One
January 25, 2012 § 1 Comment
Explaining the aayah:
“And those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader for the righteous.’” [Furqaan: 25:74]
Ibn al-Qayyim said, ‘And Al-Farraa said, ‘He [i.e., Allaah, the Most High] said, ‘a leader’ and didn’t say, ‘leaders’ in the same way that He said, “[Both of you, i.e., Musaa and Haroon] Go to Pharaoh and say, ‘We are a messenger of the Lord of the worlds,’” [Shu’araa 26:16] and He didn’t say, ‘two messengers,’ and this is the singular through which the plural is meant.’’
Ibn al-Qayyim, commenting on this explanation of al-Farraa went on to say, ‘And this is the best of the sayings [explaining this point], except that it needs further elucidation.
And that [elucidation] is that the believers, all of them, are on one path, and their deity is one, and they are the followers of one Book, and one Prophet, slaves of One Lord, so their religion is one, and their Prophet is one, and their Book is one, and their deity is One–so it is as though all of them are one Imaam for those who come after them.’
Risaalatu Ibn al-Qayyim Ilaa Ahad Ikhwaanihi, [Ibn al-Qayyim’s Letter to One of His Brothers], pp. 14-15.
A Scholar’s Humility: ‘My back is halaal for every Muslim.’
January 15, 2012 § 1 Comment
Abdur-Rahmaan al-Hirfi said, ‘And it is not known that the Shaikh [i.e., Ibn Baaz] ever sought revenge for himself. In fact, I heard a man say to him, ‘O Shaikh! I’ve backbitten you, so free me from it [i.e., forgive me].’ So the Shaikh, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, ‘My back is halaal for every Muslim.’ Indeed, in one of his general talks it was said to him, ‘Shaikh so and so says you are an innovator. What do you say?’ So he said, ‘He is a mujtahid scholar!’
Mawaaqif Mudee’ah, p. 116.
A Scholar’s Humility: Ibn Baaz and His Guest
January 14, 2012 § 2 Comments
Shaikh Abdullaah ibn Ibrahim al-Fantukh said, ‘From that which is relevant to mention is that a guest, one of the Shaikh’s noble students, from Africa but who had acquired Saudi nationality, spent the night in the Shaikh’s house.
His eminence, the Shaikh, got up during the last part of the night to pray the night prayer. The guest’s room was far from the place where the water was, and at that hour it was rare for anyone to be awake and the Shaikh disliked disturbing anyone [by asking them to get water for the guest].
So he went himself to where the water was with a jug, even though he was blind, filled it and brought it to the door of the guest’s room, then woke him gently [from outside] because he knew the guest wanted that.
Then he went away from the door so that the guest would not feel embarrassed, who came out quickly and saw that the Shaikh had turned away and left the jug outside his door. And this guest is trustworthy, from the people of knowledge.’
Mawaaqif Mudee’ah, p. 232.
The Youth Who Prayed Next to Ibn Baaz and what The Shaikh Advised Him With
January 13, 2012 § 1 Comment
Khaalid ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ash-Shaayi’ said, ‘In 1405ah/1984ce, approximately, when I was at secondary school, I prayed next to the Shaikh in a mosque close to his house. So I recited some Quraan while the Shaikh was praying the two rak’ahs one must pray when entering the mosque [tahayyatul-masjid]. After he finished praying he gave me salaam and said, ‘Who are you?’ So I introduced myself to him and what I was studying so he said to me:
‘O my son! Devote your attention to the Quraan. Your voice is pleasant and your recitation is good. Aspire to memorise the Quraan. Set aside for yourself a portion to memorise and revise daily. And see which of your friends can aid you in that.’
Mawaaqif Mudee’ah, p. 214.
Ibn Baaz when Sayyid Qutb and Others Were Going to Be Executed
January 12, 2012 § 2 Comments
Muhammad al-Majdhoob said, ‘When the tyrannical court issued its verdict on the execution of Sayyid Qutb and his brothers, the same grief afflicted Shaikh Ibn Baaz that befell all believers at [the news of] such calamities, [calamities] which do not target the lives of innocent people who have been convicted as much as they target the weakening of Islaam and its very status, by terrorising those who cling to it and by making them forsake it.
The Shaikh charged me with drafting a telegraph suitable for this situation. So I wrote it with a pen full of fire, disgust and a sense of honour [for Islaam] and then brought it to him. I did so while being full of certainty that he would alter its tone to make it closer to that of [the style of] people in authority than to the tone of someone admonishing/warning.
