Repeating one of the Names of Allah specific number of times

Allah's Name Al-Latif being repeated 129 times

Q: In some of the Masjids (mosques) here in the district of Bashshar, people repeat Al-Latif (i.e. The Kindest), one of Allah's Most Beautiful Names, every Friday after finishing the study circle before the Adhan (call to Prayer) and the two sermons of Friday Salah. They repeat this Name 129 times. I asked the Imam about this practice and he told me that they do so for Allah to save them from His Wrath. What is your view and explanation of this practice?

A: Recitation of Allah's Name (Al-Latif) 129 times before the Adhan of Friday Salah has nothing to do with the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) nor the Salaf (righteous predecessors). In fact this is one of the Bid`ah (innovation in religion) introduced to religion. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected [1].i.e. Allah will not accept it from the person who does it. With regards to sitting in circles for lessons before the Adhan (call to Prayer) of the Friday Salah and the two sermons, it is forbidden according to the Hadith that is narrated by Al-Nasa'y from `Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather: That the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade sitting in study circles in mosques before the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer [2]

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

Ruling on naming someone: “Razzaq” or “Um Razzaq”

Ruling on naming someone: "Razzaq"

Q: What is your Eminence's opinion on the name "Razzaq" and "Um Razzaq"? [1]

A: It is not permissible to use this name since Al-Razzaq (The All- Provider) is Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He):
Verily, Allâh is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong. [2]

Accordingly, the name Abdul-Razzaq is the one to be used. Also, it is not permissible to say Um (the mother of) Razzaq or Um Khallaq (The Creator), for both Names are Attributes of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Rather, this woman should say Um Abdul-Razzaq instead and if she has an ID card, she should change it if she is able to.

Footnotes:
[1] Question no. 9, tape no. 232.
[2] Surah Al-Dhariyat, 51: 58

Source: Fatwas of Nur `Ala Al-Darb - alifta.net

Knowing Allaah – Dr Saleh as Saleh (rahimahullaah)

The greatest, most excellent "and most honorable knowledge is that of Allaah, Most High, His Names, Attributes, and Actions, the knowledge of His deen and of His Messenger (Peace be upon him) with love and magnification, being pleased with it all." [9] The ranks of people with respect to this knowledge varies to a great extent. "Some people know of Allaah by virtue of His Generosity, Bounties, and Favors, others know of Him through His Forgiveness, Clemency, and Pardoning, others through His Knowledge and Wisdom, others recognize Him by His Might and Majesty, others by His Mercy, Goodness, Kindness, and Courtesy, others by His Subduing and Sovereignty, and others by the fact that He answers their supplications, and fulfills their needs, and relieves their grief. The one who is most comprehensive in his knowledge of Allaah, knows of Him by means of His own Words. He knows a Rabb to whom belongs the Most Majestic and Perfect Attributes. Far is He removed from having anything comparable to Him or any equal; free from all kinds of defects and imperfections; qualified with every beautiful Name and every perfect Attribute; Doer of what He intends (wills); Above everything [istawaa (ascended) upon the 'arsh above the seven heavens] and with everything [He encompasses everything with His Knowledge, Ability, Authority, and so forth from the meanings of His ruboobiyyah, while He is the Most High, above everything]; the One who is Able to do everything; the One Who manages the affairs of everything. He commands and forbids. He speaks the legislative (deeniyyah ) [10] and universal (kawniyyah ) [11] words. He is Greater than everything, and He is the Most Beautiful. the Most Merciful, the All-Able, the All-Wise. [9] Ibnul Qayyim. See Ftn.6, vol. 1, pp. 291-292. [10] Deeniyyah: Pertrains to Allaah's sharee'ah (Commands and Prohibitions of the Islaamic Code). It is also known as al-iraadah as-shar'iyyah (Allaah's legislative Will). [11] Kawniyyah: Relates to Allaah's Will in His creation. Everything He Wills is certain to pass, and everything He Wills not to pass, will never occur. None is able to escape Allaah's universal decree. Source : Dr. Saleh as-Saleh (rahimahullah) introduction to the Shaikh ibn Uathymeen'sTafseeru Aayatil Kursi

