Important Affairs That the Student of Knowledge Must Pay Attention To

Follow @AhleDhikr

Shaykh Abdul-Kareem bin Abdullah al-Khudayr [May Allaah Preserve him]

Member of the Senior Committee of Scholars, Saudi Arabia

The knowledge of Shariah is something which is directly and purely connected to the Aakhira, therefore it is not permissible for us to do Shirk when seeking it. Seeking this knowledge means we must have a better intention than merely seeking knowledge for the sake of showing off, reputation or wanting people to talk about you. There has come a very stern warning against this as it is from the worst situations one could die upon. It has been narrated that three people will be brought on the Day of Judgment; the first of them that will be casted into the Hellfire is one who was learned and taught others. He spent his whole life learning and teaching and involving himself with knowledge, maybe he lived a hundred years, fifty years learning and fifty years teaching. After all of this, he still became one of the three that were casted into the hell fire, what happened to this man!?  He learned and gained knowledge to teach the people - No - he gained knowledge so that people would call him a scholar, and this is what they did!  And to Allaah we complain.

Shaykh Haafidh al-Hakamee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] gives the student of knowledge some precious advice in his treatise al-Meemiyyah. In fact, this treatise was written especially for the student of knowledge so that they may memorise it, he [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says (in poetic form):

He's a loser and his applaud will be exchanged with regret

                                           If a person seeks knowledge so that people talk about him

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us not to lose our intention, do not make your intention homeless. A person may come to study and gain knowledge but then he may become negligent about his intention, thus his intention becomes missing.  So the one seeking knowledge must seek knowledge out of sincerity to Allaah, the Exalted and Glorified, seeking the reward of Allaah, the Exalted and Glorified, and a place in the Hereafter. He should be careful and be warned about showing off and been seen by people.

The student of knowledge should also be careful about being filled with pride, meaning he should not be proud that he has been given more than others. He shouldn’t think he is better than others and has a better status than others. He should not be proud or arrogant towards others in the least bit. This is because, pride nullifies the very reason why one seeks knowledge, and it nullifies its benefits. Especially if one studies the Noble Quraan as the Quraan is the source for all disciplines and sciences, it says:

"I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Qur'an) those who behave arrogantly on the earth"

[A'raaf 7:146]

The one who is proud and arrogant turns himself away from benefitting from knowledge, this is why the Muftee of Hadramoat [a well known place in Yemen], Shaykh Abdur-Rahmaan bin 'Ubayd Allaah as-Saqqaaf, refuted those who accused Shaykh al-Islaam of being a proud person. Some people who have written biographies of Shaykh al-Islaam have accused him of being proud and arrogant, however he is Shaykh al-Islaam, he is an Imaam from the Imaams of the Muslims. He is an Imaam who had knowledge and he acted upon this knowledge, he was humble, he had Taqwaa, and he spread his knowledge and strove for the sake of Allaah in doing so. And then someone comes and accuses him of such a thing! So what did the Muftee say in his defence? He has a lecture which he discusses the difference between one who acts upon on his knowledge and one who doesn’t, in which he defends and refutes allegations that Shaykh al-Islaam was arrogant and proud.  It maybe that you differ with Shaykh al-Islaam in certain issues, however the truth remains, he was free from pride and arrogance.

How can the Quraan be made easy for you if you are proud? Imaam Bukhaaree narrates from Mujaahid that he said, “The person who is too shy or too proud will not learn anything.” Shyness here refers to being shy in your social ability not shy in a religious sense because shyness in a religious sense is something praiseworthy, but what this is referring to is you being shy and not being able to mix will mean you will not learn. You will not be able to forbid wrongdoings when you see people commit them, you will not be able to give advice if you are sought to give it, you will not be able to guide people, all of which is blameworthy.  Therefore, this type of person will not learn. A person may sit and study but if he has a problem in understanding something, he is too shy to ask a scholar. Or even worse, he is too proud to ask a scholar, so he remains and continues upon these doubts and problems. So how can these doubts and problems in understanding be lifted if he doesn’t ask? 

So don’t be proud, being proud and anti-social can lead one to feel he is better than people, as a consequence it may seem to the people that he is better and no need of asking question and thus because of his attitude he is prevented from attaining any knowledge.

Another thing that the student of knowledge must be wary of is not to think he is something special, don’t give yourself any status. There is no doubt that this is a type of a severe disease. If a person thinks highly of himself based on the worldly affairs, then he will live for the worldly life. He will be given and expect to be given in this worldly life and his benefit will only be placed in this life alone, so when will he be humbled? If a person transgresses, when will he be transgressed over? If a person thinks he is special and feels that he has no need of others…so there is a student of knowledge who thinks he is better than anyone else and that he doesn’t need others, he thinks himself to be special so because of this he will be destroyed. If a person has this type of attitude then there is no doubt that he is suffering from a chronic illness and he is need of a substantial cure.  He is deflected from having any knowledge or acting upon it. 

