Types of Kufr

May 6, 2009 at 11:45 am | Posted in Tawhid | 5 Comments
Tags: , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

الحمد الله

1. Kufrul-‘Inaad: Disbelief out of stubborness. This applies to someone who knows the truth and admits to knowing the truth and admits to knowing it with his tongue, but refuses to accept it and refrains from making a declaration. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: Throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever [Soorah Qaaf (50), Ayah 24]

2. Kufrul-Inkaar: Disbelief out of denial. This applies to someone who denies with both heart and tongue. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: They recognize the favors of Allaah, yet they deny them. Most of them are disbelievers. [Soorah Nahl (16), Ayah 83]

3. Kufrul-Kibr: Disbelief out of arrogance and pride. The disbelief by the devils (Iblees) is an example of this type of Kufr.

4. Kufrul-Juhood: Disbelief out of rejection.This applies to someone who aknowledges the truth in his heart, but rejects it with his tongue. This types of kufr is applicable to those who calls themselves Muslims but who reject any necessary and accepted norms of Islam such as Salaat and Zakat. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: They denied them (OUR SIGNS) even though their hearts believed in them , out of spite and arrogance. [Soorah Naml (27), Ayah 14]

5. Kufrul-Nifaaq: Disbelief out of hypocrisy.This applies to someone who pretends to be a believer but conceals his disbelief. Such a person is called a MUNAFIQ or hypocrite. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: Verily the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hell. You will find no one to help them. [Soorah An Nisaa (4), Ayah 145]

6. Kufrul-Istihaal: Disbelief out of trying to make HARAM into HALAL. This applies to someone who accepts as lawful (Halal) that which Allaah has made unlawful (Haram) like alcohol or adultery.Only Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala has the prerogative to make things Halal and Haram and those who seek to interfere with His right are like rivals to Him and therefore fall outside the boundries of faith.

7. Kufrul-Kurh: Disbelief out of detesting any of Allaah’s subhanahu wa ta’ala commands. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: Perdition (destruction) has been consigned to those who disbelieve and He will render their actions void. This is because they are averse to that which Allaah has revealed so He has made their actions fruitless. [Soorah Muhammed (47), Ayah 8-9]

8. Kufrul-Istihzaha: Disbelief due to mockery and derision. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: Say: Was it at Allaah, His signs and His apostles that you were mocking? Make no excuses. You have disbelieved after you have believed. [Soorah Taubah (9), ayah 65-66]

9. Kufrul-I’raadh: Disbelief due to avoidance. This applies to those who turn away and avoid the truth. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: And who is more unjust than he who is reminded of his Lord’s signs but then turns away from them. Then he forgets what he has sent forward (for the Day of Judgement) [Soorah Kahf (18), Ayah 57]

10. Kufrul-Istibdaal: Disbelief because of trying to substitute Allaah’s Laws. This could take the form of:

(a) Rejection of Allaah’s law (Sharee’ah) without denying it

(b) Denial of Allaah’s law and therefore rejecting it, or

(c) Substituting Allaah’s laws with man-made laws. Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: Or have they partners with Allaah who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed. [Soorah Shuraa(42), Ayah 8] Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: Say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely (that) is lawful and this is forbidden so as to invent a lie against Allaah. Verily, those who invent a lie against Allaah will never prosper. [Soorah Nahl (16), Ayah 116]

Al-Hafidh Ibn Kathir رحمه الله

Tawassul and it’s Agreed Upon Types

April 29, 2009 at 9:51 am | Posted in Tawhid | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

الحمد الله

The word Tawassul comes from the word “Al Wasila”

Definition of Al Wasila:

Al-Khalil bin Ahmad (100-170 H.) said in “al Ayn”:

“Wassaltu to my Lord Wasilatan, means: I did a deed that by which I drew near to Him. And I did tawassul to someone by a book or a relative, means that I sought means of approach to him by it.

Labeed said:

‘I see that the people do not know the value of their affair,
where as every religious person seeks to draw nearer to Allaah.’

Isma’il bin Hammad al Jawhari (d. 393 H.) said in “As-Sihah fi Al-Lughah”:

“Al Wasila: That by which one draws near to another”.

“Al wasilah ” by this meaning is found in the Quran:

O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek al wasilah to Him. (5:35)

Its tafsir (interpretation) :

Tafsir Imam At-Tabari (d. 310 H.) He says: and seek nearness to Him by performing the acts that please Him.

Tafsir “Bahr al Uloom” by Abul Layth As-Simirqandi (d. 375 H.) It means: seek nearness and virtue by the good deeds.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (d. 774 H.) : Ibn `Abbas said that Wasilah means `the means of approach’.
Mujahid, Abu Wa’il, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, `Abdullah bin Kathir, As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and others gave the same meaning for Wasilah.

