The Condition of the Salaf in Ramadhaan Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan

[Click here to Watch Video with English Subtitles]

Question:

I have some questions; the first question: what was the state of the Salaf As-Saalih, may Allaah have mercy upon them and be pleased with them, in anticipation of this great month? How was their guidance? How was their character and their conduct? The second matter, O eminent Shaykh, how does the Muslim prepare to take advantage of these nights and days which he is now living in; preparation by way of knowledge, by knowing the rulings of fasting and knowing the nullifiers of the fast and its rulings? Some of the people are heedless of these things so they do not understand the affair of fasting and they also do not have the obligatory understanding of the affair of the fast, has the Shaykh noticed this matter? May Allaah reward you.

Answer:

In the name of Allaah the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Wa Alaykum As-Salaam wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh; may Allaah bless you. Regarding that which you have drawn attention to, from these two great matters; the first question is regarding the condition of the Salaf in the month of Ramadhaan. The condition of the Salaf, as it is recorded in the narrated books with chains of narrations from the trustworthy people (narrating) from them is that they would ask Allaah the Mighty and Majestic to make them reach Ramadhaan before it entered; they would ask Allaah to make them reach the month of Ramadhaan due to what they knew that it contained from abundant good and general benefit. Then, when Ramadhaan entered, they would ask Allaah to aid them upon righteous actions therein. The when Ramadhaan ended they would ask Allaah to accept it from them. As Allaah the Mighty and Majestic says:

وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوْا وَقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ ٦٠ أُولَئِكَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَهُمْ لَهَا سَابِقُونَ ٦١

“And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning). It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salât (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on].”(Al-Mu'minun 23:60-61)

They would strive hard in doing actions, then worry would afflict them, after the action, as to whether their action was accepted or not. That was due to their knowledge of the greatness of Allaah and their knowledge that Allaah does not accept except that (action) which is done purely for His face and correctly in accordance with the Sunnah of His Messenger from actions. So they would not purify themselves, and they would fear that their actions would be rendered null. So (worry) that they (the action) will be accepted was weightier with them than (even) the performance of them. This is because Allaah the Mighty and Majestic says:

إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

"Verily, Allaah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious)."               (Al-Ma'idah 5:27)

So they would devote their time within this month, as we have previously mentioned, to worship and would minimize actions of the Dunyaa. They would spend their time sitting in the houses of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic and they would say: We are safeguarding our fast and we will not backbite anyone. They would read the Mus-hafs and study the Book of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. They would safeguard its time from squandering. They were not heedless or negligent as many of the people are today. Rather, they would preserve its time; the night, by standing (in prayer) and the day by fasting, recitation of the Qur’aan, the remembrance of Allaah, and righteous actions. They were not negligent therein of (even) a minute or a second, except that they would put forth therein righteous actions. This is the first question.

Translated by Raha ibn Donald Batts

A Sin that Leads to Jannah

Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said:

“Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is what is meant by the words of one of the salaf:

‘A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.’

They said: ‘How is that?’

He said: ‘He may commit a sin and continues to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers his sin, so he feels ashamed and repents and seeks forgiveness and regrets it, so that will be the means of his salvation.
And he may do a good deed and continue to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with self-admiration and pride, so it is the cause of his doom.

So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude so that he fears Allah and feels shy before Him and feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself and looks down on others, and who thinks that he is doing Allah a favour. Even if he says words that indicate something other than that, Allah is the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he were to examine himself honestly, he would see that clearly.”

-Madarij as-Salikeen, 1/299

The Importance of Being Truthful

Shaikh Falaah Isma’eel recently relayed a heart-melting story that may interest you.

When the Shaikh visited Holland, he was of course met by Muslims from Holland and they told him, “If you had come two weeks earlier you would have seen it yourself. We prayed over this man.” Then they told him the following 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 tothobes, 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 promised to preserve His last revelation (the Qur`an) from corruption.

