Benefits from Hadeeth Jibreel (Part 2)

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Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]
Former Member of Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars

The first Pillar of Islaam is Tawheed

This is the call of the all the Messengers and Prophets, so they were all sent for this purpose.

So believing in Tawheed means we must make an outward testification in our belief in it, to affirm its truthfulness and if one says this, we must accept it from him.

Some of the conditions of the statements of Tawheed, the two Shahaadas, is to know, to truly believe, to submit, to act upon, to accept and to love it.

The meaning of ‘There is no God except Allaah’ means there is no god worthy of worship except Allaah, no god in truth. This means worship is only due for Allaah, the Most High, otherwise any other god is false. The statement of Tawheed is to act for Allaah Alone, no one or thing else, therefore Allaah Alone deserves our worship and I worship Him alone.

The meaning of ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah’ means we believe what he says, we follow him, we worship Allaah the way and manner he did and we send Salaat and Salaam upon him.

The second pillar of Islaam is Salaah

To establish means establishing Salaah is obligatory. The Salaah is a contract that we have with Allaah, the Most High.

The third pillar of Islaam is Zakaah

Meaning, Specific wealth which given to specific people (cf. 9:60)

The forth pillar of Islaam is Fasting

Fasting is for the one who is able which means they refrain from food, drink and intercourse from dawn to sunset in the 9^th Islamic month.

The fifth pillar of Islaam is Hajj

Hajj means to have intention, so it means go to have the intention to go the House of Allaah and honour it.

One of the conditions of Hajj being an obligation is that the person has the ability to do Hajj. The scholars differed as to what ability entails:

1) Some said that the person is financially able

2) Imam Maalik was of the opinion that ability means one is physically able

3) Abu Haneefah said that it refers to both financial and physical ability.

Emaan

Ahl as-Sunnaah believe that Eemaan refers to speech, action and belief  so all of these are connected and must be actualised and practiced for one to have Eemaan.

The difference between Islaam and Eemaan

The scholars have stated that there is no real difference between Islaam and Eemaan as Islaam is needed for Eemaan and visa versa. So, if you don’t have Eemaan then you’re Islaam and Shahaadah of Islaam are invalid. However, the majority of the scholars differed between the meanings of Islaam and Eemaan based on this Hadeeth and other evidences. They stated that Islaam is the level where people believe but Eemaan is the next level up and the next level above beyond that is Ihsaan. So they argued that difference between Islaam and Eeman in definition is that Islaam is what is apparent, so the good deeds one does are from the Islaam of a person. However, Eemaan is hidden and part of the beliefs and inner faith of a person,

Pillars of Eemaan

To believe in Allah

This has four parts; 1) to believe that Allaah exists 2) to believe He is your Lord [Tawheed Ruboobiyyah] 3) to believe He is One 4) to believe He has Actions connected to His Names and Attributes. Added to this, because we believe in the above we worship Him Alone, thus affirming Tawheed Uboodiyyah.

To believe in Angels:

To believe in the Angels means we believe they 1) exist and that Allaah, the Most High, created them and they are 2) perfect in worshipping him. Added to this, we must believe what we have been told and informed about the Angels, their 3) names and 4) their duties.

To believe in the Books:

This is to believe in the books that 1) have been named and those 2) that have not be named, so we believe that Allaah, the Most High, has revealed Books and we believe they are all from Him. To have Eemaan in the Books is also to believe in this 3) Quraan, that Allaah, the Most High, 4) spoke it, it is 5) unchanged, there is no falsehood or crookedness in it and that the Quraan is a 6) mercy and guides mankind in its legislation and explanation

To believe in Prophets:

This is believe that they have been 1) sent as guides for us to follow and for us to believe in all of them, 2) those that we know and 3) those that we don’t know.

To believe in the Last Day:

This is to believe that we will all be resurrected and held to account, those being rewarded and others being punished.

To believe in Qadr:

This is believe that 1) Allaah, the Most High, Knows everything before they happen. That Allaah Wrote the Qadr or Pre-Decree 2) in Lawhil Mafooz, that 3) He willed everything to happen and that 4) He Created everything, us and our actions.

Belief in the Qadr also consists of believing in the good and the bad of Pre-Decree:

This is to believe that 1) Allaah, the Most High, willed all good and bad to occur and 2) to believe that Qadr has good and bad and 3) all good and bad is connected to the Will of Allaah and only occurs because He Allowed it, not through the will of anything or anyone else.

Ihsaan

This is the final level of believe. To live your live as though you see Allaah, the Most High, and if you don’t see Him, the Most High, then you Know that He Sees you.

This Hadeeth refutes the Murjee idea that belief is only in the heart. We believe that the Shariah is based on actions for us to do and become better believers therefore Islaam or Eemaan cannot be conviction in the heart alone.