Qatadah said that the ayah means, “Seek the means of approach to Him by obeying Him and performing the acts that please Him.”

And there is no disagreement amongst the mufassireen on what those Imams said.

Thus the general meaning of Tawassul is to seek nearness to Allah through performing good deeds.
As for the specific meaning of Tawassul, it is to hope for and seek the answering of one’s duaa (supplication).

Source

The types of tawassul that are permissible, with no dispute amongst the scholars, are:


1. Tawassul through the beautiful Names and exalted Attributes:

Allah said – translation of the meaning-  And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them. [Al A’raf (6):180]

Examples of this type of tawassul are found in the Quran and Sunnah:

  • Allah said, “And he said: ‘My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves.’” [An Naml (27): 19]
  • The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) entered the mosque and saw a man who had finished his prayer, and was reciting the tashahhud saying:
    “O Allah, I ask You, O Allaah, the One, the Single, the Self Sufficient Master Who needs none, but all have need of (Him), Who does not beget, nor was He begotten, nor is there any like Him…, that You forgive me my sins, indeed You are the Most forgiving, the Most Merciful’. ” [Sunan Abu Dawud : Book 3 Hadith 980]
  • The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
    “Whoever becomes greatly troubled or saddened and says: ‘ O Allaah I am Your slave, son of Your male slave and female slave. My forelock is in Your Hand. Your judgement is continually operative upon me. Your sentence concerning me is just. I ask You by every name which is Yours, with which You named Yourself, taught to anyone from Your creation, or sent down in Your Book, or which You kept to Yourself in the knowledge of the Hidden with You, that You make the Qur’aan the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the removal of my sadness and of my anxiety’ then Allaah will remove his anxiety and sorrow and replace it with joy…” [Musnad Ahmad; Ahmad Shakir said: Sahih 5267]

2. Tawassul through the supplicator’s own good deeds.

Examples in the Quran and Sunnah:

  • “Those who say: ‘Our Lord! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire.’” [Al Imran (3):16]
  • “Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth (i.e. Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh – none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh).” [Al Imran (3): 53]
  • The Prophet –sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- said, “While three persons were walking, rain began to fall and they had to enter a cave in a mountain. A big rock rolled over and blocked the mouth of the cave. They said to each other, ‘Invoke Allah with the best deed you have performed (so Allah might remove the rock)’. One of them said, ‘O Allah! My parents were old and I used to go out for grazing (my animals). On my return I would milk (the animals) and take the milk in a vessel to my parents to drink. After they had drunk from it, I would give it to my children, family and wife. One day I was delayed and on my return I found my parents sleeping, and I disliked to wake them up. The children were crying at my feet (because of hunger). That state of affairs continued till it was dawn. O Allah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, then please remove this rock so that we may see the sky.’ So, the rock was moved a bit. The second said, ‘O Allah! You know that I was in love with a cousin of mine, like the deepest love a man may have for a woman, and she told me that I would not get my desire fulfilled unless I paid her one-hundred Dinars (gold pieces). So, I struggled for it till I gathered the desired amount, and when I sat in between her legs, she told me to be afraid of Allah, and asked me not to deflower her except rightfully (by marriage). So, I got up and left her. O Allah! If You regard that I did if for Your sake, kindly remove this rock.’ So, two-thirds of the rock was removed. Then the third man said, ‘O Allah! No doubt You know that once I employed a worker for one Faraq (three Sa’s) of millet, and when I wanted to pay him, he refused to take it, so I sowed it and from its yield I bought cows and a shepherd. After a time that man came and demanded his money. I said to him: Go to those cows and the shepherd and take them for they are for you. He asked me whether I was joking with him. I told him that I was not joking with him, and all that belonged to him. O Allah! If You regard that I did it sincerely for Your sake, then please remove the rock.’ So, the rock was removed completely from the mouth of the cave.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
  • Another example is: “O Allah I ask you by my love for your Prophet …..”; Because loving the Messenger of Allah is a good deed.

3. Tawassul by the supplication of a righteous living person, by asking them to make dua for you.

If a Muslim falls into great difficulty or a great misfortune befalls him, and he knows that he has been very negligent with regard to Allaah, the Blessed and Most High’s, rights upon him, so he wishes to use a strong means of drawing nearer to Allaah. So he goes to a man whom he believes to be righteous and asks him to supplicate to his Lord for him that He (Allaah) should relieve his distress and remove what had befallen him.

Examples from the Sunnah and the actions of the Sahabah (companions of the Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)

  • Anas b. Malik reported that a person entered the mosque through the door situated on theside of Daral-Qada’ during Friday (prayer) and the messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was delivering the sermon while standing. He came and stood in front of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: “Messenger of Allah, the camels died and the passages were blocked; so supplicate Allah to send down rain upon us.”The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) raised his hands and then said: (O Allah, send down rain upon us; O Allah, send dowp rain upon us; O Allah, send down rain upon us.)