But he shattered all my expectations when he agreed with all of it, and he didn’t only suffice with that but added the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, to it, from Surah an-Nisaa, “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.” [An-Nisaa 4:93]
The telegraph was sent that day, and it was, as far as I know, the only one to be sent from all of the corners of the Islamic world regarding this situation, inclusive of the phrases it contained which were more severe on the transgressors than the lashes of a whip.”
Ulemaa wa Mufakkiroon Araftuhum, p. 91.
How much Did Ibn Baaz Earn?
January 11, 2012 § 2 Comments
Dr. Naasir ibn Misfir al-Zahraani said, “Shaikh Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Atiq, who was in charge of the Shaikh’s finances, was asked, ‘Did the Shaikh ever ask you when his wage comes? Which day it arrives? Or any such question? And did he ever ask you about the amount of his wage, how much it was?’ So he replied, ‘Wallaahi! He never once asked about that.
He only used to ask about other people’s wages–encouraging that their wages not be delayed.’”
Mawaaqif Mudee’ah, p. 223.
Six Conditions for a Righteous Action to Conform to the Sharee’ah
January 11, 2012 § Leave a comment
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Righteous actions are those which conform to the Sharee’ah, and it is not possible that they conform to the Sharee’ah unless they agree with it in six things:
the reason/motive [for doing the action]
its type
the amount
how it is performed
the time and
the place [it is performed in].”
Tafseer Surah al-Maa’idah, vol. 2, p. 366.
Two Different Types of Wudoo
January 5, 2012 § 3 Comments
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “All of us perform wudoo when we want to pray. But most of the time a person does so just wanting to fulfill a condition of worship, and there is no harm in that and what is intended [i.e., being pure for prayer] is achieved by it.
But there is something higher and more complete.
When you want to perform wudoo, sense that you are obeying the Order of Allaah, mentioned in His Saying, the Most High,“O you who have believed! When you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and (wash) your feet to the ankles.” [Maa’idah 5:6] so that the meaning of worship can be realised in you.
Sharh al-Arba’een an-Nawawiyyah, p. 253.
Ibn al-Qayyim: Sit for a short while before you sleep and do this …
January 4, 2012 § 6 Comments
Ibn al-Qayyim said, ‘Avoid those things that necessitate the punishment of the grave.
And from the most beneficial of them is that when a man wants to sleep, he sits for an hour, for the Sake of Allaah, calling himself to account over the things that he has lost and gained during that day of his. Then, between him and his Lord, he renews his sincere repentance over those things that he lost, and sleeps on that repentance, firmly resolving not to return to the sin when he wakes up–and he does this every night.
So if he dies on that night of his, he would have died upon repentance and if he wakes up, he will wake up going towards action, pleased with the postponement of his appointed time so that he can turn to his Lord and set right what he missed out on.
And there is nothing more beneficial for the servant than this sleep, especially when he follows that [i.e., his resolve to renew his repentance] up with the remembrance of Allaah, performing those sunnahs which have been reported from the Prophet of Allaah when going to bed, [doing so] until sleep overtakes him.
So whoever Allaah wishes good for, He will grant him the success to do that. And there is neither movement, nor power except through Allaah.”
Ar-Rooh, p. 79.
You Want Greatness, Honour, Glory? Then do this
January 2, 2012 § Leave a comment
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Every description of glory and greatness and honour ascribed to the Quraan–every description–is also for the person who learns it. So whoever wants greatness then it is upon him to learn what is in the Quraan. And whoever wants honour in his speech, his wealth, his status, then it is upon him to learn what is in the Quraan. ”
Bukugh al-Maraam, vol. 5, p. 40.
“Say, ‘Laa ilaaha Illallaah …’’’ so he said … | Part Two
December 31, 2011 § 1 Comment
You can find the first part here.
Salaam ibn Sulaimaan al-Muzani
Hammaad ibn Zaid said, “I visited Salaam Abul-Mundhir while he was going through the agonies of death. So someone started to remind him to say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’ But he didn’t say it and that grieved me. Then the muadhin started to pronounce the call to prayer on the minarets of the Jaami’ Mosque, saying, ‘Ashhadu an Laa ilaaha illallaah!’ So Salaam said, ‘I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, nothing except what He wills takes place in the Heavens or the earth!’
