Is memorising the Quran 1st or Seeking knowledge? – by Shaykh Maher Bin Dhafer Al Qahtani

Should the student of knowledge start with memorising the Quran?

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful
BismiLahi Rahmani Rahim

What should the student of knowledge begin with, studying the aqeedah and the tawheed which is part of the Eeman? Or memorising the Quran

As it was reported that it was from the way of the companions and the sunnah to teach the children the tawheed before the Quran and not the contrary as it is widely spread amongst people.

Jundub Ibn Junada may Allah be pleased with him said:

We were with the prophet sala Allahu alayhi wa salam while we were young boys, so we learned faith (eeman) before the Qur’an, then we learned the Quran and our eeman increased.

Reported by Ibn Majah and authentified by Al Albani.

And on the authority of Abd Allah Ibn Umar may Allah be pleased with them, He said:

We lived during an instant of time in which one of us would receive Faith first before receiving the Qur’an and when the verses were revealed we would learn what they permitted and what they prohibited and what they forbade and what they ordered and what should be the stance towards them. But I have seen many men from whom one is given the Qur’an before Faith and he reads it from the opening of the Book to its closing and he does not know what it orders and what it forbids and what should be his stance towards it. He is like someone who is just throwing out dates, i.e.: he does not get any benefit from his recital.

Reported by Al Bayhaqi and Al Haakim who authentified it.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said:

If they reach the time of pronouncing, let them pronounce La Ilah ila Allah Mohammed Rassoul Allah, and that the first thing that knocks their ears, knowing Allah Glory be He, His Tawheed and He (Glory be He) is above His throne, and that He sees them and that He hears their words and that He is with them wherever they are…

Shaykh Muhammed Ibn Abdul Wahab had written a letter named “Teaching the children Tawheed”, he says in his introduction:

This letter is a benefit showing what obligations to teach the children before teaching them the Qur’an. So that the child becomes a complete individual upon the islamic fitrah under tawheed correctly.

As it was asked also:

Do we start learning what is mandatory from the knowledge of the prayer, the fasting and the purification? Or do we start with memorising the Quran?

Ibn Mubarak answered to that:

If you have what is sufficient for you from the Quran to perform your prayer then seek knowledge.

–

I say because seeking knowledge of the deen is mandatory and memorising the Quran is recommended, so you do not precede the recommended over the mandatory.

Written by Shaykh Abu Abdellah Maher Bin Dhafer Al Qahtani
Translated by Abu Maryam Jaouad Al Maghreb

Posted from: http://www.al-sunan.com

The Best of You is the Best to His Family – Mustafa George

Be Salafi with Your Family, Just Like You Are Salafi with the Brother

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Indeed our religion has taught us the best of character and mannerisms, and the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) without a doubt displayed exemplary character to his wives, and children. It is for this reason that if a person claims to be Salafi, he should be diligent in displaying this character and mannerism amongst those who are closest to him; his family.

We ask Allah to allow us to be true followers of the Salaf al Saaleh.

Brief reminder to my brothers and sisters:

The Salaf used to say:

The best of the speech is that which is short and straight to the point.

With this in mind, I will only mention in this reminder a short hadeeth, and a short statement of one of the Imam’s of his time. In this hadeeth and statement, myself and my brothers should realize an area of family life which we have greatly neglected! May Allah forgive us all and guide us to that which is better.

The Hadith:

The Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ ، وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِي

“The best of you is the best to his family, and I am the best to my family.” (Jame’ al Tirmidhee)

The Statement of Imam al Showqanee (died 1255) He stated:

فترى الرجل إذا لقي أهله كان أسوأ الناس أخلاقاً وأشجعهم نفساً وأقلهم خيراً، وإذا لقي غير الأهل من الأجانب لانت عريكته وانبسطت أخلاقه وجادت نفسه، وكثر خيره، ولا شك أن من كان كذلك فهو محروم التوفيق، زائغ عن سواء الطريق، نسأل الله السلامة!

“You find a man, if he comes into contact with his family, he displays the worst of character, he is prideful, and very little good is seen from him. But if he meets with other people, his disposition is very gentle, his character is very soft, he is very giving, and he displays much good. There is no doubt, this type of individual is from those who have been prevented from good and success, and he is one who has deviated from the correct path. We ask Allah for protection!

Source: Nal al Awtaar (2/246)

No comment!!!

Mustafa George
9th Muharam 1435 | Nov. 12, 2013

Posted from: http://knowledgeofislamblog.wordpress.com

Humorous Narration Demonstrating How Some of the Common-folk Felt about and Treated the Innovators in the Early Generations

Ibnu Battah said:

On one occasion one of the common folk who loved Al Barbahaari from those who used to attend his sitting, was drunk and passed by an innovator. So the innovator said: These are the Hanbalis! (the innovators used to call the salafis hanbalis). He turned around and came back to him and said: There are three types of Hanbalis. One type is extremely disinterested in the world, they fast and pray a lot. Another type write down knowledge and actively gain religious understanding. Another type slap every opposer of the sunnah like you! Then he slapped him and beat him up.

(Tabaqaat Al Hanaabilah 2/44)

Benefit shared on Twitter by @AbooSuhailah Umar Quinn 

Giving Salaams to the Opposite Sex – Shaykh Muqbil ibn Haadee

The questioner asks about verbally giving the Salaams (to women).

