankind that they may become Al-Muttaqun. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 187) 


Ibn 'Abbaas (radiallaahu 'anhumma) said that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: There are two Fajrs (dawns). As for the first, it does not prevent eating (for the fasting person) nor does it permit prayer (the Fajr prayer). As for the other, it prohibits eating (for the fasting person) and allows the prayer.[Ibn Khuzaimah and Haakim]


Shaikh Al-Albaanee (rahimahulaah) said: "And I have seen this myself many times from my home in Jabal Hamlaan in south-east 'Amman [Jordan]. It allowed me to confirm what had been claimed by some devout advisors concerned for the Muslims' worship, that the adhaan of Fajr in some of the Arab lands is called before the time of the true Fajr by a period of between 20 and 30 minutes, even before the false Fajr! 


And I had often heard the Iqaamah of Fajr Prayer from some of the masjids being called along with the entrance of the true Fajr, meaning that they had called the adhaan a half hour before its time. This means that they had prayed the Sunnahs of Fajr before the entrance of Fajr's time, and they had occasionally hurried the actual Fajr prayer as well, in the month of Ramadaan, as I heard over the radio station in Damascus while I was eating my suhoor (pre-dawn meal before fasting) last Ramadaan (in the year 1406).


This makes things difficult on the people, forcing them to stop eating before they have to, and it subjects their Fajr prayer to the danger of being unacceptable. And the only reason for this is that the people have relied upon astronomical calculations, and turned away from the legislated times of the prayers. [Allaah said (what means):] And eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)..." For more on this matter, click on The Legislated Times for the Five Daily Prayers.


So Fajr (Dawn) begins at the first light of the dawn of the sun, the first glow on the Eastern horizon where the sun will rise from. This is understood from Allaah's statement (which means): Until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)..." (Al-Baqarah, ayah 187) 


Here is a photo of the lying fajr (al-fajr al-kadhib) and below that a picture of the true fajr (al-fajr as-saadiq): 


                                       الفجر الكاذب

الفجر الصادق

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' said: "Al-Fajr-ul-Kadhib [the lying fajr] appears as a rectangle in the sky from the top to the bottom of the horizon, while Al-Fajr-ul-Sadiq [the true fajr] appears in the sky spreading along the horizon. The time for offering the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer starts with the appearance of Al-Fajr-ul-Sadiq [the true fajr]." 

Shaikh al-'Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said in his explanation to Bulugh al-Maram (the seventh tape):

"The 'ulama said there are two fajrs. One true and one lying, and there are three differences between them. 

The first difference (is) in how they look. So, the true fajr extends from north to south, and the lying fajr it extends from east to west - oblong like the tail of the wolf. 

The second difference (is) that the true fajr doesn't have darkness between it and the horizon, rather, its light is connected with the horizon. As for the lying fajr, there is darkness between it and the horizon, meaning the light does not extend until the end of the horizon. 

The third difference (is) the lying fajr, its oblong light becomes dark and its light goes away. As for the true fajr, its light persists and becomes stronger until the sun rises. These are the three differences between the true fajr and the lying fajr."

The adhaan for the SubH salat (Fajr) should be called when the white thread appears - picture 2. What you see in the first picture is called "lying fajr," which disappears shortly after it appears. The true fajr only spreads after its entrance.

What Shaikh Al-Albanee (rahimahullaah) alluded to is that many are deceived by the lying fajr (al-Fajr al-Kaadhib) - falsely believing that to be the entrance of Fajr - and therefore offer their naafila (two superogatory rak'ah) before the entrance of the true Fajr, and may even fall into offering their obligatory SubH salat before the entrance of the fajr, due to relying on the astronomical calculations. And astronomical calculations are merely estimates and are prone to human error.

The Permanent Committee of Scholars for Research and Fatwaa stated: "Schedules are a kind of ijtihaad (reasoned deductions); those who produce them are human beings who are erroneous sometimes and correct sometimes. Those who produce them are human beings who are erroneous sometimes and correct sometimes. Therefore, it is not befitting that we assign the exact times of the beginnings and endings of our prayers and fasts based on them, because their beginning and ending times have come in the Book and the Sunnah, and we must rely on what the Legislative evidences have indicated." [Fataawaa al-Lajnah ad-Daa'imah (6/141)]

Here, again, is the above hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam): There are two Fajr (dawns). As for the first, it does not prevent eating (for the fasting person) nor does it permit prayer (the Fajr prayer). As for the other, it prohibits eating (for the fasting person) and allows the prayer. 

So notice that he (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said regarding the first fajr (the lying fajr) ----> ...nor does it permit prayer (the Fajr prayer)... And notice that he (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said regarding the second fajr (the true fajr) ----> ...and allows the prayer. 

And of course, the entrance of the time for the salat is among the conditions of the salat, thus explaining why Shaikh Al-Albanee said, "it subjects their [obligatory] Fajr prayer to the danger of being unacceptable." Allaahul Musta'aan.

And by scrolling toward the middle of this link here, you will - in sha` Allaah - come across a beneficial scientific explanation of the different definitions of fajr by the varying calculation methods, some erroneously defining fajr when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon, some 12 degrees, and others 6 degrees.

So by examining the matter, you will find that the timetables that many masaajid use to calculate fajr is set at the default method, which is a whopping 18 degrees, thereby falsely setting "fajr" 25-40 minutes before the true entrance of fajr as defined by Allaah in His Noble Book.