Then he passed away, may Allaah have mercy on him.”
Zuhd of Imaam Ahmad, p. 369.
Aamir ibn Abdullaah ibn az-Zubair
Az-Zubair said, “My uncle, Mus’ab said, ‘Aamir ibn Abdullaah az-Zubair heard the muadhin [making the call to prayer] whilst he was on his deathbed, and his house was close to the mosque. So he said, ‘Take me by my hand.’ So it was said to him, ‘You are ill.’ So he said, ‘I hear the Caller of Allaah [i.e., the muadhin] and I don’t respond?!’ So they took him by the hand and he entered [the mosque] while they were praying maghrib. He prayed a rak’ah with the Imaam and then passed away. May Allaah have mercy on him.’”
At-Tamheed, Ibn Abdul-Barr, (20/93).
Ibrahim ibn Haani
Abu Zakariyyaa ibn Ziyaad said, “I was present at the death of Ibrahim ibn Haani. He said, ‘I’m thirsty.’ So his son brought some water, so [Ibrahim ibn Haani] said, ‘Has the sun set?’ He replied, ‘No,’ so he refused the water and said, ‘For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.’ [Saafaat 37:61] Then he passed away, may Allaah have mercy on him.”
Taarikh al-Islaam of adh-Dhahabi, 20/63.
Ismaa’il ibn Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ismaa’ili
He passed away half way through the month of Rabee’ul-Aakhir, on Friday night … so he passed away, as an honour for him from Allaah, during maghrib prayer whilst he was reciting, ‘It is You we worship and You we ask for help.’ [Faatihah 1:5]. May Allaah have mercy on him.
Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa of adh-Dhahabi, 17/88.
Humaid at-Taweel
He passed away while he was standing, praying, in 142ah.
Hilyatul-Awliyaa, 7/329.
Abu Bakr al-Naqqaash
Abul-Hussein ibn al-Fadl al-Qattaan said, “I was with Abu Bakr al-Naqqaash whilst he was on his deathbed, on a Tuesday with three nights remaining in the month of Shawwaal in the year 351ah. So he started to move his lips and [say something] which I did not understand. Then he called out at the top of his voice:
‘For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work!’
‘For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work!’
‘For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work!’ [Saafaat 37:61]
Three times, then his soul left him.”
Taarikh Baghdaad of al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, 2/205.
Zurarah ibn Abi Awfaa
He was the head judge of Basrah and he passed away whilst he was in sajdah.
Tahdheeb al-Kamaal, 9/340.
Abdul-Aziz ibn Abu Haazim
He passed away while he was in sajdah in 180ah, and he was eighty-two years old.
Mashaahir Ulemaa al-Amsaar of Ibn Hibbaan, p. 142.
Umar ibn Aamir as-Sulami, al-Basri, al-Qaadi
Abu Zur’ah said, ‘He passed away whilst he was in sajdah.’
Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, 7/410.
Ya’qub ibn Ibrahim al-Bazzaaz
He passed away in the year 323ah on Friday night and was buried on Friday, and it was in sajdah that he passed away.
Taarikh Baghdaad of al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, 14/293.
Mujaahid ibn Jabr
From Fadl who said, ‘Mujaahid passed away whilst he was in sajdah.’
Athibaat indal-Mawt, p. 138.
Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Jumu’ah al-Hanbali
Musa ibn Mamluk mentioned, and he was from the righteous, that he was present at the time of his death. So he [i.e., Ahmad ibn Muhammad] began to recite Surah Ra’d. When he got to, ‘Its fruit is lasting and its shade …’ [Ra’d 13:35] his soul left him.
Taarikh Baghdaad of al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, 14/293.
Abdullaah ibn al-Akram al-Misri al-Nu’maani
Some of our Shaikhs reported from Atiq al-Umari that he visited Abdullaah ibn al-Akram with a group of people on the night he passed away. So they said to him, ‘Won’t you say the shahaadah?’ So he said it and then said, ‘For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work!’ [Saafaat 37:61] and then he passed away.
And Ibn Sayyidin-Naas mentioned from someone who told him that at the time of his death he was saying both shahaadah’s and then he said, ‘I have succeeded by the Lord of the Ka’bah!’ and then he passed away.
Ad-Durur al-Kaaminah, 2/250.
Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Yunis as-Susi
He passed away in Muharram in the year 259ah on the Makkah road coming back after having performed Hajj. He passed away whilst he was in sajdah. And he was one hundred years old.
Mawlid al-Ulemaa wa wafayaatihim, of Rib’i, 2/570.
Muhammad ibn al-Hussain al-Mazrafi
He passed away whilst in sajdah on the first day of the year.
Al-Ibar fee Khabar min Ghair of adh-Dhahabi, 4/72.
Abdullaah ibn Ali al-Kaazruni
It is authentically reported from someone who was present at the time of his death that he heard him, while in the pangs of death, saying, ‘I don’t know you, O Devil!’ or, ‘You are the devil. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah.’ Then he passed away.
Ad-Daw al-Laami, of as-Sakhaawi, 5/34.
Musa ibn Ali ibn Musa az-Zarzaari
He passed away whilst in sajdah on the eleventh of Rajab in the year 730ah.
Ad-Durur al-Kaaminah, 4/739.
Musarrah ibn Muslim ibn Rabee’ah al-Hadrami
When he was on his deathbed, may Allaah have mercy on him, he started reciting the Quraan. So when he read the Saying of Allaah in Surah Taa Haa [the twentieth surah], ‘… and I hastened to You, my Lord, that You be pleased,’ [Taa Haa 20:84] he passed away.’
Tarteeb al-Madaarik wa Taqrib al-Masaalik, of al-Qaadi Iyaad, 6/270.
Ali ibn Hasan as-Sairafi
This Shaikh passed away whilst he was praying witr. He recited, ‘Say, ‘He is Allaah, [who is] One!’ [al-Ikhlaas 112:1] then when he got to, ‘Nor is there to Him any equivalent,’ [al-Ikhlaas 112:4] he passed away.
Dhail Tarikh Baghdaad, 18/329.
Shu’aib ibn Hussain al-Andalusi
The last thing he said was, ‘Allaah is the Ever-Living!’ Then he passed away.
Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa of adh-Dhahabi, 21/219.
All taken from, Akhbaar Mawt as-Su’adaa of Abdur-Rahmaan al-Jumaizi.
Ibn Baaz’s Sincerity and the Number of Times He Performed Hajj
December 29, 2011 § Leave a comment
Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin ibn Hamad al-Abbaad al-Badr said about Shaikh Ibn Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him:
“And I also remember that when he went to Qasim in 1385ah to get married there, I was with the Shaikhs who went along with him. On the way there we were passing through a valley [and I recall it was one] which had trees and half way through the day a solar eclipse occurred. So he led us in the eclipse prayer in that valley, may Allaah have mercy on him.”
“And I remember one year when I was at the Islamic University of Medinah I entered the Prophet’s Mosque with him after they had called the adhaan for the midday prayer, and I was next to him.
So he prayed four rak’ahs and I prayed two.
And it is known that the supererogatory prayers [Sunan ar-Raatibah] are ten in number and that praying twelve is more complete. So when I gave salaam he turned towards me and said, “You only prayed two rak’ahs.” I said, “Yes.” So he said, “Praying twelve is more complete and greater in excellence.”
“… and he performed Hajj forty-seven times, may Allaah have mercy on him …”
Ash-Shaikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz, Numudhij minar-Ra’iyyil-Awal, pp. 20-22.
It is You we worship and You we ask for help
December 28, 2011 § 2 Comments
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “How many times I would hear the Shaikh of Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah sanctify his soul, saying, “You [Alone] do we worship …” [Faatihah 1:5] repels ostentation, and, “You [Alone] do we ask for help …” repels grandeur/pride [kibriyaa].”
Madaarijus-Saalikeen, vol. 1, p. 54.
A Busy Heart
December 27, 2011 § Leave a comment
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “When the heart becomes busy with falsehood no place for the truth remains in it just as when it becomes busy with the truth no place for falsehood remains in it.”
Bulughul-Maraam, vol. 5, p. 30.
Imaam Shaafi’i’s Sincerity
December 27, 2011 § Leave a comment
Al-Hasan ibn Abdul-Aziz al-Jarawi, al-Misri said, “Ash-Shaafi’i said, ‘I have never debated with anyone whilst wishing that he would make a mistake. And there is no knowledge in my heart except that I wish everyone had it and that it would not be attributed to me.’”
Aadaabush-Shaafi’i wa Manaaqibuh, p. 68.