Shaykh Muqbil: Verbally giving the Salaam, if she and he are safe from Fitnah, then there is no harm in him saying: As-Salaamu Alaykum.  If he fears that the Salaam will lead to that which is after it from Fitnah, then no. As is said:

نظرة فإبتسامة فسلام فكلام فموعد فلقاءA look; then a smile; then Salaams; then speaking; then (setting) an appointment; then a meeting

So if he does not fear Fitnah for himself and he does not fear for her then there is no harm in saying: As-Salaamu Alaykum. The wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to be greeted with Salaam. And Allaah’s Aid is sought.

Questioner:  Does this apply to responding, as well, O Shaykh?

Shaykh: Huh?

Questioner: Is responding to As-Salaamu Alaykum obligatory upon the woman?

Shaykh: Upon the woman, yes, she is to respond. The same applies to her; if she fears Fitnah for herself or that she will put the man to trial then she responds within herself. Or she moves her lips with some sound (coming out) such that he does not hear her. But if she does not fear (Fitnah) for herself or he is a Mahram for her, then there is no harm in her saying: Wa Alaykum As-Salaam. However, if she fears the occurrence of Fitnah, then there is nothing equivalent to the safety of the heart.

Translated By: Raha ibn Donald Batts
Source: http://www.muqbel.net/fatwa.php?fatwa_id=99

Posted from: http://mtws.posthaven.com

The Fitna of Music in the Masjid – A warning against musical ringtones – A reminder from Shaykh Abdur Razzaq Al Badr

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful; all praises belong to Allah the Lord of all that exists and I bear witness that nothing has the right to be worshipped except for Allah alone without partners.  And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, may the Salat and Salaam of Allah be upon him, his family and his companions. As to what follows:

I begin this lesson today with a conversation concerning a pain in the hearts of many Muslims in the houses of Allah the Blessed and Exalted. An affair which is repeated every prayer; rather it is repeated in every rukoo, and sujood. It is a tremendous harm to the Muslims, in their prayer, and in their worship; taking away their humility and submissiveness (khusoo’) and their drawing near to their Lord the Blessed and Exalted. Some of the people have reached the point where they have apathy and indifference towards this matter although this affair—I swear by Allah—is extremely dangerous.

The conversation O brothers, is surrounding the sounds of music which have become repeated heard in the Masjids. Rather almost no prayer, or rukoo, or sujood is free from hearing this music.Has our situation reached the extent—O Islamic nation—where this abominable, reprehensible music is played in the houses of Allah? Where is the sanctity for the Masjids? Where is the esteem for the Masjids in our hearts? Where is our observance to the rights of our brothers who are praying? Where is our Taqwa of Allah the Exalted? Where is our glorification for the rites of Allah the Exalted if our condition can be described like this?

This is a recurring issue although everyone that carries a cell phone has the ability –every time he enters the Masjid—to turn his phone off, or to place it on silent. But many of the people have become indifferent and do not care about this affair. Now it has become that those who are praying, constantly hear music while they are prostrating, and in rukoo, and while they are praying, while they are making dua and while they are glorifying Allah. While the person is glorifying Allah, and remembering Allah the Blessed and Exalted all of a sudden this loud, imposing sound starts playing from over here and over there inside the Masjid.

The Masjids have sacredness.

وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوب

And whosoever honors the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart.  (Soorah Al Hajj 22:32)

Those who are praying are due courtesy and consideration; and they have rights. If it is not permissible to raise your voice with the Quran in the Masjid over your brother; how about these vile reprehensible sounds? Thus the affair—O noble brothers—is extremely distressing and the affair is extremely unfortunate. And this is proof of weakness of faith and deficiency of religion and weak reverence for the houses of Allah the Exalted, and weak regard for them.

It is obligatory upon the person whom Allah favored with a cell phone to show gratitude to Allah the Exalted for this blessing. By way of it Allah has made it easy for him to contact his family, relatives, and children, and to take care of his needs and interest. It is obligatory upon him to show gratitude to Allah the Blessed and Exalted for this blessing, and it is upon him to utilize it in the obedience of Allah the Blessed and Exalted, and he should not use it to collect and store evil.

Music on the cell phones is prohibited in every situation. It is prohibited in every situation; rather it is upon him to choose for his cell phone, audios which are not musical. And this affair becomes more dangerous when these evil sounds are inside the houses of Allah the Blessed and Exalted. Thus the houses of Allah the Blessed and Exalted are sacred and the houses have sanctity.

And when the person came asking about his property in the Masjid, he عليه الصلاة و السلام said: ‘May Allah not return his property.’ So how about this great evil? How about an affair which is this gruesome and evil? Thus let us fear Allah O brothers and let us be warned against that which will earn the wrath and punishment of Allah the Glorified and Exalted. It is obligatory upon all of us to fear Allah the Exalted in these Masjids. And upon entering the door of the Masjid the person says, ‘In the Name of Allah, may the prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, I seek refuge in Allah the Great, with His Noble Face and His ancient Authority from accursed devil. And then he enters the house of Allah, having reverence for the house of Allah. And he does not allow these evil sounds to have any presence in the houses of Allah the Blessed and Exalted.

We ask Allah the Exalted by His beautiful Names and lofty Attributes to rectify all of our conditions, and to give us all success to honor the houses of Allah the Blessed and Exalted and to make us from those who exalt the rites of Allah, and to protect us all from utilizing these devices in any capacity to earn the wrath of Allah the Blessed and Exalted. And we ask Him to rectify all of our condition. Verily He—the Blessed and Exalted—responds to the supplication and He is the One in whom which hope is sought, and He is sufficient for us, and the best Disposers of Affairs.

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee
http://mtws.posthaven.com