Ihsaan is to worship Allaah: Meaning, to do whatever Allaah, the Most High, Loves for us to do and ordered us to do, this was mentioned by Shaykh al-Islaam.

As if you see him: Meaning, to affirm that we will see Him in the Hereafter and can’t be done in this life but the point is, we realise He is watching in every aspect in our life and we act accordingly.

[Taken from the Explanation of Nawawee’s Forty Hadeeth]

Benefits from Hadeeth Jibreel (Part 1)

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“One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], with his knees touching against the Prophet's [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs he said: “O Muhammad, tell me about Islaam.”

The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said: “Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, to perform prayers, to give Zakaah, to fast in Ramadhaan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.”

He said: “You are correct”; and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he is correct.

He then said: “Tell me about Eemaan.”

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said: “It is to believe in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in Divine Pre-Decree or al-Qadr, both the good and the evil of it.”

He said: “You have spoken rightly.”

He said: “Then tell me about Ihsaan.”

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said: “It is to worship Allaah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then (knowing that) truly He sees you.”

He said: “Then tell me about the Hour.”

He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.”

He said: “Then tell me about its signs.”

He said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefooted, naked destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.”
Then he (the man) left, and I stayed for a time. Then, the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], said: “O `Umar, do you know who the questioner was?”

I said: “Allaah and His Messenger know best.”

He said: “It was Jibreel, who came to teach you your religion.””

[Narrated by Muslim]

Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]

Former Member of Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars

This Hadeeth is the wording of Muslim however other companions reported this like Abu Huraayrah with slightly different wording however this is the most comprehensive as it includes the whole religion.

Juloos: meaning they were sitting with the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]. Allaah, the Most High, Wants us to be learned therefore we are encouraged to sit with those who have knowledge and sit in the gatherings of knowledge. So this Hadeeth shows the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] sitting in a sitting of knowledge, we can learn from this that from the manners of learning is to sit respectfully and focus on those teaching us.

A man came with bright white clothes and the dark hair, so sign of travel was visible on him: meaning he was wearing nice clothes and appeared beauty. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, as was reported by the authors of the Sunan that, ‘The best of your clothes are your white clothes.’

He sat in front: this teaches us the manner of learning; we should sit in a decent manner. We may also derive from this that asking questions in order to seek knowledge in a clear and beneficial manner is also a useful way of obtaining knowledge.

Placed his hands on his thighs: this shows that it is permissible to touch the body of another person or even the ‘Awrah of another person, from the same gender, from on top of clothes, if there is no element of suspicion.

'Ya Muhammad': it is not allowed for us, the followers of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] to address him by his first name.

Tell me about Islaam. Islam is to ‘istislaam’ or to submit. It is also to be humbled, to accept and to obey and comply.

Islaam is the religion of all the Prophets, as Allaah, the Most High, tells us that they said:

“and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)” [Baqarah 2: 136]

However, this Ummah has the specific meaning of the word Islaam. Meaning, it is the last and final call and nothing other than it will be accepted;

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [aal-Imraan 3:85]

[Taken from the Explanation of Nawawee’s Forty Hadeeth]

Questions 37

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Muftee ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Muhammad bin Ibraaheem aal ash-Shaykh [May Allaah Preserve him]

Grand Muftee of Saudi Arabia and the Head of the Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars

Seerah Khulafaa Sayyid al-Mursaleen Conference

Prince Faisal bin Fahad Masjid, Riyadh

6/11/1433 - 22/9/2012

Question: Recently we have seen a huge number of mockery upon the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] via the means of films, newspapers, cartoons etc. What is the way we should deal with this?

Answer: It’s clear, we should reject and condemn these acts and explain the mistakes that people are spreading.

Question: How do we reconcile between the Ayaah, ‘We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers’ [2:285] and ‘Those Messengers! We preferred some to others’ [2:253]?

Answer: There is no difference, there is no doubt that certain Messengers were preferred above others, Nooh [Peace be Upon him] had what others didn’t have, some Allaah, the Most High, spoke to directly and others He didn’t and ‘Eesaa was born without a father. We believe in all of them, we affirm them and don’t deny what they came with, yet some had certain favours over others, but we don’t deny any of them.

Question: What is the meaning of the Hadeet, ‘Follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Khulafaa ar-Rashidoon’?

Answer: Just as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] had a Sunnah then likewise the Khulafaa had their Sunnah. So for example, Aboo Bakr compiled the Mushaf, ‘Umar congregated the people to pray in Taraweeh, ‘Uthmaan made the second Athaan on the Day of Jumu’ah [May Allaah be Pleased with them all], all of these are from their Sunan that we should follow them.

Question: Is following the Sunnah something Waajib or Mustahab, because many people confuse Sunnah with Mustahab?