The means to a righteous heart Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan

Question:

What is the way to the righteousness of the heart and to purify it from hatred and envy? And what are the most helpful means to make the heart righteous in this life?

Answer:

Righteousness of the heart is achieved by a few things.

The first: having a sincere intention for Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, in the righteous deeds. And remembering the Greatness of Allaah, the Majestic and Exalted, remembering that you stand in need of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and increasing in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah. Allaah, the Most High, has said:

{Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest.}

[Soorah ar-Ra'd (13): 28]

So from that which brings the heart to life, is increasing in the remembrance of Allaah. And verily, he (the Prophet) – sallal-Laahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – has said:

“The example of the one who remembers Allaah and the one who doesn’t remember Allaah, is like the example of the living and the dead.”

Also from the means of bringing the heart to life, is eating from halaal (legal, permissible food) and staying away from eating haraam (forbidden food). For verily, eating from haraam hardens the heart, corrupts the heart or makes the heart sick. Because bad food influences the heart and the body.

Also from the means of bringing the heart to life… Allaah, the Most High, has said:

{O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibaat (all kinds of Halaal foods which Allaah has made legal), and do righteous deeds.}

[Soorah al-Mu'minoon (23):51]

And Allaah has ordered the believers with that which He ordered the Messengers with. He said:

{O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah – Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the Tayyibaat that We have provided you with.}

[Soorah al-Baqarah (2):172]

He should eat from the Tayyibaat, meaning: the permissible things. Because Allaah makes the Tayyibaat permissible for us and makes the Khabaa’ith (all evil and bad things) forbidden for us. So eating from the Tayyibaat, which are the permissible things, feeds the hearts a good meal. And eating from the Khabaa’ith feeds the hearts a bad meal.

That which makes the hearts sick as well, is listening to songs and musical instruments, which has increased alot in this time! And that which makes the hearts sick as well or makes it die, is being devoted to satellite TV, the internet and what is broadcasted in these media from wickedness, evil thoughts, forbidden desires and disgusting scenes. This is from that which makes the hearts sick.

Also, accompanying bad people and sitting with them corrupts the hearts. Similarly, accompanying the best people, the scholars and the people of khayr (good), is from that which brings the hearts to life.

Translated by: Yâsîn Abu Ibrâhîm

[Click Here to Watch Video]

The Descripitions of the Prophets Prayer from Pure Sunnah With illustrations – Shaykh Muhammad Bazmool

Click Here to Read or Download 

PDF

         View this document on Scribd

Publisher’s Information:

MTWS Publishing / Markaz Tawheed was-Sunnah
Translator: Raha ibn Donald Batts
Translation Verified By: Aboo Qaylah Rasheed Barbee

Jamā’at ut-Tablīgh: “We have caused the people to be lost in the name of Tawhīd” – Shaykh Fawzan

Questioner:

One of the callers of Jamā'at ut-Tablīgh says, "We have caused the people to be lost in the name of Tawhīd and have encouraged them upon sinning. And this is due to the statement that the Muwahhid (person of Tawhīd) will enter Paradise regardless of his sins other than Shirk. Tawhīd, Tawhīd and Tawhīd. So how will we respond to Allāh عز وجل regarding the existence of these sinners?" So the question is, what is your Excellency's opinion regarding this statement.

Shaykh Sālih bin Fawzān bin 'Abdullāh al-Fawzān:

This is the statement of an ignoramus or a misguided one. Either he is an ignoramus and does not know the speech regarding the issues of knowledge, or he knows yet is misguided and desires misguidance of the people.

So there is no doubt that Shirk is the greatest of the sins and that its committer will not enter Paradise, period. And as for the committer of sins, even if they be major and not Shirk, then forgiveness and entrance to Paradise will return to him. And this is something which is not from us.

Allāh جل وعلا says, "Verily, Allāh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives that (anything else) to whom He pleases" (An-Nisā' 4: 48).

