The pillars of Iman

What are the six pillars of faith, and how is the correct way to believe in these. The belief in Allah: To believe in the ONENESS of Allah, Almighty. (i.e. Tauhid-ar-Rububiyya, Tauhid-al-Uluhiyya, Tauhid-al-Asma was-Sifat). Part of the belief in Allah is the belief in all that with which He has described Himself in His Book or with which His Prophet (peace be upon him) has described Him without any distortion, negation, speculation (as to the exact nature of these attributes), nor analogy (i.e. between Allah's attributes and those of His creation bearing the same names). 1. Distortion The Jahmiy (follower of the deviations of Al-Jahm ibn Safwan) negates Allah's statement about himself that he "sat on the throne" by adding an extra letter to the word in the Qur'an. [Istawaa 'alaa al-'arsh] innovated to [Istawlaa 'alaa al-'arsh] The innovators who changed the case of a noun in the Qur'an in an effort to negate Allah's attribute of speech: [Wa kallama Allahu Musa takleeman] innovated to [Wa kallama Allaha Musa takleeman] Others distorted meanings of Allah's attributes without actually changing the words. Examples include those who said that Allah's anger (Ghadhab) means His intention to punish, His mercy (Rahma) means his intention to have mercy, His hand (Yad) is His generosity or His power, etc. 2. Negation/Denial (At Ta'teel) Negation of the Exalted Perfection of Allah Most High via the negation of His Names and Glorious Attributes. Negation through negation of appropriate interaction with Allah and neglect of worship of Him and obedience to Him, or the association of others with Him in acts of worship and/or obedience. Negation of the relationship of the creation to its Creator, such as the negation of the philosophers who claimed that this physical universe has no beginning, and that it has always and will always work according to its own internal rules. They turn Allah into an essence with no attributes - which is impossibility. 3. Speculation and Analogy (At-Takyeef wa At-Tamtheel) At-Takyeef means attempts to ascribe a detailed understanding of the exact nature of the various attributes with which Allah has described Himself. Just use the words and understanding given in the Qur'an and not your own philosophies as to what Allah is. At-Tamtheel means to make a direct comparison or analogy between one of Allah's attributes and a human attribute having the same name, such as the comparison of Isa (Jesus) by the Christians to Allah Most High, or that of Uzair by the Jews or that of the idols by the polytheists to Allah Most High. Likewise the Mushabbiha among the Muslims who compare Allah with His creation by saying that He has a face like our faces, hands like our hands, hearing and sight like ours, etc. The belief in Allah’s angels: Angels are real beings, not illusions, a metaphysical force, or figments of human imagination. They are created from light. A Muslim must believe specifically in all the angels named and/or described in the Qur'an and the Sunnah: Jibreel Mika'il: in charge of bringing the rain. Israfil: the blower of the horn on Qiyama (Judgement Day). Malik-ul-Maut: the Angel of Death who takes people's souls at death. The Noble Recorders: those who record people's actions. The Protectors: who keep people from death until its decreed time. Ridhwan: in charge of Paradise. Malik: in charge of Hell. Munkar and Nakir: the questioners in the grave. The Carriers of the Throne. Those who record the future of the fetus. Those who enter the Haram: 70,000 every day. Those who move about, descending upon gatherings at which Allah and His Book are mentioned and studied. Belief in the angels is an integral part of iman (faith). [See 2/285 Al-Baqarah] Kufr (disbelief) with respect to the angels is kufr (a state of disbelief). [See 4/136 An-Nisaa] Belief in Allah’s Messengers: Belief in the prophets, prayers and salutations of Allah be upon them. Belief in the process of prophethood. Allah in His wisdom did not neglect His creation. Prophets sent to guide us in this life and the next. Specific belief in the 25 prophets named in the Qur'an: (1) Adam, (2) Nuh, (3) Idris, (4) Saleh, (5) Ibrahim, (6) Hud, (7) Lut, (8) Yunus, (9) Isma'il, (10) Is-haq, (11) Ya'qub, (12) Yusuf, (13) Ayub, (14) Shu'aib, (15) Musa, (16) Harun, (17) Alyas', (18) Dhu Al-Kifl, (19) Daud, (20) Zakariya, (21) Sulaiman, (22) Ilyas, (23) Yahya, (24) Isa, and (25) Muhammad, prayers and salutations of Allah be upon him and upon all the messengers of Allah. General belief that there are many other prophets and messengers, but never assuming anything without knowledge from Allah (i.e. Qur'an and Sunnah). The subject matter of the prophethood. Warnings and glad tidings. So the disobedient will have no excuse before Allah. (Prophets sent to every nation.) Enjoining the worship of Allah and the avoidance of At-Taghoot (Shaitaan, etc.) [Study: 4/165, An-Nisaa; 16/36, An-Nahl] Attributes of the Prophet Muhammad: Seal of the prophets; Imam of the pious; Foremost among the sons of Adam; Imam and Khatib of the prophets when they assembled; Possessor of the Praiseworthy Position which all of mankind will wish they had attained (and which is mentioned in the Du'a of hearing the adhan); Owner of the pool in paradise; Intercessor for all mankind on the day of Qiyama (Judgement Day). I.Allah sent him with the best of the books and the best of His law. Allah made his nation "the best nation brought forth for mankind." Allah gave him (and us) all of the good that was given only partially to the previous nations. His nation is the last in creation, the first in resurrection. II.From the moment of his prophethood, Allah made him the criterion (Al-Farooq) for distinguishing Allah's allies and their actions from His enemies and their actions: None can have any relationship to Allah except through belief in the Prophet (peace be upon him) and following what he brought in public and in secret. Whoever claims love or closeness to Allah while disobeying the message is actually drawing closer to Shaitaan, farther from Allah. The belief in Allah’s revealed Books: Muslims should have general belief in the phenomenon of the sending of the revealed books. Keep in