Many are not even aware of these differences, much less aware that these timetables actually offer other calculation methods. And the gist of what appears in that beneficial link is:

According to these definitions, fajr should start sometime between the start of nautical twilight and the start of civil twilight, when the sun is between 6 and 12 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, all the other methods of calculating prayer times are incorrect, calculating fajr too early, using angles which are more in keeping with astronomical twilight. 
And a summary of all that scientific data is: 

1- Prayer calculation methods vary significantly between themselves. 
2- Apparently, the prayer calculation methods consistently estimate fajr too early. This would mean that if someone rigidly followed these timetables, they would be likely to offer fajr too early, risking the validity of his salat. 

The method most near the true fajr is the method between 6-12 degrees. And since the timetable that most out West use actually offers choices - such as 19.5 degrees, or 18.5 degrees or 18 degrees, or 10 degrees - then the one nearest to accurate is the one that falls between 6-12 degrees.

So if you insist, choose the 10-degree method, but remember these are mere estimates and ijtihaad of men, who are erroneous sometimes and correct sometimes.

Using them as estimates or as backups on days during which clouds obscure the sun is one thing. But to blindly rely on them is an error that can nullify your salat and the salat of the congregation. Instead, learn how to visually spot The Legislated Entrance of the Five Daily Prayers via proofs from the infallible Qur`an and infallible authentic Sunnah. 

As Allaah, Ta'aala, said: 

وَلَوۡ كَانَ مِنۡ عِندِ غَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُواْ فِيهِ ٱخۡتِلَـٰفً۬ا ڪَثِيرً۬ا 

Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions. (An-Nisa`, ayah 82) 

And Allaah knows best.

 

Notes: May Allaah reward those students who helped, those who advised, and those who translated. 

Some Benefits from Surah al-Fatiha, by Shaikh Abdur-Razaaq bin Abdul-Muhsin al-Badr (hafidhahumullaah)

Some Benefits from Soorah al-Fatiha, by Shaikh Abdur-Razaaq bin Abdul-Muhsin al-Badr (hafidhahumullaah)

Whilst reciting this Surah al-Fatiha in their prayer, Muslims must be aware of the weight and value of this Great Surah. They must understand it, reflect upon it and then act upon the conditions and pillars which are erected from this Surah. Acting upon it also involves action of the heart, as it should feel particular emotions in response to what is being recited.


‘ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٢’ – All praise belongs to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds


Whilst reciting this, a slave should feel love for Allaah Ta'ala, Who alone is worthy of all Praise as He alone created all that exists. He alone granted us all the blessings that we have, those that we are aware of and those we are not aware of.


‘ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣’ – The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful 


Whilst reciting this, a slave should feel hope, knowing that Allaah – Tabaraka wa Ta'ala – is the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful, thus He alone will forgive our sins regardless of their amount or severity as long as we repent with sincerity.


‘مَٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤’ – The Master of the Day of Judgment


Whilst reciting this Surah, a slave should feel fear. Knowing that, on that Day, we will be taken to account for all our deeds even an atom's worth. Retribution will be taken for those we oppressed or wronged, and punishment given for sins committed that were not repented from with sincerity.


These three emotions - Love, Hope and Fear - are known as the pillars of Worship of the Heart. Together they constitute worship. We worship Allaah Ta'ala with all three of these pillars, Love, Hope and Fear. If one feels any of these pillars for other than Allaah, then it is Shirk (Setting up partners with Allaah). Various deviant sects worship Allaah whilst adhering to just one of these pillars and thus have gone astray. It is vital to possess all three pillars. If there is only Hope, he will not stop sinning due to lack of Fear. If there is only Fear, he will give up his good deeds as he does not have Hope. If there is only Love, he will not Fear Allaah's punishment and continue to sin.


‘إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ’ -You alone we worship


This statement is a realization of

La illaah ila Allaah (there is none worthy of worship except Allaah). Thus this is a contract between Allaah – Tabaraka wa Ta'ala – and the worshipper to worship Allaah alone. Once this principle of making all worship for Allaah alone is comprehended, a slave would never raise his hands or perform an act of worship for other than Allaah.

‘وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ’ – You alone we turn to, seeking help

This statement is a realization of La hawla wa la Quwwata illa billaah (There is no change from one condition to another, nor power to do, so except by Allaah helping you). This testifies that Allaah alone possesses the unique qualities of Giving and Taking etc... Therefore we only ask Allaah to fulfill all of our needs as He alone is able to grant them. As is mentioned in the Hadeeth of Ibn Abbas (radiAllaahu 'anhumma) who said:

One day I was behind the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and he said to me: 'Young boy, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allaah, and Allaah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allaah; if you seek help, seek help of Allaah. Know that if the Ummah were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allaah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allaah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.' 

‘ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ’ Guide us to the Right path 

This correct path is the Sunnah which was given to us by the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Therefore, if we wish to be guided, we ask Allaah (Tabaraka wa Ta'ala) to grant us the ability to be guided and then we act upon what we learn from the Sunnah. Allaah tells us clearly in the Qur`an: He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad) has indeed obeyed Allaah, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (Muhammad) as a watcher over them. [an-Nisa`, ayah 80] 

And the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) told us: I have left you upon the shining path, its night is like its day. No one will deviate from it except that he wishes to be destroyed.

‘صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ’ - The Path which you have blessed 

The Arabic word An'amta (those who have been blessed) comes from the word Na'amah, which means blessed. Therefore, the one who is blessed is called Mun'im (one who is blessed). To be Mun'im (one who is blessed), you must possess knowledge and you must act upon that knowledge. This is one group of people.