Anas said:
By Allah, we did not see any cloud or any patch of it, and there was neither any house or building standing between us and the (hillock) Sal’a. There appeared a cloud in the shape of a shield from behind it, and as it (came high) in the sky it spread and then there was a downpour of rain. By Allah, we did not see the sun throughout the week. Then (that very man) came on the coming Friday through the same door when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was standing and delivering the sermon. He stood in front of him and said: “Messenger of Allah, our animals died and the passages blocked. Supplicate Allah to stop the rain for us. ”The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) again raised his hands and said: (O Allah, let it (rain) fall in our suburbs and not on us, O Allah (send it down) on the hillocks and small mountains and the river-beds and at places where trees grow.)
The rain stopped, and as we stepped out we were walking in sun- shine. He (the narrator) said to Sharik: I asked Anas b. Malik if he was the same man. He said: I do not know. [ Sahih Muslim: Book 4: Hadith 1955]

  • Narrated Anas: Whenever drought threatened them, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab, used to ask Al-Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib to invoke Allah for rain. He used to say, “O Allah! We used to ask our Prophet to invoke You for rain, and You would bless us with rain, and now we ask his uncle to invoke You for rain. O Allah ! Bless us with rain.” And so it would rain.

Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani –rahimahu Allah- said :

“And az-Zubair bin Bakkar showed in the ansab the description of the duaa of al-Abbas in this incident and the time in which that happened.
He narrated with his isnad that al Abbas, when Umar did istisqa’ through him, said: ” “O Allah, truly no tribulation descends except because of sin, nor is lifted except with repentance. The people have turned to you by means of me because of my position in relation to your prophet, and here are our hands [raised up] towards you – despite our sins – and our forelocks in repentance, so send down water for us.” Whereupon the sky let down water as thick as ropes.”

Then he said:

“And we benefit, from the story of Al Abbas, the recommendation (istihbab) of seeking intercession by the pious and the family of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.” [Fath al Bari]

Salim bin ‘Amer Al Khaba’iri reported: That the sky withheld all its rain, so Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan and the people of Damascus went out to pray for rain. So when Mu’awiyah sat upon the minbar he said: ‘Where is Yazid ibn al-Aswad al-Jurashi?’ So the people called him and he came stepping between the people. Then Mu’aawiyah commanded him and he ascended the minbar and sat at his feet. Then Mu’awiyah said: “O Allaah we are today asking the best and most noble amongst us to supplicate to You for us, O Allaah today we put Yazeed ibn al-Aswad al-Jurashee forward to supplicate to You for us,” “O Yazeed raise up your hands to Allaah.” So he raised up his hands and the people raised up their hands. Then very quickly rain-clouds like a large shield came quickly from the west, and the wind blew and it rained so profusely that people could hardly reach their houses. [Sharh Usool I’tiqad Ahlus-Sunnah by Al Lalika’i]; Ibn Hajar al Asqalani said: “Abu Zur’ah Ad-Dimashqi and Ya’qub bin Sufyan narrated in their tarikh, with a sahih chain, through Salim bin ‘Amer ….” [al Isabah fi Tameez As Sahabah]

Source

Preserving the Usool

March 5, 2009 at 2:58 pm | Posted in Books of ‘Aqīdaħ and Manhāj | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الحيم

الحمد الله

The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم explained to the people -completely and clearly-what their Lord had revealed for them; both the detailed matters and the important ones, the apparent matters and the hidden ones, to such an extent that he taught them what they needed to know with respect to matters of eating, drinking, marriage, clothing and housing. So he taught them the etiquettes of eating, drinking and relieving one’s self; the etiquettes of marriage; the etiquettes of clothing and of entering and leaving the house – just as he taught them what they needed to know with regard to the worship of Allaah -The Mighty and Majestic-such as purification, Prayer, Zakah, fasting, Pilgrimage and other than this. He taught them what they needed to know with regard to the social behaviour with the people, such as kindness to parents, keeping ties of kinship, good companionship with friends and neighbours and other than this. He taught them how to conduct themselves in matters of buying and selling, pawning, leaving deposits, leasing, renting, giving and receiving donations, and other such matter, to such an extent that Abu Dharr(ra) said: “Indeed the Messenger of Allaah passed away and there is not a bird flapping its wings in the sky, except that he mentioned to us some knowledge about it” (2)

By Shaykh Muhammad Saalih bin ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله

Preserving the Usool

The Meaning of رَبْ – Rabb

February 24, 2009 at 9:39 pm | Posted in Tawhid | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Rabb is a linguistic term used for the owner (Maalik), the master (as-Sayyid), the one who takes care of, sustains, nourishes (al-Qayyum), and provides or takes care of everything (ar-Razzaq) (Lisaan al-Arab by ibn Mandhur (d. 711)).