mind, all the revealed books were allowed by Allah to be corrupted, except the Qur'an. Specific books mentioned in the Qur'an: As-Suhuf Az-Zaboor At-Taurat Al-Injeel Al-Qur'an Attributes of the Qur'an: Flawless and untampered with: [See 41/42 Fusilat] The final authority over any remnants of the previous books. [See 5/48 Al-Maidah] A guidance and a mercy. [See 10/37 Yunus] The Qur'an must be followed and applied. [See 6/155 Al-An'aam] Belief in the Day of Resurrection: Belief in the resurrection (Al-Ba'th). Reconstruction of the body and return of the soul to it. People will come forth out of their graves like locusts. Faces bent down. Rushing to the Caller. [See 53/76 Al-Qamar; 70/43 Al-Ma'arij; 17/49 Al-Israa; 36/78 Yasin; 20/108 Taha] The resurrection is of the body and the soul, not some metaphysical resurrection of the latter. "The sun will come down toward the people on the day of Qiyama until it is only about a mile up. The people will be in their own perspiration according to their acts: some of them will be in it up to their ankles, some up to their groin and others up to their chins, and he pointed to his mouth." [Hadith - Narrated by Muslim] A disbeliever once came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) with an old bone, crumbled it with his hand and said: "O Muhammad, will Allah bring this back to life after it has rotted?! The Prophet said: "Yes, Allah will resurrect this and he will cause you to die, bring you back to life, and put you into the fire of Jahannam!" The belief in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments and Decree i.e. whatever Allah, The Most High, has ordained must come to pass). A Muslim believes in Allah's predestination of all things and events (Qadhaa), His decree (Qadar), His wisdom in His actions, and His will. Nothing in the universe can occur, even the voluntary actions of His slaves, except after Allah's knowledge, and His decree of that event. A Muslim further believes that Allah is Just in His predestination and His decree, Wise in all of His actions. His wisdom follows His will: Whatever He wills is, and whatever He does not will is not. There is no power nor any movement except by Allah. This is substantiated by the textual and logical proofs which follow: Textual evidence: Allah (glory and praise to Allah) informed us of this in the Qur'an: “Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz).” [Qur'an 54/49] “And there is not a thing, but with Us are the stores thereof. And We send it not down except in a known measure.” [Qur'an 15/21] “No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allâh.” [Qur'an 57/22] “No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allâh, and whosoever believes in Allâh, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allâh from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allâh is the All-Knower of everything.” [Qur'an 64/11] “And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.” [Qur'an 6/59] Evidence also in: Quran 9/51, 7/43, 21/101, 18/39, 81/27-29 The Prophet (peace be upon him) has informed us about the reality of Allah's predestination and decree in many hadith: "Verily, each one of you is formed in his mother's womb forty days as a drop, then he is something suspended for a similar period, then he is a piece of flesh like a chewed piece of meat for another period of forty days, then the angel is sent to insert the soul. This angel is ordered to record four things: the sustenance which he will receive during his lifetime, the length of his life, all actions that he will do, and whether he will end up miserable (in hell) or joyous (in paradise). I swear by the One other than whom there is no deity, one of you may do the works of the people of paradise right up until there is only an arm's length between him and paradise, but his destiny overtakes him, so he does the actions of the people of the fire and enters it. And, verily, one of you may do the works of the people of hell until there is nothing between them and hell except for one arm's length, but his destiny overtakes him, and so he does the works of the people of paradise, and enters it." [Muslim] "Young man, I will teach you some words: Preserve (your obligations toward) Allah and He will preserve you. Guard (your obligations toward) Allah and you will find Him on your side. When you ask, ask Allah. When you seek aid and succor, seek it from Allah. And know, that if the entire nation got together to benefit you in some way, they could never benefit you at all except for that which Allah had already decreed for you. And, if they all got together to harm you in some way, they could do you no harm except for that which Allah had already decreed for you. The pens have been lifted, and the tablets have dried." [At-Tirmidhi, and he rated it Sahih] "The first thing which Allah created was the pen. Then, He said to it: Write. It asked: My Lord, what should I write? He said: Write the proportions of all things up until the Hour." [Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, and it is hassan] "Adam disputed with Musa. Musa said to Adam: "O, Adam, you are the father of the human race, Allah created you with His hand, and blew into you of His spirit, and made His angels prostrate to you, why did you expel yourself and us from the garden?" Adam said to him: "You are Musa whom Allah favored with His speech, and wrote for you the Taurah with His hand, so (tell me) by how many years before my creation did you find it written about me: [... then Adam disobeyed his Lord and got lost.] (Qur'an 20:121)? Musa said: "By forty years." Then, Adam said: "So how do you blame me for something which Allah had decreed for me before my creation by forty years?" The Prophet said: "And so, Adam defeated Musa in the dispute." "Act, for each of you will find easy that for which he was created." (Muslim) "O, Abdullah ibn Qais, should I not teach you a word which is one of the treasures of paradise? (It is to say): There is no movement nor any power except from Allah." "Someone said: That which Allah wants and you want. To which the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: That which Allah alone wants." [An-Nasaa'i, and he rated it sahih]

