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Refutation of the claim that Tawheed divides the Muslims – Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan

January 22, 2012 Leave a comment

Translation and Audio Source: http://www.sunnahpublishing.net/audio/tawheeddivides.wma

Listen to the translated audio clip of Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan where he answers the conception held by many ignorant Muslims today that being concerned with Tawheed is a cause for the division amongst the Muslims and that we must instead be more mindful of the plots of the Jews and Christians against Islaam. The Shaykh aptly explains that such a person is either an innovator, or a mushrik.

Internet Sourcehttp://ahlulsunnahwaljammah.wordpress.com

“Say Laa ilaaha illallaah.” So he replied, “Aaah! Aaah! I cannot say it!”

December 18, 2011 1 comment

Ad-Daa wad-Dawaa, pp. 91-92, slightly edited.
Translated by Ahmed Abu Turaab

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, 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 will be at that time, and the weakest he [i.e., the person] will be will be 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.
http://giftsofknowledge.wordpress.com

Is it okay to say good luck?

December 18, 2011 Leave a comment

“I’m not a lucky person, rather I’m a blessed person…”

Explanation of Kitaab at-Tawheed, Abul-’Abbas Moosaa Richardson, Class 33

Question:

Is it okay to say good luck?

Answer:

“I would advise you not to say “good luck” and the idea of luck is not really considered to be al-fa’al but rather luck is what people believe in when they don’t believe in blessings from Allaah ta aa’la. They have money, they have good things happen to them and they believe in good luck and so they seek to increase themselves in good luck by charms or by belief in different things and they think that this is the source of their blessings and this is all shirk and very despicable habits to not praise the One who has given you something, to not thank the One who has bestowed a great blessing upon you and say “I’m lucky.” This is filthy and this is disgusting and I know that the questioner is not asking about that situation, but yet that is the basis of the practice of saying “good luck.” Its from those people who have those belief, so let us be distinct from them and have good words and good phrases about Allaah, let us not pass up an opportunity in front of another Muslim or in front of a kaafir, to praise Allaah for what we have. Even if you are talking to a kafir and you have to mention something about your family, or about your wealth, or about your car, say: “This is from Allaah the Lord of the Creation who has given this to me, and its not from my work and my efforts but instead its a blessing from Allaah. I’m not a lucky person, rather I’m a blessed person, with blessings from Allaah” ...and in that you become a daa’ee as opposed to saying “I’m lucky,” you become a person who’s speech is similar to the speech of the people of shirk.”

start: 47 minutes, end: 48 minutes and 40 seconds
http://www.wiziq.com
Click here for class details and here for previous audios, in shaa Allaah.

Guarding Asr and Fajr prayers and seeing Allah

August 20, 2011 2 comments

Guarding Asr and Fajr prayers and seeing Allah – by Sheikh Bin Baz

The following is a summary translation taken from sahab.net

http://www.sahab.net/forums/showthread.php?t=361083

Question:

I want from the Noble Sheikh an answer to this question. The Messenger of Allah ‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ said, as has been narrated by the two Sheikhs, ‎Verily you shall see your Lord with your eyes as you are able to see this moon, you will have no difficulty in seeing Him; therefore if you have the ability to be diligent in the prayer before the sun rises and before it sets then do so.
The question is, why does this Hadith make a connection between seeing Allah ‎‎ ‎‎‎ with the Asr and Fajr prayers? Is guarding the prayer at these two times a reason for seeing Allah ‎‎ ‎‎‎?

Sheikh Bin Baz:

Seeing Allah ‎‎‎‎‎‎ in paradise and on the Day of Judgment is the truth, the believers will see Him, and this will be the greatest bliss for the people of paradise. When He removes the veil from His Face and they see Him, they would not have seen anything more beloved to them than looking at His Face ‎‎‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎‎‎.

And the Prophet ‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ informed us that the believers will see Him on the Day of Judgment with their eyes just as they are able to see the clear sun when there are no clouds and like they are able to see the moon when the moon is full, and they will have no difficulty in seeing Him; this is a confirmed truth with Ahlus Sunnah wa Jamah.

Then the Prophet ‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎ said, ‎Therefore if you have the ability to be diligent in the prayer before the sun rises and before it sets then do so‎,; and what is intended here is the Asr prayer and Fajr prayer.

The people of knowledge mentioned that the secret in this is that the one who guards these two prayers will be from those who see Allah morning and evening. They will see Allah morning and evening in paradise, meaning the time that will be regarded as morning and evening because in paradise there is no night rather it is only continuation day. Therefore what is intended is that which will be regarded as morning and evening, as Allah the Exalted says, ‎And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening‎. (Chapter 19 verse 62) Meaning that which is regarded as morning and evening in this world, and like this shall be the viewing of Allah during that time which is regarded as morning and evening.