Answer: From the Sunnah there are different levels, some things in the Sunnah are Waajib whilst others are Mustahab. However we must follow the Sunnah whether it is Waajib or Mustahab.

Question: What is the ruling on having actors play the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them]?

Answer: Having actors to play the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] is a great evil, their Seerah and his history is well-known so there is no need for this. Viewing these programmes that depict them is also a great act of evil.

Question: What is the ruling on leaving doing acts that are Sunnah?

Answer: The believer is one who tries to follow and establish the Sunnah in his speech and actions.

Question: I have to make up a fast from Ramadhaan, do I need to give expiation as well?

Answer: No, if one breaks the fast then he makes it up unless he has sexual intercourse.

Question: What is the ruling of the Soofiyyah and what they believe in?

Answer: At-Tasawuf has many innovations and they differ from Ahl as-Sunnah in many issues and they attribute to the religion in which there is no precedence. Our criteria to find the truth is the Kitaab of Allaah and the Sunnah but the Soofees are astray because they have introduced matters in the religion such as Wahdah al-Wujood and Hullool and other deviances.  

Question: What is the ruling of praying Faatihah behind the Imaam during the loud prayers?

Answer: The scholars differed, so if one prays the Faatihah behind the Imaam then this is good and the one who doesn’t pray behind the Imaam then this also good.

Question: Is ‘Azeeziyah part of Minaa?

Answer: No, it starts at the end of Minaa.

Question: What is the ruling on watching films or the like which portray the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] in a way?

Answer: This is not permissible, Allaah, the Most High, says:

“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur'an) that when you hear the Verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.” [Nisaa 4:140]

So I say watching these things is Haraam and not necessary.

Question: What is the ruling on one who finishes prayer and makes Dua’a and then sends Peace and Blessings Upon the Messenger, this is done aloud after each prayer?

Answer: What this man is doing is good but this action is not appropriate after Salaah, rather it is from Sunnah to remember Allaah with the Adhkaar that have been narrated.

Some Simple Ways to Know a Scholar

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By Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]

The true scholar is one who calls the people to remember the Hereafter and that his call is not connected to worldly gain. This is because he instils in the people that the true life is the life of the Hereafter.

The scholar is the one who sticks to the texts therefore you will not find him talk unless he brings proof from the Kitaab or the Sunnah.

The true scholar is also one who looks to find betterment for the people, he wants good for the people and he is sensitive to people’s needs.

The true scholar is one who connects all his needs and all affairs to Allaah, the Most High, Alone. He knows that Allaah Alone has the Decree and the ability to sustain the world that he lives in, His is the Power and thus he becomes the Master for this slave.

[Taken from lecture, ‘Naseehah li at-Tulaab al-‘Ilm, 27/9/1433]

Statements of the Salaf about Pondering on the Quraan

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Praise be to Allaah and may the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon His Messenger.

To begin:

It is well known that one of the greatest reasons for revelation is so that we may ponder and reflect on the Aayaat of the Qur’aan. Allaah, the Most High, says:

"(This is) a Book (the Qur'an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember."

[Saad 38: 29]

Based on this, it was from the way of the scholars of the Salaf to advise people to ponder on the Aayaat of the Qur’aan and warn against being negligent in this regard. So what follows are some of the quotes that have been compiled and collected in order for it to act as a reminder for us all.

‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ood [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “The person should account himself about the Qur’aan, because if he loves it, then it means he loves Allaah and His Messenger.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer 1/22]

Ash-Sha’bee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “If you recite the Qur’aan then recite it in a way that your ears will hear it and that your heart understands it, because your ears are the vice that exists between your tongue and your heart.” [az-Zuhd by Ibn Mubaarak (Pg. 422)]

Hasan al-Basree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “Verily this Qur’aan is recited by adults and children and they don’t know what it means. So they are not able to act upon its commands. Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, says : saad. There is no one who ponders on the Qur’aan except that he will follow it and gain knowledge of it. Allaah Knows about him. As for the one who recites it by the letter but transgresses its meaning, to the extent that one says, ‘I’ve recited the whole Qur’aan without leaving out a letter’ then in reality he is the one who has left the Qur’aan. You will not see the Qur’aan in the behaviour or the actions of this person.” [Fadaa’il al-Qur’aan by Faryaabee (Pg. 247)]

Hasan al-Basree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] also said, “You will gain sweetness via three things: as-Salaah, al-Qur’aan and adh-Dhikr. If you are able to do these things then glad tidings, but if you can’t then know that the door has been closed for you.” [Hilyah al-Awliyaa (4/318)]