‘غَيۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَيۡهِمۡ’ - Not those with whom Allaah is angry

This is another group of people and they possess knowledge, but they do not act upon the knowledge they have, therefore they are like donkeys merely carrying the load of books but not implementing the knowledge within those books.

‘وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ’ – And not those who have gone astray 

This is the last group and they have no knowledge, and worship Allaah with Bid'ah (innovations) and whilst following their desires. They perform much worship, however it is not according to the Sunnah. Therefore it is not correct, nor is it accepted. Allaah Ta'ala describes these people in the Qur`an in Surah al-Kahf as: Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! [al-Kahf, ayah 104] 

[Taken from: "The explanation of Surah Fatiha by Shaykh ul-Islam Muhammad bin AbdulWahaab," explained by Abdur-Razaaq bin Abdul-Muhsin al-Badr in the Prophet's Masjid in Madina on the 14th and 15th of Ramadhan, 1432 A.H.]

Defending the Religion is from Good Character, Good Manners with Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, and from Wanting Good for the Muslims

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



Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) said: 

Accepting Allaah's reports [Qur`an and Sunnah] and believing them means that one does not doubt them or waver in his affirmation of what Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, says. This is because what Allaah Ta'aala says only comes from Knowledge, while He is the Most Truthful in speech.

Allaah, Ta'ala, has said about Himself: 

 وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَدِيثا

And who is more truthful in speech than Allaah? [Soorah an-Nisaa`, ayah 87]


To truly believe in what Allaah says necessitates that one puts his trust in His reports, defends them, and struggles by way of them, and he does not allow the entrance of any doubt or confusion over what Allaah, Subhanahu wa Ta'aala, and His Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) reported. 

When someone takes on this kind of character, it enables him to repel the doubts cast by those who speak with ulterior motives about the reports of Allaah and His Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), whether they be from the Muslims who have introduced new affairs into the Religion, or from the non-Muslims who try to cast doubts into the hearts of the Muslims. * 

Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah) relayed:  

It was once said to Imam Ahmad (rahimahullaah): If a man fasts, prays, and makes 'itikaff, is that more beloved to you or that he speaks out against innovators? He replied: If he fasts and prays and makes 'itikaaf, then that is for himself. But if he speaks out against innovators, this is for the Muslims. This is better. **  

Ponder upon the following question, and its vagueness and covertness, and then read how Shaikh Rabee' bin Hadee al-Madkhalee (hafidhahullaah) recognized this and then refuted the doubt within the question with a beneficial response 

Question: Is it from the manhaj of the Salaf to gather the mistakes of some individual and present it in a book to be read by the people? 

Shaikh Rabee' bin Hadee al-Madkhalee answered:    

Subhaanallaah! This is uttered by the people of misguidance; those who are fanatical in defense of their innovations, their books, their methodologies, and are fanatical in revering personalities. 

Yes, Allaah (Subhaanah) and His Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) mentioned much concerning their (affairs) of misguidance. The statements of the Jews and Christians have been gathered and disapproved of in many of the Aayaat of the Qur`aan. 

Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah from the earliest times to this era of ours have spoken against Jahm Ibn Safwaan and Bishr Al-Mareesee. They (Ahlus-Sunnah) have enumerated their innovations and acts of misguidance. They (Ahlus-Sunnah) have gathered the statements of the people of splitting and criticized them. So who has made this (gathering and refuting mistakes) impermissible? 

If the people are misguided by a person's numerous innovations, and you gather (such innovations) in one place and warn against it, then may Allaah reward you with good. And with this (warning) of yours, you have done much good for Islaam and the Muslims.***  

May Allaah have mercy on all our 'ulemma of Ahlus-Sunnah, and preserve our living 'ulemma.

Sources:   

* Shaikh Muhammad ibn Salih al-'Uthaimeen's highly beneficial book Upright Moral Character - A Concise Guide to Attaining Dignified Islaamic Character   

**[Majmoo'-ul-Fataawaa` (28/231)] 

*** [Ajwibatul 'Allaamat-ush-Shayk Rabee' Bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee 'Alaa As-ilati Abee Ruwaaha
Al-Manhajiyyah; pgs. 28-29]

  

Virtues and Important Rulings of Fasting and Praying in Ramadan, by Shaikh Ibn Baaz

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

The Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) said: He who fasts Ramadan believing in Allah and hoping for His reward, Allah will forgive what has proceeded from his sins. He who stands in prayer in the month of Ramadan believing in Allah and hoping for His reward, Allah will forgive what has proceeded from his sins. And He who stands in prayer on the 'Night of Power' believing in Allah and hoping for His reward, Allah will forgive what has proceeded from his sins. [Bukhari and Muslim]


And it has be legislated for all of the Muslims to strive hard in the many types of worship in this month such as: optional prayers; reading, reflecting and learning the Quran; praising, hailing, thanking, and glorifying Allaah; seeking his forgiveness, supplicating, ordering with good and forbidding the evil, calling others to Allah the Mighty and Sublime, comforting the poor, striving hard towards obeying the parents, enjoining the ties of kinship, being hospitable to the neighbors, visiting the sick, and performing the many other acts of good and virtue as he (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) said in a previous prophetic statement:  

...Allah looks upon your competition (for his sake to do good deeds) in Him and His angels are boastful of you thusly showing Allah goodness from yourselves, for indeed the miserable one is he whom the mercy of Allah has been prohibited.