This definition includes the following:

  • True and complete owner
  • The one with the right to be obeyed.
  • The One who nourishes, and sustains. He is the Master and Controller of the universe.

This also means tawheed of Allah سبحانه و تعالى in His Actions. Only Allah سبحانه و تعالى nourishes, gives life, and sustains. No other being can do the things Allah سبحانه و تعالى does. No one else can legislate, or has the right to be obeyed other than Allah سبحانه و تعالى.

It is also important to know that creation is not mentioned in this definition, but it is implied by complete ownership, because only the Creator has the complete right of ownership. The One who creates out of nothing is the One with the right to legislate, and no one else has that right.

The word tarbiyah is also derived from the same root, and means to take care of. Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the One who takes care of everything. The existence of creation is dependent upon Allah سبحانه و تعالى.

Rabb is used to mean the One who is obeyed,

يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَمَّا أَحَدُكُمَا فَيَسْقِي رَبَّهُ خَمْرًا ۖ وَأَمَّا الْآخَرُ فَيُصْلَبُ فَتَأْكُلُ الطَّيْرُ مِن رَّأْسِهِ ۚ قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ الَّذِي فِيهِ تَسْتَفْتِيَانِ

“O two companions of the prison! As for one of you, he (as a servant) will pour out wine for his lord (rabb) to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified and birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which you both did inquire.” {Surah Yusuf, ayah 41}

We love the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم

February 3, 2009 at 9:41 pm | Posted in Miscellaneous Aspects of 'Aqīdaħ | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

We love the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم. Nonetheless we do not go to extremes in the love of anyone of them, nor do we forsake anyone of them. But we hate him who hates them, and talks of them in an unseemly manner. As for us, we do not mention them but in good terms. Their love is religion, faith, and excellence. And their hatred is disbelief, hypocrisy and rebellion.

This is because Allah spoke well of them, as did His Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم. Allah was pleased with them and promised them “the good.” He said:

“And the Outstrippers from among the Immigrants and the Helpers and those who followed them in good deeds, Allah was pleased with them and they were pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. That is the great triumph.” (Al-Tawbah, 100)

Allah also said:

“Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him, are hard upon the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves, you see them bowing down, prostrating themselves.” (Al-Fut-h, 29)

The Sahihayn have a report narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri. It says that something happened between Khalld b. Walid and ‘Abdul Rahman b. ‘Awf, Khalld said a harsh word to ‘Abdul Rahman. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “Don’t say harsh things to any of my Companions. If one of you were to spend gold equal to Mount Uhud, he will not achieve in any measure what any one of them achieved – not even half of that.” Thus we see that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم prohibited one who had latter companionship from speaking against one who had earlier companionship. This, when a person of the stature of Khalid ibn Walid is involved, who embraced Islam before the fall of Makkah. What about him who had no share of his companionship?

Incidentally, what is narrated of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم‘s words, viz., “My companions are stars. Whomsoever you followed, you will be guided” is a weak report not to be found in any of the authentic collections.

However, the following is an authentic report from the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم. He said: “No one who pledged his hand under the tree will enter the Fire.”

‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud put it very aptly when he said describing them: “Allah looked upon the hearts of the people and found the heart of Muhammad as the best among them. So He chose him for Himself, and sent him with His message. Then He looked at the hearts of the people, after the heart of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم, and found the hearts of his companions as the best among the people. Therefore He made them helpers to His messenger.”

By Imam Ibn Abi ‘Izz AlHanafi رحمه الله

On the Hadith Naming the 99 Names of Allahسبحانه و تعالى

February 2, 2009 at 10:34 pm | Posted in Tawhid | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الحيم

الحمد الله

The famous of hadeeth of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:-

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم said : “Allaah The Most High has ninety-nine names. He who retains them in his memory will enter Paradise.