Meaning the exclusive people of paradise, for them will be the viewing of Allah during the time between morning and evening, meaning they will see Him a lot due to their good actions and their truthfulness in faith. And from the reasons (for this blessing) are their guarding the Asr prayer and the Fajr prayer these two prayers are special. And guarding these two prayers is from the evidences of a person‎s strong faith and completeness in faith, along with guarding the other prayers.

Therefore it is obligatory to guard all the prayers but the Asr prayer and Fajr prayer are particularized with extra care and caution, because this is the opposite of what is done by the hypocrites and those who are lazy.

وَكَانَ الْفُضَيْل بْن عِيَاض يَقُول : يَا كَذَّاب يَا مُفْتَرٍ , اِتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَلَا تَسُبَّ الشَّيْطَان فِي الْعَلَانِيَة وَأَنْتَ صَدِيقُهُ فِي السِّرّ
Source

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Categories: Allah, Final Journey, Salah

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)’s Descent to the lowest heaven in last third of every night

May 22, 2011 1 comment

Asalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

A sister is posing this question:

I know that from the sunnah Allah decends to the lowest heaven in last third of every night; but night times are different all over the world; if it is night time here it is day time in another country; so how we can understand that Allah descends here but not some other place in the world where it is not yet night time?? very important question; please answer

From Moosaa ibn John Richardson:(salafitak.net)

This question is about the specific details of how Allaah descends.
So the four-part answer given by Imaam Maalik (d.179)to a similar question should suffice us:

1) Descending is something well known.
2) The actual way Allaah descends is not known to us.
3) Belief in it is obligatory.
4) Seeking after its specific details is bid’ah.

From Abu `Iyaad Amjad bin Muhammad Rafiq: (salafitalk.net)

Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah gives a lengthy explanation of this – which is another of the doubts of the Jahmiyyah – in his book “Sharh Hadeeth in-Nuzool”, towards the end of it (p.320 onwards), and the essence of it is is that this question only arises when it is presumed that the kaifiyyah of Allaah’s Descent is like the descent of created beings, for when you presume that, then this doubt arises. So as Imaam Malik said, as mentioned by Br. Moosaa, regarding Istiwaa and as Abu Ja’far at-Tirmidhi (the faqih of  Bagdhad, d. 295H) said,as mentioned by ad-Dhahabi in al-Uluww (p. 231), regarding the nuzool:

the Nuzool is ma’qool (understood), and the kayf is majhool (unknown), to have faith in it is obligatory and asking about it is an innovation.

And in summary, we hold that:

- Allaah descends without Him leaving the Throne, He remains above the Throne

- Allaah descends without coming under or beneath the heaven – and as the Salaf said to the Jahmiyyah who raised such doubts in relation to the nuzool, “We believe in a Lord who does whatever He wills”

- To all people in all parts of the earth, alongside the variation in the night and day, Allaah’s descent is for them during the last third of their night – and we are not able to understand the kaifiyyah of that – just like we are not able to understand the kaifiyyah of how Allaah will do the hisaab (accounting) of all the people at the same time.

Ibn Taymiyyah says, “As for the nuzool that is not of the type of the nuzool of the (created) bodies of the servants, then it is not impossible that it occurs at the same time for a great number of the creation … and this is like His reckoning of His servants on the Day of Judgement, He will reckon all of them within a single hour, and all of them will be alone with Him, just like a man is alone with the moon on a clear night, and He will make him affirm his sins, and that one being reckoned will not see that He is reckoning others besides him” (p.334)

And then Ibn Taymiyyah brings ahaadeeth in this regard, and he also mentions the hadeeth of Allaah responding ot the servant when he recites al-Faatihah in the prayer, so Allaah says, “My servant praised me” and so on, and this is to every one who prays, at the same time, and likewise Allaah sees everyone all at the same time, and he provides for everyone all at the same time, so likewise, the nuzool – if we remove that presumption of “kayf” that is prohibited which is that the nuzool is like that of the created bodies – then we are not subject to this doubt, and then we are able to affirm it for Allaah without tashbeeh and tamtheel and without any caution in that.

And in all of this there is sufficiency for the believer who affirms what Allaah affirmed for Himself without takyeef and without ta’teel and without tamtheel.

Here is that athar regarding Imam Malik (rahimahullaah) that our brother Moosa alluded to:  

And it was narrated by Yahya ibn Yahya at-Tamimi and Ja’far Ibn ‘Abd-Allaah and a group of them said:

“We were with Malik when a man came and asked him: ‘O Abu `Abd Allah! “The Most Beneficent (Allaah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). (Ta-Ha 20:5) How did He Istawa (rise over)?” Malik lowered his head and remained thus until he was completely soaked in sweat. Then he said:

 ”The Istiwaa (Allaah’s Rising Over His Throne) is ma’qool (known); the “how” is majhool (inconceivable); belief in it is wajib (obligatory); asking about it is bid’ah (an innovation); and I  fear that you are not anything but an innovator.” Then he commanded that the man be removed.”