Concentrate Firstly on the Heart
December 26, 2011 § Leave a comment
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “It is fitting that a person always asks Allaah to purify his heart. He should devote his attention to the actions of the heart. The care a person gives to the actions of the heart must be more than the care he gives to the actions of the body—because everyone performs bodily actions, the believer and the hypocrite.”
Tafseer Surah al-Maa’idah, vol. 1, p. 410.
Attaining Two Rewards for Trying to Accomplish what You are Aiming For
December 25, 2011 § 1 Comment
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Indeed those things which inhibit a person from attaining what he is aiming for are numerous. But by seeking Allaah’s Aid, the Mighty and Majestic, and by expending [the required] effort he will achieve his goal. And let it be known that every time the diversion is stronger then the one seeking [his goal] will be in a jihaad, and that every time the distraction is stronger but the person drives it away then through that he will receive two rewards: the reward for doing the [righteous] action and the reward for repelling the hindrance and for this reason the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said, “Ahead of you there are days of patience, when patience will be like grasping live coals, and the one who does good deeds will have the reward of fifty Companions,” because of the numerousness of the things that hinder.”
Ash-Sharh al-Mumti, vol. 1, pp. 22-23.
Allaah تعالى gave Salaam to Khadijah, Jibreel عليه السلام gave Salaam to Aishah, may Allaah be pleased with them both
December 24, 2011 § 1 Comment
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Khadijah bint Khuwailid ibn Asad ibn Abdul-Uzza ibn Qusai ibn Kilaab, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم married her in Makkah when he was twenty-five years old and he remained with her until Allaah honoured him with His Message. She believed in him and aided him, and so was a truthful vizier to him. She died three years before the [Prophet’s] hijrah according to the most correct opinion, and it is said four years [before] and it is [also] said five years [before].
And she has special characteristics, may Allaah be pleased with her, from them being the fact that: the Prophet did not marry anyone else while he was with her; that all of his children were from her, except Ibrahim عليه السلام for he was from Maariyah; that she is the best of the women of this ummah.
And there is a difference of opinion regarding her superiority over Aishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, there being three opinions concerning that, the third of which is abstaining [from saying who is better].
And I asked our Shaikh, Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah have mercy on him [about this issue] and he said, “Each one of the two has a special characteristic specific to her. So Khadijah’s impact was in the beginning of Islaam, she used to console Allaah’s Prophet and make him firm and soothe him, and would spend her wealth for him, so she met the dawn of Islaam, and bore harm for Allaah’s Sake and the sake of His Messenger, and the help she gave to the Prophet was at the time he was in the most dire need of it. So the [merit] she has for her aid and her sacrifice is something which others do not have.
And Aishah’s impact, may Allaah be pleased with her, was at the final stage of Islaam, so the [merit] she has for her understanding of the religion and for conveying it to the ummah and benefitting her children [i.e., the Muslims] with the knowledge she imparted to them is something others do not have.” This is the meaning of what he said.
I [i.e., Ibn al-Qayyim] say: and from her special qualities is that Allaah, the One free of all defects, sent [His Own Greeting of] Salaam to her through Jibreel عليه السلام so the Prophet of Allaah informed her [of that]. In his Sahih, Al-Bukhaari said, “Qutaibah ibn Sa’eed narrated to us [saying]: Muhammad ibn Fudail narrated to us from Ummarah from Abu Zur’ah from Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that he said, “Jibreel came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! This is Khadijah coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord and on my behalf and give her the glad tidings of having a palace made of Qasab in Paradise, wherein there will be neither any noise nor any toil.’” [Bukhaari, no. 3820 and Muslim, no. 2432]. And by the everlasting existence of Allaah! This was a special quality that was for none other than her.
And as for Aishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, then verily Jibreel عليه السلام gave her salaam on the tongue of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. Al-Bukhaari said: Yahya ibn Bukair narrated to us [saying]: al-Layth narrated to us from Yunus from Ibn Shihaab that Abu Salamah said, “Once Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘O Aa’ish [i.e., Aishah]! This is Jibreel greeting you.’ So she said, ‘Wa alaihis-salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. You see what I do not see.’ She was addressing Allaah’s Messenger [with the last sentence].” [Bukhaari, no. 3768 and Muslim, no. 2447]
And from Khadijah’s special qualities, may Allaah be pleased with her, is that she never hurt him—ever, and she never made him angry, and he never swore not to have sexual relations with her [الإيلاء, cf. Surah Baqarah, aayah, 226], nor did he give her a gentle reprimand, ever, nor boycott her—and sufficient is that as a virtue and merit. And from her distinguishing qualities is that she was the first woman from this Ummah to believe in Allaah and His Messenger.”