Calling upon Allaah by His Attributes or Actions

From Brother Moosa Richardson:

1. We are not required to restrict ourselves to calling upon Allaah using only His Names, rather we can call upon Allaah by His Attributes or Actions, like saying, “Yaa thal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam”. This does not mean that we must first affirm that Thul-Jalaali wal-Ikraam is one of His Names. Similarly, we can say, “Yaa Rabba kulli shay’” (O Lord of all things), without first affirming that “Rabbu kulli shay’” is one of Allaah’s Names… This is something well known and spoken of in the scholars’ books.

2. It is very virtuous to call upon Allaah using His Most Beautiful Names, due to His Statement, that means, “And to Allaah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him using them…”

3. Based on the first two points, the scholars who advise(d) against saying, “Yaa saatir”, perhaps they intended to guide people to what is better: the name “as-Sitteer”, which is established in an authentic narration, as opposed to “as-Saatir” or “As-Sattaar” which are both derived from His Action of as-Sitr, like in the hadeeth, “Whoever screens a believer in this life, “satarullaah” (Allaah screens him) in this life and the Hereafter…” Thus, to call on Allaah beginning with “Yaa Saatir…” is permissible, just as it is permissible to call upon Allaah beginning with, “Yaa Badee’as-Samaawaatil-wal-Ardh…” and the likes.

4. Building on a recent thread about saying only, “Yaa Allaah!” (properly pronounced “Yallaah!”) without asking for anything… just as it is not legislated for you to call upon Allaah saying this and then not ask for anything, similarly it is not legislated for you to call upon Allaah saying, “Yaa Saatir!” without asking for anything (as is the custom of many people). This goes for when you call upon Allaah by any of His Names, Attributes, or Actions.

5. Thus, if a person were to say, “Yaa Saatir (or Sattaar), ustur ‘awraatinaa!” (O He who screens, conceal our weaknesses!”), it would be similar to any other case of calling upon Allaah by mentioning His Actions, like “Yaa Haazim al-Ahzaab” and the likes.

6. We say that “as-Sitteer” is from Allaah’s Names, and that we do not have any proof to affirm “as-Saatir” or “as-Sattaar” as His Names. However, we have no proof to negate either of them as Names either, as Allaah has Names that He has not informed us of. This requires a delicate understanding.

7. We can refer to Allaah by any of His Names, Attributes, or Actions in our oaths as well, like saying, “I swear by the One in whose Hand is my soul…”

And Allaah knows best.
Moosaa ibn John Richardson
http://SalafiTalk.net

Related Links:

•  As-Sitteer (The Coverer) – Asma al Husna

Are the Aayahs About Allaah’s Attributes Regarded as Being from the Precise or Unspecific Aayahs [Muhkamaat and Mutashaabihaat]?

by Ahmed Abu Turaab

Questioner: A questioner is asking whether the aayahs and hadiths that talk about Allaah’s Attributes are from the precise [muhkamaat] aayahs or hadiths] or the unspecific ones [mutashaabihaat, cf: Surah Aali-Imraan 3:7] … as the Shaikh of Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said …

Al-Albaani: From one angle, namely in that which is connected to the exact nature [i.e., the ‘how?’] of those Attributes, they are from the unspecific aayahs [al-mutashaabihaat, but] from the other angle they are not [regarded as being from the unspecific ones but rather are from the precise [muhkamaat] aayahs] in that they have a clear meaning.

As we just said now that the saying of the Salaf, ‘Pass them on/relay them as they have come,’ i.e., as they are understood in the Arabic language and we mentioned the example of [Imaam] Maalik about that previously too. So in this sense they are not from the unspecific [aayahs], i.e., in that they have a [linguistic] meaning well-known in the Arabic language.

But as regards the exact nature [of those Attributes they talk about] then they are regarded as being from the unspecific aayahs [mutashaabihaat], because it is not possible for us to know the exact nature [i.e., the ‘how?’] of Allaah’s Dhaat, and following on from that it is not possible for us to know the exact nature of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic’s, Attributes either.

