Salaf-us-Saalih.com :: The Call of the Salaf is True Islam

Source: AL-FAWA’ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

The body of the son of Adam was created from the earth and his soul from the government of Heaven and then they were joined. If he is hungry, stays awake, and keeps his body busy in serving Allah, his soul will find itself lighter and more peaceful so that it would long for the place from which it was created and miss its heavenly world. But if he secures food, blessings, sleep, and rest, the body will incline to remain at the place from which it was created and the soul would be pulled along with it and be in a prison. If it was not for the fact that it would get used to that prison, it would ask for help, as a tortured person does, to find relief from the pain resulting from the separation and departure from its own world from which it was created.

In general, the more the body is light, the more the soul will be light and seek its heavenly world, and the more the body is heavy and seeks desires and relief, the heavier the soul will be and it will come down from its heavenly world and become lower and more earthly. You may see the soul of a man in Heaven while his body is on the earth. Another person serves Allah with his body and his soul is low and wandering about in lowly matters. When the soul separates from the body, it would either catch up with its high or low place. With the high, it would  find every blessing, happiness, beauty, pleasure, and good living while with the low it would find every distress, grief, suffering, sadness, and bad and difficult thing.

Allah says, which means,
“But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur1an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship.”(Taha, 20:124)

“My Reminder” is His words, which He revealed to His Messenger, and “turns away” is by neglecting and abandoning working according to these words, and the majority of explanations saw that “life of hardship” is torture in the grave. Ibn Mas’Od, Abu Hurairah, Abu Sa’Td AI-Khudry, and Ibn ‘Abbas agreed on that and it has a traceable hadith.

This life of hardship is in return for relieving the body and soul with pleasures, desires and relief. The more you enrich the soul, it will restrain the heart until you live a life of hardship, and the more you restrain the soul, it will enrich the heart until that heart will be delighted and relieved. Hardship in this worldly life, following piety will find its relief in partition and the Hereafter, and relief in this worldly life following desires will find its hardship in the partition and the Hereafter.

You should choose one of the two: the better, more pleasant, and more lasting.You may distress the body in order to relieve the soul but do not distress the soul to relieve the body; relief and distress of the soul is greater and more lasting while relief and distress of the body is shorter and easier.

The Fifth Invalidator Of Islam

Those who hate anything that the Prophet came with are also disbelievers even if they act upon them.
The Qurâan says: “That is because they hate that which Allah sent down, so He has made their deeds fruitless.” (Soorah 47:9)

EXPLANATION OF THE TEXT BY SHAYKH AL-WASAABEE:

The shaykh read to us from the book, Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islaam, by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab (rahimahullaah), which was explained (sharh “Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islaam”) by Shaykh Abdul Azeez ibn Marzook. The shaykh read to us the following from the aforementioned book:

Whoever dislikes or hates something which the Prophet ( Peace be upon him) came with, from his guidance or his rulings, then verily he has disbelieved in Allaah. And this is from the attributes of the hypocrites. The hypocrites who have nifaaq [hypocrisy] in belief. And this is nifaaq akbar (major hypocrisy) that takes one out of the fold of al-Islaam. A person who has this type of nifaaq, then he is in the lowest part of the hellfire.

So whoever hates something from the legislation of Allaah and the guidance of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), whether it be his rulings, or his orders, or his forbiddances, or what has come from the Prophet (Peace be upon him) concerning belief; then he has exceeded his bounds, and has exposed himself to a wrath that he cannot bear. And even if one were to work in accordance with and agree to what one hates from the rulings and legislations of Allaah, then this will not benefit him.

The one who hates the permissibly of having more than one wife in Islaam, and hates this legislation, then he is a disbeliever in Allaah, even though he may have more than one wife.

Similarly is the one who dislikes the legislation of Allaah for the witnessing of two women, which equals the witness of one man.

Likewise is the one who he hates certain legislations that have been affirmed through news of the unseen, and believes that they do not agree with the aql (intellect), and that they are not an actuality and a reality. The proofs for this are the verses in Soorah Muhammad (47:8-9). Allaah (subhaana wa taâlaa) has categorized them and made them disbelievers, the reason behind this being that they hate what Allaah has revealed.