[Al-Kabeer lit-Tabarany] 

The Three Types of Guidance, by Muhammad Baazmool

Shaykh Muhammad bin 'Umar Baazmool (hafidhahullaah) stated: 


The affair of being established upon the religion is from the bequeaths of the Prophets. Allaah has said:

And this (Islaam) was enjoined by Ibraahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya'qoob (Jacob), (saying), "O my sons! Allaah has chosen for you the (true) religion. So do not die unless you are Muslimoon." (Al-Baqarah, ayah 132)

It is the guidance of the straight path which Allaah has taught us. We ask Him for it in our supplications and prayers. The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) informed us:

There's no prayer for the one who doesn't recite the Faatihah of the Book (al-Qur`aan)

In the Faatihah we recite: Guide us to the straight path (al-Faatihah:6) 

The guidance is of three types:

1. Hidaayatul-Irshaad wa at-Ta'leem wa ad-dalaalah (The guidance of direction, teaching and evidence)

2. Hidaayatut-Tawfeeq Li Qabool al-Haqq (The guidance of success to the acceptance of the truth)

3. Hidaayatut-Tawfeeq Li ath-Thabaat 'Alaa al-Haqq (The guidance of success to be established upon the truth)

The person praying when he/she stands for prayer, he/she is in need of these categories of guidance.  

Beware of Pokeman, which involves many religious violations, including (Shirk) polytheism and gambling

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

Here is a fatwa from the Permanent Committee regarding the game, Pokemon. In the question, many evils of the game including its references to the Shinto religion is mentioned: 

Symbols of the Shinto creed: Shinto is a polytheistic religion that exists in Japan. The Japanese deify the sun, the earth and many plants and animals. The game contains many of these images.

In the answer of the Committee, they mention: 

Furthermore, this game promotes and circulates the symbols of disbelievers and the forbidden images. It is also a form of consuming money unlawfully.

Accordingly, the Committee decides that this game, earnings gained through it, its sale or purchase are all prohibited, for it is a form of gambling that is forbidden by Allah and His Messenger. The Committee also recommends that every Muslim should be careful of this game and prevent his children from playing it to preserve religion, morals and creed.

 

May Allaah protect the Muslims & their kids from all evils and the plots of the Kuffaar.

 

Even in Extreme Case of Ruler Disbelieving Clearly, there are Wise Conditions to Rebelling; Opposing these Conditions leads to shedding of blood, calamities, tribulations

You may have noticed that Imam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) did not rebel against the ruler even though the ruler was calling Imam Ahmad to kufr and even trying to force it upon him. So why, you might wonder, did Imam Ahmad not rebel? Why did the courageous Imam of the Sunnah of his time not rebel?

Insha` Allaah, the answer will become clear to you after reading the following explanations from the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama'ah - the inheritors of the Prophets - the scholars whose evidence is the Qur`an and Sunnah upon the correct understanding, and not whims, nor desires, nor opinions, nor emotion, nor other ignorant reasons, nor wordly reasons.   Shaikh Ibn Baaz (rahimahullaah) said: ...It is not permissible to rebel against the ruler, except under two conditions:

1- Blatant Kufr for which they (those who want to rebel) have a proof from Allaah. 

2- The power to depose the ruler without an evil worse than that of the ruler resulting.

In the absence of these conditions, it is not permissible.

Shaikh al-'Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) said:


Even if we were to assume the extreme - that a leader is a disbeliever - does this then mean we can incite the people to oppose him, even if it causes revolt, chaos, and killing? This is definitely wrong.


Shaikh al-Albanee (rahimahullaah) said:    


The calamities in these past few years have occurred by the hands of these people [the Khawaarij], beginning with the discord of the sacred mosque in Mecca to the dissension in Egypt and the killing of Sadat. Now in Syria and in Egypt and Algeria, everyone witnesses the shedding of blood of many innocent Muslims because of these evils and tribulations and the many resulting calamities. All of this because they opposed many texts from the Book and the Sunnah, the most important of which is:  

Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much. (Al-Ahzab, ayah 21)

If we really want to establish the rule of Allaah on earth in reality and not just by claim, then do we start by making Takfeer of the rulers while it is not possible for us to confront them, let alone fight them? Or do we start with the same obligation the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) started with? [Tawheed] No doubt, the answer is:

Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much. (Al-Ahzab, ayah 21)

But what did the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) begin with? [Tawheed] It is known with certainty to anyone who has even smelled the fragrance of knowledge that he began with the call and propagation among individuals whom he thought were ready to accept the truth. 

 Shaykh 'Abdul-Muhsin Ibn Naasir Aali-'Ubaykaan (hafidhahullaah) said:   


When such a ruling [takfeer] is made against a Muslim leader, then the issue is even greater due to the outcomes of such a ruling like rebelling against them, wielding weapons against them, public chaos and bloodhshed, all of which corrupt the servants and their nation. Because of such outcomes, the Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) prohibited rebelling against them, saying: 

Unless you see clear and absolute disbelief from them for which you have an evidence from Allaah to support you in that.


(Bukhari, Muslim; in hadeeth narrated by 'Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit, radiallaahu 'anhu)  

- his (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) statement: Unless you see indicates that mere assumptions and rumors are not sufficient.  

- his (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) statement: disbelief indicates that commiting evil crimes, sins - even major sins - is not sufficient, such as if he is oppressive, drinks alcohol, gambles, and allows himself to commit other forbidden sins.  

- his (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) statement: clear and absolute indicates that an act of disbelief that is not completely apparent and explicit is not sufficient.