So it is upon the student of knowledge that he doesn’t lose his heart. All of the aspects of Shariah revolve around one thing, which is a person’s heart: ‘Verily! There is a part in your body, if it is healthy then the rest of the body is health but if it is corrupt then the rest of the body is corrupt, verily it is the heart.’

"The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail; except him who brings to Allah a clean heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifaq (hypocrisy)]"

[Shu'araa 26:88-89]

So the heart, for the student of knowledge, is where the knowledge is. All sickness and diseases will be averted because of his heart.

Also, the student of knowledge must pay attention to another affair, which is that he should not be lazy. He should always be serious in learning and studying because knowledge doesn't come about by one relaxing. Imaam Muslim narrated from Yahya bin Abee Katheer, that he said, “Knowledge will not come by a relaxed body.”

If this was the case then everybody would be a scholar, all of the people would be raised in their status to be form the scholars, without even having planted any seeds. So it is necessary that the student of knowledge strives hard. It is imperative that he checks himself and cleanses himself from all desires. The scholars didn’t get what they got except by staying up late. So if a person intends to be a scholar, then he needs to behave in this manner and take the relevant precautions. He must free himself from anything that would prevent him from being a scholar, as we have highlighted above, and take the measures he needs to prevent this from happening. He should seek a path to be with the people of knowledge, align yourself with the established scholars, those who teach you in an organized fashion so that you may benefit in your knowledge and actions, based on the Kitaab and the Sunnah and the ‘Aqeedah of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jamaa’ah.

http://www.khudheir.com/text/781

Tafseer: They Want Fitnah and They Will Not Be Purified

Follow @AhleDhikr

Allaah, the Most High, says;

وَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ فِتْنَتَهُ فَلَنْ تَمْلِكَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُطَهِّرَ قُلُوبَهُمْ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

"And whomsoever Allah wants to put in Al-Fitnah [error, because of his rejecting the Faith], you can do nothing for him against Allah. Those are the ones whose hearts Allah does not want to purify (from disbelief and hypocrisy); for them there is a disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a great torment."

[Surah al-Maaidah 5:41]

Imaam Abu Ja'far at-Tabaree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his Tafseer about this Ayaah;

"Allaah, the Most High, tells His Prophet Muhammad [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] not to be saddened by those who strive against him especially those who share their characteristics and those who help them in being defiant. Verily, Allaah intends for them to be trialed, their hearts remaining firmly closed and thus they will never be guided.

Allaah, the Most High says; "Those are the ones whose hearts Allah does not want to purify (from disbelief and hypocrisy)" referring to those who Allaah doesn’t want to be purified from filth, referring to foulness of Kufr and Shirk in their hearts.

Islaam is purifying and once one has the cleanliness of Eeman, he will be able to repent."

[Tafseer at-Tabaree 10/318]

Imaam Aboo Abdullah Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Qurtubee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about this Aayah;

"Allaah does not intend for their hearts to be purified, instead their hearts are sealed and fastened. Likewise, the hearts of the believers are sealed and enveloped with purity; this is a reward for them."

[Jaami' Ahkaam al-Quraan wa Lama Tuddaman min as-Sunnah wa Ahkaam al-Furqaan (6/129)]

Imaam ash-Shawkaanee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

"Meaning, they are not able to prevent themselves being misguided in your hearts. These people, who have been prevented by Allaah are not able to guide or benefit themselves. Therefore, they are generally named alongside those who they resemble and ally themselves with, those who say they believe by their tongues but their hearts are not guided. These are the people who Allaah doesn’t Want for their hearts to be purified from the filth of Kufr and Nifaaq, as He Purifies those from the believers.     

[Adapted from Fath al-Qadeer (1/372-373)]

Al-Allaamah Taahir bin 'Ashoor [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

"The meaning of purification means one submits to Emaan and guidance. It can also mean that one's soul is purified by Eeman." 

[At-Tahreer wa at-Tanweer (6/219)]

Shaykh Muhammad Rasheed Ridaa [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his Tafseer:

"Meaning, Allaah, the Most High, will test you in your religion and from the major tests are those of Kufr and misguidance, just like some of the people of the fire are tested, what is apparent was that they fell into deception and cheating.

Therefore, Oh Messenger, you cannot do anything for those who Allaah has not wished guidance or assistance, just like you are not able to turn copper into gold. This is because it is from the way of Allaah, the Most High, that he doesn’t change what makes up the core of people just like he doesn’t change what constitutes the core of the world.

Therefore, the hypocrites and those who strive against the religion, it becomes apparent that they are a trial for you, Allaah will test you with them and these test will differ according to their degree of Kufr and hypocrisy.