Source for above :

• Ten Invalidators of Islam – Shaikh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab al-Wasabi
  Source: Lessons on Tawhid – Approximately 50 Classes – from Dar-ul-Hadith, Dammaj, Yemen

Al Haafidh ibn Rajab mentioned in the commentary of the tabiqaat of Al Hanaabila (196/1) in the biography of Al Qaadi Abi Bakr Muhammad Abdul Al Baaqi Al Bazzaz who died in the year 535 from the migration of the Messenger of ALLAH, peace and blessing be upon him. Sheik Saalih Abu Al Qaasim Al Khazaz Al Bagdadi said, “I heard Al Qaadi Abi Bakr Muhammad Abdul Al Baaqi Al Bazzaz Al Ansaari say”…

I used to live in the vicinity of Mecca, may ALLAH the Exalted protect it, so one day I was stricken with severe hunger and I did not find anything to fight against this hunger. So I found a bag made from silk, tied with a tassel that was also made from silk, so I grabbed it and took it to my house. When I unfasten it I found in it a necklace made from pearl such that I had not seen the like of it before. So when I exited my house I saw an old man that was seeking this bag. With him was a torn rag containing five hundred dinar and he was saying, “This is for the one who returns to me the bag containing the pearls.” So I said, “I am in need, I am hungry, so I will take this money and benefit from it and return to him the bag”. So I said to him, “Come to me”, so I took him and brought him to my home. So he gave me the description of the bag, and the description of the tassel, and the description of the pearls along with their number, and the description of the thread that fasten it. So I removed it from the bag and gave it to him, so he gave me the five hundred dinar, but I did not take it. Then I said to him, “It is incumbent upon me to return this to you and I will not take any reward for it.” He said to me, “You must take it”, and he persisted in this, but I would not take it from him so he left me and went about his way.

As for me, I didn’t have anything so I left Mecca and began sailing in the sea. So the ship tore apart and everyone aboard it drowned and their wealth was destroyed. I was saved by holding onto a piece of the ship. So I remained for a time period in the sea not knowing where I was going. I then arrived at an island that was inhabited by people. I sat in some of the masjids and the people heard me reading, and there did not remain anyone on the island except that he came to me and said, “Teach me the Koran”, so I acquired from the people a lot of wealth. Then I saw in the masjid some paper from a Mushaf, so I took it and began to read it. They said to me, “Do you have good handwriting?” I said yes. So they said, “Teach me handwriting”. So they came to me with their children from amongst the small kids and the young men and I used to teach them. I acquired from this also, a lot of wealth.

After this they said to me, “We have a young orphan girl who has some things from the dunya, (worldly wealth) we would like for you to marry her.  I refused, but they said, “It is a must!” And they made this incumbent upon me, so I agreed. After they married her to me, I turned my glance toward her and I found that exact same necklace hanging around her neck! At this time I did not busy myself with anything except staring at this necklace. So they said to me, “Oh Sheik! You have broken this young orphan girl’s heart by looking at this necklace, and you have not even looked at her. So I relayed to them the story of the necklace. So they screamed and yelled out, “There is no deity worthy of worship except ALLAH, ALLAHU AKBAR, until it reached everyone on the island. So I said, “What is with you?” They said, “The old man that took the necklace from you is the father of this young girl.” He used to say, “I have not found in the dunya (world) a Muslim (what is meant here is a trustworthy, kindhearted, one who knows the rights of found property) except the one who returned to me this necklace.” And he used to make dua (supplication) saying, “Oh ALLAH, join me and him together so that I may marry him to my daughter”, and now it has happened. So I remained with her for a time period and I was provided with two sons by her. Then she passed away, so I inherited the necklace, me and my two sons. Then my two sons died, therefore the necklace became mine. So I sold the necklace for one hundred thousand dinar, and the money that you see me with now is what is left over from that money.

Taken from: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=11&Topic=3927

Check other http://abdurrahmanorg.wordpress.com/inspirational/

By Shaykh AL-Uthaymeen (may Allah rest him in Jannah)

Shaykh Al-Uthaymeen was asked about the description of Salaam.

He (may Allah have mercy upon him)answered by saying,” Say As-salaamu Alayk if you are greeting one person and As-Salaamu- Alaykum if you are greeting a group of people. The proof for this is found in the hadeeth about the man who came to the masjid and didn’t pray correctly. After finishing he went to Allah’s messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, “As-Salaamu Alayk ya Rasulallah”- Peace be on to you oh Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returned the greetings. Then he(peace and blessings be upon him)said,” Redo your prayer; as you didn’t pray correctly.”[1]

Now if you are giving the greetings to two people then say,” As-salaamu Alaykum. It is permissible to greet two people using the plural tense. And if you are greeting your mother how would you greet her? Say As-salaamu Alaykee ya ummi-peace be on you mommy. Why? Because whenever you talk to a female the Kaf(كِ )takes a kasra.