And in the Hadīth [the Messenger ﷺ said, that Allāh will say,] "Remove from the Fire whosoever has in his heart īmān equivalent to the weight of mustard seed" [Narrated by Abī Sa'īd and reported by Bukhārī & others].

So Tawhīd guarantees for its possessor Paradise, either in the beginning or in the end, even if he is punished (in Hell). As for the Mushrik then there is no security for him ever.

"It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allāh and worship none but Him alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allāh)... " (Al-An'ām: 6: 82) meaning by Shirk. "...for them (only) there is security and they are the guided" (Al-An'ām: 6: 82).

So the people of Tawhīd have security, those who do not cover their īmān with Zulm meaning Shirk have security, either completely or in the end. As for the Mushrik then he has no security, period. And he is eternally in the Fire.

So this one who says that Tawhīd caused the people to be lost, then this - and Allāh's Refuge is sought - is atrocious speech. This is atrocious speech, false speech. Tawhīd is what rectified the people and it is what will save the people on the Day of Resurrection from the Fire. So, it (Tawhīd) is the basis, and it is the foundation. And there is no comparison between the (ordinary) sin and Shirk. Shirk is the greatest of sins, and there is no salvation alongside of it. As for the sins then they are under the will (of Allāh). If Allāh Wills He can punish their committer and if He Wills He can forgive him. And if he is punished then his final outcome will (eventually) be Paradise. Na'am.

[Translation: salafitalk.net]

How do we know what is a major sin? – Shaykh Saalih ibn Muhammad al-Luhaydaan

Q.​The individual is asking how do we know what is a major sin?

A. ​The shaykh said major sins are for example that which Allaah tabaarak ta wa ta’aala, informs us the punishment for whoever performs it will be the hell fire. Likewise that which the Prophet (Sallaahu alayhi wa sallam) informed us that whoever does this action they will be distant from the mercy of Allaah, or whoever does this action will becursed by Allaah. These are certain things which inform an individual that a sin is a major sin.

You have the hadith where the Prophet (Sallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘abstain from the seven major sins’. However the Prophet Sallaahu alayhi wa sallam did not mean that there are only seven. He sallaahu alayhi wa sallam in that hadith mentioned seven but did not say that they are the only major sins. The proof for that is ibn Abbass (RadiAllaahu anhumma). He was asked are there only seven? He said they are closer to seventy then seven. So there is no specific number of the amount of major sin there are.

Shaykh Saalih ibn Muhammad al-Luhaydaan (May Allaah preserve him)

Is it permissible for a person to call themselves or their child al-azeez (the mighty)?

Shaykh Saalih Muhammad al-Luhaydaan (May Allaah preserve him)

Q.The individual is asking is it permissible for a person to call themselves or their child al-azeez (the mighty)?

A.The shaykh said this is that which a person should abstain from. It is that which a person should abstain from, as it is from the names of Allaah (azza wa ja’aal). However, if an individual is given the title of the azeez of Riyaadh or the azeez of Egypt, meaning the leader/king of Riyaadh or the leader/king of Egypt. This is a title so this is not a problem but this is not the name of the individual.

Shaykh Saalih Muhammad al-Luhaydaan (May Allaah preserve him)
(Kitaab-ut-Tawheed Class 02.02.13 Riyadh).

Ibn Baaz on Throwing Leftovers Away

Questioner: Regarding leftover food, some people put it in a carton or something similar and then place it in the street so the animals can eat it but then the cleaners come and place it along with the rest of the rubbish. The question is whether it is permissible to put the food with the garbage?

Ibn Baaz: It must be given to the poor who can eat it if they can be found, if they cannot be found then it must be left in a place far from where it will be mistreated so that the animals can eat it, if that is not possible then it must be stored in a carton or plastic bags etc., and those responsible in each city’s municipality should place it in clean areas so that the animals can eat it or so that people can take it for their animals, [this should be done] in order to safeguard the food from being debased and wasted.

Majmoo’ Fataawaa Ibn Baaz, vol. 23, p. 41.

