It is reported that Mufaddal b. Muhalhal – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
If the heretic 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 hadīth 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?
From the Manhaj of the Muhaddith, Shaykh, Allamaa’ Muhammad Nasiruddeen al-Albaani Concerning Boycotting the People of Bida’ – [Part 01] [Part 02] [Part 03] [Part 04] – Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya
In the name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions. As for what follows;
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allaah, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“The believer is the mirror of the believer.”[Abu Daawud 4918 with a good chain]
Sheikh Saalih al-Fouzaan, may Allaah preserve him, explains this hadeeth by saying:
“A mirror is that which you see yourself when you stand in front of it whether the picture is presentable or needs fixing and modificaton. When a person wishes to leave from his home, he stands in front of the mirror because there may be something that he needs to correct on himself or remove from his clothing or the like. For a person to have a pleasant appearance in front of the people is a good thing, however there is the figurative meaning of mirror that shows you your deficiencies and that is your Muslim brother/sister.
The believer is the mirror of his fellow brother. Your brother knows the mistakes and shortcomings that you may have and therefore informs you of them so accept what he tells you. This is an encouragement to accept what your brother presents to you which entails the beautification of your inward and outward appearance. Also he sees things in you that you can’t see yourself. A person may think he is complete and is mistake-free whereas his sincere and genuine Muslim brother sees that he has mistakes and shortcomings thus he instructs him to rectify them. So do not restrict yourself solely to your own assumptions and considerations but consult your brother and listen to the advice he has to give.
In this hadeeth are two important matters:
1) A person should accept the advice of his sincere brother from that which he sees in him from defects and correct them.
2) It is compulsory upon the Muslim to advise his brother/sister and not remain silent about what he sees in him from defects and the like or the opposite; praising him and being phony with him by relaying to him that which isn’t true (about himself). This is deceit and treachery. “The believer is the mirror to the believer,” he sees in him his own picture and what needs perfecting and reformation.”
Translated from: ‘Tasheelul Ilmaam bi fiqhil Ahaadeeth min Bulooghil Maraam’ by Sheikh Saalih al-Fouzaan
The Allaamah Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadi (may Allaah preserve him) stated:
“There has come narrations concerning the matter of intercession like the the narration of Abu Sa’eed, the narration of Anas and the narration of Abu Hurayrah. Within these narrations (we find) that Allaah brings out of the hell-fire the one who has in his the least amount of faith from those who said “Laa Ilaaha Illallaah”. We benefit from the narration that whoever meets Allaah bearing witness that none has the right to be worshiped except for Allaah sincerely, Allaah will remove him from the hell-fire, even if he has the least amount of faith. That’s because faith increases and decreases. It increases with obedience to Allaah and decreases with the acts of disobedience. It continues to decrease and decrease until the point nothing remains from it except the least amount/an atoms weight. As a result of that, Allaah removes a people from the hell-fire. However with that being said, it is not befitting for the Muslim to depend intercession and embark upon acts of disobedience. Indeed that is a tremendous danger (for a number of reasons):
1. It’s possible that the Muslim can apostate. That’s because the acts of disobedience leads to disbelief. It’s possible that the person’s acts of disobedience can drag him into disbelief and leaving from the fold of Islaam. That’s by the faith decreasing and decreasing until the point it ceases to be by the committing of that which causes the person to be a disbeliever. As a result of that Allaah will not forgive him and he will not allow anyone to intercede on his behalf. Rather his destination will be eternal (punishment) in the hell-fire.
2. Even if his sins and acts of disobedience doesn’t reach the point of disbelief. Rather he is from those who meet Allaah with something of faith along with tawheed and truthfulness in that faith, even if it is the least amount, he will come out of the hell-fire by way of intercession. Therefore whoever meets Allaah not associating with Him anything, his faith is sincerely for Allaah, he says “Laa Ilaaha Illallaah Muhammad Rasoolullaah” and he is sincere in that. If he was to meet Allaah with sins that are similar to the mountains, if Allaah wills, He will pardon him as has come in the narration of the Bitaaqah (the card). If He wills, He will punish him according to his sins. Then after that He will remove him due to his faith, his Tawheed and sincerity (from the hell-fire). However who from amongst is ready to remain in the hell-fire for fifty thousand years?!!