If you entered in a room and greeted your aunts and there were four or five of them, how would you greet them? You would say,” As-salaamu Alaykunna wa Rahmahtullahi wa barakatahu.”  The Kaf (ك ) follows suit to the person being addressed .i.e (ك, كم, كن  (

How does a Muslim reply to someone who says to him “ As-salaamu Alaykum  wa Rahmahtullahi wa barakatahu, or Salaamu Alayk. The person responds by saying,” As-salaamu Alayk  wa Rahmahtullahi wa barakatahu.” as well. There is no harm in doing this. It is important to say As-Salaamu Alayk. Is it wrong to say,” Alaykumus Salaam wa rahmahtullahi wa barakatahu? Does a person say it with the wa ( و ) or without it? To say it either way is fine, but it is better to say “Wa alaykum As-salaam.”

What do we say about the person who replies to our greeting with greetings like; “Welcome, May Allah preserve you come in, Today is a happy day, This is one of the best days, or May Allah grant you success, increase your knowledge, piety and guidance etc. Are these legitimate replies to the greeting-As-salaamu alaykum? Even though he extended a reply; I say (Shaykh Uthaymeen) if a person filled up the earth with every reply possible it could never take the place of “Alaykus salaam”. And while replying without this word he is a sinner. To reply with Salaam or one better is an obligation for the Muslim. This is taken from Allah’s verse,

وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُمْ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا

“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally.” [ an-Nisa’I 86 ]

Taken from Darus wa Fatawa Al-Haram Al- Madanee by Uthaymeen (1/81)

Translated by Abu Aaliayh Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle

What Yahya (Peace be upon him) was truly commanded with – Tawheed, of course.

Imam Ahmad narrated that Al-Harith Al-Ash`ari said that the Prophet of Allah said,

(Allah commanded Yahya bin Zakariya to implement five commands and to order the Children of Israel to implement them, but Yahya was slow in carrying out these commands. `Isa said to Yahya, `You were ordered to implement five commands and to order the Children of Israel to implement them. So either order, or I will do it.’ Yahya said, ‘My brother! I fear that if you do it before me, I will be punished or the earth will be shaken under my feet.’ Hence, Yahya bin Zakariya called the Children of Israel to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), until they filled the Masjid. He sat o­n the balcony, thanked Allah and praised him and then said, `Allah ordered me to implement five commandments and that I should order you to adhere to them.

The first is that you worship Allah alone and not associate any with Him. The example of this command is the example of a man who bought a servant from his money with paper or gold. The servant started to work for the master, but was paying the profits to another person. Who among you would like his servant to do that Allah created you and sustains you. Therefore, worship Him alone and do not associate anything with Him.

I also command you to pray, for Allah directs His Face towards His servant’s face, as long as the servant does not turn away. So when you pray, do not turn your heads to and fro.

I also command you to fast. The example of it is the example of a man in a group of men and he has some musk wrapped in a piece of cloth, and consequently, all of the group smells the scent of the wrapped musk. Verily, the odor of the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allah than the scent of musk.

I also command you to give charity. The example of this is the example of a man who was captured by the enemy. They tied his hands to his neck and brought him forth to cut off his neck. He said to them, ‘Can I pay a ransom for myself’ He kept ransoming himself with small and large amounts until he liberated himself.

I also command you to always remember Allah. The example of this deed is that of a man who the enemy is tirelessly pursuing. He takes refuge in a fortified fort. When the servant remembers Allah, he will be resorting to the best refuge from Satan.)

Al-Harith then narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,

(And I order you with five commandments that Allah has ordered me. Stick to the Jama`ah (community of the faithful), listen and obey (your leaders) and perform Hijrah (migration) and Jihad for the sake of Allah. Whoever abandons the Jama`ah, even the distance of a hand span, will have removed the tie of Islam from his neck, unless he returns. Whoever uses the slogans of Jahiliyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance) he will be among those kneeling in Jahannam (Hellfire).) They said, “O Messenger of Allah! Even if he prays and fasts” He said, (Even if he prays, fasts and claims to be Muslim. So call the Muslims with their names that Allah has called them: `The Muslims, the believing servants of Allah.’)