Jilaa’ul-Afhaam fis-Salaati was-Salaam alaa Khairil-Anaam, pp. 236.
Don’t just be patient, be patient and along with that hope for a reward from Allaah for your patience during your calamity
December 24, 2011 § 5 Comments
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Indeed when a person faces calamities with patience [but] without hoping for a reward from Allaah, the calamity will become an expiation for his sins. And if he shows patience along with hoping for a reward [from Allaah], then along with being an expiation for his sins it becomes a good recompense and reward. And the meaning of hoping for Allaah’s reward [al-Ihtisaab] is that a person believes that he will soon be rewarded for the patience [he is showing], so he makes good his thoughts about Allaah and thus Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, will give him [a reward] according to what he thought of Him.”
At-Ta’leeq alaa Saheeh Muslim, p. 342.
The Pleasure of Sinning or the Pleasure of Repenting?
December 24, 2011 § Leave a comment
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “So if the sinner knew that the pleasure of repenting and the joy associated with it is multiple times greater than the pleasure of sinning and the joy associated with it, he would rush to it much more than the way he rushes to the pleasure of sinning.”
Ar-Rooh
You present evil to Allaah and want good in return? Then do this.
December 22, 2011 § 3 Comments
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Whoever would love that Allaah reciprocates his evil with goodness, let him reciprocate the evil people do towards him with goodness.”
Miftaah Daaris-Sa’aadah, vol. 1, p. 292.
If you see this … start curing yourself now
December 21, 2011 § Leave a comment
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “If you see that you have turned away from something from Allaah’s Religion or you see that you have turned away from the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, either from reciting its [actual] words, or reciting it [by pondering over] its meaning, or reciting it by acting on it, then it is obligatory on you to cure yourself–and know that the cause of that turning away is sins.”
Tafsir Surah al-Maa’idah, vol. 1, p. 483.
And We Want to Become Scholars Overnight …
December 20, 2011 § 5 Comments
In the biography of the Imaam Ghaalib ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Ghaalib ibn Tamaam ibn Atiyyah al-Muhaaribi (d. 517) [which is mentioned] in the book Al-Ghunyah of al-Qaadi Iyaad, and in As-Silah of Ibn Bashkuwaal there occurs that he said:
“I read what one of my companions had written in his own handwriting [where he said] that he heard Abu Bakr [Ghaalib ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Ghaalib ibn Tamaam] ibn Atiyyah mention that he had read Sahih Bukhaari seven hundred times.”
And in [the book] Inbaa’ul-Ghamr in the biography of Sulaimaan ibn Ibrahim ibn Umar Nafeesud-Deen al-Alawi (d. 825) [there occurs]:
“So he mentioned to me that he went over Sahih Bukhaari one hundred and fifty times, [whether that was] by reading it himself, listening to his Shaikh read it, reading it himself to his Shaikh [or someone else] or comparing it against a manuscript.”
And in Fahrisul-Fahaaris quoting from Tabaqaatul-Khawaas of as-Sharji that he went over The Sahih [of Bukhaari] two hundred and eighty times, reading it himself, listening to others read it to him or reading it himself to his Shaikh [or someone else].”
And in the biography of Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Abdullaah ibn Muqbil al-Qaahiri al-Hanafi, well-known as ‘At-Taajir [The Trader]’ (d. 805) [which is mentioned] in [the book] Ad-Daw al-Laami’, [there occurs]:
“Al-Burhaan al-Halabi, his student, said that he [i.e., his teacher Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad] informed him that up until the year 780ah he had read Sahih Bukhaari ninety-five times, and he read it after that many times [too].”
And in the biography of Al-Burhaan al-Halabi [d. 840] [which is mentioned] in Ad-Daw al-Laami’, [it is stated that]:
“He read [Sahih] Bukhaari more than sixty times and [Sahih] Muslim about twenty times, this is not including the times he read it when he was a student [of knowledge and not yet a Shaikh] or the times other people read the two collections to him as he listened on.”
ِAnd Abul-Arab at-Tamimi mentioned in Tabaqaat Ulemaa Ifriqiyyah wa Tunis in the biography of Abbaad ibn al-Walid al-Faarisi [d. 218] that at the end of one of his books [there was written]:
“I studied it a thousand times.”