You know very well that these people accept lies and they reject the truth, even though some of them appear to be of those who have accepted Eeman, they look pleasant, they live their lives as if they are believers, they may appear to bring betterment to others without any benefit to themselves.  Despite this, you will see them adapting themselves because of other, they will change the rulings of Islaam and they will introduce innovations that suit their desires. They seek to please the wealthy, so do be saddened if they fall into Kufr. Don’t be amazed by their beauty because you have no ability to guide or bring about benefit. All that is binding upon you is to convey the message. Do not be scared by them hiding their Nifaaq because the end has been promised to those who have Taqwaa, so for them will be a humiliation and shame. 

'Those are the ones whose hearts Allah does not want to purify (from disbelief and hypocrisy); for them there is a disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a great torment.'

Meaning, they are those who have reached the level of Fitnah, thus Allaah, the Most High, doesn’t Intend for them to purified in their hearts from Kufr and Nifaaq. This is because, Allaah, the Most High, Does things with Hikmah and a Sunnah that is full of justice. It is from His Sunnah that the hearts and souls of man and is deprived of light if it is filled with evil and falsehood instead. If the hearts and souls are filled with planning and plotting, governing the religion with desires and pleasures, following lies and Nifaaq will replace the light in ones heart. He will also have his manners replaced, from good characteristics to having bad ones. Overall, he will be encompassed with darkness and there will be no room for light in his heart, it will be lost and replaced with individualities that befit others like them from the non-believers.   

These are all from the causes for the heart not being purified."

[Taken from Tafseer al-Manaar (6/322-324)]

Questions 31

Follow @AhleDhikr

Questions asked to Shaykh Saleh ibn Ghanam as-Sadlaan [May Allaah Preserve him] in his house after Salaat al-Jumu'ah

21/5/1433 - 13/4/2012

Question: Are the different political parties that exist from Ahl as-Sunnah?

Answer: This is not necessarily the case, some of these parties may be on the Sunnah and others not. Some may have members that are from Ahl as-Sunnah and there may be a party that is from Ahl as-Sunnah but some members don’t act upon the Sunnah. Meaning, not every single person that talks is given a general ruling rather we look into his affair. However, if there are parties or those who represent the Muslims that are present and one joins with them, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t from Ahl as-Sunnah, rather we need to look at his intention. If he has a good intention by joining them and he tries to bring about betterment and represents the Muslims and orders them to follow the Quraan and Sunnah, then based on this intent, it is permissible to align yourself with such parties or people and to vote for them. 

Question: Did any from the scholars, from the Salaf or today, permit splitting into groups and sects?

Answer: It is well known that they were strict with those who split into groups and they didn’t permit this in any way shape or form.

As for joining elections and parliament, then it is not permissible to sit with them or join their parties or support them, because if you sit with them and support them then you are helping them and this is not permissible.

The second type, those who have a good intent and they urge each other to uphold Islaam. Bring about benefit and betterment and try to bring honour to Islaam; then it is permissible to join a party like this and enter them into elections and to vote for them. There is no objection in joining such a party, as long as they don’t believe or call for anything that opposes the Kitaab of Allaah or the Sunnah of the Messenger.

Question: Is it permissible to pray in the Deobandee Masjid?

Answer: As long as you don’t ally with them and that they don’t own the Masjid and maintain it; then it is permissible to pray behind them, because they are Muslims but they have mistakes in their 'Aqeedah. But we should pray with them and advise them and warn against their 'Aqeedah and those who are like them.

Question: Is it permissible to obey a father who prevents the child from travelling to seek knowledge?

Answer: This question needs to be inspected further. The father prohibits his son or daughter to travel and leave the land in order to learn. If the son is a righteous man and he knows the basic aspects of his religion, in 'Aqeedah and Shariah, so that he won't be confused and be effected by the Kuffaar in their lands, then he is able to travel there because it is only for a limited time.

But if the child is not righteous or doesn’t know his religion, especially in 'Aqeedah, then it is not permissible for him to travel. This is because he may be affected by the false ideologies that may exist.

Therefore, the father who prevents knows better than his children, he will permit the child who can defend himself and prohibit one who can't.

Question: I have three Thobes, I know two are impure and one is pure which one should I pray in?

Answer: On this issue, the scholars differed and have got many views. But he should go with what is most likely; he should do his own Ijtihaad. Some scholars he should pray in each Thobe because by doing this he would have prayed in the Thobe which is pure. But if he doesn’t know which one is pure then he should do Ijtihaad and pray in the one he thinks is clean.

Question: Is it permissible for me to do Hijrah to a Muslim land without having employment or a visa, knowing I will be disobeying the ruler of the land?

Answer: All of this is not permissible. Today there is no such thing as Hijrah, but there is such a thing as moving from a non-Muslim country to a Muslim one. If this is his situation then he should seek to get a job and have intent to settle in a Muslim country, this is his way out.  As for disobeying the Muslim ruler and settling in the country without his permission then this is not permissible.

