What they Call 'April Fools' Day' or 'All Fools' Day'

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Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him and grant him the highest station in Jannah] said:
Caution my Muslim brothers! Some of the foolish people have this day, ‘April fools’[1], I think this day is coming soon.

This form of permitted lying is from the ways of the Jews, Christians and the Zoroastrians and others from the people of Kufr.

Some of the reservations we have of this day:

1) They lie, and lying in our Shar’eeah is Haraam.

2) It involves imitating the Kuffaar and imitating the Kuffaar is Haraam. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever imitates a nation then he is from them.” [Narrated by Aboo Dawood (4031); classified as Saheeh by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Aboo Dawood (3401)]

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “It’s authenticity is acceptable. The ruling on imitation based on this Hadeeth is that it is Haraam but if we look at the apparent wording, imitation would mean one has done an act of Kufr (disbelief) as they are behaving like those who disbelieve.” [‘Iqtidaa as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/042)]

Added to these are two are other major reservations:

3) The Muslims are succumbing to the ways of their enemies, because it is known by human nature, that the one who follows is impacted by the one whom he is following. If someone takes another to follow, then he believes that the one he is following is better than him. 

Based on this, following them in their practices (i.e. religious, acts of worship, festivals etc.) causes weakness for this nation and causes the believers to be downgraded in their status, causing inferiority of the Muslims to the Kuffaar. 

4) The fourth reservation is that most often, meaning the lies that spread, lead to people's wealth being lost. It also leads to another Muslim being frightened. Because of these lies, sometimes families are also affected. For example, a person may lie to another person by saying, “You are invited to eat at our house and many people will gather and we will prepare a huge banquet" but he is lying, and examples similar to this are all impermissible.

So it is obligatory upon the Muslim, to fear Allaah, the Glorified and the High, and that you uphold His Religion, be proud and pleased with it.

 
I have a guarantee to every Muslim, those who seek honour in the Religion of Allaah, that if they uphold their religion then they will be honoured with the people and their enemies will become inferior to them.

Do not think - oh Muslim – that following the Kuffaar, their manners and habits, causes one to be honoured and given superiority! Rather it causes one to be debased!

You are aware that if someone was to copy you in one of your deeds or actions, then you will experience these people following you will humble themselves towards you. To the extent that some of them will even imitate you in (everything that you do), and this is again something known by human nature.

So everyone who looks at our enemies, they will soon realise that we are actually stronger than them. We have more honour than them through our religion. We are not affected by their plotting against us. We are given guidelines on how to interact with them according to our Shar’eeah. The One Who Has Legislated (i.e. Allaah) for us has given us a solution for every time and every place (through being steadfast upon the religion). After He Sent the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] to mankind, the following Aayah was revealed:

“Say (O Muhammad): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah”  [A’raaf 7:158]

It is also narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “By the One Whose Hands is in my soul, there is not a Jew or a Christian, that doesn’t believe in what I have come with, except he will be from the people of the fire.” [Narrated by Muslim (153)]

If this is the affair of the People of the Book, then what about those lesser than them from the Kuffaar?

Everyone who hears of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] and does not follow him will be in the fire.

So if this is the reality of the situation, then what is wrong with us - oh Muslims – that we have made ourselves inferior and follow the way of those who are against us!?

We all know that what happened in the incident with Hercules, the great ruler of the Romans, and Abee Sufyaan. Aboo Sufyaan went to Hercules (to complain against the Prophet) yet he was not able to lie against him [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]. He was careful in not saying anything that is not true about the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him].

So if this how the Kaafir (at that time Aboo Sufyaan was not a Muslim) dealt with the honour of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], then what is wrong with you – Oh Muslim – that you need to lie?

And all Strength is from Allaah.

[Noor ‘ala al-Darb (Tape 17, 7:39 mins)]

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[1] Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him]:

‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (May Allaah be Pleased with him) merely forbade the Muslims from using the same names (i.e. that it is not permissible to use names like Christmas, Boxing Day, Mother’s Day, April Fool’s Day etc.) that the Kuffaar do for their religious festivals (and special occasions), so how about those who participate on these days as they do?