This (punishment is for) the one who didn’t pay the Zakaah. He will remain for fifty thousand years in the punishment (of the hell-fire). How much more so for the one who keeps away from the Salaah?
Therefore the person should not take this matter lightly and depend upon the narrations of intercession and say: The prophets and the righteous will intercede for the people of the hell-fire!!
Indeed it is obligatory that you fear Allaah (with knowledge) and fear Him (due to Him being able to punish you). You have to strive in the performance of the righteous actions and don’t procrastinate in the committing of sins. rather hasten to repentance.
If you fall into a sin, repent to Allaah azza wa jall. Allaah azza wa jall has praised those who don’t remain consistent upon the committing of sins. Allaah azza wa jall has stated:
“And those who when they commit indecency or wrong themselves, they remember Allaah and as a result of that they seek forgiveness for their sins. Who is the one forgives except for Allaah. And they don’t remain consistent upon that which they did while they know better.” (Aali ‘Imraan: 135)
In an authentic narration (the Prophet said):
“Be aware of (that which is considered) the insignificant sins. For indeed they gather up upon the person until they destroy him.” (Musnad of Ahmad 1/402)
Allaah’s refuge is sought from that. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stated:
“Protect yourself from the fire even if it is with half of a date.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)
Allaah has stated:
“Fear the fire whose fuel is man and stones prepared for the disbelievers.” (Al-Baqarah: 24)
Many from the people of disobedience will accompany the disbelievers in this hell-fire even if they come out of it due to intercession. However who from amongst us is prepared to remain in the hell-fire for a period of time, and the refuge is sought with Allaah?!”
Taken from “Qurratul-’Aynayn bi Tawdeeh Ma’aanee ‘Aqeedatir-Raaziyayn” by Allaamah Shaykh Rabee’ (may Allaah preserve him) pg. 111-113
A lot of what we see in certain Masajid is ‘Ya Allaah & Ya Muhammad’ (O Allaah & O Muhammad) written on the Mihrab, is it permissible to pray in the likes of these Masajid?
The answer:
This is clear from what we have seen in Pakistan and Afghanistan – with great regret – I swear by Allaah we saw this written in the cars of the Mujahideen; actually those who claim to be Mujahideen! And they would not accept any advice, they would continue upon these aspects of Shirk! You would see it written in their shops and their Masajid: ‘Ya Allaah, Ya Ali, Ya Ghawth, Ya Hussain, Ya AbdulQadir, Ya such and such!!’ as well as other aspects of Shirk!
Seeking aid from other than Allaah is Shirk; by saying ‘Ya Muhammad’, then this is committing Shirk with Allaah (associating partners to Allaah). Muhammad was the Messenger of Allaah, the slave of Allaah and His Messenger –alayhi as-Sallat wa Sallam. Therefore, if one says ‘Ya Allaah and Ya Muhammad’, then that person has made Muhammad as an equal to Allaah Tabaraka wa Ta’ala.
The Messenger –alayhi as-Sallat wa Sallam- did not come except to destroy this polytheism, and to rectify the deviated nation and at the head of what they had was committing Shirk (associating) with Allaah -Azza wa Jal. The Messenger came to purify the Dunyaa, the hearts, the minds and intellects from Shirk with Allaah –Azza wa Jal- and the filth connected with Shirk.
He –alayhi as-Sallat wa Sallam- taught us pure Tawheed with the texts of the Qur’aan, the texts of the Sunnah and practically implementing them. He –alayhi as-Sallat wa Sallam- ordered us to level the graves, and to destroy idols.
The Messenger –alayhi as-Sallat wa Sallam- said:
‘Do not undertake journeys except to three Masajid – only these, not to graves, nor any place [for worship] – the Masjid al-Haraam, and this masjid of mine, and Masjid al-Aqsa.’
This is because these Masajid were built by the Prophets for the Tawheed of Allaah having Ikhlaas (Sincerity) of the Deen for Allaah – Azza wa Jal.