Safeguarding your 'Aqeedah Means you Will be Safe from Following Desires

Follow @AhleDhikr

Haafidh al-Allaamah Zayn ad-Deen Abdur-Rahmaan bin Ahmad Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about the statement of Allaah, the Most High:

“And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous, not far,

[It will be said], "This is what you were promised - for every returner [to Allah ] and keeper [of His covenant]

Who feared the Most Merciful unseen and came with a heart returning [in repentance].

Enter it in peace. This is the Day of Eternity."

They will have whatever they wish therein, and with Us is more.”

[Qaaf 50: 31-35]

Having your heart safeguarded necessitates that it be free from corrupt ‘Aqeedah’s and free from false ideologies which are founded on the following of desires, desires for the Dunya and to gain its crux. It also necessitates that it be safeguarded from ignorance and manners that are vile. These are the traits of a clean heart, it is clean it purified and is submits to Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Alameen. This heart isn’t swept away from the love of desires for women, children, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, cattle and fertile land. His heart doesn’t busy itself with the love of wealth or children and it’s not distracted from acts of obedience of his Lord and his stance before Him. This is a heart that has bitten the fear of Allaah, a heart shivers with Dhikr of Allaah.   

Care should not be given to purification of the body or the clothes alone, rather it is necessary that there is purification of the heart and rectification of it. By rectifying the heart, the rest of his body will be rectified as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said,

“That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which not many people know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah's sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be whole, all the body is whole and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart.” [Bukhaaree (52) and Muslim (1599)]

Therefore this is what Allaah looks at, He looks at the heart of His slave and his actions as opposed to looking his body, his appearance as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said,

“Verily, Allaah doesn’t look at your appearance or your possession, rather he looks at your heart and your deeds.” [Reported by Muslim 2654]

Thus the command is for the hearts to have complete reliance on Allaah, The Glorified and Exalted, as He Alone is the Who deserves our acquaintance. He Alone is the One Who Knows our hidden and apparent affairs, He Knows what proclaim and what we keep secret. Consequently, it is necessary for us to purify our hearts and to remove any trace of the black spots of sin that may be upon it.

Thumm Qaswa al-Quloob, Pg. 24

Tafseer: Pardon and Be Merciful

Follow @AhleDhikr

Allaah, the Most High, says:

وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

"Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah an-Noor 24:22] 

Imaam Abu Ja'faar, Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his Tafseer:

"Meaning, do you not want that Allaah conceals your sins so that it doesn’t get the better of you and that you are not punished because of them? 

Allaah is al-Ghafoor towards the sins of the one who obeys Him and follows His Commands. 

He is ar-Raheem towards them because He doesn’t Punish them because they follow His Commands and that they obey Him. They only obey Him Alone however the slave sometimes slips up and disobeys, but in this case, he is repentant if he lapses. So the repentance is accepted for someone who has these traits."  

[Tafseer at-Tabaree 19/136]

Al-Allaamah Tahir bin 'Aashoor [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

"Meaning, He will Pardon and be Merciful to you if you are pardoning and merciful to those wrong you. 

He is 'al-Ghafoor, ar-Raheem', meaning He is plentiful in Forgiving and having Mercy to His slaves, despite them disobeying Him abundantly. So how can a slave follow the path to seek the Pardoning and Mercy of their Lord with the sins that they do?"

[At-Tahreer wa at-Tanweer (19/189)]

Questions 30

Follow @AhleDhikr

Questions asked to Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir bin Abdul-Azeez ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him] after explanation of Kitaab at-Tawheed

14/05/1433 - 05/04/2012

Question: You have mentioned that it is part of worship to have fear of Allaah, but what if one fears because of a bad action that he has done. A person may also fear punishment from Allaah because of an action that someone else has done, so is it possible that one may fear punishment from Allaah because of what others have done, is this included in worship?

Answer: If a test befalls you, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is punishment, rather it could be a means of averting the slave from something that could be harmful to him.

Question: When can we say that fearing something or somebody is Shirk?

Answer: If someone has four elements in an act; fear, hope, humility and love, then this will be called worship. If this act is done for Allaah then it is worship and if it is done for other Allaah then it will be Shirk.

Question: Did the Mushrikeen of Makkah have Shirk in fear, despite them admitting and believing that Allaah controls the universe?

Answer: Having fear in something and believing something controls the universe is something else. The Mushrikoon used to fear their idols despite them admitting that they didn’t control the universe. So because of this, Allaah, the Most High, says;

“And if you (O Muhammad) ask them: ‘Who has created the heavens and the earth,’ they will certainly say: ‘Allah.’”

[Luqman 31:25]

Despite this, they still feared their idols. There are many examples of stories from the times of the Prophets, like in Surah Mu’minoon, that the Mushrikoon used to fear punishment from their idols despite them knowing that the universe was controlled by Allaah Alone. Therefore, it is from the fear that is included in Shirk, to fear something that can’t harm you and doesn’t control the universe.