[Iqtidaa’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/516)]

A Murji Principle: No one is To Be Declared a Disbeliever Based on Their Actions or Statements Alone [Part 10]

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From the beliefs of the Murji'ah is that they do not declare anyone to be a disbeliever based on their actions or statements alone. They believe that disbelief is something that can only occur in the heart so one can only be declared as a disbeliever if they have a disbelieving belief ('Aqeadah). 

If one was to utter a statement of disbelief, according to them, this person would still not be declared as a disbeliever.

This is a clear mistake and a belief that contradicts the texts of the Sharee'ah. In fact, there exists more than three hundred proofs from the texts that prove that disbelief can occur either by statement or action.

For example, Allaah, the Most High, Said:

“Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment.” [an-Nahl 16:106]

The exception made in this Aayah is the one who has been compelled. As it is possible that compulsion occurs in statement and action, then it is likewise possible that disbelief can also occur in statement and action. This Aayah is also proof that the heart which has al-Emaan firmly settled within it could perform an act of disbelief which would result in the person being declared a disbeliever.

For this reason, the following Aayah recites:

“That is because they loved and preferred the life of this world over that of the Hereafter. And Allah guides not the people who disbelieve.” [an-Nahl 16: 107]

This is proof that disbelief is not exclusive to actions of the heart alone, whether one has disbelief in their creed, or commits disbelief by remaining completely ignorant, or disbelievers by having an inner hatred for the religion, then all of these are examples of disbelief that occurs in the heart. This Aayah is proof that Allaah has declared those with such inner acts of the heart  as being disbelievers, regardless if they affirm for themselves belief and love for it. However, as displayed in this Aayah, actions in which they preferred the life of the Dunyaa over the Aakhirah meant the ruling of disbelief is placed on them in the Aayah (i.e. 16:107) which came after the Aayah which describes an apparent action performed by their limbs (i.e. 16:106).

To be continued (further proof to refute this false principle with the Murji'ah)

The Beliefs of the Murji'ah [Part 9]

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The polar opposite to the beliefs of the Wa'eedeeyyah is possessed by a group called the Murji'ah. Within this particular sect there are several sub-sects, to the extent that Aboo al-Hasan al-'Asharee stated that they have split into more than twelve sects within themselves[1].  After these twelve arose, a multiude of other sub-sects continued to surface.

The basis of this sect is that they believe that al-Emaan is correct and one is considered to be a believer even if they have no righteous actions to accompany their inner beliefs. They argued that righteous actions are only a mere expression of the faith that the believer has in their heart.

The basis of their false belief has been concocted due to their lack of depandancy on the Quraan, the Sunnah or the statements of the Companions and those who followed them in goodness. Rather they relied upon their intellects and the linguistic definition when trying to understanding technical terminolgies found within the texts of the Sharee’ah.

Because of this, we find many innovated schools of thought explain the Quraan based on their opinions and their presumed intellect, under the guise of linguistic definitions without giving any importance to the books of Tafseer or the Tafseer present in the Ahaadeeth (pl. Hadeeth) or that which has been narrated from the Salaf. Contrarily, they depended on the books litertaure, philosophy and whatever conformed with their supposed intellect.

The schools of thought which have set their basis of understanding on theories and philosophy are constantly refuted academically via the texts of the Book, the Sunnah and consensus of the Ummah. The following chapters will critcially scrutinse, based on the texts of the Sharee'ah, some of the most crucial theories of this sect, the Murji’ah, in an attempt to expose their contradiction to the truth and what is correct.

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[1] Muqaalaat al-Islaamiyeen (Pg. 120)

The Origins of Easter and Good Friday

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Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

And this was their practice! They destroyed the religions of the Prophets…

The Jews and the Christians invented new ways of worship which corrupted the respective Legislation's they were given.