This action of writing ‘Allaah & Muhammad’ began in al-Madinah – since we know these things we can evaluate it – we knew the plots of the Ahl-ul-Bida’.
There was a man named Siraaj Rahman a colleague of mine in the University and he was from the students of Abul-Hasan an-Nadawi – I don’t know whether – I saw this in Kenya or a story had been narrated to him that this had begun to spread in al-Madinah. Anyway, he mentioned that Abul-Hasan an-Nadawi said the statement: ‘Allaah & Muhammad’ and this is disbelief, what they mean by this is that Muhammad is a partner to Allaah –Azza wa Jal; Allaah & Muhammad are equal.
There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, I testify that there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger; this is the highest status for this Noble Prophet –alayhi as-Sallat wa Sallam.
The Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:
‘Do not over praise me, like the Christians over praised the son of Maryam. Indeed I am a slave of Allaah and His Messenger.’
I have seen this clearly and I would have waged war against it, and if I saw it in a Masjid I would advise the Imam of the Masjid. Likewise in Masjid al-Qiblatayn – Masjid al-Amoodi -, I spoke to the Imam, but he did not do anything! So I spoke to al-Amoodi who was responsible for the Masjid, and he hastened – may Allaah reward him with goodness- and effaced these things.
And in the Masjid near my home in al-Madina they had written ‘Allaah & Muhammad’ so I advised the Imam and he said: ‘we will change it, we will change it.’ But he kept postponing it and did not change it! There was a good young man present who said: ‘I’ll sort it out.’ Then he went and covered it, and that was the end of that, and all praise be to Allaah.
One day I was coming from Batthan and entered Madinah and there was a pickup truck in front of me and it had ‘Ya Allaah Ya Muhammad’ written on it in red. So I followed him and he began speeding up, he noticed that I was following him, so he began to speed up even more, so I gave chase and pursued him until we reached Qurban, he stopped his car and got out and said to me: ‘Shall I wipe it off?’ and I hadn’t even spoken to him yet! He knew and felt this is what I was pursuing him about, so I told him ‘Yes, wipe it off.’
This confirms that there is a battle going on, the battle of these grave worshipping deviants in the land of Tawheed!
What do you know about “The Poem of the Scarf”? Famously known as ‘Qasidah-Burdah’ by Muhammad bin Saeed Al-Busairi (601-695 AH) – by Shaykh Muhammad Jameel Zenoo
In the past few years, there is a particular piece of Arabic poetry that has reached the Muslims in the west and has been translated into English. This poem is called Qasidah Al-Burdah by Muhammad Al-Busairi. It is also known as the most famous if not the most famous poem that supposedly praises the Prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam).The poem has been widespread in Arabic for nearly eight centuries and many scholars have replied to it in Arabic.
Al-Albaani: The reality is that the case with every beginner student of knowledge, and I was like that and probably still am, I used to read this hadith and it would be problematic, because in some narrations [there occurs], “There is nothing between a man and disbelief except abandoning the prayer. So whoever abandons the prayer has disbelieved,” and in some narrations, “… then he has committed shirk.”
Interjection: Subhaanallaahil-Adheem.
Al-Albaani: I used to ask how can he have committed shirk? Yaa akhi, this person who has left praying, especially the one who does so out of laziness, how has he committed shirk?
I used to think that maybe there was a mistake on behalf of the narrator [of the hadith], I was a student of knowledge, then later our Lord granted me success in understanding, even if it was when I was older alhamdulillaah, [he granted me success in understanding it] such that I recognized that legislatively, as opposed to linguistically, there is no difference between kufr and shirk.
So all kufr is shirk and all shirk is kufr there is no difference between them legislatively, linguistically there is, because in the language kufr means to cover. Shirk is to make something a partner of another, like the polytheists who make equals with Allaah.
But later I came to recognise that every unbeliever, even if he wasn’t a polytheist linguistically, he was in reality. No unbelieveris free from being anything but a polytheist [mushrik], our Lord said, “Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire?” [Jaathiyah 45:23] He took as his god his own desires, so, everyone who follows his desires has made it a partner with Allaah, thus, any kufr–[for example] if someone were to reject a letter from the Noble Quraan it would mean that he has put his intellect in charge and has taken it as a god and it is from this angle that the shirk has come.