Question: Based on the Aayah; ‘The Mosques of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day’ [Tawbah 9:18] Does this mean that if Kuffaar maintain the Masjid then we are not allowed to pray in that Masjid?

Answer: What it means that those who maintain the Masaajid are those who seek the Hereafter.

Question: Is it permissible to split the ‘Aqeeqah for the boy, meaning slaughter one sheep one week and another one a week later?

Answer: This is permissible but it’s better to do it together.

Question: Is it permissible to slaughter the Udhiyah in the lands of the Kuffaar?

Answer: This is permissible because the text that talk about Udhiyah are general.

Question: Is it permissible to mix slaughter other than a sheep for the 'Aqeeqah?

Answer: What is apparent with me is that it is not permissible, because the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] specified two sheep for a boy and one for a girl.

Question: Is it permissible to donate the whole goat of 'Aqeeqah in charity without eating from it?

Answer: What is apparent from the text and from the intent of the Shariha is that we should eat from it, donate some and store some.

Question: If it is not possible for the father to do the 'Aqeeqah then is it permissible for the son to do it for himself once he becomes an adult and is able to do it?

Answer: I don’t know any basis for this.

Question: What are the best animals to slaughter for Hadiy, Udhiyah and 'Aqeeqah?

Answer: It has been narrated that the best animals for Hadiy and Udhiyah are the Budn animals [camels or cows] and as for 'Aqeeqah then we should stick to slaughtering sheep, as this is what has been narrated.

Question: How do we know a goat has reached six months, thus we are able to slaughter it or do we rely on the shepard that is selling the animal?

Answer: If the teeth are fully grown then this is a sign that the animal has reached this age. Some of the Fuqahaah stated that if the animal sleeps standing up then this is a sign that the animal is still young but if he sleeps whilst laying down then this animal is past that age.

Question: What is the difference between Udhiyah and Hadiy?

Answer: Two differences; the Hadiy is only done in Makkah and it is given to the poor and the Udhiyah can be done in his home country, anywhere in the world. Secondly, the Hadiy is done for every individual doing Hajj, whereas one for each family is sufficient for Udhiyah.

From the Rulings of Islaamic Greetings is That it Should be Clear; Salams or Slmz are Not Islamic Greetings

Follow @AhleDhikr

Haafidh al-Haythamee reports under the chapter entitled, 'Chapter of Replying to One Who Greets You Silently':

On the authority of Anas bin Maalik [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was once approached by Sa'd bin 'Ubaadah and greeted the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] by saying, 'As-Salaamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullah '. So Sa'd said for another time, 'Wa 'Alaykum Salaaam wa Rahmatullah' but the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] didn’t hear him, even though he said this three times….

[Majma' az-Zawaa'id wa Munba' al-Fawaa'id, Pg 34-35]

Shaykh al-Allaamah Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz [May Allaah have Mercy on him] was asked:

If one greets another in a silent voice, so that the other person doesn’t hear it, does he still respond?

He replied:

There is no response to a greeting which is silent. If one greets you the greeting of Salaam in a silent voice, and he doesn’t raise his voice, then he should raise his voice. If he doesn’t, then it is like he hasn’t greeted you. This is because the point of greeting with the Salaam is that the person can hear you, so that upon hearing you, he may respond in a like manner or in a better way [i.e. by adding Wa Rahmatullah or Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu]. It may be that a person doesn’t greet you properly because he is proud and arrogant, if this is the case, then this is evil and worse than one merely not raising his voice. So the purpose of the person greeting you, is to greet you in a loud voice so that you may respond to him.

http://www.binbaz.org.sa/audio/noor/010105.mp3

Shaykh Al-Allaamah Muhammad bin Saaleh al-'Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Greeting in an unclear manner has no benefit, the person doesn’t hear and it doesn’t fulfill the intended purpose.

[Fataawa Noor 'Ala ad-Darb (Side A, Tape 302) ]

Shaykh Abdur-Raheem al-Suhaym[i] [May Allaah Preserve him] said:

It is for the Muslim to give the greeting of Salaam properly and completely, whether it is be in writing or in speech. This is based on the statement of Allaah, the Most High:

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things."

[Nisaa 4:86]

It is not sufficient for someone to greet or respond to one another with Salaam in an abridged manner or by signaling, except for the person who can't such as the person who is praying or someone who is far away, for example. These people may return the greeting of the person who explicitly greets them verbally with Salaam, with a signal because they have a need.

However, shortening the greeting of Salaam is from the way of the Jews. The Prophet [Peace and Blessing of Allaah be Upon him] said, "Do not initiate the greeting of Salaam with the Jews or Christians because they greet with their palms, their heads and by signalling" [Narrated by Aboo Dawood, Nasaa'ee, Tabraanee and others: Classified Saheeh by Al-Albaanee in Silsilah as-Saheehah (1783) and in 'Jilbaab al-Mar'ah al-Muslimah (Pg. 193)] 

Haafidh Ibn Hajar [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about this Hadeeth:

"Meaning, it is not sufficient to give the greeting of Salaam by signaling alone, without any verbalization of it. We have been warned against this, as it was narrated by at-Tirmidhee (2695) on the authority of Jabir [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, "Do not initiate the greeting of Salaam to the Jews because they greet one another by their heads, palms and by signaling."