The Precedence and Priority that obedience to Allaah has over the obedience to the creation

To reinforce the precedence and priority that obedience to Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'aala) has over the obedience to the creation, ponder upon the following ahadeeth of the Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam):

La ta'aata lil makhluk fi ma'seeyit al-Khaaliq (which means "there is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to The Creator.")

"Inna ma ta'aa fil ma'roof." (Obedience is only in the matters ordained by Allaah).

The righteous scholars have explained that the right of The Creator takes precedence over the rights of the creation.

So when any one from the creation enjoins on you to commit an act of disobedience, then obedience to them in that specific matter is actually disobedience to Allaah, whereas disobedience to them in that specific matter is obedience to Allaah. Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'aala) says: ...Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression... (Al-Ma`idah 5:2)

Regarding the parents, Allaah (subhanahu wa ta'aala) says:

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks to Me and to your parents; unto Me is the final destination. (Luqman 31:14)

A man once asked the Prophet (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam):

"O Messenger of Allaah, who has the most right amongst people to my good companionship?" He (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) replied: "Your mother." The man said: "Then who?" He replied: "Your mother." The man said: "Then who?" He replied: "Your mother." The man said: "Then who?" He replied: "Your father."

[Al-Bukhaaree (no. 5971), Muslim (no. 201) and Ibn Maajah (no. 2706)]

The right of the parents upon their children is so great that Allaah often mentions obedience to parents immediately after worshipping Allaah alone. Yet even if your mother or father enjoins on you to commit an act of disobedience, then obedience to them in that specific matter is actually disobedience to Allaah, whereas disobedience to them in that specific matter is obedience to Allaah. So if your parents command you to worship other than Allaah, or to attend the gatherings of the people of bid'ah (Sufis, Shee'a, Tableeghis, Ikhwanul Muslimeen, Khawarij, Hizb Tahreer, etc...), or to sing anasheed, or to hand them a can of beer or a pack of cigarettes, then there is no obedience to them in these matters.

Allaah says: But if they strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. (Luqman 31:15)

La ta'aata lil makhluk fi ma'seeyit al-Khaaliq (which means "there is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to The Creator.")

This also includes the wife in relation to her husband. The husband's right over his wife is so great that the Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said,

"It is not right that any human being should prostrate to another being. And if it were right for a human being to prostrate to another human being, I would have ordered the woman to prostrate to her husband due to the greatness of his right upon her."

Yet if the husband commands the wife to disobey Allaah, such as the husband's command to his wife to break her obligatory fast in Ramadan to have sexual relations with him,* or to remove her hijaab, or to engage in haram acts or speech, then in these particular cases obedience to him is disobedience to Allaah, as the scholars have explained.

La ta'aata lil makhluk fi ma'seeyit al-Khaaliq (which means "there is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to The Creator.")

If a "scholar" (or imam of your masjid) advises you to disobey Allaah and His Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) by telling you or giving you "permission" to call on other than Allaah, or say that Allaah in His Self is "everywhere," or rebel/speak ill of the Muslim ruler, or celebrate the Prophet's birthday, or engage in ribaa (interest, usury), then in these particular cases obedience to that "scholar" is disobedience to Allaah.

Allaah says: They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah... (At-Tawbah 9:31)

The Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explained:

They (rabbis and monks) prohibited the allowed for them (Christians and Jews) and allowed the prohibited, and they (Christians and Jews) obeyed them. This is how they worshipped them.

[Calling on other than Allaah is Kufr, knowingly denying Allaah's 'Uluw is kufr, rebelling against/speaking ill of the Muslim ruler is the bid'ah of the Khawaarij and Ikhwanul Muslimeen and Hizb at-Tahreer, celebrating the Prophet's birthday is bid'ah that sometimes is accompanied by kufr as the 'ulamma have explained, and ribaa is from the seven destructive Kabaair, while declaring ribaa "halal" upon knowledge of its prohibition in the Qur`an and Sunnah is Kufr. Aoodhoobillaah!]