For example, they have Good Friday. This day is venerated with them and they have the false belief that this was the day where ‘Esaa bin Maraym was crucified[1]. The day after, is Holy Saturday were they believe ‘Esaa was in his grave and some of them call this the ‘Night of Light’. This day is also venerated; their religious leaders innovated a belief that light descends from the heavens on this day upon the Church of Litter in Palestine[2]. To the extent that the misguided ignorant among them believe that the light that descends on this place spreads throughout the land, and they seek it in order to gain blessings from it. All of this is nonsense and easily refuted by the texts and sound intellect. 

The Saturday after Good Friday is the day where they believe that the Jews went looking for ‘Esaa in order to crucify him, but he had passed away and located in his grave. 

The next day is Easter Sunday, a day where the Christians believe that ‘Esaa rose from his grave. 

The following Sunday is another day venerated by them. It is a day of celebration, where they wear clothes of adornment and partake in various other festive practices. 

As the People of al-Islaam have the Day of Nahr (‘Eid al-Adhaa) where we slaughter after standing on the plains of ‘Arafah, they too use the time after striving in worship to celebrate. So on this Sunday they break their fast by eating and drinking, specifically egg, cheese and meat. Some of them choose to break their fasts with egg. 

So this is a time of celebration for them, however the practices introduced during this period of celebration differ from custom to custom. The general folk usually follow what is dictated to them from their religious leaders. 

With this, we can get an idea of how their priests and monks control and manipulate the religion and its rulings. They claim that they are the upholders of the Legislation of the Messiah, and as a result, they have every right to change the beliefs and rulings found in the religion. Although they argue that they have the right to modify theology and abrogate jurisprudence, what this results in is a huge contradiction in the religion between the different generations.

…

Because of this, the Christians have no real Legislation (Sharee’ah) for them to follow anymore. They have altered and added to their religion, much that which has no precedence within it. 

It is also reported that a fraction of other Christians have innovated various other aspects in their rituals, which the rest may not follow. Some of them visit the graveyard on the Saturday prior to Good Friday (some start on Palm Sunday) and they venerate these graves; placing on it incense and seeking blessings from it, sacrificing animals for the sake of their deceased (all of which is equally partners to God in Islaam otherwise known as Shirk), ring bells within the graveyard and also at this time, they place crosses on their houses seeking from it blessings also.  

This is what I have witnessed and even some of the Muslims partake in these rituals as imitation of them. In fact, there are many other practices which are far worse. Some of these Muslims, who claim to have knowledge (or want to propagate Islaam by using the guise of 'inter-faith dialogue') take part in their activities yet not truly knowing Islaam (or the origins of these Christian rituals).

Some of them even place huge crosses on the entrance of their houses and of imitation and the seeking of blessings.

Some of them even use the incense to ward off evil-eye, diseases and spirit possession from Jinn[3]. 

…

Once their rituals are completed, they celebrate in exchanging gifts and eating meat. They also dye eggs and adorn their children. 

The beliefs and rituals practiced at this time are all ways in which the heart becomes hardened and causes it to die. Those who realize goodness for what it is, will realize this and those who want corruption will be pleased with their corruption. 

Many of them supplicate to Maryam bint Imraan and ask her to bless them from the heavens. So with those who have the least bit of Emaan (faith in Islaam) in their hearts, will they not realize that the religions of the Jews and the Christians have been corrupted (and no longer monotheistic)?!

[Taken from Iqtidaa as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem with the Explanation of Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen (Pg. 348-353)]

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[1] Allaah, the Most High, Says, “they killed him not, nor crucified him” [an-Nisaa’ 4:157]

[2] Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [may Allaah have Mercy on him] explains: It is called the ‘Church of Litter’ because the Jews used to use the church as skip for their waste as a means of ridiculing the honor given to this Church by the Christians. Thus it became known as the ‘Church of Litter’. End quote.