[Fath al-Baaree (11/14)]

---

[i] The Shaykh is a graduate from Imaam Muhammad bin Sa'ood University in Riyadh and is also a student of scholars such as Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-'Uthaymeen, Shaykh Naasir al-'Umar and others and currently still studies under Shaykh Abdul-Kareem al-Khudayr.

Lessons and Exhortations Taken From the Story of Prophet Yoosuf [Peace be Upon him]

Follow @AhleDhikr

By Shaykh Saaleh ibn Muhammad Aal at-Taalib [May Allaah Preserve him]
Delivered in Masjid al-Haraam, Makkah al-Mukarramah
20/6/1433 – 11/5/2012

Verily, Allaah Praise is for Allaah. I Praise him and I seek His Protection and Forgiveness. I seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of ourselves and the wickedness of our deeds. Whosoever Allaah Guides, none can misguide and whosoever Allaah causes to be led astray, none can guide.

I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allaah, without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.  May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him, his pure and noble family and those who follow them in their path of righteousness until the Last Day.

To begin:

I advise you - oh people - and myself to Fear Allaah. For Fearing Allaah is creates success and it is a barrier in the times of Fitnah [trials and tests]. By Fearing Allaah, we gain support in times of adversity and need;

"No doubt! Verily, the Auliya' of Allah [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve. Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds).

64. For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world (i.e. righteous dream seen by the person himself or shown to others), and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah, this is indeed the supreme success."

[Yoonus 10:62-64]

Oh Muslim! Oh those who are patient and steadfast! Oh those who are being tested! In the darkness of a long and weary night, there is optimism. When we are circled with despairs, you can find comfort in an amazing narration. In the times of ongoing pain, you can find hope. When stress overburdens you, you are overpowered by calamities, when the sinners are placed in authority over you and they are strong in number.

Know that it is from the Sunnah of Allaah in His Quraan, that whenever tests are mention, it is always accompanied with help and assistance. Because of this, your souls are comforted and your faith is renewed.

Whatever befalls a believer from the tests and pains of this worldly life then there is no Sunnah from the people before us except that they have been described as those who were helped, their status raise, their sins removed, their hearts checked and most of all, they were described as being sound believers.

"140. If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).

141. And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers."

[Aal-Imraan 3:140-141]

If we look at the biography of the life of Prophet Muhammad [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], then there are signs and lessons. He was faced with unbearable pain during his time in Makkah. Before Hijrah for the period of three years he witnessed the death of his beloved wife, Khadeejah [May Allaah be Pleased with her], and she was a minister for those who accepted Islaam. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] would often confide in her about his problems, seek advice and solace from her. Then his uncle died, Aboo Talib. He was a supporter of the Prophet and he benefited him in a great deal against the Qurasyh. Also in this time, he went up to the heavens in the night is Israa', people belied him and some even left Islaam because they didn’t believe it was possible. People rejected to call until it got to a stage that no one else would accept Islaam.

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] called this year the year of sorrow, the Quraysh expelled him [Peace and Blessings be Upon him]; they fought and united with their allies against him in battles that witnessed heave exchanges.

Allaah, the Most High, then revealed upon him [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] Surah al-Israa' and Surah Furqaan. Then Surah Yoonus was revealed, and then Surah Hood and all of these had stories of the Prophets which described their struggles with their people and that the Days of Allaah eventually would come. This was a proof to show the truth to his people, whoever supports the Prophet [Peace and Blessings be Upon him] then he will be from the group of the believers, as it says in the end of Surah Hood;

"And all that We relate to you (O Muhammad ) of the news of the Messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby. And in this (chapter of the Qur'an) has come to you the truth, as well as an admonition and a reminder for the believers." [Hood 11:120]

After this Surah and series of Surahs that were revealed which talked about the stories and the sorrows of the Prophets; Surah Yoosuf was revealed. A Surah which contained a mixture of sadness, mercy from Allaah and consolation, and this was the last Surah to be revealed in the series of these stories of the Prophets.

 Surah Yoosuf has benefits which are connected to pain and hope. It contains the sorrow of being split up and then the joy of being reunited. It has a story which entails despair and then this was replaced with certainty. It contains oppression and then a way of conquering this oppression. It contains tests and examples of patience. It contains a moral of success and support. It contains a feeling of revenge, pardoning and mercy. It contains examples of hope in Dua'aa, steadfastness after being tested and an underlying principle; that the end will always be good for those who have Taqwa and patience.

