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The benefits derived from the hadith “Hasten to do (good) deeds. (There will be) Fitnah like a portion of a dark night (in which there is no moonlight)….”

Author: Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Bin Muhammad Al Junaid
Translated By: Abu Afnaan Muhammad Abdullah

All praise is due to Allah the All Powerful and All Mighty. Peace and blessings be upon the Master of all of mankind (Muhammad), his family, his companions and the tabi’een .

To proceed:

Abu Huraira -May Allah be pleased with him- has related that the Prophet (Sallahu alaihi wa salam) said,

“Hasten to do good deeds; (there will be) fitnah like a portion of a dark night, wherein an individual wakes up as a believer and begins the night as a disbeliever or he begins the night as a believer and wakes up as a disbeliever. He sells his religion for a portion of the dunya (this worldly life).”

This hadith will be explained in light of the different issues related to this hadith:

1. The analysis of this hadith and its authenticity.

Imam Muslim narrated this hadith (n.118) and the abovementioned phrasing is from his narration. Also, Imam Ahmad related this hadith (n. 10,772) and (n. 8,030), At Tirmidhi also related it (n. 2,195), along with Ibn Hibban (n. 6,704) and other narrators of hadith have narrated this hadith as well.

Those (scholars of hadith) who deemed this hadith authentic (sahih) were: Muslim, At Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Abu ‘Awaana, Al Baghawi, Al Albani and other scholars of hadith.

2. The subject matter of the hadith:

The topic of this hadith is to warn from the threat of fitnah and an explanation of the dangers and harms it presents to mankind.

3. The third issue of the hadith: The explanation of the hadith.

This hadith is related to fitnah, which is of two types:

The first type is the fitnah of As Shubuhaat (doubts). What is meant by this type of fitnah is that fitnah which is connected to the religion/deen. This type of fitnah is more severe than the fitnah of As shahawaat (base desires) because it (may) expel an individual from the purity of At Tawheed and cause him to enter into the filth of As Shirk (polytheism), Al Kufr (disbelief), Al Ilhaad (atheism or misguidance with regards to Allah’s names and attributes), or Az Zandaqa(hypocrisy) and cause him to exit from the light of the Sunnah and cause him to enter into the darkness of bid’ah and misguidance.

This type of fitnah appears from time to time. Read more…

Fear Allaah and Do Not Depend Upon Intercession! – Shaykh Rabee’
Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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

http://31097.multiply.com

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Essential Q & A Concerning the Foundations of Imaan and Obstacles in the Path of Imaan
By: Shaykh Abdur-Rahman As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullah)

What are the Different Classes of Believers?
Question 9 – Pgs. 31-32

There are 3 main types of believers:
*(footnotes in italics)

This chapter is an explanation of Allah’s Statement {Surah Faatir 35:32}:

“Then We caused Our chosen servants to inherit the Book.  Among them are self-oppressors, among them are frugal o­nes, and from them are those who rush forth to perfom good deeds, by the Permission of Allah.”

The author’s reference to the 3 levels of believers found in this Verse is similar to Ibn Katheer’s own explanation of it, and it is in accordance with what has been said by Ibn Abbas, Ibn Mas’ood, and others from the Companions, {May Allah be pleased with them.}  Ibn Abbas {radiallahu anhu} said, “They are the Ummah (Nation) of Muhammad {alayhee salatul wasalaam}, the o­nes whom Allah caused to inherit all the books that He sent down.  The oppressive o­ne will be forgiven, the frugal o­ne will be given an easy reckoning, and the o­ne who rushed forth (to do good deeds) will enter Paradise with no reckoning.” {Tafseer al-Qur’an al-’Atheem, 6/546}

1)  Saabiqoon ilal-Khayraat – Those who rush to do good deeds:
Those who rush to do good deeds are those who perform both the obligatory and recommended deeds, while avoiding both the prohibited and disliked affairs.

2) Muqtasidoon – Those who are frugal and selective:
The frugal o­nes are those who restrict themselves to performing o­nly those deeds that are obligatory, while avoiding o­nly the prohibited affairs *(footnotes in italics).

(i.e., Meaning that they fall into disliked affairs and leave off recommended deeds.)

3) Thaalimoon li-Anfusihim – Those who oppress themselves:
Those who oppress themselves are those who mix good deeds with the bad o­nes.   *(footnotes in italics)

*(Meaning that they fall into prohibited affairs and leave off obligations.  In his Tafseer (6/546), Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) said, explaining these three categories of believers: ”The self-oppressor falls short of performing his obligations and falls into some prohibited things.  The frugal o­ne performs his obligations and stays away from prohibited things, however he tends to abandon some of the recommended deeds and falls into some disliked things.  The o­ne who rushes to do good deeds performs both obligatory and recommended deeds, while staying away from both disliked and prohibited things.

Taken from:

http://calgaryislam.com/articles/islaamic2/tazkiyah/322-what-are-the-different-classes-of-believers.html

The most hated speech to Allaah is when a man says to another man, ‘Fear Allaah!’
and he replies, ‘Worry about your own self!’ “

On the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu), the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“Verily the most beloved speech to Allaah is the servant’s saying, ‘Subhaanak Allaahumma wa bihamdika wa tabaarakasmuka wa ta’aalaa jad-duka wa laa ilaaha ghayruk.’ (Glorified are you, O Allaah, and to you is the praise, Blessed is Your Name and Lofty is your Majesty, there is none worthy of worship other than you.) The most hated speech to Allaah is when a man says to another man, ‘Fear Allaah!’ and he replies, ‘Worry about your own self!’ “

It was reported by Al-Asbahaanee in At-Targheeb (739), and Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah (2598).

Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimahullah) narrated:

It is reported that in Egypt, there was a man who would maintain the mosques, making the call to prayer, etc. He was, by all outward means, an obedient person and devout worshipper.

One day, as he usually would, he ascended the minaret to make the call to prayer. At the base of the minaret, there was a Christian woman standing. He saw her, and was seduced by her looks. So, he descended the minaret, went to her, and entered her home. She said to him: “Who are you, and what do you want?”

He replied: “I want you.”

She said: “Why?”

He said: “You have enslaved my eyes, and you have captured my heart.”

She said: “I will never answer your desire in a doubtful or suspicious manner.”

He said: “Ok, so, I will marry you, then.”

She said: “You are a Muslim, and I am a Christian. My father will never allow me to marry you.”

He said: “So, I will become a Christian.”

She said: “If you wish to do so, go ahead.“

So, the man became a Christian in order to marry this woman, and lived with the woman’s family in her house. Later on that day, however, he was on the roof of the house. He fell from the roof and died without even having enjoyed his new bride. So, he lost the woman, and he lost his religion.”

Ad-Da’ wad-Dawa, page.127 of Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (Rahimahullaah)

Poisonous Tongues

Source: “al-Jawaabul-Kaafee/adDaa wad-Dawaa”.
Transcribed from: The Appendix of “An Explanation of the Hadeeth: “Say, ‘I believe in Allah’, and then be upright and steadfast.” | Ibn Rajab

Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim, rahimahullaah, said:

It is quite amazing how it can be easy upon a person to be cautious and wary with regards to [different impermissible acts such as]: eating from unlawful means, oppression, adultery and fornication, stealing, drinking intoxicants, looking at prohibited things and the likes, and yet quite difficult for him to be careful about the movement of his tongue. So bad that you find a person towards whom the people point to concerning his practice of the Religion, his asceticism, and worship, and despite this he says statements that anger Allaah greatly and he shows no concern about this, yet this statement will take him [to a Fire] that is farther than distance between east and west. (1)

How many people do you see from amongst those who have enough piety to abstain from lewd, indecent acts, oppression and wrong doing, but their tongues rip apart the honor of both the dead and the living and they show not a care in the least.

Footnotes:

(1) Just as al-Bukhaaree (no. 6477) and Muslim (no. 2988) have collected on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah.

Internet Source : http://tawheedfirst.wordpress.com

No Excuse for Sinners

Shaykh al-`Uthaymeen said:

We believe that the sinner has no excuse in Allaah’s divine decree, because he commits his sin by his free will, without knowing that Allaah has decreed for him, for no one knows Allaah’s decree before it takes place:

«No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow» [31:34]

How can it be possible, then, to present an excuse that is not known to the person who is advancing it when he commits his offense? Allaah invalidated this type of argument by saying:

«Those who took partners (in worship) with Allaah will say: “If Allaah had willed, we would not have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything (against His Will). Likewise belied those who were before them, (they argued falsely with Allaah’s Messengers), till they tasted of Our Wrath. Say: “Have you any knowledge (proof) that you can produce before us? Verily, you follow nothing but guess and you do nothing but lie.» [6:148]

We say to the sinner who is using divine decree as an excuse: ‘Why did you not perform deeds of obedience, assuming that Allaah has decreed them upon you, since you did not know the difference between good deeds and sins? That is why, when Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) told his Companions that everyone’s position in Paradise or Hell has been assigned, they said: ‘Should not we rely on this and stop working?’ He said: «No, work and everyone will be directed to what he is created for» [Bukhaaree and Muslim].

We say to the sinner who is trying to find an excuse in the divine decree: “Suppose you want to travel to Makkah. There are two roads that may take you there. You are told by a truthful person that one of these roads is dangerous and difficult, the other is easy and safe. You will take the second one. You will not take the first road and say it is decreed upon me. If you did, people would consider you crazy.”

We may also say to him: “If you are offered two jobs, one of which has a higher salary, you will certainly take the one with the higher salary. Why do you choose what is lower in the Hereafter and use the divine decree as an excuse?”

We may further say to him: “We see you when you are afflicted with a disease, you knock at every physician’s door looking for treatment and bearing whatever pain that may result from surgical operations and the bitterness of medicine. Why do not you do the same when your heart is spiritually sick with sins?“

Source : The Muslim’s Belief.

Internet Source: http://daragharbi.org

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, Ar-Rooh, p. 79.
Translated by Ahmed Abu Turaab @ http://wp.me/p23HnI-38

Ibn al-Qayyim said,

‘Avoid those things that necessitate the punishment of the grave.

And from the most beneficial of them is that when a man wants to sleep, he sits for an hour, for the Sake of Allaah, calling himself to account over the things that he has lost and gained during that day of his. Then, between him and his Lord, he renews his sincere repentance over those things that he lost, and sleeps on that repentance, firmly resolving not to return to the sin when he wakes up–and he does this every night.

So if he dies on that night of his, he would have died upon repentance and if he wakes up, he will wake up going towards action, pleased with the postponement of his appointed time so that he can turn to his Lord and set right what he missed out on.

And there is nothing more beneficial for the servant than this sleep, especially when he follows that [i.e., his resolve to renew his repentance] up with the remembrance of Allaah, performing those sunnahs which have been reported from the Prophet of Allaah when going to bed, [doing so] until sleep overtakes him.

So whoever Allaah wishes good for, He will grant him the success to do that. And there is neither movement, nor power except through Allaah.”

Ar-Rooh, p. 79.

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How will I answer my Rabb about my sins on the day of gathering?

Source : http://www.dusunnah.com/