[3] Shaykh al’-Uthaymeen explains, “Some of them have special practices they adopt in order to control or worship the Jinn. For instance, the pretend executioner will ask the sick patient to sacrifice a black hen on their behalf. This is often from the Jinn. They order the sick patient to sacrifice on their name (which accounts to polytheism or Shirk in al-Islaam). Therefore, it is not permissible to succumb to such demands or participate in them, whatsoever. Some of them even get the raw leather of a skinned wolf and place them in their houses. They do this for the Jinn, in sacrifice to them or seeking of protection against them.

Chapter of Ghusl: Its Causes and Description - Intercourse Obligates Ghusl (Cause No.4)

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-The entering of the head of the penis into the vagina obligates Wudhoo. Al-‘Uthaymeen explains that this is the second obligator of the Wudhoo mentioned in the book (Zaad al-Mustaqni’ which is a book based on the Hanbalee Madhab of which this series is an explanation of).

As soon as the head of the penis disappears into the vagina, even if any one of the spouses do not climax, Ghusl becomes obligatory upon them both.

The evidences for this include the following:

-          The Hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah [may Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “If you sit in between the arms and legs of the woman and he enters her, then Ghusl has become obligatory.” [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (291) and Muslim (348)]

Muslim (348) reported the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] saying, “Even if they do not ejaculate.”

A – this doesn’t include hermaphrodites because their genitals are not connected to any particular gender. So if a person has intercourse with them then there is no Ghusl (unless they ejaculate) as they have no recognizable genitals. 

B – The same ruling applies even if the person enters the wrong passage, despite this action being Haraam. The evidence is that if Halaal intercourse obligates Ghusl, then entering the wrong whole is even more binding.

C – If a man enters with a light barrier then Ghusl is obligatory as the private parts have met. But the scholars have differed on this:

-Some said there is no Ghusl, irrespective if the barrier is thick or thin. This is the opinion of the Hanbalees.

-Some said there is always Ghusl as the long as the man enters. This is the opinion of the Shafi’ees.

-The correct opinion is the third one, that if the barrier is thin then Ghusl is Waajib otherwise not, this is the opinion of the Maalikees.

This ruling is extremely important because many believe that Ghusl is only obligatory if any one of the spouses ejaculate. 

Chapter of Ghusl: Its Causes and Description - Semen/Fluid Omitted After Ghusl (Cause No.3)

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-If semen/fluid comes out after Ghusl, then he doesn’t need to repeat the Ghusl. 

Uthaymeen explains that sometimes more semen/fluid is comes out as the person moves and this doesn’t necessitate Ghusl for a second time. The evidences for this are from the following:

-The reason for doing Ghusl is the ejaculation of semen/fluid for which he has already done Ghusl for and there is no ruling connected to it merely coming out. However, if a person ejaculates again with desire then this obligates Ghusl for a second time.

-Ejaculation after Ghusl doesn’t involve desires, and the correct opinion and preceded, that ejaculation without desire never requires Ghusl.

TN NOTE: even though this may be the case, Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen stated elsewhere that he is still required to wash the semen/fluid and its coming out is a nullifier of Wudhoo.

See: Majmoo al-Fataawaa Ibn al-‘Uthaymeen (11/169)

Those Who Contradict the Definition of al-Emaan (Part 8)

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Understanding the definition of Emaan laid down by the Salaf in relation to the reality of 'al-Emaan', it becomes clear that their position was balanced in between two other extreme (either radical or negligent) deviant sects; the Wa'eedeeyyah and the other, the Murji'ah.

The Wa'eedeeyyah sect is made up of two sub-sects, the Khawaarij and the Mu'tazilah. They believe that those who commit any major sin have nullified all Emaan from themselves and deserve to reside in the Hellfire for eternity.

The Khawaarij slightly differed from the Mu'tazliah and declared the committers of major sins as being Kaafir (non believers). On the hand the Mu'tazilah coined a term known as, “Being in a State Between Two States” (meaning the person is neither a believer or a non-believer, but a classification in between).

What is strange from all of this is that the Mu'tazilah self-proclaim themselves as being the people of al-'Adl (justice) but then argue that those who commit major sins, even if it was merely on one occasion, all of their righteous deeds would be nullified, though plentiful.