Surah Yoosuf is from the greatest stories which demonstrate the Wisdom of Allaah and His Pre-Decree. Contemplating on its secret lessons give us benefit that no other story from the stories of the Dunya can give us;

"1. Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

These are the Verses of the Clear Book (the Qur'an that makes clear the legal and illegal things, legal laws, a guidance and a blessing).

2. Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an in order that you may understand.

3. We relate unto you (Muhammad ) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Inspiration to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an)."

[Yoosuf 12:1-3]

Allaah, the Most High, revealed this story upon his Noble Prophet a story about his Noble brother; Yoosuf bin Ya'qoob bin Ishaaq bin Ibraahim [May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon all of them]. He was tested with a specific test, just like the rest of all his predecessors were tested with their own tests.

Yoosuf was tested by the plots and plans of his brothers. He was tested with the test of fear being terrorized by them, falling into a well and being left alone there to die. He was tested with the lack of provision when he was passed around from hand to hand as a commodity or a worthy product, left without any care or protection from his father or his family.

He was then test again with the plots and plans of a woman, the wife of the king and the women around her. Before this, we was tested when she offered herself to him which saw him repelling yet another trial and constraining his own desires.

He was then tested again when he was imprisoned, leaving a life of lavish, as he lived in a place, to a life of poverty and debasement as he was thrown in jail.

Then he was tested again when he hoped to be freed by the King and when he was finally freed he was placed in a place of authority and excelled responsibility. He was responsible for dealing with the common folk and the treasury of the kingdom. This was a test for him in the way he conducted himself and in his dealings with the people, to the extent that he had to transact with his brothers, the very same people who left him for dead by throwing him in the pit and the cause of all the other trials that befell him thereon after.

It is not strange that this Surah contains this Noble Prophet. From the results of this Surah being revealed upon the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] is that the Muslims who were with him in Makkah, after a long period of trials and tests, had consolidation and optimism; they had tranquillity and firmness against those who rejected and wronged them.

Rather, it was as if it was a hint that the Hijrah was near, that the Muslims would soon leave Makkah to another place which sees them being supported and steadfast, after a long period of time of oppression and hatred targeted towards them. Just as Yoosuf left the house of his father, which was a house of comfort to a path, he was setting out to transverse on a path filled with adversity and tribulations. The end result for all these tests saw him being honored, steadfast and supported with aid and assistance.

"And he (the man) from Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay comfortable, may be he will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We establish Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not."

[Yoosuf 12:21]

These Ayaat from this Surah have come to affirm the praise that is due for Yoosuf, even though he reached such lowliness in his life that he was a slave that was being passed around. We find in this Surah that he didn’t doubt His Lord, the Lord of All that Exists and he had firm Faith in him, so we can see that the good end is for those who do good and those who have Taqwaa.

When they decided to throw him in the well, instead of killing him, they decided that making money off him would be better, this was their plan.

"And he (the man) from Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay comfortable, may be he will profit us or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We establish Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not. " [Yoosuf 12:21]

His brothers intended to do something but Allaah also intended something. So when Allaah defeated them in their plan, He made it so that their ideas and intentions were nullified. As for the brothers of Yoosuf, they plotted but they had no say on the end result.  When things settled, they still didn’t realize that they had no achieved what they had initially intended;

"… but most of men know not."

[Yoosuf 12:21]

Meaning, they don’t know that the Sunnah of Allaah from the past to present, is that whatever He Wills will occur.

When Yoosuf was certain that his release from prison was near, as the one of his companions was freed from jail and he told him that he would tell the king to release Yoosuf also, because of the man forgetting Yoosuf remained in the prison for a few years further. If his Lord had Wished, all of these obstacles for Yoosuf could have been instantly removed however this was a test for Yoosuf. The test was to rely on Allaah and not to place your needs solely in the hands of people. People are not the cause for your needs to be sufficed, and this was the case for Yoosuf despite him being from a noble chosen prophet.

From this we learn that the slave of Allaah must be sincere and it is binding upon to have this sincerity towards Him, Glorified He is. So if he calls, he calls onto Him Alone as it is He Alone, Glorified He is, Who can remove harm from them. So when you realize the weakness of humans from the very beginning, you will then always prefer to ask Allaah, Glorified He is. Knowing that He Conquers over all things, by referring to Him always will make you realize, will make you taste, will make you firm in belief in Him, which will all lead for you in becoming stronger in obedience to Him, being pleased with Him, loving and being delighted with Him. So by referring to Him alone will cause all of these great favours to succeed one another.

What is certainty? It is to be proud of Allaah, for Him to be sufficient for you, you trust Him, He is absolute for you, nothing on earth can replace what He does for you and that you are free from depending or seeking your needs from anything else. To know that everything else has no control or power comparable to His, so His is the ultimate Command.

As for Ya'qoob; then he was a Prophet, he was a firm believer, he was filled with certainty, patience and filled with trust in Allaah. Every aspect of his time would be spent saying;

"He said: 'Can I entrust him to you except as I entrusted his brother [Yusuf (Joseph)] to you aforetime? But Allah is the Best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.'"