For this reason some of the Imaams of Hadith, like Abu Bakr al-Khateeb [al-Baghdaadi], author of the well-known [encyclopaedia], ‘The History of Baghdaad,’ [said that] the same is said concerning the Attributes as is said concerning [Allaah’s] Esssence/Dhaat, both in negating and affirming, that which is said concerning the Esssence/Dhaat is said concerning the Attributes.

So just as we affirm [Allaah’s] Essence/Dhaat [i.e., His very existence] and we do not deny it–for such a denial is total and utter rejection [of Allaah]–then we say the same about [Allaah’s] Attributes: we affirm them and do not negate them, but just as we do not ask exactly ‘how?’ His Essence/Dhaat is [but still affirm it], then in the same way we do not ask ‘how?’ His Attributes are [but still affirm them].

This is the answer to the question.

789 | Fatwaawaa Imaraat, 2.

All of Allaah’s Attributes are Attributes of Perfection – Al-Qawaa`id al-Muthlaa

In the Name of Allaah, the Extremely Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. . . Al-Qawaa`id al-Muthlaa Shaykh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) Class 05 ~ All of Allaah’s Attributes are Attributes of Perfection By Ustaadh Moosaa Richardson Notes by Umm Sufyaan Fatimah @ www.istijabah.com DownloadPDF Now View this document on Scribd

The Creed of the Raafidah Regarding the Companions in General

The Creed of the Raafidah Regarding the Companions in General

By Shaykh ‘Alee Al-Haddaadee

In the book of Saleem ibn Qays [1] regarding ‘Alee ibn Aboo Taalib he said: “Indeed all of the people (the companions) became apostates after Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ except four. Indeed the people came to be, after Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ, of the status of Haaroon and those who followed him; and of the status of the calf (which they took in worship) and those who followed it. ‘Alee resembled Haaroon and ‘Ateeq (Aboo Bakr) resembles the calf, while ‘Umar resembles Saamiree.”[2]

At-Tustaree, one of their scholars, said: “Just as Moosaa came for guidance, and he guided a great portion of the Children of Israa’eel and other than them, but they became apostates during his lifetime so that none remained upon his faith except Haaroon, upon him be peace; likewise, Muhammad ﷺ came and guided a large portion; however, after his death they turned back on their heels (as apostates).”[3]

Rather, they believe that most of those who openly manifested their Islaam during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ only manifested it out of hypocrisy; and that the Prophet ﷺ only accepted their entrance into the ranks of the believers because he was in need of large numbers so that he could be protected by them against his enemies. Hasan Ash-Shayraazee, one of the current day Shee’ah, says: “Indeed it was not to the advantage of the Prophet ﷺ at the inception of Al-Islaam to only accept the sincere ad reject the hypocrites. It was only upon him to gather together all of the rubbish of Jaahilyah in order to place a shield (of protection) around Al-Islaam by way of it from the local and international forces which were openly against him. So he would proclaim: ‘Say: None has the right to be worshipped save Allaah and you will be successful.’” Up to his (Ash-Shayraazee’s) statement: “It was not for the Prophet to reject them; otherwise there would only have remained him, ‘Alee, Salmaan, Aboo Dharr, and a small group from the chosen elite.”[4]

How amazing is this! These people for whom Allaah has attested to as having faith, they (the Raafidah) attest to them as having hypocrisy! Allaah gives them glad tidings of Paradise yet these people say that they are in the fire.   

قُلْ أَأَنْتُمْ أَعْلَمُ أَمِ اللَّهُ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ كَتَمَ شَهَادَةً عِنْدَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

“Say, "Do you know better or does Allâh? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony he has from Allâh? And Allâh is not unaware of what you do." (Al-Baqarah 2:140)

Translated by: Aboo Moosaa Raha ibn Donald Batts
Excerpted from: Ruin not Rapprochement (Future MTWS Publication, insha-Allaah)

Sincerity in the Statement of Sincerity

Ikhlaas in the statement of al-Ikhlaas

Ibn Hazm رحمه الله تعالى mentioned a tremendous benefit in his book ‘Takhlis li wujuh At Takhalis’ while mentioning actions which are easy to perform but carry much reward.