- his (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) statement: for which you have an evidence from Allaah to support you in that indicates that there must be an explicit supporting proof in that it is authentic and clear in its evidence. So, a proof having a weak chain of narration is not sufficient, nor is a proof that its evidence is not entirely clear and applicable.  

- his (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) statement: from Allaah indicates that regardless of the statement of any scholar - no matter what level he may have achieved in religious knowledge and trustworthiness - if he does not have a clear explicit proof from the Book of Allaah (ta'aala) or the Sunnah of His Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) to support his statement, then it is rejected. All of these conditions show the danger and severity of this matter of takfeer.

To summarize, being hasty in passing a ruling against someone as being a disbeliever is a very dangerous issue due to the statement of Allaah:

Say (O Muhammad): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawaahish whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge." (Al-A'raf, ayah 33) [Click here for more on the dangers of speaking without knowledge.]  

Second, this incorrect belief (takfeer) frequently develops into other crimes such as further declaring people's blood lawful to spill, violating people's honor, plundering private and public wealth and property, bombing homes and structures, and the devastation of buildings.

Consequences of Ar-Riyya` (Showing off)

1- Ar-Riyya` is minor shirk - that does not remove one from Islaam - but it is shirk nonetheless, and therefore worse than bid'ah that does not reach the level of kufr, and also worse than major sins such as usury, sodomy, fornication, drinking alcohol, gambling... It can be major shirk, as Shaikh Muhammad ibn 'Abdul-Wahhab al-Wasaabee (hafidhahullaah) explained: Ar-riyaa` (showing off) can be from ash-Shirk al-Akbar if a person performs an action only for the people. And it can be from ash-Shirk al-Asghar if a person starts with the right intention, but then ar-riyaa` overcomes him.


2- It nullifies the action. He will not receive a reward on the Day of Judgement for it.    

3- Humiliation. Allaah will command him to go to those he showed off for in this world, and see if they have a reward for him. And as the scholars explained, Allaah will also expose this person in this world.    

4- It may be a cause of entering the hellfire - aoodhubillaah! - even if it is not forever.   

5- It can lead to hypocrisy - aoodhubillaah! - since the hypocrites do deeds to be seen by men, while they disbelieve. And the hypocrites, of course, will be in the lowest level of the hellfire.

And refuge in Allaah is sought from falling into ar-Riyya`

Beware of Sufism, and Those Who Call to Sufism under the Guise of "Zuhd" or Anything Else!

One of those 72 deviant sects that lead to the hellfire is Tasawwuf ("Soofism" in English), so beware - may Allaah safeguard you.

The people who adhere to this deviant way are called Soofiyyah ("Soofees", in English), who in some lands such as here in America invite to their deviant sect - their bid'ah - under the guise of "Zuhd."

Know - may Allaah safeguard you - that true Zuhd (abstinence from worldly affairs) can be practiced without leaving the correct Islam, without leaving Siratul Mustaqeem (the Straight Path), and without exposing yourself to the hellfire, for Zuhd is already part of the religion that Allaah revealed. Ponder that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) was the best of those who practiced Zuhd and - of course - he didn't leave what Allaah (Subhanahu wa Ta'aala) revealed to him to do so.

...

Being asked to [leave the correct Islam and] join a deviant sect so that you can practice Zuhd is like being asked to [leave the correct Islam and] join a deviant sect so you can make Salat or fast Ramadan, or make Hajj, or pay Zakat, or fight Jihaad. These acts of worship are already part of Islaam (the correct Islam).

Why would you have to join a deviant sect to do something that is already legislated in Islam? This is a bold, red flag for the ones who have intellect and are sincere to Allaah.

Tasawwuf (Soofism) is a shameful deception that begins with Dhikr and ends with Kufr. Its outward manifestation appears to be piety, but its inward reality forsakes the Commandments of Allaah.

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) said: 

The greatest danger that faces the Ummah of Islaam is their being far away from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and replacing them with man-made laws and deviated ideologies. Likewise, the greatest danger that faces the Ummah of Islaam is the misguidance and deviation concerning the 'aqeedah and the infiltration of concepts of kufr, shirk, and bid'ah into it - from the grave-worshippers and the Soofees... The cure for this is to return back to the Book and the Sunnah, learning them, teaching them, judging by them between people, and adopting what they require of morals, manners and character.

[Muntaqaa min Fataawaa (I/417; no. 249)]

And from the lies and deceptions of the Soofiyah is convincing you (brainwashing, may be a more apt term) - first and foremost - to accept their shaikh's statements, opinions and rulings - without question, literally - over and above the Qur`an and authentic Sunnah. They provide as their reasons a few fabricated (forged) ahadeeth, such as the infamous forgery,

"Whoever does not have a shaikh, shaytan is his shaikh."

Forgeries like this and others like them are designed to set up an unlegislated, unbinding relationship between the mureed (novice) and the assigned Soofee "shaikh" that even extends beyond the shaikh's death, an agreement in which the novice takes an oath of loyalty, swearing obedience to the shaikh - without questioning him ever, for questioning, they claim, is a reason for removal from the "shaikh's mercy" - in return for the "shaikh solving his problems," "delivering him from dilemmas whenever he calls on the shaikh for help," and "interceding for him with Allaah so that he may be admitted to Jannah." Aoodhubillaah from such misguidance!