He is Allaah, other than whom there is none worthy of worship, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the King, the Holy, the Source of Peace, the Preserver of Security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Overpowering, the Great in Majesty, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, the Forgiver, the Dominant, the Bestower, the Provider, the Decider, the Knower, the Withholder, the Plentiful Giver, the Abaser, the Exalted, the Honourer, the Humiliator, the Hearer, the Seer, the Judge, the Just, the Gracious, the Informed, the Clement, the Incomparably Great, the Forgiving, the Rewarder, the Most High, the Most Great, the Preserver, the Sustainer, the Reckoner, the Majestic, the Generous, the Watcher, the Answerer, the Liberal, the Wise, the Loving, the Glorious, the Raiser, the Witness, the Real, the Trustee, the Strong, the Firm, the Patron, the Praiseworthy, the All-Knowing, the Originator, the Restorer to Life, the Giver of Life, the Giver of Death, the Living, the Eternal, the Self-sufficient, the Grand, the One, the Single, He to Whom men repair, the Powerful, the Prevailing, the Advancer, the Delayer, the First, the Last, the Outward, the Inward, the Governor, the Sublime, the Amply Beneficent, the Acceptor of Repentance, the Avenger, the Pardoner, the Kindly, the Ruler of the Kingdom, the Lord of Majesty and Splendor, the Equitable, the Gatherer, the Independent, the Enricher, the Depriver, the Harmer, the Benefactor, the Light, the Guide, the First Cause, the Enduring, the Inheritor, the Director, the Patient.” [1]

Some Of The Reasons For Its Weakness :-

At-Tirmidhee says : This hadeeth is Ghareeb. It has been narrated by other than one person from Sufyaan Bin Saaleh, and we do not know the hadeeth except from Sufyaan Bin Saaleh, and he is (only) trustworthy amongst the scholars of hadeeth. [2]

Ibn Atee says : The hadeeth in At-Tirmidhee is not Mutawaatir. In it are names that deviate from the rules, and (there are names) found in the du`a of the Prophet eg., Ya Hannaan, Ya Mannaan; and not one of them is in the hadeeth of At-Tirmidhee. [3]

Al-Qaadi Abu Bakr Ibn al-‘Araabi says : We do not know if the explanation of these names (i.e. 99 names) are in the hadeeth or from the saying of the narrator.

Al-Mahfuz says from Abu Ayyub and Hisham, “(regarding this hadeeth) it is without the listing (of the names).”

Al-Hakim says : And ‘Abdul ‘Azeez is reliable (in the chain). Those who agree about it`s weakness are Bukhaaree, Muslim, and Ibn Ma’een. Al-Baihaqi (says) it is weak among the traditionalists. And Al-Baihaqi says : It is conceivable that it`s tafseer is dropped from some of the narrator, and because of this probability the two sheikhs (Bukhaaree and Muslim) moved to the hadeeth of Al-Waleed in the Saheeh.

Haafidh Ibn Hajr explains the reason for it`s being Da’eef in “Fathul-Bari” 11/215

Ibn Katheer says : The listing of this hadeeth is Mujarrad (which is an addition by a reporter to the text of the saying by the narrator.)

Ibn Taimiyyah also says : Verily the ninety-nine names have not been specified in any saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم. [4]

The evidence why it is not authentic (also) lies in that it falls short of many of the names from the text of the Qur`aan and the Sunnah. For e.g. :- Ar-Rabb, Al-Khaalik, Al-Qadeer, Al-Qareeb, and similarly, many of the names are found in it that not specified in the Qur`aan and the Sunnah for e.g :- As-Saboor, Al-Mahsee, Ar-Rasheed, Al-Baqi.


[1] At-Tirmidhee : 5/530, hadeeth no.3507. Hadeeth Saheeh without the listing of names, refer to Al-Baihaqi`s “Al-Asmaa wal Sifaat” vol. 1, p22. (See Saheeh Muslim Eng. vol.4 : 1409)
[2] At Tirmidhee : 5/530, hadeeth no.3507.
[3] “Talkheesil-Baheer” : 4/172.
[4] “Majmu’al-Fataawa” Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah: 22/482.

Signs of Allah’s Existence

February 2, 2009 at 6:36 pm | Posted in Tawhid | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الحيم

الحمد الله

“O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may acquire taqwa (piety).

Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He alone has the right to be worshipped.”

Qur’an, 2:21-22

Several scholars of Tafsir, like Ar-Razi and others, used this Ayat (verse) as an argument for the existence of the Creator, and it is a most worthy method of argument. Indeed, whoever ponders over the things that exist, the higher and lower creatures, their various shapes, colors, behavior, benefits and ecological roles, then he will realize the ability, wisdom, knowledge, perfection and majesty of the Creator. Once a Bedouin was asked about the evidence to Allah’s existence, he responded: “All praise is due to Allah! The camel’s dung testifies to the existence of the camel, and the track testifies to the fact that someone was walking. A sky that holds the giant stars, a land that has fairways and a sea that has waves, does not all of this testify that the Most Kind, Most Knowledgeable exists?” [Ar-Razi 2:91]

Hence, whoever gazes at the sky in its immensity, its expanse, and the various kinds of planets in it, some of which appear stationary in the sky – whoever gazes at the seas that surround the land from all sides, and the mountains that were placed on the earth to stabilize it, so that whoever lives on land, whatever their shape and color, are able to live and thrive – whoever reads Allah’s statement:

“And among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black. And likewise, men and ad-Dawwabb (moving, living creatures, beasts) and cattle are of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.” (35:27-28)

Whoever thinks about the running rivers that travel from area to area bringing benefit, whoever ponders over what Allah has created on earth; various animals and plants of different tastes, scents, shapes and colors that are a result of unity between land and water, whoever thinks about all of this then he will realize that these facts testify to the existence of the Creator, His perfect ability, wisdom, mercy, kindness, generosity and His overall compassion for His creation. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, nor is there a Lord besides Him, upon Him we rely and to Him we turn in repentance. There are numerous Ayat in the Qur’an on this subject.