So, the one who said that all disbelief is polytheism and all polytheism is disbelief spoke truthfully, not like the one who says that not all kufr is shirk like you heard from at-Tahawi.
In reality this is knowledge which is very rare and is something through which many, many problems are resolved, from them being the verse, “Indeed, Allaah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” [Nisaa 4:48]
I read [a mention of] a problem about this verse in the Al-Manaar magazine which Sayyid Rashid Rida used to publish. An objection came his way which stated that the meaning of the aayah is that these unbelieving Europeans who believe in ‘nature’, they call it nature, i.e., that this universe has a creator and who do not know any more than that, it is possible that Allaah will forgive them because they are not polytheists. And so Sayyid Rashid Rida at that time was not able to give an answer like this one which if he had known then would have been the sound judgement [about this topic], [i.e., that] all kufr is shirk and all shirk is kufr.
(1) Hold tightly to the rope of Allaah and the guidance,
And do not be an innovator, so that you might be successful.
(2) And practice your religion based on the Book of Allaah and the Sunan which
have come from the Messenger of Allaah so you will be saved and earn reward.
(3) And say: Not a created thing is the Speech of our great King,
Such was the religious position of the pious ones (before us) which they clearly expressed.
(4) And do not be a person who takes no position on the Quran,
As did the followers of Jahm, and they had been too lax (to take the right position).
(5) And do not say that the Quran is created, meaning: its recitation,
Since the Speech of Allaah, through its recitation, is made clear.
(6) And say: Allaah will make himself visible to the creation, openly,
Just as the full moon is not hard to see, and your Lord (will be seen) more clearly.
(7) And He was not born, nor has He fathered anyone,
Nor is there anything similar to Him, exalted be the Glorified One.
(8) A Jahmee rejects this, however, we have
As a testimony to the truth of what we say – a hadeeth that clarifies it.
(9) Jareer narrated it, from the words of Muhammad,
So say what he said about that, and you will be successful.
(10) And certainly a Jahmee will deny His Right Hand as well,
While both of His Hands are giving out all kinds of bounties.
(11) And say: The Ever-Compelling descends each night,
Without asking how, magnificent is the One God and most worthy of praise.
(12) Down to the lowest heaven, granting bounties from His Grace,
As the gates of the heavens are opened and spread widely.
(13) He says: Is there anyone seeking forgiveness who would like to meet a Forgiver?
Or anyone seeking bounties of goodness and provisions, so he could be given (what he requests)?
(14) A group have reported this whose reports are not to be rejected,
But sadly some have went wrong and did not believe them, marring themselves.
(15) And say: Indeed the best of the people after Muhammad
Were his two deputies of old, and then ‘Uthmaan, according to the most correct position.
(16) And the fourth of them was the best of creation after them,
‘Alee, the companion of goodness, through goodness he was successful.
(17) Those are the people, those who we have no doubt about,
Upon the great camels of Firdows, shining brightly and roaming about.
(18) Sa’eed, Sa’d, Ibn ‘Awf, Talhah,
Aamir of Fihr, and Zubayr the praiseworthy.
(19) And speak with the best terms about the Companions, all of them,
And do not be one who speaks ill of them, pointing out their faults and criticizing,
(20) Since the clear Revelation has spoke of their excellence,
And in (Soorah) al-Fath are verses about the Companions, praising them.
(21) And regarding the pre-ordained Qadr, be convinced, since it is
The pillar that combines many affairs of the Religion, and the Religion encompasses much.
(22) And do not reject, out of ignorance, (belief in) Nakeer and Munkar,
Or the Pool or the Scales, surely you are being advised sincerely.
(23) And say: Allaah, the Great, will remove, from of His Grace,
Out of the Fire, people, burned severely, who will then be tossed
(24) Into the river in Firdows, wherein they will regain life by its water,
Like a seed taken by a flood that comes and wipes things away with its abundant water.
(25) And surely, the Messenger of Allaah will intercede for the creation.
And speak about the punishment of the grave, that it is the truth, made clear.