Among the plethora of refutations for this specific Soofee deception is Allaah's statement (what means):  

And invoke not besides Allaah, any that will neither profit you, nor hurt you, but if (in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers)." And if Allaah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favor which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Yunus: 106-107)

As you will soon read via abundant proofs, Tassawuf opposes Tawheed and is a direct link to Shirk, such that 'ulemma the likes of Shaykh Yahya Al Hajuri (hafidhahullaah) said:  

Soofism and Shirk are spouses.

The fact that Wahdatul Wujood and Hulool and sharing in Allaah's Attributes are the principles of Soofiyyah proves the scholars' statements that Tassawuf - all of it - leads to Shirk. (May Allaah have mercy on our righteous scholars.)

Never mind that Tassawuf is haram, more so bid'ah, and one of the 72 deviant sects, but it leads to Shirk/Kufr and ultimately the fire. All of it! So a beginner - who himself is in the process of being duped - may say, "those are the extreme Soofees," but the fact is all of Tasawuff leads to Kufr. It's like a slippery water slide into a pool of fire, except for the one whom Allaah has mercy on, guiding him to repentance and a return to the Sunnah, and saving him from this evil.

If your point of reference of whom/what you worship and what you hold as your 'aqeedah is not the Qur`an and Sunnah, then what is the difference between you and the Jews and Christians and the rest of the mushrikeen?

By Allaah, whose Sunnah, whose way, whose path is better: the pure, legislated path of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) or the soiled, invented and deviated path of Ibn 'Arabee, al-Hallaj, Ibn Basheesh, Habib 'Ali Jifri and Hamza Yusuf?    

The Importance of Being Truthful

One of the scholars from Kuwait, Shaikh Falah Isma'eel, recently relayed a heart-warming story that may interest you.

When Shaikh Isma'eel visited Holland, he was of course met by Muslims from Holland, and they told him, "if you had come two weeks ago, you would have seen it yourself. We prayed over this man [asking Allaah to have mercy on the deceased Muslim in what is called 'the funeral prayer'],"...and then they told him the following beautiful story.

[What follows is not verbatim, but a summary, with some explanations so as to clarify some terms that may be new to non-Muslims.] 
He was a 26-year-old Christian from Holland. One day, he changed his dress to thobes, a burnoose, grew a beard, and the people started calling him "the one who looks like Jesus."

One day, he met some Muslims, and he said to them, "I love Jesus." And the Muslims told him, "We also love Jesus, and it is even a condition of Islam. We love Jesus and Moses."  

So this man tried imitating Jesus, helping others when he could, cutting their lawns and the like. After two years, he entered the mosque [the Muslims' place of worship] for the first time, and he was greeted with "ahlan" [which means welcome, and thus was not greeted with the greeting reserved for Muslims "as-salaamu 'alaykum" (which means: may peace and safety be upon you on the Day of Judgement)].

He said, "no; I want to be a Muslim."

Then, the Muslims witnessed his testimony (pronounced "shahada") -  there is none deserving of worship except Allaah, and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and Jesus is His servant and Messenger - taught him the basics, and taught him how to pray. He began praying in congregation with them, not missing a single congregation. Then one day, he noticed that the other Muslims were arriving at the mosque after him, so he asked for a key to the mosque. And he was given one.

The Muslims then observed that not only was he opening the mosque, but additionally he was routinely found in optional prayer whenever they entered the mosque for the dawn prayer. [They would enter and find him already engaged in the worship of Allaah.]

Then one day, he told the Muslims how he decided to become Muslim. He said he had a dream about Jesus (the son of Mary), and Jesus said to him, "Be Muslim. Be Muslim. Be Muslim." He said, "I woke up, and a few days later, I had the same dream. This happened three times."

[The shaikh interjected and said, this is success from Allaah.]

So after having prayed for 20 days with the other Muslims, he died.


May Allaah have mercy on him.

This is the mercy of Allaah, and Allaah saved him [from dying upon other than Islam].

This is Sidq (truthfulness); he truthfully loved Jesus, so he became Muslim. Allaah guided him to become Muslim, because he was truthful in his love for Jesus.
 
if one is truthful in his love for Jesus and his following Jesus, then this should lead him to the true religion of Jesus (Islam) and should lead him to following whom Jesus commanded to be followed after him - Muhammad, the seal of all Prophets.
After all, the religion of all the Prophets was Islam, and their creed was the same, and their message was the same, and they confirmed each other. It is only the deviant who have distorted the message of the previous Prophets, and thus Allaah - from His infinite Mercy - has promised to preserve His last revelation (the Qur`an) from corruption so that those who truthfully want guidance may be guided.

A Collection of Guidelines on What a Person Can Do to Protect Himself From Magic by Shaykh at-Tawayjjari

The following is a summary of a collection of rulings and benefits:
A - Magic is Haraam and it is not allowed to perform it, nor is it allowed to learn it or teach it. It is not permissible to go to magicians and the like.

B - The disbelief of magicians, the danger of believing in them and clarification of the severity of its sin.

C - Having knowledge of the Tafseer of Allaah’s saying: << They followed what the Shayateen (devils) gave out falsely of magic in the lifetime of Sulayman>> Ayaah 102 from Sooratul Baqarah, the reasons for its revelation and the strongest opinion regarding it.

D - Having knowledge of the Tafseer of the story of Musa with Pharaoh and the benefits it contains. Seeking cure and treatment by reciting those Ayaat upon the one who has had magic done to them, such that he will be cured by the permission of Allaah.

E - Magic is a real and tangible entity. That is why it is necessary for the Muslim to fortify himself against it by following what is mentioned in the Sharia’.

As a fortification against it:
1 - Implementing Tawheed and sincerity for Allaah Ta’ala.