Written by Al Haafidh Ibn Kathir رحمه الله

Creation is in need of Allah سبحانه و تعالى

February 2, 2009 at 6:16 pm | Posted in Tawhid | 1 Comment
Tags: , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الحيم

الحمد الله

“Man always looks for what benefits him and what protects him from harm. However, to accomplish this, man must be able to realize what is harmful. He must then know whom he should need, trust, and love so that he can attain what is beneficial as well as to feel good about his choice. He also must know the proper and good approach that would make him achieve this goal. This latter condition requires that man:

a) Know about harm

b) What ways can be used to drive harm away

Certainly, man can have no better guidance than that which comes from the One Who had perfected everything, and the One who Has no deficiency in Himself and in His Attributes. The One Who is Ever-Living and Who does not die. There can be no One better than the One Who Has no need for anything; the One Who is rich; the Giver; the One who, after all, controls man’s soul. Man is so poor to Him. He is Allah, the True and only God. Man can bring harm to himself if he seeks other than Allah for help. Allah is the One Who can help man drive away any harm for it cannot occur without His Will and His Power.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى sent down His Books and chose His Messengers to guide man to:

a) Know His Lord as He سبحانه و تعالى had explained about Himself, and

b) Seek Him Alone while living in accordance with His plan

Knowing Allah’s Names and Attributes liberates man from worshiping any form of creation because creation is weak and is in need of The Creator, Allah. The knowledge about Allah leads man to know that he is created to live according to Allah’s way as revealed to the last Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم. This Revelation contains a complete code of life. Everything that is beneficial or harmful is established so that man can center his life around this Revelation. If man commits wrong and knows that Allah is Oft-Forgiving he would turn to Him and to Him alone seeking His forgiveness: “Know, therefore, that there is no God Who deserves to be worshiped except Allah; and ask forgiveness for your sins.” (Qur’an, 47:19)

It is wrong to think or believe that Allah created other ‘gods’ besides Him so that man turns to them for help; loves them or fear them, etc. He is the same God of all nations. He does not order that people should make of stars, sun, fire, Jesus, Moses, etc. gods besides Him. He (Most Exalted) cannot be ‘contradictory’. He has one way (religion) that calls man to surrender his will only to Him. He سبحانه و تعالى warned that if man (even Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) would take partners with Him, then his work will fail and will be among losers:

“And verily, it had been revealed to you (O Muhammad) as has been revealed to those before you. If you join others in worship with Allah (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain and you will certainly be among the losers. Nay! But worship Allah and be among grateful.” (Qur’an, 39:65-66)

Let us know what Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم, the man-Prophet, who knew Allah best, used to say:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You for Your Pleasure and against Your Wrath,and in Your Forgiveness and against Your Punishment and in You from You, I cannot Praise You as You can Praise Yourself.” (Muslim, Abu Dawoud, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah)

“I have surrendered myself to You, I have directed my face to You, I have entrusted my affairs to You, I have compelled my back to refuge in You, in want and in fright of You, there is no resort nor survival from You except (in turning) to You. I have faith in Your book (i.e. the Qur’an) which You brought down and in the Prophet (Muhammad) you have sent.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

When we read in the Qur’an that:

“Whatever of Mercy (i.e. of good), Allah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” (Qur’an, 35:2)

And when we read that:

“If Allah touches you with hurt, there is none can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His favor which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will, and He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 10:117)

We should be motivated to return to Him Alone at times of ease and at times of hardship.