Islam and shirk are opposites

Islam and Shirk, in their true meanings, are complete opposites. Their meanings are explained absolutely clearly in the Qur’an and Sunnah – about this there is a consensus. So he who commits Shirk does not fulfill the basis of Islam. How can one who commits Shirk fulfill the basis of Islam, when this very basis is to leave all Shirk and dedicate all your worship to Allah alone? Therefore whoever commits Shirk can never be a Muslim? One is either Muslim or Mushrik, a third group does not exist! Islam means, in the consensus of the scholars of language and Tafseer and all other scholars “to completely submit oneself under the Will of Allah”, so including the humility, submission and obedience. Allah the Almighty says: “Yes, but whoever submits his face (whole self) to Allah (performs his deeds free from Shirk, purely for Allah) and he is a Muhsin (is a doer of good) then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Baqarah 2:112) At-Tabary narrates from some of the Salaf as follows: “That they said, “He who submits his whole self to Allah” means “Akhlasa lillah” (that he does it purely for Allah alone, free from Shirk, submitting himself only to Allah).” He said further: “Like Zaid ibnu Amr ibn an-Nufail also said: “I have surrendered my face (my whole self) to Him (purified it completely from all other), to Whom the clouds carrying pure water also surrendered.” Meaning here, “I have submitted myself to His obedience, to Whose obedience the clouds have also submitted and Whose orders they follow.” In this Ayah (2:112) Allah the Almighty mentions those who submit their faces alone to Allah. Mentioning the face here has been given preference to over the rest of the body because the most precious, important and worth protecting part of the body is the face. When a person submits his face, his most precious part of the body, to something or someone then the rest of the body naturally follows in submission. For the Arabs it was logical (linguistically) that when they mentioned the face it meant the body as a whole. So the Ayah means “Nay, whoever obeys and worships Allah purely (free from Shirk) for Allah alone and carries it out in the best manner…” As also stated and thoroughly explained by Ibnu Katheer. Hence, Islam means, in the consensus, to surrender in worshipping Allah alone with submission without associating anything with Him. Whosoever does not do this can never be a Muslim, upon this they are all in agreement. And how else can it be? Let us demonstrate this by means of an example: A man never rides a horse, instead always walks by foot and he also never did ride, how could a rational and reasonable thinking person call him an equestrian (one who rides a horse)? Similarly, a person who never submitted himself to Allah alone, and attributed others to Him, someone who never worshipped Him sincerely and still does not do it, such a person cannot be described as a Muslim. He does not possess the characteristics required in Islam which would make him to a Muslim and his deeds are not according to the deeds of a Muslim. No one who has a common sense would define him as a Muslim. Ibnu Taymiyyah, may Allah be merciful to him, says in Majmu‟ ul-Fataawa 14:282, 284: “And so anyone who does not worship Allah, must undoubtedly be worshipping something other than Him; he worships someone other than Him and is therefore a Mushrik. Among the sons of Adam there is no third part. There is only Muwahhid and Mushrik or those who combine both parts like the distorters of the followers of different religions and the Christians and those who have gone astray who consider themselves to be within Islam”. He who reflects over this passage, will find that Shaykh ul-Islam says five times, each time in a different way that someone who commits Shirk can never be a Muslim. Is there something clearer than that? Shaykh Abd ur-Rahman says in his work “Explanation of the principle of Islam and its most important pillar” and Abd ul-Latif says in Minhaaj (pg. 12): “He who commits Shirk, leaves Tawheed for they are two opposites which never come together and can never cancel each other out.” When Islam departs, Shirk must take its place whereas it is irrelevant why Islam departed. And who does not know this, has not understood Islam.

What is Salafiyyah? Shaykh Muhammad Nāsir ud-Deen Al-Albānī

Published on 3 Jun 2012 by ahlulsunnahwaljammah

Translation was transcribed from SunnahPublishing.net.
PDF link: https://www.box.com

Do Not Be Deceived By Ahlul-Bid'ah who may agree with the Salafees in certain matters

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

 Do Not Be Deceived By Ahlul-Bid’ah who may agree with the Salafees in certain matters 
http://www.salafyink.com/aqeedah/DoNotBeDeceived.pdf

Direct your attention, in-sha`Allaah, toward a specific part of the well known hadeeth of Hudhayfa ibn al-Yamaan (radiallaahu Ta’aala ‘anhu):

“…I (Hudhaifah) said: “Will there be any good after that evil?”

He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Yes, but therein will be Da`khan (a hidden evil).

I asked: What will be the evil hidden therein?

He said: (That time will witness the rise of) the people who will adopt ways other than mine and seek guidance other than mine. You will know (their) good points as well as (their) bad points.“

Student Abu ‘Abdis-Salaam (hafidhahullaah) said: “(Meaning) you will see things from them which you will acknowledge and accept, and you will see from them things which you will disapprove of. So we understand from this, ya ‘Ibad-ullaah (oh slaves of Allaah), that just because there comes from a person who is upon dalaala (misguidance) something that agrees with the haqq (truth) it equates to nothing so long as they are upon the guidance other than the guidance of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Because the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said that, in describing the deficiency of the people who will seek guidance with a guidance of other than the guidance of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). We will see certain things that we will acknowledge and accept, and we will see certain things that we will deny and reject.” [1]

Imaam Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullaah Ta’aala) said:

“If bid’ah only consisted of lies, then it would NOT have been accepted and everybody would even hurry to condemn it and refute it. And if it only consisted of Haqq (truth), then it would not have been a Bid’ah, rather, in agreement with the Sunnah. But it (Bid’ah) consists of both truth and lies in which the truth is clothed with lies.