2 - Tawaakul (trusting) in Allaah and relying upon Him, entrusting the matter to Him. Allaah -Ta’ala- said: << And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him>> [Talaaq: 3]

3 - Being continuous regarding the prayers, especially Fajr prayer. Allaah Ta’ala said: <> [Baqarah: 238] In the Saheeh of Muslim on the authority of Jundub bin Sufyaan - RadhiAllaahu anhu - who said that the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: ‘Whoever prays the Morning Prayer; then he is under the protection of Allaah, so watch, O son of Aadam, so that nothing can take you away from Allaah’s protection.’

4 - Reading Sooratul-Baqarah in your home: The Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: ‘Do not make your homes like graves. Indeed the Shaytaan flees from the house in which Sooratul-Baqarah is read.’ He - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – also said: ‘Read Sooratul- Baqarah, since taking it is blessed and leaving it is grief and the Batlah (magicians) cannot read it.’ Muawiyah said: ‘It has reached me that the Batlah are the magicians.’

5 - Reading Ayaatul-Kursi after every obligatory prayer after the legislated ‘Adhkaar (supplications) which follow giving the sallam in prayer.What indicates this is the saying of the Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam: ‘Whoever reads Ayaatul-Kursi at the end of every obligatory prayer; nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death.’


6 - Reciting Ayaatul-Kursi when going to sleep. This is what Bukhari narrated with an incomplete chain on the authority of Abu Huraira -RadhiAllaahu anhu - who said: The Messenger of Allaah appointed me to look after the Zakat of Ramadan, so someone came to me to take some food….’ then he mentioned the hadeeth and in it: Shaytaan said: ‘When you go to your bed then recite Ayaatul- Kursi, indeed it will be protection from Allaah for you and the Shaytaan will not be able to come close to you until the morning!’ Abu Huraira let him go and in the morning he informed the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – of what he had said: The Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: He spoke the truth even though he is a liar.’


7 - Reading the last two Ayaat of Sooratul-Baqarah: What is narrated by Bukhari and Muslim on the authority Abu Mas’ood al- Ansaari -RadhiAllaahu anhu - who said the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: ‘Whoever reads the last two Ayaat from the end of Sooratul-Baqarah at night then they will be sufficient for him.’

8 - Reading the last three Soorah of the Qur’aan in the morning and evening: What has narrated by Abdullaah bin Khubbayb -RadhiAllaahu anhu - who said: ‘We went out on a very dark rainy night seeking the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – for him to lead us in prayer.’ The Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: ‘Say.’ But I did not say anything. Then he - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: <> [Soorah Ikhlaas] and the last two Soorahs three times when you reach the evening and the morning, they will be sufficient for you against everything.’


9 - Reading the last three Soorah of the Qur’aan after every prayer: What has been narrated by ‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir -RadhiAllaahu anhu - who said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – commanded me to read the last three Soorah of the Qur’aan after every prayer.’


10 - A Muslim should say: ‘In the name of Allaah with Whose Name nothing whatsoever on this earth or in the heavens is harmed and He is The All Hearing and All Knowing.’ Bismil-lahil-lathee la yadhurru ma’a ‘issmihi shay’un fil ‘ardhi wa la fissama’i wa huwa ‘as-samee’ul –‘aleem Three times in the morning and evening.

11 - Seeking much refuge in Allaah with: ‘The perfect Words of Allaah from the evil of what He has created’ in the night and the day, when stopping to rest in a building, a desert, in the sky or sea, due to the saying of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-: ‘Whoever stops at a place on his journey and then says: - أَعُوذُ   بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ I seek refuge in the perfect Words of Allaah from the evil of what He has created – A’outhu bikalimatil-lahi ‘at-taammati min sharri ma khalaqa nothing will harm him until he leaves that place.’

12 - To eat seven Ajwa dates from al-Madinah in the morning, due to the saying of the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-: ‘Whoever eats seven Ajwa dates in the morning, neither poison nor magic will harm him on that day.’Or he can eat seven dates from the land of al-Madinah due to what Imaam Muslim narrated on the authority of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- who said: ‘Whoever eats seven dates from the land of al-Madinah in the morning then poison will not harm him until the evening.’ The great scholar Ibn Baz held the opinion that it is hoped that this protection is also for the one who eats seven of any type of date even if they are not from the dates of al-Madinah.
 
13 - Purifying your home from pictures and statues due to what is narrated by Muslim on the authority of Abu Huraira -RadhiAllaahu anhu - who said that the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: ‘Angels do not enter a house where there are statues or pictures.’ So the presence of pictures and statues in a house prevents the Angels from entering that home and a home that the Angels do not enter is easily entered by the Shayateen (devils). This fortification is not just specific to magic rather it is for repelling evil in general, and from the evil that it repels is magic.

14 -From this fortification is saying: ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer’ ‘There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah Alone, He has no partners, to Him belongs the Dominion and for Him is all praise and He is capable of all things,’ one hundred times. Indeed the one who says it, then it is a protection for him against Shaytaan during that day.

15 - From this fortification is saying: ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyee wa yumeet wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer’ ‘There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah Alone, He has no partners, to Him belongs the Dominion and for Him is all praise, He gives life and He takes life and He is capable of all things.’ ten times after the Fajr and Maghrib prayers. Indeed for the one who says this it will be protection for him against every disliked thing and a guard against Shaytaan.


All Praise belongs to Allaah, may His peace and blessings be upon our final Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow his guidance.