The person should pronounce the statement La-illaaha ilAllaah (Nothing has the right to be worshipped except for Allah) many times; because verily these are words which can be pronounced completely with the movement of the tongue without moving the lips, thus those sitting with you will not be aware that you are saying it…

Source : http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=114406
Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee
http://mtws.posterous.com/sincerity-in-the-statement-of-sincerity

Why is our religion called “Islaam” by AbdurRahman.org

Question:  Why is our religion called "Islaam"

Answer:

Because one who enters it submits (Aslama) himself to Allaah, and he surrenders to (Istislam), and abides by, all of the judgements that come from Allaah and from His Messenger Salallaahu alayhi wasallam. Allaah Almighty said:

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ

And who turns away from the religion of Ibraheem except him who fools himself?[Baqarah 2:130]

He also said:

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

When His Lord said to him, "Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!" He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of all that exists." [Baqarah 2:131]

And

مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ

But whoever submits his face (himself) to Allaah and he is a good-doer then his reward is with his Lord [Baqarah 2:112]

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah, vol.8, P.355 DARUSSALAM
http://www.fatwaislam.com

Is it correct to ask Allaah to hurry when making dua? by AbdurRahman.org

Shaykh Fawzan answers

Question:

May Allah give you good. The sister says: I supplicate oh Shaykh, I supplicate to Allah saying: “Oh Allah verily I ask You to hasten for me marriage.”  Is asking Allah to hasten your dua from the reasons the dua will not be accepted?

Shaykh Fawzan: Requesting for Allah to hasten the dua is not from the reasons that dua will not be accepted.

When the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah are upon him, supplicated for rain he said:

Oh Allah! Pour down upon us a wholesome rain, now not later.

This is because there is benefit in the supplication being hastened for the person.

As for being hasty in supplication it is for the person to say: “I supplicated and supplicated and I was not answered.” Thus they give up making dua. This is what is prohibited.

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee
http://mtws.posterous.com/is-it-correct-to-ask-allah-to-hurry-when-maki

Is it permissible for a sister to wear a Jacket over the Khimar? – Abu Khadeejah by AbdurRahman.org

The Advice of Ibn Qayyim to Ahlus Sunnah from his an-Noonniyyah by AbdurRahman.org

The Advice of Ibn Qayyim to Ahlus Sunnah from his an-Noonniyyah Presented By Abu `Abdillaah Hasan as-Somaali Transcribed By Umm Moosaa Bilan Hashi Download Complete Audio: Click Here Listen : Hasan%20Somaali%20-%20The%20Advice%20of%20Ibn%20Qayyim%20to%20Ahlul%20Sunah%20from%20his%20an-Nooniyaah.mp3|initialvolume=120 Indeed all praise is due to Allaah subhannahu wa ta a'la. We praise Him as He deserves to be praised. And we seek His aide and His assisstance and we ask His Forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah subhannahu wa taa'la from the evil of our own selves and from the evil of our wicked actions. Whomsoever Allaah subhannahu wa ta a'la guides then none can misguide and whomsoever Allaah subhannahu wa ta a'la misguides then none can guide. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped in truth, except Allaah subhannahu wa ta a'la. And I testify that Muhammed صلى الله عليه وسلم is His Slave and His Messenger. In shaa Allaah ta a'la for today's lecture, Read more of this post

Can a sister go swimming at a all-girls swimming pool? Fitting rooms, etc. by AbdurRahman.org

[Inspirational] Shaykh Muhammed Sa’eed bin Raslaan about the killing of Allamah Ehsaan Elahi Zaheer by AbdurRahman.org

Shaykh Muhammed Sa'eed bin Raslaan about the killing of Allamah Ehsaan Elahi Zaheer