Shaykh Al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah) declared this to be saheeh.
[See Mukhthasar al-Uluww Of Dhahabee, Checked by Shaykh Naasir rahimahullaah, page 141]

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=8&Topic=6176

The Following is from -The book of knowledge by shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen Rahimullah page 47-48

 ”Our Lord descends every night to the heaven of this world when the last third of the night is still to come and says, “Who will call me so that I may answer him? Who will ask Me so that I give him? Who will ask forgiveness of Me so that I may forgive him”- Saheeh Bukhari.

“This Hadeeth has been narrated by the Prophet (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam), and is well known. None of the companions raised any objections by saying: “Oh Messenger of Allah! How does He descend? And does He leave His Throne or not?, and other such similar questions. However, we find some people talking like this and saying: How is He upon His Throne and descends to the lowest heaven? And that which is similar to this from the statements which reject this, even though they accept this hadeeth and say that certainly Allah (ta’alaa) has risen above His Throne, and His rising is from that which befits His Majesty, and He descends as He (ta’alaa) wishes, just so as to overcome their doubts that they are not bewildered with that which the Prophet (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam) has informed them of their Lord.

Therefore, it is obligatory upon us to accept what Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam) has informed us concerning the matters of the unseen (wholeheartedly), in full submission, and that we do not reject them in favour of that which is in our minds from feelings and preconceived notions; Because the matter of the unseen are far above this. And the examples about this are many, and I do not wish to prolong the issue by mentioning them.

However, the position of the believer when presented with a hadeeth like this is acceptance in full submission, by saying Allah and his messenger have spoken the truth. As Allah has informs in His statement ” The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books and His Messengers. They say “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers”- and they say ” We hear and obey. Your forgiveness, Our Lord, and to you is the return”-Surah al Baqarah v. 285 “