He (Allaah) Ta’aala said:

وَلاَ تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].
(al-Baqarah, ayah 42).”

[as-Sawaa´iq al-Mursalah (3/925)]

Mufaddal ibn Muhalhal – rahimahullaah – said:

“If the heretic (person of bid’ah) started mentioning his bid’ah right at the beginning of the sitting, you would be on your guard and flee from him. But what he does is begin by mentioning hadeeth from the Sunnah, then, he slips his bid’ah in on you. It might then stick to your heart, but when will it leave your heart?” [Ibn Battah, Al-Ibaanah Al-Kubraa, 2:444]

Also, our father Shaikh Rabee’ bin Haadee al-Madkhalee (hafidhahullaah Ta’aala) said:

“Don’t say about a man who opposes the manhaj of the Salaf that he is a ‘Salafee.’ No, don’t say about a man who opposes the manhaj of the Salaf that he is a Salafee.

Don’t say that a man is ‘Salafee’ until you are sure that he is upon the manhaj [of the Salaf]. He is honored by it, and calls to it. He loves and unites based upon it, and hates and separates because of it. This is a Salafee. But someone who claims that he is ‘Salafee,’ and defends Ahlul-Bid’ah, and defends them against Ahlul-Sunnah, this is not a Salafee whatsoever. Whoever he is – Arab or non-Arab, in the East or in the West – because Salafiyyah has special qualities.

Salafiyyah has signs. Salafiyyah has affairs that differentiate its people from others in Walaa` and Baraa`, and ‘Aqeedah and Da’wah, and the stances that they take.” [2]

Shaikh Muhammad bin Ramzaan Al-Haajiree (hafidhahullaah) said:

“What are the characteristics of the person of the Sunnah?

His ‘aqeedah (belief). His worship. His following [of the Prophet, salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam]. His da’wah (his call), his invitation. His character, mannerisms. His transactions, his dealings with the people. This is the person of the Sunnah. His ‘aqeedah is correct, and it’s based upon following the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). His worship is like that of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). His calling or invitation is likewise (upon the Sunnah of the Prophet, (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam))…” [3]

Shaikh Ahmad Al-Bazmool (hafidhahullaah) said:

“And from the most important matters, in my view, that the Salafee youths must pay attention to, is that a person should Not be described as a Salafee because he has speech relating to an issue from the issues of Salafeeyah. (Yet at the same instance) we neither know his stance pertaining to other issues of Salafeeyah, nor do we know the methodology that he is upon. And it is possible that some of those who oppose (Salafeeyah) may agree with the Salafees (in certain matters).” [4]

Shaikh Muhammad Bazmool (hafidhahullaah Ta’aala) summarized the principles of Salafiyyah into four, from which other principles stem:

1. Al-Ikhlaas
2. Following the Sunnah (taking Allaah’s Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as Imam in ‘Aqeedah, Manhaj, manner of worship, character)
3. Warning against bid’ah and its people
4. Sticking to the Jama’ah, and not dividing (and not revolting). [5]

So these are the Pillars/Principles of Salafiyyah, such that if an individual removes one from himself, he has removed himself from Salafiyyah, similar to that of a person who did not sit between the two sajdas, then he has no salat, and similar to that of a person who in wudhu did not wash his hands after his face (with the excuse “I already washed my hands in the beginning”), then he has no wudhu. 

So do not be deceived just because an individual:- knows the conditions of La illaaha il Allaah
- teaches Qur`an, or memorized Qur`an
- teaches hadeeth, or memorized 40 Nawawee
- teaches ‘Aqeedah
- combines the prayers when it rains
- knows the principles of fiqh
- quotes from some of the Salafee scholars

A Kharijee Takfeeri who has memorized the conditions of La illaaha il Allaah is still a Kharijee Takfeeri.

A grave-worshipping Soofee or Deobandi or Barelwee who teaches Qur`an, or memorized Qur`an is still a grave-worshipping Soofee or Deobandi or Barelwee.

An Ikhwaanee who revolts against the rulers and calls to democracy and at the same time this revolter teaches hadeeth is still an Ikhwanee who calls to democracy and revolts against the rulers.

A Tahreeri or Suroori who gives sadaqah is still a Tahreeri or Suroori.

A Qadari who prays with his hands on his chest is still a Qadaree.

An Ash’aree or Jahmee or Mu’tazilee who teaches ‘Aqeedah is still an Ash’aree or Jahmee or Mu’tazilee who rejects Attributes of Allaah, so flee from his ‘aqeedah classes! A Tableeghi who belives in Wahdat al-Wujood, and uses miswak is still a Tableeghi who belives in Wahdat al-Wujood. A Raafidee who drinks with his right hand is still a filthy Raafidee.

So don’t be deceived, ya ‘Ibadullaah!

Allaah knows best. And our final supplication is Al-Hamdulilaah.