This is a Hasan Hadith, and it contains the statement, “Allah has created and sustains you, so worship Him and do not associate anything with Him in worship.” This statement is relevant in the Ayat (2:21-22) we are discussing here and supports singling Allah in worship, without partners.

Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Volume 1

POST #5: the woman’s aameen, adhaan and iqaamah

source: silsilat ul-hudaa wa nnoor – the series of guidance and light  - tape no. 697

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this is great naseeha (advise) and clarification on some matters of the salaah pertaining to women specifically. may Allaah increase our women in such qualities, aameen. here are the words of shaykh al-albaani (rahimahullaah):

“As for, is it proper for the woman to raise her voice with aameen, then there is a detailed explanation with regard to the question. If she is praying with women, then yes. As for if she is praying with men [and] they are strange men (i.e., non-mahram), then no. Because the voice of a woman, I do not say that it is ‘awrah (something private to be covered) as many say, because the mothers of the believers and the wives of the first companions (sahaaba) used to speak with men and used to communicate with men, and oftentimes the woman used to come to the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, and she would ask him in front of the men, and he ‘alayhi asalaat wa asalaam would answer her regarding her question.

But [here], it is not from the manners/etiquettes of the woman that she raises her voice with the recitation of the Qur’aan. We are often asked – is it permissible for the woman, when she is learning the recitation from a shaykh [who is] a reciter (of the Qur’aan), to repeat to him the recitation in order to [know] how he corrects [it] – no, the answer is no. Although she learns, her learning is restricted to listening only, as learned the women of all the sahaaba from the Messenger of Allaah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam by listening to his recitation, during salaah or outside of salaah.

The woman, if she is praying with women, and she is an imaam, she raises her voice, and the women behind her also raise their voices. That is due to his saying, ‘alayhi asalaat wa asalaam: ‘Indeed women are the twin halves of men’…i.e., every ruling that came in which the men are being addressed, then the women also are included in this address, except what is made an exception… A woman, for example…it is more excellent for her, in other than the taraaweeh prayer, to pray in her house; while the man, it is obligatory upon him to pray the five prayers in the masjid in congregation. So here, the woman is different from the man. But the origin is, as he said, ‘alayhi asalaam: ‘Indeed women are the twin halves of men.’

So if the woman prays with the women as an imaam, she does just as the man does as an imaam. She raises her voice with the recitation (of the Qur’aan), and she raises her voice with aameen, and (the women) also raise their voices from behind her with aameen. This is firstly. And secondly, the woman prays as an imaam with the women, and not only that, rather, she (also) gives the adhaan and the iqaamah… Why? Because of the previous hadeeth: ‘Indeed women are the twin halves of men.’ More than this, asayyida ‘Aaisha, the mother of the believers, and the leader of the mothers of the believers in terms of fiqh (understanding of the religion), knowledge and da’wah, and may Allaah bless her and her father, used to give the adhaan and the iqaamah when she prayed with the women as an imaam.

And here there is an admonition which there is no question about – the woman here differs as well from the man, as she does not step up before the row of the women, but rather she stands in the middle as if she is one (of the women) from the row. She does not step up before/lead the women [as the man does]; there has come a text regarding this also. Therefore, in this situation of the woman, she is not included in the generality of his saying, ‘alayhi asalaam: ‘Indeed women are the twin halves of men.’”

Source: http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=10686

Source: http://alifta.com/

Question

We always hear the Hadith: Women are lacking in their capacity to reason and in deen i.e. religion. Some people even use it to offend women. Could you kindly explain the meaning of this Hadith?

Answer by shaykh ibn baz rahimahullah:

The Hadith reads: “I have not seen anyone more deficient in ability to reason and deen than you. A cautious sensible man can be led astray by some of you.” It was said: “O Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him)! What is the deficiency in our reasoning and deen?” He said: “Is not the testimony of two women equal to the witness of one man?” It was said: “What is deficient in her deen?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Is not it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained that the deficiency in woman’s reasoning means their weak memory. Therefore, their testimony must be verified and supported by another woman to confirm their testimony, because they may forget and thus add or omit some of the testimony. Allah (He may be Praised) states:Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 282 And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her.