Pillars of Hizbiyyah

The imaam and muhaddith (scholar of hadeeth) Shaykh Muqbil bin Haadi al-waadi'ee (rahimahullaah) said:


The pillars of Hizbiyyah are three


1.Lying (Al-Kadhib)
2.Deception (At-Tadlees)
3.Fraudulence(Al-Khidaa')


Another time he mentioned


Deceitful plotting (Al-Makr)


Translated by: Abu Yusuf Khaleefah (hafidhahullaah)

Tremendous Virtues

qoute: "Whoever says: 'Glorified is Allah, the Most Great, and praised is He'  [Subhan Allah al-'Adhim wa bi-Hamdih] will have a date palm planted for him in Paradise."['Sahih al-Jami'' #5531] quote: "Whoever is stricken with sadness, grief, sickness or hardship and says: 'Allah is my Lord, without any partners' [Allahu Rabbi, la sharika lah], then it will be removed from him."  ['Sahih al-Jami'' #6040] quote: "Whoever ate something, then said: 'Praise be to Allah who has fed me this food and provided it for me, without any strength or power on my part' [al-Hamdu lillah aladhi at'amani hadha wa Razaqnih bi ghayr hawlin minni wa la quwwa] is forgiven his past and future sins. quote: And whoever wears a garment and says: Praise be to Allah who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me without any strength or power on my part[al-Hamdu lillah aladhi kasani hadha at-thawb wa Razaqnih bi ghayr hawlin minni wa la quwwa] is forgiven his past and future sins." ['Sahih al-Jami'' #6086] quote: "Whoever enters the marketplace and says: 'There is none worthy of worship except Allah who has no partners, for Him is the Dominion, and for Him is all Praise, He brings life and He causes death, and He is Alive and does not die, in His Hand is all good, and He is able to do all things,' [La ilaha ill-Allah, Wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-Mulk, wa lahul-Hamd, yuhyiyy wa yumit, wa Huwa Hayyun la yamut, bi Yadihil-Khayr wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay'in Qadir] then Allah will write one million good deeds for him, and will wipe  away one million of his bad deeds, and will raise him one million levels and will build a home for him in Paradise." ['Sahih al-Jami'' #6231] quote: "Whoever controls his anger when he is able to act upon it, then Allah will call him to come in front of all of the Creation so that he would let him choose from the Hur al-'Ayn and marry from them whomever he pleases."  ['Sahih al-Jami'' #6518] quote: "Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times [Allahumma inni as'aluk  al-Jannah], then Paradise will say: 'O Allah! Enter him into Paradise!' And whoever seeks protection with Allah from the Fire three times [Allahumma najjini min an-Nar],the Fire will say: 'O Allah! Protect him from the Fire!'" [Reported by at-Tirmidhi, and it is authentic] quote: 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said: 'Whoever reads 'al-Mulk' (chapter 67 of the Qur`an)  every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), we used to call it al-mani'ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah, it is a chapter which - whoever recites it every night - has done very well."  ['Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib' #1475] quote: "Whoever asks Allah sincerely for martyrdom [Allahumma inni as'aluk ash-shahadah], Allah will cause him to reach the status of the martyrs  even if he dies in his bed." ['Sahih al-Bukhari' #1909] quote: "No one witnesses that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that I am Allah's Messenger - truthfully, from his heart - except that Allah makes the Fire of Hell forbidden to touch him." [Reported by Muslim, Ahmad, and al-Bayhaqi]  Important Note: In light of these tremendous virtues, it is important to keep in mind that the Salaf (radiallaahu 'anhum) would throw their good deeds behind them - meaning they would not rely on them nor become complacent - and keep their sins in front of them.

Patience and Gratitude

  By Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Chapter 5: The Patience of noble people and the patience of ignoble people

Every person has to exercise patience in order to face difficulties, whether he does so willingly or unwillingly. The noble person exercises patience willingly, because he realizes the benefits of patience, and he knows that he will be rewarded for his patience and will be criticized if he panics. He is aware that if he does not have patience, panicking and impatience will not help him to regain missed opportunities, and will not take away things he dislikes. Whatever is decreed and is qada’ wa qadr cannot be prevented from happening, and whatever is decreed not to happen cannot be made to happen. So an attitude of impatience and panic actually causes harm.  

A wise man said: “A man with wisdom as soon as adversity appears does that which a foolish man does after a month (i.e. he resorts to patience).”

The ignoble man exercises patience only when he realizes he has no choice. After wasting a lot of time and energy and panicking and struggling, he realizes that his impatience will not help him. Then he exercises patience in the same way that a person who has been tied up to be whipped exercises patience.

The noble person practices patience in obeying Allâh, whilst the ignoble person exercises patience in obeying the Shaytân. So ignoble people have the greatest patience in following their own whims and desires, and have the least patience in spending in the way of Shaytân and no patience when it comes to spending even a few pennies in the way of Allâh. They will endure many difficulties in order to follow their own whims and desires, but cannot bear even the least difficulties in order to please their Lord. They will endure slander for the sake of committing wrong actions, but cannot exercise patience in putting up with slander for the sake of Allâh. Such people will avoid enjoining the good and forbidding the evil for fear of what people will say about them for doing so, but they will expose their honour to slander and bear it most patiently for the sake of following their own whims and desires. Similarly, they are not prepared to practise patience in devoting themselves to Allâh, but when it comes to devoting themselves to Shaytân and their own whims and desires, they will exercise remarkable patience. Such people will never be noble in the sight of Allâh, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not be raised with the people of nobility and decency.