La ta'aata lil makhluk fi ma'seeyit al-Khaaliq (which means "there is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to The Creator.")

Likewise, with the Muslim ruler, the only time you may not obey the Muslim ruler is if he orders disobedience. As we learned from Kitab at-Tawheed class - chapter of Ruling by other than Allaah - regarding Allaah's ayah: O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad, salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority... (An-Nisa 4:59) The word atee'u (obey) precedes "Allaah" and "the Messenger," but not "those in authority", because the Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) could not order to do haram, whereas it's possible that a ruler could. So although it is obligatory to obey the Muslim ruler, you may not obey him in that particular matter in which he orders disobedience.

La ta'aata lil makhluk fi ma'seeyit al-Khaaliq (which means "there is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to The Creator.")

May Allaah grant us akhlaaq pleasing to Him.

Note: *(as opposed to the optional fast, which scholars have said she should break if he asks)

Taken from: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?forum=8&topic=10613

Al-Albaani’s Humility

Al-Albaani said, “And if you see that I have strayed or made a mistake you must advise me …”

Al-Hudaa wan-Noor, 82.

Can the Jinn steal material items from the home?

Answered by Shaykh Ubayd al-Jaabiree

[Click Here to Watch Video]

Question:

May Allah give you good. The first question is from the questions from Miraath website. The questioner from Algeria says. May Allah give you good O Shaykh. Is it possible for the Jinn to steal or take material items from the house, such as gold or wealth? 

Shaykh Ubaid:

This category of Jinn does indeed perform the action mention in the question. And that which I found through investigating the situations of the people is that the magicians and charlatans use them (the Jinn) for this purpose. Thus the Jinn place a condition upon them that they seek nearness to them by providing an offering to them. Thus by way of this they fall into shirk. So if they (the magicians and charlatans) do what the Jinn want, they do what they (the magicians and charlatans) want; from stealing, murder, possessing people and other than that.

http://ar.miraath.net/fatwah/3084

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

The Truth of the Qur'aan

Meaning you get up from sleep.   Who caused you to sleep in the first place?  And who is it that causes you to wake up?  He is Allaah, the Perfect and Most High.  So if you were to think about this creation, then this would lead you to realize the Greatness of Allaah and you would submit to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic; if you were to reflect upon the speech of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and what he informed about with regard to events of the past and of the future, things which have occurred just as he informed sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam.  Who guided him to know that?  It was Allaah, the Majestic and Most High.  He is the One who revealed it to him.  It was not from himself; rather it was just from Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic.  If you were to compare the ahaadeeth (sayings of the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) to the events that have occurred, you would be amazed.  The Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam mentioned to us about the lives of the Prophets and the previous nations (he mentioned) a great deal (of that), even though his time was much later.  Who made him aware of this?  It was Allaah, the Majestic and Most High. So this is indeed a proof that he is a Messenger from Allaah.  This tremendous Qur·aan, it is not possible that it could have come from other than Allaah.      

قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى أَن يَأْتُواْ بِمِثْلِ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ لاَ يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا 

(Explanation)

Say, if the whole of mankind and jinn were to gather together to bring the like of this Qur·aan, they could not bring its like, even if they all tried to help each other.   

 (Sooratul-Israa· (17), aayah 88)

It is from the Speech of Allaah, the Majestic and Most High.  And the Messenger was just one who conveyed the Message from Allaah, the Majestic and Most High.   

Ithaaful-Qaaree bit-Ta`leeqaat `alaa Sharhis-Sunnah

by Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan hafizahullaah

Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood Burbank rahimahullaah

Listen to the entire lesson here

Read the entire transcript here

(Must Read) Words Worthy of Golden Ink

It was narrated upon Shaqeeq al-Balkhi (rahimahullah) that he said to Hatim:
“You have accompanied me for a while so what have you learnt from me?”