And when we read that:

“If Allah helps you none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there, after Him, that can help you. And in Allah (alone) let believers put their trust.” (Qur’an, 3:160)

The Qur’an, therefore, leads man to a true liberation from any false attachment. It brings peace to the heart. It helps the believer against hypocrisy and all forms of dishonesty. Imagine, for example, a believer facing a problem at work. He sees wrong and faces unlawful practices. He does not fear rejecting what is wrong. He knows that the job is only a means to gain his sustenance. While he may be unable to correct what is wrong, he knows well that Allah is the One Who provides. If he leaves his job for the sake of Allah, Allah will give him a better one. Allah سبحانه و تعالى said:

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him. He will make a way for him to get out (from) every (difficulty), and He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine.” (Qur’an, 65:2-3)

The above texts, necessitates that man must depend upon Allah سبحانه و تعالى asking Him Alone for assistance. It also requires that man must love Allah and worship Him Alone to gain His pleasure and His help. Is it not true that the people who consider this life as the “Final Goal” end up worshiping many things in it? You see them so careful about “having it all”. They torture themselves: pain, difficulty, constant worry, keeping their hands in the banks for loan after loan to keep up with the “demands of development”. They are under the constant threat of fore-closure. They constantly see poverty in front of their eyes. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said:

“Allah says: Son of Adam: Fill your time with My worship and I will fill your heart with richness, and end off your poverty. But if you donot, I would make your hands fully busy (i.e. in worldly affairs) and I would not end off your poverty.” (At-Tirmidhi said that it is a good hadeeth)

Our purpose of existence on earth is more meaningful than being slaves to worldly gains. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator Allah. Every act done according to Allah’s way is an act of worship. Man is the beneficiary and Allah is in no need:

“O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of All Praise.” (Qur’an, 35:15)

Written by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh based on Ighathaat ul Lahfan (1/6-42) of Ibn al Qayyim رحمهما الله

Fruits of Imaan

January 30, 2009 at 6:05 pm | Posted in Tawhid | 1 Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Jannah

“As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have the Gardens of Paradise (Firdaws) as their abode.” (Al-Kahf, 18:107)

Protection from Fire

Anas ibn Maalik (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever says Laa ilaaha illAllah while having a grain’s worth of goodness (or faith) in his heart shall be taken out of the Hellfire….” (Al-Bukhari 13/394 and Muslim 3/59)

Abu Sa’eed AlKhudree said that the Prophet (saw) said that the people of Jannah will enter Jannah and the people of Hellfire will enter the Hellfire. Then Allah (SWT) will say: Come out, whoever among you has a mustard seed’s weight of faith…..” (Bukhari- See Al-Fath 1/72 and Muslim- See An-Nawawi 3/36)

A Bedouin came to the Prophet (saw) and said, “Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it.” The Prophet (saw) said, “Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan.” The Bedouin said, “By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this.” When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet said, “Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man.” (Bukhari)

Key to Having other Deeds Accepted

“And whoever desires the hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted.” (Al-Israa’, 17:19)

Means of Forgiveness for Sins

“Except those who repent, and believe and do righteous deeds, for as to these, Allah will convert their evil deeds into good ones, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.” (Al-Furqaan, 25:70)

Achieving the Protection of Allah.

“Verily, Allah’s awliyaa’ have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.” (Younus, 10: 62)

Allah will Fight on His Behalf

“Surely Allah will defend those who believe.” (Al-Hajj, 22:38)

Allah will Guide Him

“Surely (as for) those who believe and do good, their Lord will guide them by their faith” (Younus, 10:9)

Protection and Comfort for the Believers

“Those to whom the people said: Surely men have gathered against you, therefore fear them, but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector.” (Aali ‘Imraan, 3:173)

Good Always Occurs to Him

“Amazing is the situation of the Mu’min; his affairs are always good, and this is for no one but the Mu’min. If something good happens to him he is thankful, and that is good for him. And if hardship befalls him he is patient, and that, too, is good for him.” (Muslim)

A real mu’min can never suffer from depression. A mu’min will realize what befalls him is from his Lord, and that his Lord will not try him with anything he cannot bear.

Exit/Escape from Sorrows and Problems

“And he who has taqwaa of Allah; He will create an exit for him.” (At-Talaaq, 65:2)

Raised in Status in this Life and in Hereafter

“Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks.” (Al-Mujaadilah, 58:11)

Protection from Falling into Evil

“The fornicator does not fornicate while he is a believer at the time he fornicates, and a thief does not steal while he is a believer at the time he steals, and one does not drink wine while he is a believer at the time that he is drinking it.” (AlBukhari- See Al-Fath 12/58-59 and Muslim-See An-Nawawi 2/42)

Good Life

“Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, We will surely grant them a happy life in this world.” (An-Nahl, 16:97)

Angels Give Believers Good Tidings

“As for those who say, `Our Lord is Allah;’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them, reassuring them: Fear not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the glad tidings of the Garden which you were promised.” (Fussilat, 41:30)

Rulership on Earth

“Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will most certainly make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers those before them, and that He will most certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will most certainly, after their fear, give them security in exchange. They serve Me. They ascribe no thing as partner unto Me. Those who disbelieve after this, it is they who are the wicked.” (An-Noor, 24: 55)

Brotherhood

“Surely, all believers are brothers.” (Al-Hujuraat, 49:10)

Love Written for Him on Earth

“When Allah loves a slave, He says to Jibreel, ‘I love so-and-so, so love him,’ so Jibreel loves him and then calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens, ‘Allah loves so-and-so, so love him,’ and the inhabitants of the heavens love him, and then acceptance is placed in the Earth for him.” (Al-Bukhari/3209)

Benefits from Advice

“And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits the believers.” (Adh-Dhaariyaat, 51:55)

The emaan brings about appreciation of advice. A person without emaan will react in a hostile manner to advice, but a person with emaan will accept it and benefit from it.