Did Shaikh Al-Albaanee invent the term Salafi? - Abu Muadh Taqweem Aslam [Audio English]

Published on Nov 29, 2012 by AlbaseerahBradford

Listen and find out…

Taken from the series Be a Salafi Who is Earnest upon the Path (lesson 4) taught from the book of the same title by Abu Muadh Taqweem. The lesson is available from http://audio.albaseerah.com

Stories of non-human living beings that loved Muhammad (Sallalahu Alahi wa Sallam)

Date Palm Tree:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah radi Allahu anhu:The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a tree or a date-palm on Friday. Then an Ansari woman or man said. "O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we make a pulpit for you?" He replied, "If you wish." So they made a pulpit for him and when it was Friday, he proceeded towards the pulpit (for delivering the sermon). The date-palm cried like a child! The Prophet descended (the pulpit) and embraced it while it continued moaning like a child being quietened. The Prophet said, "It was crying for (missing) what it used to hear of religious knowledge given near to it."
Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma narrated: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to deliver his sermons while standing beside a trunk of a datepalm. When he had the pulpit made, he used it instead. The trunk started crying and the Prophet went to it, rubbing his hand over it (to stop its crying).

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a stem of a date-palm tree (while delivering a sermon). When the pulpit was placed for him we heard that stem crying like a pregnant she-camel till the Prophet got down from the pulpit and placed his hand over it.

These ahadeeth are classified as mutawaatir, meaning so many sahaba narrated it that it cannot be fabricated. The different narrations show that they all witnessed it in the masjid. This is a miracle of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and the narrations of the sahaba are all authentic, found in Bukhari and Muslim. This tree trunk, which seems like a lifeless being to us, is actually alive and was so affected by the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

[Read More :Miracle of the Crying of the Tree Trunk Regarding the Remembrance of Allah - DarusSalam. Extracted from the book "Miracles of the Messenger (S)" published by dar-us-salam.com]

Mount Uhud

Narrated Anas radi Allahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam ascended the (mountain) of Uhud with Abu Bakr and ‘Uthman and it shook. Allah’s Apostle said, "Be calm, O Uhud!" I think he stroked it with his foot and added, "There is none on you but a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs." (Sahih Bukhari)

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was traveling one time: "and when Uhud was within sight, he said: This is the mountain which loves us and we love it." (Sahih Muslim)

This is a mountain, made up of rocks and stones, yet we are made of flesh and have been given hearts that beat…do we love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam as this mountain? Do we shake like this mountain out of love for him?

A Stone

Jabir b. Samura reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I recognise the stone in Mecca which used to pay me salutations before my advent as a Prophet and I recognise that even now. (Sahih Muslim: Book 030, Number 5654: )

How often do we salute/send salawaat on the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam? The Prophet knew this stone, and if we send salawaat on him, especially on Fridays, they will be presented to him from us.

[Ref: The Book Pertaining to the Excellent Qualities of the Holy Prophet (may Peace be upon them) and His Companions (Kitab Al-Fada’il)

Letter to the Pope from Shaykh Rabee'

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

All praise is due to Allaah, and may prayers of blessing and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah, and upon his family, his companions, and whoever follows his guidance. Thus to proceed:Indeed it has been broadcasted, and circulated in the media from the broadcasts, newspapers, and internet sites, that the Pope of the Vatican, Benedict the 16th, has verbally attacked Islaam and the Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad (‘alayhis-salaatu was-salaam). He has described Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and his message as being evil and harsh thinking! And this is a matter that is amazing, startling, and contradictory to logic, intelligence, and the reality of the pure Islaam. That is the Islaam that Allaah used to bring humanity out of the darkness and into the light, and out of the injustice of the religions and into the justice of Islaam, which is even testified to by the intelligent people of its enemies. I will not prolong in praising Islaam and the Messenger of Islaam, for indeed the world has been filled with such praise, and the libraries are overflowing with it. Therefore, I will summarize by saying:Verily Muhammad is really and truly the Messenger of Allaah. Allaah sent him as a mercy to all the creation. He sent him as a bearer of glad tidings, as a warner, and as a caller to Allaah, and as an illuminating source of light.

He came with the matter of respecting the Prophets and their Books. Rather, he came with the matter of loving them, believing in them, and believing in their Books. Allaah, the Most High said: “The Messenger (Muhammad) has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. All of them believe in Allaah, and His Angels, and His Books (Scriptures), and His Messengers. We do not separate between anyone from His Messengers.” [Al-Baqarah:285]

And Allaah, the Most High said, commanding Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his nation of followers: “Say: We believe in Allaah, and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Ibraaheem, and Ismaa’eel, and Ishaaq, and Ya’qoob, and the tribes, and what was given to Moosaa, and ‘Eesaa, and what was given to the Prophets from their Lord. We do not separate between anyone from them, and we submit to Him (Allaah) as Muslims.” [Al-Baqarah:136]

And Allaah, the Most High, said, “Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allaah, and what was revealed to us, and what was revealed to Ibraaheem (Abraham), and Ismaa’eel (Ishmail), and Ishaaq (Isac), and Ya’qoob (Jacob), and the tribes, and what was given to Moosaa (Moses), and ‘Eesaa (Jesus), and the Prophets from their Lord. We do not separate between anyone from them, and we submit to Him (Allaah) as Muslims.” [Aal ‘Imraan:84]

Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) came with justice, and kindness, and he prohibited lewdness, evil, and transgression. “Verily Allaah commands justice, and kindness, and giving (charity) to the relatives, and he forbids lewdness, evil, and transgression. He admonishes you all so that perhaps you will remember.” [An-Nahl:90]

He (Muhammad) came with Jihaad (struggling for the cause of Allaah) in order to raise the Word of Allaah, and to defeat the disbelief (Kufr), associating partners with Allaah (Shirk), and corruption (Fasaad). And indeed Moosaa (Moses) (‘alayhis-salaatu was-salaam) preceded him in that, and the Prophets of the Children of Israa’eel did so as well after Moosaa.