He said:“ I have learnt from you 8 things:

Firstly: I looked at the creation and found that every person has something which is beloved to him and when he reaches his grave this beloved thing is cut off from him. So I have made my beloved, my good deeds so that it will remain with me in the grave.

Secondly:  I looked at the saying of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) :

“And as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts”

So I strove against my soul defending it from desires until it settled upon obedience to Allah.

Thirdly: I saw that everyone who has something precious safeguards it (with much care), so then I looked at the saying of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala):

“And that which you have will perish and that which is with Allah will remain”

So whenever I came across something which I found to be precious I directed it to Him so that it will remain with Him for me.

Fourthly: I saw that the people were depending upon their wealth, nobility and dignity, which are all nothing (in reality) so I looked at the saying of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala):

“Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah are those who are most pious amongst you”

So I proceeded upon taqwa in order to gain an honorable standing with him (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) .

Fifthly: I saw the people being jealous of each other so I looked at the saying of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala):

“We have divided between them their livelihood”

So I abandoned jealousy because it is in opposition to the destiny of Allah.

Sixthly: I saw them having enmity between themselves so I looked at the saying of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala):

“Indeed the Satan is an enemy for you so take him as your enemy”

So I abandoned this enmity and took the shaytaan as my sole enemy.

Seventhly: I saw them resorting to shameful measures in search for provision so I looked at the saying of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala):

“And there is not a creature on the Earth except that Allah provides for it”.

So I engaged myself (in establishing) His rights that He (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) has over me and entrusted what is mine, with him, in assurance of his promise.

Eighthly: I saw them relying (solely) upon their trade and products and strong healthy bodies but I put my trust in Allah the lord of the worlds.

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=11&Topic=2291

The Types of Water

In the Name of Allah, the Extremely Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy The Chapter of The Types of Water · Imaam as-Sa`dee [d. 1376 AH], may Allah have mercy upon him, said:1 [6] As for salaah (prayer), it has conditions that precede it, from them is: [7] at-Tahaarah (purification). The Prophet ﷺ stated: (( لَا يَقْبَلُ اللهُ صَلَاةً بِغَيْرِ طَهُورٍ )) «Allah does not accept any prayer without purification.» Agreed upon.2 Whoever does not purify himself from major or minority impurities, his prayer is invalid. [8] Purification is of two types: [9] The first type is purification with water, which is the foundation. [10] All water which descends from the sky, or emanates from the earth is pure and purifying (tahoor). It can be used to remove the state of impurity (hadath), and to remove filth (khabath), even if something pure [mixed with it] alters its color, taste, or smell. The Prophet, may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace, stated: (( إِنَّ الْمَاءَ طَهُورٌ لَا يُنَجِّسُهُ شَيْءٌ )) «Indeed, water is pure and purifying, and nothing causes it to become impure.»3 Related by the compilers of the sunan4 and it is authentic. [11] If one of its characteristics changes due to an impure substance, then the water becomes impure, and it is obligatory to avoid [using] it. [12] The basic principle of all things is that they are pure (at-Tahaarah) and permissible (al-ibaahah). [13] Thus, if a Muslim doubts the purity of water, a cloth, a portion of ground, or other than these things, then they are pure. If he knows for certain that he has purified himself, however, he doubts as to whether he has remained ritually pure, then he is considered to be in a state of purification. This is due to his statement ﷺ to a man, who had imagined that he passed wind in his prayer: (( لَا يَنْصَرِفْ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ صَوْتًا, أَوْ يَجِدَ رِيحًا )) «Do not leave the prayer until you hear a sound or detect an odour.» Agreed upon.5

THEIR BODIES ARE STILL THE SAME, AFTER BEING IN THEIR GRAVES FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

All praises for Allah and peace be upon His Prophet Mohamed As to Proceed,

Some brothers saw in a dream that the martyrs (killed a year and a half ago being attacked by the rafidha, the shia') of Dar al Hadith in Damaj saying we are being bothered in their graveyards. Due to massive rain storms and the dreams of the brothers , the students and residents decided to move their bodies to another location. then doing so, they were shocked and astonished to see their brothers the same way since they were buried a year and a half ago. Their skin was not eaten at all, their teeth are the same, their clothes are still suitable to wear, with the exception of what was torn by bullets. Some of the elder brothers had hina on his beard and the hina is still on it, the blood is still on their sheets. A brother from France had his long hair combed before his death and until when we moved him we looked at his hair and it was as if he died today.