Given Light on Day of Judgement

“The day will come when you see the believing men and women with their lights radiating ahead of them and to their right.” (Al-Hadeed, 57:12)

Believers will Look at Allah

“For those who do good is the best (reward), and more (than this).” (Younus, 10: 26)

Those without emaan will be deprived from this blessing,

“Nay! Surely, they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day.” (Mutaffiffeen:15).

The Prophet (saw) said, “when a person does good deeds and feels good, and does a sin and feels bad, then he is a mu’min.”

The Implications of Tawheed

January 28, 2009 at 10:13 pm | Posted in Tawhid | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

بسم الله الرحمان الحيم

الحمد الله

Purpose of Creation

“I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone.” (Adh-Dhaariyaat, 51:56)

This is the most explicit verse in the Quran about the purpose of our creation.

Reason for Sending Prophets

“And We sent no Messenger before you but We revealed to him: There is no true god but I; so worship Me alone.” (Al-Anbiyaa’, 21:25)

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah).” Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth). (16:36)

Reason for Revealing Books

“He sends down the angels with revelation by His command on whosoever of His servants He pleases, saying: Warn people that there is no true god but I, so take Me alone for your protector.” (An-Nahl, 16:2)

Every prophet and messenger received wahy which is the basis of a book. Sometimes it was written down, sometimes not. It is the inspiration they received. Many other books were written down, even though we are most familiar with the 4 famous ones.

Differentiates between Muslim and Kaafir

“It is He Who has created you, but some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers, and Allah sees what you do.”  (At-Taghaabun, 64:2)

Following Tawheed is a Cause of Peace and Contentment in this Life and in the Hereafter.

“Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah; surely, it is the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort.”  (Ar-Ra’d, 13:28 )

First Call that we have been Commanded to Do

“O mankind! Worship your Lord Who created you and those before you, that you may guard against evil.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:21)

This is the first commandment that occurs in the Quran.

The Messenger (saw) said to Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, when he (saw) sent him to Yemen: “So let the first thing you call them to, be the testimony that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah.” And in another narration: “…that they worship Allah alone.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Right of Allah Over Us

The Prophet (saw) said, “O Mu’aadh! Do you know what Allah’s Right upon His slaves is?” I said, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” The Prophet said, “To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?” I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” The Prophet said, “Not to punish them (if they do so).” (Related by Al-Bukhari: Vol.9, Bk. 93, No.470)

Cause for Entrance into Paradise

“…..I bear witness that Allah is the only god worthy of worship and that I am His Messenger. No servant shall meet Allah with these two (testimonies) with no doubt regarding them, but he shall enter Paradise.” (Muslim: See Sharh An-Nawawi 1/224)

Forgives All Sins; Prevents Fire of Hell

“A man who never did any good deed, said that if he died, his family should burn him and throw half the ashes of his burnt body in the earth and the other half in the sea, for by Allah, if Allah should get hold of him, He would inflict such punishment on him as He would not inflict on anybody among the people. But Allah ordered the sea to collect what was in it (of his ashes) and similarly ordered the earth to collect what was in it (of his ashes). Then Allah said (to the recreated man), ‘Why did you do so?’ The man replied, ‘For being afraid of You, as You know. ‘So Allah forgave him.” (Al-Bukhari:Vol. 9, Book 93, No. 597)

Abdullaah bin ‘Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “A man will be brought along to the balances on the Day of Resurrection, and there will be brought out for him ninety nine scrolls, every scroll of them stretching when unrolled) as far as an eye can reach, in which are written his sins and his guilty acts, and they will be put in one pan of the Balances. Then a small card will be brought out on which is written the Testimony of Faith: There is no true god except Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, which will be put in the other pan and it will outweigh all his wrongdoing.” (Ibn Maajah)

This happened for one person, and it only happened to him. It will not automatically happen for everyone. Something about his shahadah outweighed that of some others.

Dangers of Its Opposite (Shirk)

“Surely, Allah will not forgive that a partner be associated with Him; but He will forgive whatever is short of that to whomsoever He pleases. And whoso associates partners with Allah has indeed devised a very great sin.”  (An-Nisaa, 4:48 )

Next Page »


Entries and comments feeds.