And he (Muhammad) came with the legislation of legal retaliation, and capitol punishments in order to preserve the religion, the souls (i.e. lives), the honors, and the wealth and possessions. And indeed Moosaa (Moses) preceded him in that, and the Prophets of the Children of Israa’eel did so as well after Moosaa. That is good, righteousness, and a protection for the honors of the people and their wealth, etc. It is also for the spreading of safety, security, and brining about the benefits, as well as repelling the harmful things. And no one describes Muhammad and his Message with evil, except a lying disbeliever who also reviles Moosaa and his Message, and who reviles the Prophets after Moosaa as well, who all judged and ruled according to the Torah.

Allaah, the Most High, said, “Verily, We did send down the Taurât (Torah) [to Moosaa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allâh's Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged the Jews by the Taurât (Torah) after those Prophets] for to them was entrusted the protection of Allâh's Book, and they were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not men but fear Me (O Jews) and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allâh has revealed, such are the Kaafiroon (i.e. disbelievers - of a lesser degree as they do not act on Allâh's Laws). And We ordained therein for them: "A life for life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him an expiation. And whosoever does not judge by that which Allâh has revealed, such are the Thaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers - of a lesser degree).” [Al-Maa’idah:44-45]

And The Most High said, “Let the people of the Injeel (Gospel) judge by what Allâh has revealed therein. And whosoever does not judge by what Allâh has revealed (then) such (people) are the Faasiqoon (the rebellious i.e. disobedient (of a lesser degree) to Allâh.”[Al-Maa’idah:47]

And indeed the Jews and Christians disbelieved in the Torah and the Gospel, so they do not act according to what these two Books contain of beliefs and laws. And they rejected Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the one who came verifying the truthfulness of the Prophets and their Books, from among them being the Torah and Gospel (Injeel).

They disbelieved in Muhammad and what his Message contained of belief in all of the Prophets, and belief in what was in the Torah and the Gospel, and what they contained of beliefs and laws, except what Islaam abrogated.

They (the Jews and Christians) waged war against him (Muhammad) in the most severe way, especially their rabbis, monks, priests and popes, due to their arrogance, pride, jealousy, and transgression after they had changed their Books, and played around with the texts of the Books, and distorted what was in those Books of beliefs, monotheism (Tawheed), and faith (Eemaan), changing it to polytheism (Shirk), disbelief, and rejecting what was in them of laws!!

So if this was their position regarding their Books which they claim to have faith in, then how would it be difficult for them to disbelieve Muhammad, and what he came with of the Qur’aan, which no falsehood comes to it from before it nor after it?!

O People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), repent to Allaah with sincere repentance, and follow Muhammad, whom your Scriptures have given you the good news of his coming, as did ‘Eesaa (Jesus – ‘alayhis-salaatu was-salaam) where he said, “And (remember) when 'Eesaa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allâh unto you confirming the Taurât [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.” But when he (Ahmad, i.e. Muhammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.” [As-Saff:6]

“Say (O Muhammad): O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims."” [Aal ‘Imraan:64]

“O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): "Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?"” [Aal ‘Imraan:71]

“Say: "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you prevent those who have believed, from the Path of Allâh, seeking to make it seem crooked, while you (yourselves) are witnesses [to Muhammad as a Messenger of Allâh and Islâm (Allâh's Religion, i.e. to worship none but Him Alone)]? And Allâh is not unaware of what you do."”[Aal ‘Imraan:99]

O you who is called Pope of the Vatican, accept Islaam, and you will be safe. Allaah will reward you twice. But if you refuse, then the sin of your followers from the European Christians, and other Christians who are non-Europeans, will be upon you. Accept Islaam and the people of your religion will be safe, and Allaah will enter you all into a Paradise whose width is like the heavens and the earth, and it has been prepared for those who are pious (Muttaqoon), the followers of the truthful Messengers. Believe in this Mighty Qur’aan, which is the master or protector over all of the (previous) messages (revelations, scriptures), and it has come with the correct beliefs, and just laws that are supported by proper reasoning and the sound nature.

Believe (O Pope)! You and your followers, in this Qur’aan which contains what I have mentioned to you, and it has attained a level of being miraculous which cannot be achieved by any material or figurative miracle.

Allaah challenges the Jinns and the humans to bring something like it, and they have not been able to produce its like. Rather, they have not been able to produce even ten chapters like it. Rather, they have not been able to produce even a single chapter like it. They have been unable, unable, unable, even if they helped each other in the attempt. In this alone is what would call the Popes and their followers to believe if they had any portion of intelligence, reasoning, comprehension, and fairness in thinking.