This is a Karamah for them that we are Wallahi wittnessing. There is no way to explain our current feelings these days with what we are wittnessing. We hope from Allah to have mercy on them and we hope that they are from those who Allah mention about in the following verses

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ (169) فَرِحِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ (170)

يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (171) الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا أَصَابَهُمُ الْقَرْحُ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا مِنْهُمْ وَاتَّقَوْا أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ (172)

الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ (173) فَانْقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَاتَّبَعُوا رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ (174)

إِنَّمَا ذَلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ (175)

169. Think not of those who are killed in the Way of Allâh as dead. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.

170. They rejoice in what Allâh has bestowed upon them of His Bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve.

171. They rejoice in a Grace and a Bounty from Allâh, and that Allâh will not waste the reward of the believers.

172. Those who answered (the Call of) Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) after being wounded; for those of them who did good deeds and feared Allâh, there is a great reward.

173. Those (i.e. believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, "Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: "Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).[]"

174. So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allâh. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allâh. And Allâh is the Owner of Great Bounty.

175. It is only Shaitân (Satan) that suggests to you the fear of his Auliyâ' [supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger, Muhammad SAW)], so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.

Saying ‘Good morning/evening’ – Shaykh Bin Bâz

[Click Here to Watch Video] Question: Some brothers limit their speech by; ‘good morning…good evening’ instead of ‘assalâmu alaykum wa rahmatu Allâh wa barakâtuh’ ie the greeting of Islâm. So is there any advice concerning this? Shaykh Ibn Bâz: Yes, that is not permitted. What is obligatory is to start with the ‘Salâm’. ‘Assalâmu alaykum. You do not say ‘good morning’ and ‘good evening’ but rather say: ‘Assalâmu alaykum. And if he said; ‘wa rahmatu Allâh wa barakatuh’ is better and perfect/complete. Thereafter (after starting with the Salaam) he may says; ‘Good morning’, ‘may Allâh give you a good morning’, ‘may Allâh give you a good evening’, ‘how are you’, ‘how are your children’, ‘how is your family’, (this is) a good added greeting. However he starts by saying; ‘Assalâmu alaykum and that is the minimum. And if he added ‘wa rahmatu Allâh wa barakâtuh’ then that is better. And this is how the Prophet (peace & blessings of Allâh be upon him) was with his companions. One time a man came in (joined them) and said: “Assalâmu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you).”The Prophet said, “[He will have] ten hasanât (rewards).” Another man passed by and said “Assalâmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatu Allâh.” The Prophet, “[He will have] twenty hasanât.” Another man passed by and said “Assalâmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatu Allâhi wa barakâtuh.” The Prophet, “[He will have] thirty hasanât.” [Bukhâri] And this is the virtue of that point of view.

The Bequest of Nooh (alayhi as-Salaam) to his Son at the time of his Death – Shaykh Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee

 "When death was approaching the Prophet of Allaah Nooh -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – he said to his son: I will narrate to you my bequest; I command you with two things and prohibit you from two things. I command you with 'La ilaha ‘illa Allaah' (‘There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah) if the seven heavens and the seven earths were placed upon a scale and 'La ilaha ‘illa Allaah' was placed on the other, then 'La ilaha ‘illa Allaah' would be heavier.

If the seven heavens and the seven earths were a closed off circle then 'La ilaha ‘illa Allaah' would be able to break it.