Internet Source: http://salafitalk.net/

Categories: Allah, Aqeedah

Where is Allah? Debate between SheikhAlbanee and Azhari Sheikh

March 10, 2011 1 comment

The following is taken from trinimuslim forums , which was posted by brother Musa Millington, May Allah reward him.

~~~

This is a debate between the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah (who believe that Allah is above everything) and the Maturidis/Asharis who do not believe thus. It also deals with their false claims about Ahlus Sunnah.

Debate about where is Allah

This is a bit technical but inshallah all of us will understand by Allah’s guidance.

Azhari Shaikh: You (the Salafis) have put Allah in a place

Shaikh Al Albani: May Allah be raised above this! This is a great lie .

The Shaikh then said: Then a research between myself and him came about

I (Shaikh Al Albani) said to him: Oh teacher! is place (Makaan) something present or absent?

Azhari Shaikh: No, it is something present

I said: And is what is present limited or unlimited?

Azhari Shaikh: Limited

I said: Ok let us research now: we are on the earth, what is above us?

Azhari Shaikh: The ifrst heaven.

I said: Until the seventh?

Azhari Shaikh: Until the 7th

I said: And above the seventh?

Azhari Shaikh: The throne.

I said: And above the throne what is there?

Azhari Shaikh: Above the throne are the Karuubeeyuun!

I said: And what are there Karuubeeyuun?

Azhari Shaikh: These are angels.

I said: Do you know a verse of the Qur’an that says that there are angels called Karuubeeyuun?

Azhari Shaikh: Nope

I said: Is there a Hadeeth from the Messenger (Salallahu alaihi wa sallam) that says this?

He said: Nope

I said: Then where did you get this belief from?

He said: O teacher! We leant this in Azhar

I said: O teacher! didn’t you leanr in Azhar that belief is taken (as they claim) only from an evidence that is sure and affirmed and sure in evidence, they build their belief upon this, that beliefs are not taken from an authentic Hadeeth except if it is Mutawatir (has ten narrators or above in every part of the chain)?

He said: Yes

I said: Not a verse, not a Hadeeth Mutawatir, not even a Hadeeth Aahad!! So where did you’ll get this belief from? In any case this is not the point, say that there are angels above the throne called Karabeeyuun: above these angels what is there?

He said: That is all, all is ended.

I said: Is there any place there?

He said: No

I said: We say that Allah is above the creation, therefore he is not in a place, because place (Makaan) is something created and limited, therefore he is not in a place, therefore when we describe Allah as he described himself why do you explain this belief and this statement which is contrary to what it is? Firstly: Your understanding is that the creation is limited, therefore why do you say: Allah is in a place according to these Mujassimah (those who make Allah similar to his creation) who are called Salaf As Salih, then you explain it contrary to the verses? Why don’t you submit your beliefs according to the evidences that are Mutawatir? Even some of the Imams of Hadeeth like Haafiz Adh Dhahabi wrote a small book which is specific to this which is called: Al ‘Uluuw Lil “alee Al ghaffar.

End…

Notes: Allah is described as having ‘Uluuw Al Mutlaq. Meaning that he is above everything. However this doesn’t mean that he is in a place. Because of the fact that Makaan or place is something created and limited and Allah is above his creation and above any limitations.

However many claim that the Salafis say that Allah is in a place which is false.

False claims

They say that the Salafis (Ahlus Sunnah) but Allah in a direction

They say: You put Allah in a direction.

We say to them: So you mean by direction something that is present and created? Or do you mean by it what is outside of creation?

If they mean by this something that is present other than Allah then it is something created and Allah is above his creation and seperate from it.. but if what is meant by direction as something that is absent, meaning that it is above the creation then there is nothing except Allah alone that is above the creation.

Listen to Shaykh_Saalim_at-Taweel’s Beneficial points on the Benefits of talking about Allah being above the Creation!

[May Allah reward brother Talha Ibn Shahid who posted this audio]

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Categories: Allah, Aqeedah, Audio, Islam

Speech is Attributed to He who Said it Initially

From Him it began and to Him it shall return, and He spoke in reality.

Explanation:

He said,”From Him it began.” Meaning, it was sent down by Allah Subahana wa ta’alaa when Allah spoke it in reality. And Jibreel heard it from Him and descended down to Muhammed Salallahu alayhi wa Salam conveyed it to his Ummah. So it is the speech of Allah in reality, not metaphorically. As for His statement,

“Indeed it (i.e the Qur’an) is a word conveyed by a noble Messenger (i.e Jibreel) who is possessed of power and secure in position with the Owner of the Throne.” (Surat-Takweer 81:19-20)

Meaning Jibreel Alayhi Salam. And He said,

“Indeed it (i.e The Qur’an) is the word of a noble Messenger and it is not the word of a poet.” (Surat al-Haaqqah 69:40-41)

Meaning Muhammed Salallahu alayhi wa Salam. He connected it to the human Messenger at times and to the angelic Messenger at other times and He connected it to Himself Subahana wa ta’alaa at other times.

So it is said that the speech is only attached to the one who originally said it. As for it being attached to Jibreel, or to Muhammed, then it is only attached as the delivering of the message. And it is never possible for a single statement to have been said by more than one speaker. So this proves that it is the speach of Allah. However, it is attached to Jibreel and to Muhammed in His statement,