Al-Mushawwiq ilaa Qiraa’ah wa Talabil-Ilm, pp. 90-95.
Say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah!’ Instead he said, ‘King! Rook! Checkmate!’
December 18, 2011 § 6 Comments
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “So it may become impossible for him to pronounce the shahaadah, as many people have witnessed happen to those on the deathbed, such that it was said to some of them:
“Say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’” So he replied, “Aaah! Aaah! I cannot say it!”
And it was said to another, “Say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’” So he replied, “King! Rook! Checkmate!” and then he passed away.
And it was said to another, “Say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’” So he started singing irrationally, saying, ‘Taatinaa tinintaa, [no meaning, just irrational singing]’ and then passed away.
And the same was said to another, so he replied, “And how will what you are saying help me when I left no sin except that I committed it?” and then he passed away without saying it.
And the same was said to another, so he replied, “And how will that benefit me? And I don’t know if I have ever prayed a single time to Allaah?” and then he passed away without saying it.
And the same was said to another, so he replied [talking about himself], “He is a disbeliever in what you say,” and then he passed away.
And the same was said to another, so he replied, “Every time I want to say it my tongue withholds.”
And someone who was present at the death of someone who would beg told me that [they told him to say the shahaadah] so he started saying, “For Allaah’s Sake. A penny for Allaah’s Sake,” until he passed away.
And a trader told me that he was present when one of his relatives was on his deathbed, so they told him to say Laa ilaaha illallaah and he was saying, “This piece is cheap. This is a good buy. This is such and such,” until he passed away.
So if the devil has gained mastery over the servant in the state when his mind is present and his strength [is also present] and he has complete cognizance [i.e., while he is alive and healthy], and has employed him in committing whichever acts of disobedience to Allaah he wants him to do, and has made him unmindful of the remembrance of Allaah the Most High, and has paralysed his tongue from remembering Him and his limbs from obeying Him—then what does one think will be the case when his strength breaks down and his heart and soul become preoccupied with the death pangs that he is in?
And [all the while] Shaitaan will have gathered all of his strength and determination and assembled everything that he is capable of to avail his opportunity concerning him—for that is the last action.
So the strongest his Shaitaan will be against him is at that time, and the weakest he [i.e., the person] will be is at that time.
So who do you think will be safe from that? So it is there that, “Allaah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word [i.e., ‘the firm word’ is Laa ilaaha illallaah], in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allaah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allaah does what He wills.” Ibraaheem 14:27
So how can someone whose heart Allaah has made heedless from His remembrance and who has followed his desires and whose affair is ever [in] neglect be granted the success to have a good ending?
Thus far away—the one whose heart is distant from Allaah the Most High, heedless of Him, worshipping his own desires, a slave to his lusts, his tongue dry from ever remembering Allaah [i.e., not moist with His remembrance], his limbs incapacitated from obeying Him actively working to disobey Him—far away [is such a person] from being granted the success to have a good ending.”
Ad-Daa wad-Dawaa, pp. 91-92, slightly edited.
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The True Man
December 17, 2011 § 1 Comment
“A man is the one who fears the death of his heart, not his body.”
Ibn al-Qayyim.
Madaarijus-Saalikeen, v. 3, p. 248.
“I Can’t Stand to Pray at Night.”
December 16, 2011 § 1 Comment
From Qataadah who said that a man came to Salmaan and said, “I can’t perform the night prayer.” He replied, ‘”Then don’t fail to do it during the day.”
Lataa’iful-Ma’aarif, p. 31.
“Who am I? And What am I?!” said Imaam Ahmad
December 16, 2011 § 2 Comments
“A man said, ‘I saw signs of grief on Abu Abdullah’s face [i.e., Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal] because someone had praised him.’ And [another time] it was said to him, ‘May Allaah reward you with good on behalf of Islaam.’ So he said, ‘Rather, may Allaah reward Islaam well on behalf of me. Who am I? And what am I?!’”
Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa, v. 11, p. 225.
What is the meaning of the hadith about performing wudoo properly during times when it is difficult to do so?