Accept Islaam, O you Popes, you will be safe, and you will have as your reward a Paradise whose width is the heavens and the earth. If you do not, then be assured that for you is the severe and eternal punishment of a Fire that Allaah has prepared for the disbelievers. Its heat is severe, and its depth is far (i.e. deep). Allaah, the Most High, says in the Mighty Qur’aan, and His Most Wise Book, “Verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers iron chains, iron collars, and a blazing Fire.” [Insaan:4]

And the Most High said in His Mighty Book, “And leave Me Alone to deal with the deniers (those who deny My Verses, etc.), and those who are in possession of good things of life. And give them respite for a little while. Verily, with Us are fetters (to bind them), and a raging Fire. And a food that chokes, and a painful torment. On the Day when the earth and the mountains will be in a violent shake, and the mountains will be a heap of sand poured out and flowing down. Verily, We have sent to you (O men) a Messenger (Muhammad) to be a witness over you, as We did send a Messenger [Moosaa (Moses)] to Fir'aun (Pharaoh). But Fir'aun (Pharaoh) disobeyed the Messenger [Moosaa (Moses)], so We seized him with a severe punishment.” [Al-Muzzammil:11-16]

O you Popes, do not be deceived by the worldly life, and do not let the Deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allaah. And know that verily your predecessors distorted your books, and corrupted your religion, and they made men gods besides Allaah, and they claimed that ‘Eesaa (Jesus) was the son of Allaah, or the third of three (A trinity of divinity with Allaah). Yet Allaah is far exalted above such a thing, in a most tremendous way.

Allaah said in His Book, that is eternal, miraculous and preserved from distortion and change, “Say (O Muhammad): He is Allâh, (the) One. Allâh-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” [Al-Ikhlaas:1-4]

And the Most High said in this Magnificent, Miraculous Book, “Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins, That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Beneficent (Allâh). But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Beneficent (Allâh) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children). There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh) as a slave. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender).” [Maryam:89-95]

O People of the Book (Jews and Christians)! And O you Popes! Indeed every Messenger came with pure monotheism (At-Tawheed), and they waged war against polytheism (Ash-Shirk). And from among them was ‘Eesaa (Jesus – ‘alayhis-salaatu was-salaam). The Most High said, “Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allâh is the Messiah ['Eesaa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah ['Eesaa (Jesus)] said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Thaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers.” [Al-Maa’idah:72]

Thus, he (Jesus – ‘alayhis-salaatu was-salaam) commanded the worship of Allaah alone, and he made it clear that Allaah was his Lord, and the Lord of those whom he was speaking to, and that he was sent to them as a Messenger, and that whoever associated any partners with Allaah, then indeed Allaah had made the Paradise forbidden for such a person and his final abode would be in the Hell-Fire.

And Allaah, the Most High, said, “Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no ilâh (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilâh (God -Allâh). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.” [Al-Maa’idah:73]

So stop what you are doing O you Christians and Popes. Stop that which Allaah has warned you against of deifying ‘Eesaa (Jesus), and anything else besides him from the created things. And if you do not stop, then you all are upon disbelief and polytheism, and the recompense for that is that Allaah will make forbidden for you all the Paradise, and He will make your final abode be the Hell-Fire.

Do not be deceived by that which you found your predecessors upon, and your Popes, and your priests or monks. For verily I swear by Allaah that they are upon falsehood and disbelief. Indeed they distorted the Torah and the Gospel (Injeel) as I have mentioned to you previously.

And do not think that ‘Eesaa (Jesus) will intercede for you or enter you into the Paradise, and save you from the Hell-Fire, because that is something that is not under his control. Because you all have opposed him, and you have opposed his belief, the belief of pure monotheism (At-Tawheed). And you all have taken him as a god, while he himself rejects whoever does that, and he will disavow himself from you and your misguidance, and your taking him and his mother as two gods besides Allaah.

The Most High said, “And (remember) when Allâh will say (on the Day of Resurrection): "O 'Eesaa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: 'Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allâh?' " He will say: "Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours, truly, You, only You, are the All Knower of all that is hidden and unseen. Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allâh) did command me to say: 'Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things. If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All Mighty, the All Wise.” [Al-Maa’idah:116-116]

So this is ‘Eesaa freeing himself of the beliefs (‘Aqeedah) of the Christians, and their false belief regarding him and his mother, that they are two deities besides Allaah. And he will make it clear before Allaah that he did not command the people except with what His Lord commanded him with. “Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.” So Allaah is his Lord, and the Lord of all the people. And it is impossible that ‘Eesaa (Jesus) would claim for himself or his mother godship or divinity, or that he would command the people to associate partners with Allaah (i.e. worship anything other than Allaah).Therefore, if you all reject what this message contains of realities, and you dispute and argue regarding that, then verily I call you all to invoke the curse of Allaah, just as Allaah commanded His truthful and trustworthy Messenger (Muhammad) to do. Allaah said to him (Muhammad – sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “Then whoever disputes with you concerning him ['Eesaa (Jesus)] after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, [i.e. 'Eesaa (Jesus)] being a slave of Allâh, and having no share in Divinity) say: (O Muhammad) "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves - then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allâh upon those who lie.” [Aal ‘Imraan:61]

And for myself, and for every Muslim there is a good example in that, with Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) (i.e. the Prophet Muhammad did this before us regarding the lies of the Christians.). And may peace be upon whoever follows the right guidance.

Written by Ash-Shaikh Rabee’ bin Haadee ‘Umayr Al-Madkhalee
Sha’baan 24, 1427 Hijri
Source: http://www.rabee.net/show_des.aspx?pid=3&id=198
Translated by Aqeel Walker

Al-Albaani and Fame

Concerning the Imaam of Hadeeth, the Shaykh - Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (rahima-hullaah) Abu Laylaa al-Atharee narrated:

In 1405 AH, during a journey to Saudi Arabia, we were travelling in the same car as the Shaykh and his wife, Umm al-Fadhl. When we arrived in Makkah, we were guests of a friend of the Shaykh, (popularly) known as Abu ‘Arab.