” Indeed, it (i.e the Qur’an) is the word of a noble Messenger” (Surat al-Haaqqah 69:40)

It is the attachement of conveying a message and the speech is only attached to the one who said it initially, not to those who said it to deliver and convey.

So this is the answer to this doubt which is attached to that. He said,”And to Him it shall return.” He has alluded to what will occur in the last times when the Qur’an will be raised up. And it will be taken from the chests of the men from the books, and not a trace will remain. And that is from the signs of the Hour. So just as it was sent down from Him, then it will be raised up in the last times and returns to Him Subahana wa ta’alaa. And no Qur’an will remain upon the earth.

He said,”He spoke in reality.” This is a refutation upon those who say,’He spoke it metaphorically. So the attachment to Allah is by way of metaphor, because He is the One who created the speech and then attached it to Himself metaphorically’.

And it is not the self-existent meaning as the Ashaa’irah say. And it is not created as the Jahmiyyah say. It is only spoken by Allah in reality, and Jibreel heard it from Him and he carried it from Allah Subahana wa ta’alaa and conveyed it to His Prophet, Muhammed Salallahu alayhi wa Salam. So the Qur’an is from Muhammed, from Jibreel, from Allah Subahana wa ta’alaa. This is the sanad (chain of narration), from the Qur’an as Allah Subahana wa ta’alaa said,

“Indeed, it (i.e the Qur’an) is a word conveyed by a noble Messenger (i.e Jibreel) whi is possessed of power and secure in position with the Owner of the Throne, obeyed there and trustworthy”. (Surat al-Takweer 81:19-21)

Also this refers to Jibreel. Then He said,

“And your companion is not…” (Surat al Takweer 81:22)

Meaning Muhammed Salallahu alayhi wa Salam,

” And your companion is not at all mad”. (Surat al Takweer 81:22)

As the disbelievers say.

” And he has already seen him (Surat al Takweer 81:23)

That is, he saw Jibreel Alayhi Salam in his true angelic form.

“…in the clear horizon.” (Surat al Takweer 81:23)

He saw Jibreel whilst he was in the horizon in his true form in th valley of Makkah. And he saw him in another time during the night of al-Miraaj (ascent) at the remotest tree (as-sidratul-muntahaa).

“And he certainly saw him in another descent.” (Surat al Najm 53:13)
Bold

That is, he saw Jibreel at the remotest tree during the night of al-Miraaj (ascent). So the Prophet Salallahu alayhi wa Salam saw Jibreel in his natural angelic form two times(related by al Bukhari no 3235 and Muslim no 177). And at other times Jibreel came in the form of a human being and the Companions saw him in a form of a human being and they thought that he was from amongst mankind and that he had traveled to the Messenger Salallahu alayhi wa Salam.(realted by Muslim no8).

Taken from the book Explanation of the Reformer, Muhammed Ibn Abdul Wahab Explained by the Noble Sheikh Dr. Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan p 81-84

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Categories: Allah, Islam, Quran

The inheritance of Paradise – Shaykh al-Albaani (rahimahullaah)

September 20, 2010 1 comment

source: Shaykh Albanee – alkhawf wa rrajaa – fear and hope (of Allaah) – tape no. 1
~
shaykh al-albaani (rahimahullaah) discusses and clarifies a very important point about the believers entering, inheriting and enjoying jannah, a concept which the general muslimoon cannot immediately comprehend save with the clarification of the people of knowledge, wa lillaah ilhamd.

the shaykh‘s explanation particularly revolves around the two aayaat from the qur’aan and the hadeeth below:

“…Enter you Paradise because of that (the good) which you used to do (in the world).” (Surat ul-Nahl – 16:32)
“…This is the Paradise which you have inherited for what you used to do.” (Surat ul-A’raaf – 7:43)
The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:  “‘None of you will enter Paradise by his good deeds, but rather by the Favor of Allaah and His Mercy.’ They said, ‘Not even you O Messenger of Allaah?’. He [sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said, ‘Not even myself, unless Allaah encompasses me with His Favor and His Mercy.’”
[this is exactly the way in which shaykh al-albaani relates it in the tape in terms of the wording, and he refers it to the saheehayn, i.e., saheeh al-bukhaari and saheeh muslim]

the shaykh then clarifies:

“Hence, for Paradise there is a price [that one must pay] and the two previous aayaat indicates that the price of Paradise is righteous deeds, and there is no doubt that good deeds do not benefit its owner at all except if he [or she] is a true believer in Allaah and His Messenger [sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam]. So therefore, the price of Paradise is eemaan (faith) and righteous deeds. Then how do we reconcile between…the two previous aayaat…and between that hadeeth: ‘None of you will enter Paradise by his good deeds, but rather by the Favor of Allaah and His Mercy’?

The reconciliation between this and this [the two aayaat and the hadeeth] is that…”

here the shaykh maa shaa Allaah gets into an elaborate discussion about the difference between the implications of letter “baa” in the two aayaat versus that in the hadeeth. it is very difficult to break down this portion of the talk as a plain translation will still require some clarification, so i have left it out; but the main point of the shaykh is still illustrated alhamdulillaah as he continues:

“…So that which is negated in the last hadeeth, ‘None of you will enter Paradise by his good deeds’ is one thing and that which is established in the aayah ‘Enter you Paradise because of that which you used to do’  is another thing. That which is established in the aayah and so forth is merely the entrance (into Paradise), i.e., the key of Paradise, as comes in some of the narrations…in Saheeh al-Bukhaari: For everything there is a key, and the key of Paradise is ‘laa ilaaha illAllaah.’ So the key of Paradise is this eemaan (faith) and righteous deeds. But, if this muslim enters Paradise and he enjoys in it, as comes in some authentic narrations, that which ‘no eye has ever seen, and no ear has ever heard and no human heart can ever perceive/think of’ [Saheeh al-Bukhaari/Muslim], so this type of enjoyment is not due to the price that he presented, this enjoyer, but rather this is from the Favor of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and His Mercy.

So merely the entrance (into Paradise), its price is eemaan (faith) and righteous deeds. As for the types of enjoyment in Paradise, which includes that which we pointed to earlier [that] in it is what ‘no eye has ever seen, and no ear has ever heard and no human heart can ever perceive/think of eye,’ then there is no price for this, it is not possible to assign for it a price [i.e., it is priceless].”

next, the shaykh relates the story of the last man to be admitted to jannah as narrated by ibn mas’ood (radi Allaahu ‘anhu) from saheeh muslim. there are some extra details that the shaykh mentions as he narrates it, but it is the same hadeeth:

Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed I know the last man to exit from the Fire and the last man to enter Paradise. A man will come out of the Fire crawling {here Shaykh al-Albaani comments: ‘the meaning of this is that he will exit from the Fire being the most punished in it from the muslimeen, and he exits (from the Fire) perished…, thus he is not able to walk upright as Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, created him’}…Then a tree would be raised up for him and he will say: O my Lord! Bring me near this tree so that I may take shelter in its shade and drink of its water. Allaah, the Exalted and Great, would say: O son of Adam, if I grant you this, you will ask Me for something else. He will say: No my Lord. And he would promise Him that he would not ask for anything else. His Lord…would bring him near it, and (the man) would take shelter in its shade and drink of its water.  Afterwards a tree more beautiful than the first would be raised up before him and he would say: O my Lord! Bring me near this tree in order that I may drink of its water and take shelter in its shade and I shall not ask You for anything else. (Allaah) would say: O son of Adam, if I bring you near it you may ask me for something else. He would promise Him that he would not ask for anything else. His Lord…would bring him near it and he would enjoy its shade and drink its water. Then a tree would be raised up for him at the gate of Paradise, more beautiful than the first two. He would say: O my Lord! Bring me near this (tree) so that I may enjoy its shade and drink from its water. I shall not ask You for anything else. (Allaah) would say: O son of Adam! Did you not promise Me that you would not ask Me anything else? (The man) would say: Yes, my Lord, but I shall not ask You for anything else. His Lord…would bring him near to it, and…(the man) would hear the voices of the inhabitants of Paradise. He would say: O my Lord! Admit me to it… Allaah would say to him: Go and enter Paradise, for there is for you the like of the world and ten times like it. The man will say {because of, as Shaykh al-Albaani explains, his barely being able to believe that this favor is being bestowed upon him} : O my Lord! Are You mocking at me, though You are the Lord of the worlds?. (Here, the narrator) Ibn Mas’ood (radi Allaahu ‘anhu) laughed and asked (those who were listening to him): Why don’t you ask me what I am laughing at. They said: Why do you laugh? He said: It is in this way that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) laughed. They (the sahaaba) asked: Why do you laugh, Messenger of Allaah? He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: On account of the laugh of the Lord of the universe, when (the man) said: Are you mocking at me, though You are the Lord of the worlds?…”

*the translation of the above hadeeth, for the most part, was taken directly from the already translated text of saheeh muslim*

the shaykh continues:

“This is the last person who will exit from the fire and the last person who will enter Paradise, [and] for him is the likes of the world and ten times like it. So does this perished person, who was the last person to exit the fire, does he deserve this vast dominion in Paradise because of his deeds? No, this is from the Favor of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and His Mercy…

[In conclusion], if we regard this explanation, the contradiction disappears between this hadeeth and between the two aayaat [mentioned in the beginning]. And this is [just] one example from many instances [in which] some contradiction between some texts [such as] the Qur’aan and Sunnah…appears to some people, even the sincere ones amongst them. So, the muslim must not be hasty and must reflect on both texts, and if he did not find the way to reconcile between the two, he should ask who is above him, as our Lord, the Blessed and Most High, said: ‘So ask the people of the Reminder (the people of knowledge) if you do not know’ [Surat ul-Ambiyaa - 21:7].”

~
asaheeha translations

Categories: Allah, Final Journey

“The More Humble You Are Before Allah…” by ibn Taymiyah

From the words of Ibn Taymiyyah:

“…And the worshipper – the more humble, needy, and subdued he is before Allah – the closer he will be to Him, and the dearer he will be to Him, and the greater in status he will be to Him. So, the happiest of the Creation is the one who is greatest in servitude to Allah.