[Yoosuf 12:64]

"And he said: 'O my sons! Do not enter by one gate, but enter by different gates, and I cannot avail you against Allah at all. Verily! The decision rests only with Allah. In him, I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him.'"

 [Yoosuf 12:67]

When he lost his three children, he reached pains that were to an unbearable limit:

"He [Ya'qub (Jacob)] said: 'Nay, but your ownselves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allah will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.'"

[Yoosuf 12:83]

And he said:

"He said: 'I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not. O my sons! Go you and enquire about Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.'"

[Yoosuf 12:86-87]

Verily the Faith and the Eemaan of the prophets was filled with certainty, they were Hunaafa or firm on Tawheed. They never despaired from the mercy of Allaah.

Oh you grieving ones! Do not despair from the help of Allaah! Oh you ones in dire need! Oh you steadfast ones! The believer’s heart is always connected to his Lord. Their souls circle around his mercy. Do not despair from the mercy of Allaah, even if you feel as no relief will come! Even if your affair become unbearable, the believer always seeks the mercy of Allaah, these are from the shadows of your Eemaan. His character is always connected to his Lord. Tranquility comes with having trust in his Protector, even if you feel as if there is no end and that help is far away.

Oh believers! Tests and trails that come are from the dictations of Allaah, by His Kindness, his Knowledge and His Mercy. To the extent that Allaah placed and dictated that affairs of Yoosuf [Peace be Upon him] until Yoosuf became a minister for the treasury;

"Thus did We give full authority to Yusuf (Joseph) in the land, to take possession therein, as when or where he likes. We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please, and We make not to be lost the reward of Al-Muhsinun (the good doers - see V.2:112)."

[Yoosuf 12:56]

With this role, he was given a house and he was given honour and status. From the depths and the darkness of the well whilst he was enveloped with fear, to the prison where he was restrained;

"We bestow of Our Mercy on whom We please…"

[Yoosuf 12:56]

This was indeed a mercy, Allaah replaced his hardships with ease. He replaced difficulty with relief, he replaced fear with security, he replaced constraint with freedom and from being slandered and humiliated by the people, and he was no given honour and a status.

"We make not to be lost the reward of Al-Muhsinun (the good doers - see V.2:112)."

[Yoosuf 12:56]

The Muhsineen are the ones who believe in Allaah, they rely on Him and they direct all their affairs towards Him. By doing all of this, their manners and deeds are beautified:

"And verily, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and used to fear Allah and keep their duty to Him (by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds and by performing all kinds of righteous good deeds)."

[Yoosuf 12:57]

This is how Allaah substituted for Yoosuf, he replaced his fears and worries with honour and dignity on the earth. This is a glad tidings for us, that in the end, triumph will always be brought about by having Eemaan, patience and good deeds. These are also the hidden characteristics which may exist in a person but it is between him and Allaah, al-'Alee, the One Who Knows and is al-Hakeem, He Knows the situations and conditions of people.
He Knows the purpose of the tests that befall you and He Knows their end results. He Places them in the most appropriate of times, when the wisdom and purpose of the test arises, He Decrees the test to occur and this will always be followed by the intended end result.

"…it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.” [Nisaa 4:19]

The Surah is then ended with the following Ayaat:

" 109. And We sent not before you (as Messengers) any but men, whom We inspired from among the people of townships. Have they not travelled through the earth and seen what was the end of those who were before them? And verily, the home of the Hereafter is the best for those who fear Allah and obey Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds). Do you not then understand?

110. (They were reprieved) until, when the Messengers gave up hope and thought that they were denied (by their people), then came to them Our Help, and whomsoever We willed were delivered. And Our Punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are Mujrimun (criminals, disobedients to Allah, sinners, disbelievers, polytheists).

111. Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur'an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of the Allah's existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe. "

[Yoosuf 12:109-111]

These Ayaat reaffirm what occurs in the Sunnah of Allaah, when the Prophets were tested, they didn’t despair and that the relief will always come.
This Surah has meanings that appeal to the heart of a believer; it reinforces one in Eemaan and certainty, in patience and steadfastness. It is from the Sunnah of Allaah that tests come, some of them more severe than others however relief will always prevail. Help will come when we least expect it, when we feel all hope it gone, when we think that all the possible avenues have been stressed. The help always comes from Allaah, the One Who with Whom all Help lies. He Brings out people from their despairs, He gives people a solution, even if the criminals who oppose this try maintain the oppression upon you, because there is no opposing the One Who is a Protector.

"Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur'an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of the Allah's existing Books [the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel) and other Scriptures of Allah] and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a Mercy for the people who believe."

[Yoosuf 12:111]

May Allaah Bless me and you in the Kitaab and the Sunnah, make us benefit from its Ayaat and Hikmah. This is what I have to say, I seek forgiveness from Allaah, the Most High, for myself and you.