Whilst there, a discourse occurred between the Shaykh and one of the followers of ‘Alawee al-Maalikee, regarding (celebrating) the birthday of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam).

After they finished their exchange, Abu ‘Arab invited the Shaykh to visit Bangladesh for a period of three days; in order to give da’wah of tawheed to the brothers from Ahlul-Hadeeth, whose number reached into millions.

However, the Shaykh excused himself by saying: “I cannot.”

The invitation was then put to him a second time, whereupon he replied: “I cannot.”

The invitation was put to him a third time, only this time he was requested to go to Bangladesh for just one day, whereupon the Shaykh replied: “I cannot.”

When we returned to the sleeping quarters, we wanted to take a little nap. So we removed a table which was in the centre of the room and I then brought a pillow for us; the Shaykh laid his head at one end whilst I laid my head at the other end, in the opposite direction. It was then that I put a question to the Shaykh which had been burning up inside me. I said: “O Shaykh! Why did you refuse to go (to Bangladesh)?” He replied:

“Indeed I feared for myself the fitnah!”

al-Imaam al-Mujaddid al-’Allaamah al-Muhaddith Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee – Page 59

None of the Companions said, ‘I’m a Bakri … I’m an Umari …’

“When the Companions came across an issue for which they didn’t know the ruling, they would ask Abu Bakr [about it] when they met him, they would ask Umar, they would ask Ibn Mas’ood and so on. There wasn’t anyone among them who would say, ‘I’m a Bakri,’ i.e., I don’t believe in anything except Abu Bakr’s knowledge, or, ‘I’m an Umari! I don’t believe in anything except Umar’s knowledge!’

Rather, they would ask whoever amongst them was from the people of the message [Ahlul-dhikr]–and this is how it is fitting that the course of action should be, for all good is in following the Salaf and all evil is in the innovations of those who came later [thekhalaf].

When the affair became one of partisanship [hizbiyyah] to a school of thought, each person became partisan to an Imaam and fanatical towards him.”

Silsilatul-Hudaa wan-Noor, 1/219.

The Most Virtuous Charity

Ibn Rajab, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said:

"The most virtuous of (voluntary) charity is to teach the ignorant or to awaken and alert the one who is heedless." 

Source: Lataa-if al-Ma`aarif, p. 30

Translated by Umm Rumaysaa Iman

Advise Your Brother in Private and Do Not Unveil His Screen

Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak, may Allaah have mercy upon him, stated: “Whenever a man would see something from his brother that he dislikes, he would give him orders in private and forbid him in private. Conversely, he would be rewarded for him screening his brother and also rewarded for forbidding evil. As for today, whenever a man sees what he dislikes he angers his brother and unveils his screen.” Source: Rawdat Al ‘Uqaalaa, p. 197

Being Foremost in Doing Good Deeds Abu Yusuf Khaleefa (english/mp3)

And those foremost [(in Islâmic Faith of Monotheism and in performing righteous deeds) in the life of this world on the very first call for to embrace Islâm,] will be foremost (in Paradise). (Al-Waqi’ah 56:10)

Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord, and Paradise the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth. [57:21]

Then We gave the Book the Qur’ân) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad Salla). Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allâh’s Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur’ân), that is indeed a great grace. (Surah Fatir 35:32)

Listen / Download mp3:

Tafseer Ibn Kathir :

Al-Mu’minun – (57. Verily, those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;) (58. And those who believe in the Ayat of their Lord;) (59. And those who join not anyone as partners with their Lord;) (60. And those who give that which they give with their hearts full of fear, because they are sure to return to their Lord.) (61. It is these who hasten in the good deeds, and they are foremost in them.)

(Verily, those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;) means, even though they have reached the level of Ihsan and have faith and do righteous deeds, they are still in awe of Allah and fear Him and His hidden plans for them, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “The believer combines Ihsan with awe, while the disbelievers combine evil deeds with a sense of security.”

(And those who believe in the Ayat of their Lord;) means, they believe in His universal and legislative signs, as Allah says about Maryam, peace be upon her:

(and she testified to the truth of the Words of her Lord, and His Scriptures) ﴿66:12﴾, meaning that she believed that whatever existed was by the will and decree of Allah, and that whatever Allah decreed, if it was a command, it would be something that He liked and accepted; if it was a prohibition, it would be something that He disliked and rejected; and if it was good, it would be true. This is like the Ayah:

(And those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord;) meaning, they do not worship anyone or anything else besides Him, but they worship Him Alone and know that there is no god except Allah Alone, the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who does not take a wife or have any offspring, and there is none comparable or equal unto Him.

(And those who give that which they give with their hearts full of fear, because they are sure to return to their Lord.) means, they give in charity, fearing that it may not be accepted from them because of some shortcoming or failure to meet the required conditions of giving. This has to do with fear and taking precautions, as Imam Ahmad recorded from `A’ishah: I said: “O Messenger of Allah,

(And those who give that which they give with their hearts full of fear…) Are these the ones who steal and commit Zina and drink alcohol while fearing Allah” The Messenger of Allah replied:

(No, O daughter of Abu Bakr. O daughter of As-Siddiq, the one who prays, fast and gives in charity, fearing Allah.) This was recorded by At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded something similar in which the Prophet said:

(No, O daughter of As-Siddiq, they are the ones who pray and fast and give in charity while fearing that it will not be accepted from them, (It is these who hasten in the good deeds.)) This is also how Ibn `Abbas, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi and Al-Hasan Al-Basri interpreted this Ayah.