As for the Creation, as it is said: be in need of whoever you wish, and you will be his prisoner; be sufficient from whoever you wish, and you will be his adversary; be kind to whoever you wish, and you will be his authority…

So, the greatest in status and honor the slave is with others is when he is not in need of them in any way, shape, or form. If you are good to others while not being in need of them, you will be greater in their eyes. When you are in need of them – even if for a sip of water – your status is reduced in their eyes in accordance with what it is you need from them. And this is from the Wisdom and Mercy of Allah, in order that the Religion all be for Allah, and that nothing be associated with Him.

Because of this, when Hatim al-Asamm was asked: ‘With what can one protect himself from people?’ he answered: “That you freely give them from what you have, and that you are cold and indifferent towards what they have.” However, if you are in a position to be compensated from them, and they are also in need of something from you, and the needs of the two sides become equal, you become like two merchants, none of whom has any virtue over the other. If they are the more needy side, that is when they will become subdued.

So, with the Exalted Lord, the most generous you are to Him is when you are most in need of Him. With the Creation, the most insignificant you are to them is when you are most in need of them…”

['Majmu' al-Fatawa'; 1/67]

Categories: Allah, Character

As-Sitteer (The Coverer) – Asma al Husna

July 24, 2010 3 comments

AbdurRahman.org » Sitemap » asma-ul-husna »

Siteer means the One who conceals faults, referring to Allaah, the One who conceals faults between you and Him

Al-Hayee (The Shy) & As-Sitteer (The Coverer) :

[Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn as-Sa’di]

Al-Hayee (The Shy) This is derived from his statement (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): Verily Allah is Al-Hayee (The Shy). He is shy to let His slave return empty-handed if he outstretches his hands to Him. [Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah] Also is his statement (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): Verily Allah Mighty and Majestic is Haleem (Forebearing), Hayee (Shy), Sitteer (Covering). He loves modesty and shyness and covering. Therefore when any of you bathe let him cover himself (i.e. from the sight of people). [Abu Dawud, An-Nasaa’ee, al-Baihaqi, Ahmed, graded as saheeh]

This is from His Mercy, Generosity, and Perfection. His forbearance is in that His slave openly sins although he is intensely dependant upon Him to the degree that it is not even possible for him to disobey if not for the favor of Allah giving him any power. Yet Ar-Rabb (The Ultimate Creator, Sustainer and Provider) is of such complete independence from all of His creation, it is out of His generosity that He is shy to uncover and disgrace him and make lawful the punishment for him, so He covers him through opening means to cover him by. He overlooks and forgives and He shows His love for His slave through His favors, yet they commit sins hateful to Him. His good is upon them every moment yet their evil is rising. He is still the Sovereign and Most Generous although their disobedience and every shameful deed goes up to Him. Allah ta’aalaa is shy to punish the one that tarnishes his Islam as well as to leave the one who outstretches his hands to Him empty handed. He calls upon His slaves to ask Him and He promises to answer them.

He is the Coverer and the Shy Who in turn loves those who possess a sense of shame and who cover faults. Whoever covers the faults of a Muslim, Allah will cover him in this life and in the hereafter. For this reason it is detested that the slave of Allah announces his sin after its commission. Rather the repentance of the slave is between him and his Rabb and not revealed to people. It is the most loathsome of people who commit sin in the night and Allah covers that sin only to remove the covering of Allah in the morning by announcing that sin.

Allah ta’aalaa said: Verily those who like that (the crime) of illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter.
[Soorah An-Noor, Aayah 19].

The below is taken from : http://www.salafitalk.net/

From Brother Moosa Richardson:
Here are some relevant points regarding this issue that should be considered:

1. We are not required to restrict ourselves to calling upon Allaah using only His Names, rather we can call upon Allaah by His Attributes or Actions, like saying, “Yaa thal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam”. This does not mean that we must first affirm that Thul-Jalaali wal-Ikraam is one of His Names. Similarly, we can say, “Yaa Rabba kulli shay’” (O Lord of all things), without first affirming that “Rabbu kulli shay’” is one of Allaah’s Names… This is something well known and spoken of in the scholars’ books.

2. It is very virtuous to call upon Allaah using His Most Beautiful Names, due to His Statement, that means, “And to Allaah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him using them…”

3. Based on the first two points, the scholars who advise(d) against saying, “Yaa saatir”, perhaps they intended to guide people to what is better: the name “as-Sitteer”, which is established in an authentic narration, as opposed to “as-Saatir” or “As-Sattaar” which are both derived from His Action of as-Sitr, like in the hadeeth, “Whoever screens a believer in this life, “satarullaah” (Allaah screens him) in this life and the Hereafter…” Thus, to call on Allaah beginning with “Yaa Saatir…” is permissible, just as it is permissible to call upon Allaah beginning with, “Yaa Badee’as-Samaawaatil-wal-Ardh…” and the likes.