Nasr bin Yahya bin Abee Katheer [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “If road you are walking on is crumbling ahead of you and your affairs are turning your hair grey and the sense of freedom in your life is escaping you and your heart is becoming constrained, then return to the Qur’aan. This is the thing that will give you freedom and liberation. Stop and ponder on the pieces of guidance within it that renovates and that which instils fear. Stop at the Ayaat that talk about the promise of reward and the chastisement of punishment. This will cause you to return to Allaah, the believer is the one who obeys and leaves disobedience. You will be taken out of the pit you are in and your ignorance will be banished from you. You will be revived after you were trodden on, you will be given Taqwaa after you were weak.” [al-‘Azlah wa al-Infiraad by Ibn Abee ad-Dunyaa (Pg. 80)]

It was said to ‘Esaa bin Wardaan [May Allaah have Mercy on him], “What causes people to follow their desires in the Dunya?” So he began to cry and then he said, “I wish my heart would be free from it. I looked at my heart and the relationship I have within it with the Qur’aan.” [al-Mutamaneen by Ibn Abee ad-Dunyaa (Pg. 49)]

It was said to Yoosuf bin Asbaat [May Allaah have Mercy on him], “What do you supplicate with once you have completed the Qur’aan?” He replied, “I seek forgiveness in Alaah because I have completed the Qur’aan but I know that my deeds are still blameworthy. So I replace them with Astaghfaar and Tasbeeh.” [Ihyaa ‘Uloom ad-Deen by al-Ghazaalee (2/55)]

Sufyaan bin ‘Uyaynah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “Verily, the Aayat of the Qur’aan are like cupboards. If you enter it then you won’t leave until you work hard to find out what is inside it and its meanings.” [Zaad al-Maseer fi ‘Uloom at-Tafseer (2/370)]

Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “If a person was to ponder on the Qur’aan, then all those who innovate in the religion and their innovations will be refuted.” [as-Sunnah by al-Khilaal (Narration 912)]

Al-Marwadhee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “I heard Aboo ‘Abdullah (i.e. Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal) tell another person, ‘Sit down and recite.’ So the man brought a Mushaf and he sat down to recite. So as he began to recite he stopped at the end of an Aayah and Aboo ‘Abdullah asked him, ‘What is the Tafseer of it?’ The man replied, ‘I don’t know.’ So the then explained the Aayah to us, to the extent he was fighting the tears from falling in order to explain it to us.” [Bidaa’ al-Fawaa’id (4/167)]

[Prepared by Lajnah al-‘Ilmiyyah Fee Markaz at-Tadabur, ar-Riyaadh]

Finished your Rituals with the Words of Tawheed and Istighfaar

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As for the statement of Tawheed [i.e. Laa ila Ila Allaah], then this statement expiates sins and it removes all traces of the sins that he had committed and thus, nothing remains of it. So the statement of Tawheed is like free a slave, and freeing a slave is like one has freed himself from the fire. Whoever says it and believes in it, sincerely with his heart, then Allaah makes the fire prohibited upon this person.

As for the words of Istighfaar or forgiveness, then increasing in it is a cause for you to attain the Forgiveness and Mercy of Allaah.

Hasan al-Basree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “Increase in asking for Allaah’s forgiveness because you don’t know when the Mercy of Allaah will fall upon you.”

Luqmaan the wise, told his son, “Oh son! Repeat Istigfaar upon your tongue, because there are hours in which Allaah doesn’t deny the person who asks.”
Allaah, the Most High, also combines the statement of Tawheed and the advice on being steadfast in asking for Istighfaar.

Allaah, the Most High, says:
“So know (O Muhammad) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin” [Muhammad 47:19]

It is also narrated from the Salaf that they said, “Iblees said, ‘Men are destroyed because of their sins and I have been destroyed because of Laa Ilaha Ila Allaah and Istighfaar.’”

Istighfaar is from the deeds that one must do upon completion of righteous deeds, such as upon the completion of Salaah, Hajj or Qiyaam al-Layl. It is also prescribed to say Istighfaar upon the completion of sittings and gathering, so if the gathering was a gathering of remembering Allaah and a beneficial gathering then we are closing the righteous deed by seeking Istighfaar and if the gathering had shortcomings or sins, then we are seeking to be pardoned and forgiven.

Therefore, it is binding that we finish by seeking forgiveness in Allaah.

‘Umar bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez also once wrote:

Say as your father Aadam [Peace be Upon him] has said:

“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” [A’raaf 7:23]

Say as Nooh [Peace be Upon him] said:

“O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers.” [Hood 11:47]

Say as Moosa [Peace be Upon him] said:

“My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me” [Qasas 28:16]

Say as Dhun Noon [Peace be Upon him] said:

“La ilaha illa Anta [none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doer” [Mu’minoon 21:87]

It is also narrated that Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said,

“Backbiting tears your fasts but Istighfaar repairs it. So whoever is able to repair his fasting then let him do so.”

Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 160-169) by Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him]