The second thing I command you with is Subhana Allaahi wa bihamdihi (Far is Allaah from imperfection and praise is for Him), since it is a supplication for everything, and by it the creation is given its provision. I prohibit you from shirk and pride.

-

( the narrator said: I asked or someone asked) : O Messenger of Allaah as for shirk then we know about it, but what is pride? Is it that one of us has sandals with two good straps?

The Messenger answered: No.

He asked again: is it that one of us has companions and they sit with him?

The Messenger again answered: No.

Someone asked: O Messenger of Allaah, what is pride?

He said: ridiculing the truth and belittling the people and reviling them."

Silsilah Saheehah: 134

From the benefits of the hadeeth:

I say: there are many benefits from this hadeeth; I will suffice by indicating to some of them:

1- The permissibility of writing a bequest at the time of death.

2- The excellence of saying 'La ilaha ‘illa Allaah' and saying Subhana Allaah and that they are a cause for the creation to receive provision from Allaah.

3- The scales on the Day of Judgment are true and real, and they have two pans. This is from the belief of the ahl-ul Sunnah, opposing that of the Mu'tazilah and their followers in the modern times. Who do not believe that which has been affirmed regarding 'Aqeedah in the authentic Ahadeeth, with the claim that these are Ahkbaar al-Ahad (singular narrations) which do not convey certainty. I have exposed this claim in my book 'with ustaadh at-Tantawee'.

4 - The seven earths are like the seven heavens. There are many Ahadeeth regarding this in Bukharee and Muslim and in other books. Perhaps one day we will have time to follow up these Ahadeeth and research them. What supports these Ahadeeth is the saying of Allaah Tabaraka wa Ta' aala : << It is Allaah Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof (i.e. seven). >> I.e. they are similar in creation and in number.

So, you should not pay any attention to the one who explains it away, there by it ends up as a negation of similarity as well as in numbers, being deceived by the Europeans and where their knowledge has reached to, from having gone up in to space however they do not know of seven earths, along with that they do not know about seven heavens. Will we reject the speech of Allaah and the speech of His Messenger due to the ignorance of the Europeans and others along with them, declaring that the more they increase their knowledge of the universe, the more they increase in their ignorance of it. Allaah the Most Great has spoken the truth when He said : << And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little>>

5 - That beautification with good clothing has nothing to do with pride what so ever. Rather, it is a matter which is permissible, because Allaah is Beautiful and He loves beauty, like the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said regarding this issue, as is narrated by Muslim in his 'Saheeh'.

6- Pride which has been equated with Shirk will not allow entrance in to Paradise for the one who has an equivalent of an atoms worth. That is the pride, which is rejecting the truth after it has been made clear, and defaming innocent people without truth. So, the Muslim should be extremely cautious from being characterized with this type of pride, just like he should be extremely cautious from being characterized with the Shirk which places its companion in the Hell-fire for eternity.

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

The Ahaadeeth of Tawheed, Explained By the Muhaaddith, the Allaamah, Shaykh Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee (rahimullaah)
Source: Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah of Shaykh Al-Albaani (rahimahullaah)
Translated by: Abbas Abu Yahya (hafidhahullaah)

And no one says regarding the Attributes of the Lord, the Most High, “How?” and “Why?” except for one who doubts about Allaah, the Exalted and Most High.

Shaykh Saalih as-Suhaymee hafizahullaah  said regarding this point, “No one will say, ‘Why (is that)?’ with regard to Allaah’s Attributes except one who doubts about the Attributes of Allaah, the Most High.  A person who is always afflicted with ‘Why (is this)?’ and ‘How (is that)?’ and this saying comes out upon the slips of his tongue, this person is in danger.  Indeed he is at the limit of danger.  And for this reason the Companions, when revelation came down to them, they believed in it with certainty and they attested to it.  And they did not ask ‘Why is this?’ and ‘How (is that)?’  Rather they submitted to everything which Allaah informed ofopenheartedly and accepting it fully.  So therefore they did not ask ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’”  

Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood Burbank rahimahullaah