4. Building on a recent thread about saying only, “Yaa Allaah!” (properly pronounced “Yallaah!”) without asking for anything… just as it is not legislated for you to call upon Allaah saying this and then not ask for anything, similarly it is not legislated for you to call upon Allaah saying, “Yaa Saatir!” without asking for anything (as is the custom of many people). This goes for when you call upon Allaah by any of His Names, Attributes, or Actions.

5. Thus, if a person were to say, “Yaa Saatir (or Sattaar), ustur ‘awraatinaa!” (O He who screens, conceal our weaknesses!”), it would be similar to any other case of calling upon Allaah by mentioning His Actions, like “Yaa Haazim al-Ahzaab” and the likes.

6. We say that “as-Sitteer” is from Allaah’s Names, and that we do not have any proof to affirm “as-Saatir” or “as-Sattaar” as His Names. However, we have no proof to negate either of them as Names either, as Allaah has Names that He has not informed us of. This requires a delicate understanding.

7. We can refer to Allaah by any of His Names, Attributes, or Actions in our oaths as well, like saying, “I swear by the One in whose Hand is my soul…”

And Allaah knows best.
Moosaa ibn John Richardson

****

Al-‘Allaamah Al-Albaanee – rahimahullaah – teaches ‘Aqeedah (creed of belief) from beneath the overturned car!!

Aboo Waa’il ‘Umar bin Ahmad: Ash-Shaikh ‘Alee Khashshaan said in his printed statement “Naasir ul-Hadeeth (Supporter of the Hadeeth), and Mujaddid us-Sunnah (Reviver of the Sunnah), Al-Albaanee: He Lived as the Alone Person of the Time, and He Became the Lost Person of the Time.” This statement was published in the magazine Ash-Shaqaa’iq, and he (‘Alee Khashshaan) spoke about Ash-Shaikh Muhammad Naasir ud-Deen Al-Albaanee (saying): “I swear by Allaah, my eyes did not see anyone, as far as I know, who was more eager about the Sunnah, and more severe in aiding it, and who followed it more than Al-Albaanee. Indeed a car overturned with him inside of it between Jeddah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and the people rushed (to it) saying, ‘O Sattaar, O Sattaar!’ (meaning O Protector). So the Supporter of Hadeeth (Al-Albaanee) said to them while he was under the overturned car, ‘Say O Sateer, and don’t say O Sattaar, for As-Sattaar is not from the Most High’s names.’ And in the Hadeeth (the Prophet said), ‘Verily Allaah is Living (Hayy), Sateer (Concealer); He loves sitr (covering, concealing or protecting).’”

Conveyed from the Home Page of Sahab net

http://www.sahab.net/sab/

Translated by Aqeel Walker

****

Shaykh Yahya Al-Hajooree(may Allah protect and preserve him) was asked ,” Is it permissible to name somebody by Abdus Sattar?
Answer :I haven’t found anything about As-Sattar being one of Allah’s names. And since there isn’t any proof for this name, no one should be called Abdus Sattar.

Taken from Al-Kanz At-Thaameen fee As-ilahtu Talibatul ilm wa Zaa’iree [ vol 1, page 19] printed by Darul kitab wa Sunnah 2009
* Ibn Mundu and Al-Qurtubi count As-Sattar among Allah’s most beautiful names.
And Allah knows best.

***

Sheikh Ubayd al-Jaabiree said that Siteer is form Allaah’s names not what is common on people’s tongues ‘saattar’

Sheikh al-Albaani rahimahullaah corrected aperson who called upon Allaah by ya Saatar and the sheikh said to him say Siteer and this was during a car accident they were both in.

As for the faults that harm people such as innovation and open sins then it is from piety to mention other people’s innovations that harm the people and affect the understanding of the deen.

Sheikh Ubayd said that concealing of other peoples’ faults is only praiseworthy when that fault is between that person and Allaah as for innovations and open sins that affect the public then these need to be made aware of for the greater benefit to society unless the person repents from this sincerely.

***

Keeping Sins a Secret :

From among the teachings of Allah’s Messenger (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) is to keep sins a secret matter. If someone commits a sinful act which is against the Commandments of Allah, or is against the moral character, or is such an act that may cause harm to one’s honor, then he should keep it a secret and seek forgiveness from Allah in the darkness of night.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “My entire nation is safe, except al-Mujahirin (those who boast of their sins). Among the Mujaharah is that a man commits an (evil) act, and wakes up in the morning while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret, he says: “O so- and-so! Last night I did this and that.” He goes to sleep while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret but he wakes up in the morning and uncovers what Allah has kept a secret!” [Saheeh al-Bukhari]

Abdullah Ibn Masoud (May allah be pleased with him) related, `A man came to the Prophet and said: `O Messenger of Allah! I have mingled with a woman in the far side of al-Medina, and I fulfilled my desire short of actually having sexual intercourse with her. So, here am I, judge me according to what you decide.’ Umar Ibn al-Khattab (May allah be pleased with him) then said: `Allah had kept your secret, why did not you keep your secret?’ [Sharh Muslim]

Similarly,  if one becomes aware of somebody else’s sin, he should keep it a secret. Allah’s Messenger (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “He, who relieves a hardship of this Dunya (world) for a believer, Allah will relieve (from him) a hardship of the Day of Resurrection; he who makes easy an indebted person, Allah will make it easy for him in the Dunya and the Hereafter; he who covers a Muslim (meaning his mistakes and shortcomings), Allah will cover him in the Dunya and the Hereafter …” [Sahih Muslim]

Categories: Allah, Sins
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