(26) And do not make takfeer of those who pray, even if they commit sins,
Since all of them commits sins, while the Owner of the Throne forgives graciously.
(27) And do not hold a belief like that of the Khawaarij, for it is
A position held by only those who desire it, and it is destructive and disgraceful.
(28) And do not be a Murji’, one who plays games with his religion,
Surely, the Murji’ is joking about the religion (ie. not taking it seriously).
(29) And say: Eemaan (faith) consists of statements, intentions (i.e. belief of the heart)
And Actions, according to the explicit statement of the Prophet.
(30) And it decreases sometimes, due to disobedience, and sometimes
Because of obedience it grows, and on the Scale it will outweigh (other things).
(31) And keep yourself from the opinions of people and their stances,
Since the stance of the Messenger of Allaah is more befitting and comforting to the chest.
(32) And do not be from those who play games with their religion,
Attacking the people of hadeeth and reviling them.
(33) If you keep the belief contained within this poem all your life, O my companion,
You will be upon goodness, day and night.
A beneficial reminder by Shaikh Abdullah Ibn ‘Uthmaan adh-Dhimaree hafidahullah regarding the Hadith of Abu Saeed al-Khudree, may Allaah be pleased with him. May Allaah make us that one person from every 1000 who will be saved from the hellfire
This Hadith is transmitted in the two Sahihs (Bukhari and Muslim) from Al-A’mash, after Abu Salih, after Abu Sa’ id Al-Khudri who narrated the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to have said:
“Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection), ‘O Adam!’ Adam will reply, ‘Labbaik wa Sa’daik, and all the good is in Your Hand.’ Allah will say: ‘Bring out the people of the fire.’ Adam will say: ‘O Allah! How many are the people of the Fire?’ Allah will reply: ‘From every one thousand, take out nine-hundred and ninety-nine.’ At that time children will become hoary headed, every pregnant female will have a miscarriage, and one will see mankind as drunken, yet they will not be drunken, but dreadful will be the Wrath of Allah.”
The Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Who is that (excepted) one?” He said, “Rejoice with glad tidings; one person will be from you and one thousand will be from Gog and Magog.”
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) further said, “By Him in Whose Hands my life is, hope that you will be one-fourth of the people of Paradise.” We shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” He added, “I hope that you will be one-third of the people of Paradise.We shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” He said, “I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise.” We shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” He further said, “You (Muslims) (compared with non Muslims) are like a black hair in the skin of a white ox or like a white hair in the skin of a black ox (i.e. your number is very small as compared with theirs).”
At the deathbed of Umm Habibah (radhi Allaahu anha)
It is reported that ‘Â`ishah – said, “Umm Habîbah called for me on her deathbed and said, ‘There used to occur between us the kinds of things that happen between co-wives (al-darâ`ir), so may Allâh forgive me and you those things.’ I said, ‘May Allâh forgive you all those things and release you from for that.’ She replied, ‘You have made me happy, may Allâh make you happy.’ And she sent for Umm Salamah and said the same things to her.”
Ibnul Qayyim –(rahimahullaah) – said, "Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries in his water-jug dirt. The carrying of it burdens him and it brings no benefit."
Ibn Mas'ud –(radiyallaahu 'anhu) – would advise his students, "If your intention is one of these three, do not seek knowledge: To shame the ignorant, or to argue with the Fuqahaa' (scholars), or to cause people to turn their faces in your direction. Intend with your actions and words that which is with Allaah, for indeed that which is with Allaah shall remain and everything else shall perish."
The manhaj (methodology) of the Salaf is to adhere to the Qur'aan and the authentic Sunnah as understood by the Salaf as-Saalih.
The word Salaf is a shortened version of the word 'Salaf as-Saalih', which means the 'Righteous Predecessors'.
It refers specifically to the first three generations of Islaam in which the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) described as being the best generations of Muslims. The first, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his Sahaabah (companions). The second, the Taabi'een (the followers of the companions). The third, the Tabaa'at-Taabi'een (the followers of the followers of the companions).
Generally, this term refers to all those pious predecessors who followed the way of the Salaf and who have preceded us in time. This is the true manhaj of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jamaa'ah.