As for the deficiency of their deen, it means they abandon Salah and Sawm (fasting) during their menses and post-partum period. They are not commanded to repeat Salah (prayer). This is the meaning of their being lacking in deen. They will not be called to account for this shortcoming, because it is the will of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) Who legislated this for their comfort. If they were to observe Sawm during their menses and post-partum period, it would be difficult for them. Therefore, Allah commands them to abandon Sawm during their menses and post-partum period, and make up for it later. As for Salah, there is something which prevents them from ceremonial purity. Therefore, it is out of the Mercy of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) that He commands them to abandon Salah during their menses and post-partum period. However, they are commanded not to compensate for Salah because there is great hardship in this, as Salah is repeated five times a day  and night, and menses may last for many days; seven, eight or more and post-partum may last for forty days. So, it was of Allah’s Mercy and Benevolence not to hold them accountable for Salah or oblige them to make up for it.

This does not mean that the lack of their deficiency to reason and deen extends to every aspect of life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained that the lack of their ability to reason is because of their weak memory when giving testimony, and the shortcoming in their worship is because they abandon Salah and Sawm during their menses and post-partum period. This does not mean that they are lower in rank than men in all things, or men are better than them in everything.

Generally speaking, males excel females for many reasons. Allah states:Surah Al-Nisa’, 4: 34 Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allâh has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means.

However, some women may excel men. There are many women whose reason is better than men, and are stronger in deen and memorization. The report of the Prophet (peace be upon him) only indicates that the male gender is generally better in reasoning and deen than the female gender in the two aspects specified by the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Women may perform more righteous deeds than men, their piety may be more than men, and thus their rank in the Hereafter may be better than the rank of men. They may focus on some matters and memorize them better than men. They exert effort in memorization and focus, so they established a reference in Islamic history as well as other things which are clear to those who consider the conditions of women during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and later. It is now evident that this deficiency does not mean that we cannot rely on her in narration or testimony, if she is supported by another woman. Anyway, this report does not prevent her from being of the best servants of Allah  if they perform righteous deeds; although Sawm is overlooked during their menses and post-partum, and even if they are exempt from performing Salah. This does not mean that they are lower in everything. Men and women are equally required to observe the standards of piety, good actions, and careful performance of things in their charge. This specific lack of reason and deen is limited to what the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained. So, a Muslim must not offend women by attributing deficiency to them in everything, but it is a flaw in their worship and weakness in reasoning with regard to accuracy of testimony. Thus, the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) should be properly understood. Allah knows the best.

Related Links:

• The Difference between Men and Women in Islam – By Shaykh Yahya ibn Ali Al-Hajuri
• Sincere Advice from The Sheikhah Al-Waadi’eeyah

A Precious Gem: This Life of Deception

This worldly life is like an unchaste woman, who is not satisfied with one husband. So! be satisfied with whatever Allah grants you from this worldy life.

Walking thereon is like walking in a land that is filled with beasts, and water that teams with crocodiles. That which causes delight, turns to be the source of grief. Pain is found in the midst of pleasures, and delights are derived from its sorrows. As a bird sees the wheat, so does one’s insight perceive polytheism, while vain desires render its holder blind. Lusts were granted in abundance to humans, but those who believed in the unseen turned away from them! while those who follow their lusts were caused to regret.

The first category, are those, in which Allah says,which means, IIThey are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.lI (AI-Baqarah, 2:5)

However, the other category, are those to whom Allah sayswhich means, 11(0 you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the MujrimGn (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.).11 (AI-Mursalat,77:46)

When the successful ones are aware of the reality of this worldly life being sure of the inferiority of its degree, they overcame their vain desires for the sake of the Hereafter. They have been awakened from their heedlessness to remember what their enemies took from them during their period of idleness. Whenever they perceive the distant journey they must undertake, they remember their aim, so it appears easy for them. Whenever life becomes bitter, they remember this verse, in which Allah says,  which means, “This is your Day which you were promised”. (AI Anbiya’, 21:103)

Source : Al-Fawaid – by Ibn al Qayyim

Oh you of little resolve! Where do you stand upon this path? Aadam found it difficult and Nuh lamented because of it, while Allaah’s Khaleel Ibraaheem was thrown into a pit of fire due to it. Isma’eel was laid upon his side ready to be sacrificed for its sake, and while upon it Yusuf was sold for a cheap price and then falsely cast into prison for many years. Zakariyah was sawed in half, and Yahya was slaughtered due to it. Ayyub suffered great distress, while Dawood cried copiously, and ‘Isaa cured the wretched poor of their diseases and walked with wild beasts due to it. And how many, how many forms of difficulty and hardship did the Messenger Muhammad face while proceeding upon it – yet you live through amusements and distractions!

Shaykh al Islaam Ibn Qayyim in his work al-Fawaaid, page 41