December 15, 2011 § Leave a comment
Shaikh Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, was asked, “What is the meaning of the hadith about performing wudoo properly during times when it is difficult to do so and waiting for prayer after prayer?” So he replied, “Performing wudoo properly during times when it is difficult to do so,’ means that a person performs his wudoo in the most complete manner during days when it is cold and likewise after each prayer he waits for the next whether that is in the mosque or not. And that his heart is connected to the prayer such that when he completes one he waits for the next, so his heart is always connected to the prayer.”
Fataawaa Nurun-alad-Darb, CD.
The Doctor of the Heart, Ibn al-Qayyim, on Allaah, the Most High’s, Reprimand of Those who Take The Devil as an Ally
December 15, 2011 § Leave a comment
Allaah, the Most High, said, “And [mention] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate to Adam,” and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from [i.e., disobeyed] the command of his Lord. Then will you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.” Kahf 18:50
Commenting on this aayah, one of the things Ibn al-Qayyim said was:
“It is almost as though beneath this address there is an astonishing, delicate reprimand and it is that: I showed enmity to Iblees because he didn’t prostrate to your father Aadam with My Angels, so the enmity [I showed] was on your behalf, and then the final result of this enmity [which I showed on your behalf] is that between yourselves and him—you [went and] sealed a pact of reconciliation.”
Ad-Daa wad-Dawaa, p. 83.
The Young Ibn Taymiyyah
December 14, 2011 § 1 Comment
Ibn Abdul-Haadi, Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah’s student wrote:
“And it so happened that a Shaikh from Aleppo came to Damascus,
saying, “I have heard that in this city there is a boy who goes by the
name of Ahmad the son of Taymiyyah and that he is extremely quick in
memorising. I have come perchance I may see him.”
So a tailor said to him, “This is his route to school and he has not
yet come, so sit with us. Anytime now he will pass us on his way to the
school.”
So the Aleppan Shaikh sat down for a short while. Then two young boys
walked by, so the tailor said to the Shaikh, “The young boy carrying
that large tablet—he is Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah.”
So the Shaikh called him and he came to him. Then the
Shaikh took the tablet and looked at what was written therein. Then he
said, “O my son! Wipe this out so that I can dictate something to you
which you can write.”
So Ibn Taymiyyah did so. Then the Shaikh dictated eleven or thirteen sayings of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallaam) to him. Then the Shaikh said to him, “Read this.”
So Ibn Taymiyyah looked over it once after he had written it and then
gave the tablet back to the Shaikh. So he said, “Read it to me.”
So he read it back to him in the best way possible. Then the Shaikh said to him, “O my son! Wipe this out.”
So he wiped it out and the Shaikh dictated a number of chains of narrations that he had chosen and said, “Read this.”
Ibn Taymiyyah looked at it and he did as he had done the first time.
So the Shaikh stood up, saying, “If this young boy lives long he will
have a great standing and rank—since the like of this has not been seen
before.”
Ibn Naasirud-Deen narrated the saying of Abul-Muzaffar As-Sarmari,
“And from the amazing matters regarding memorisation in our time is the
Shaikh of Islaam Abul-Abbaas Ahmad bin Abdul-Haleem bin Taymiyyah. Since
he would come across a book and would look over it once only after
which it would be inscribed in his mind. He would be able to discuss it
thereafter, narrating from it in his written works with its precise
wording and meaning.
And from the most amazing of what I have heard about him is what some of his companions narrated to me.
They said that in the start of his affair when he was a young boy his
father wanted to take his sons for an outing to a garden. So he said to
Ibn Taymiyyah, “O Ahmad! Go out with your brothers and relax.”
So he excused himself from that however his father persisted. But the
young Ibn Taymiyyah strongly declined, saying, “I would like you to
excuse me from going out.”
So his father let him stay and left with his other sons. They spent
their day in the garden and returned at the end of the day whereupon his
father said to him, “O Ahmad! You deserted your brothers today! And you
annoyed them because of your absence from them. So what is this?”
So he replied, “O father! Today I memorised this book,” alluding to a
book with him. So his father replied, “You memorised it?!” In denial,
shocked and amazed at what his son had just said. So he said to him,
“Read it to me.”
So he did.
He had indeed memorised the entire book. Then his father held him and
kissed him between his eyes and said, “O my son! Do not tell anyone
about what you have done,” fearful lest the Evil Eye should befall him.”
Taken from Ibn Abdul-Haadi’s Al-‘Uqood Al-Durriyah min Manaaqib Shaikhil-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, p. 7
Gifts of Knowledge 