This school of thought of the Wa'eedeeyyah is clearly incorrect. The texts of the Sharee'ah clearly describes the believer not having his faith completely nullified if they were to commit a major sin. Rather, capital punishment found within the laws of Sharee'ah has been legislated for those who commit major sins, such as murder, theft, slander and intoxication. Had al-Emaan been completely nullified from those who commit major sins then such stern punishments would not be connected to the major sins they had committed, rather they would be punished for apostasy and disbelief. As a result it would mean all major sins would be penalised by the death penalty without exception. Specified punishment for different sins would not even exist.

For example, lets take the example of the sin of murder, which is a major sin. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said about it, "A Muslim remains being a Muslim upon his religion as long as he does not spill blood which has been sanctified.[1]"  

Despite this stern warning, the texts of the Sharee'ah continuously describes the one who kills another without right as still being a believer with al-Emaan. When Allaah, the Most High, obligated the capital punishment upon killer, addressing the family of the victim He Said:

“Oh you who believe! Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female.”

He Said thereafter:

“But if the killer is forgiven by the brother”

[al-Baqarah 2:178]

Here, the prosecuted is still deemed as possessing al-Emaan, moreover, religious brotherhood is reinforced.

Likewise, He Said:

“And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting” [al-Hujaraat 49: 9]

Here, despite two parties fighting one another they have been described as believers. Up until Allaah, the Most High, Said:

“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.” [al-Hujaraat 49: 10]

From the most clearest of evidences that refutes the concept of the Wa'eedeeyyah is the Statement of Allaah, the Most High:

“Then We gave the Book the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad  ). Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves” [Faatir: 32]

In this Aayah, a portion of this Ummah have been described as being sinners.

Allaah, the Most High, Said:

“Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” [an-Nisaa 4: 48]

This Ayaah is not talking about repentance from major sins because repentance includes an expiation from all sins that comes before it, even it be Shirk.

We may also present to the Wa'eedeeyyah the Hadeeth of Jundub [May Allaah be Pleased with him] where the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, "A man once said, “By Allaah! He Will not Forgive such and such a person.” So Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, Said, “Who is the one that can make it binding upon that I do not Forgive such and such a person. Verily, I have Forgiven this person and I have Nullified your deeds.”[2]"

In another narration the wording appears, "You have said a word which has nullified your deeds in the Dunyaa and the Aakhirah.[3]"

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[1] Reported by al-Bukhaaree (6862) on the authority of Ibn 'Umar.

[2] Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh (2621).

[3] Reported by Aboo Dawood (4901), Ahmad (2/323), Ibn Hibbaan (5712) on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah, with a Hasan (good) chain of transmission.

The Definition of al-Emaan with the Salaf (Part 7)

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Ahl as-Sunnah defined al-Emaan as being, "Statements with the tongue, beliefs in the heart and actions of the limbs."

Imaam Ahmad [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, "al-Emaan comprises of statement and actions, it increases and decreases." [1]

Imaam al-Bukhaaree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in the very beginning of his famous collection of Hadeeth known as as-Saheeh, "al-Emaan comprises of statement and actions, it increases and decreases." 

He continued until he said, "Loving and hating for the sake of Allaah are from the acts of al-Emaan."[2]

Nevertheless, we are not reduced to just these two Imaams for proof, rather qoutations are far more extensive. The Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] and Ahl as-Sunnah in general have all given this very defintion, and this is what has been narrated and recorded by a multitude of scholars.

Al-Haafidh Ibn 'Abdul-Barr [may Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

al-Emaan has been defined by Ahl as-Sunnah, and they are the people of narration and understanding. Consensus[3] between the scholars of al-Fiqh and al-Hadeeth is that al-Emaan comprises of statements and actions and that no action is done except with an intention. They are all in agreement that al-Emaan increases with acts of obedience and it decreases with acts of disobedience. All acts of obedience with them are acts of al-Emaan. End quote.

He then went on to describe the differences that Ahl as-Sunnah have with the scholars of the Murji'ah (otherwise known as the Murji'ah al-Fuqahaa).[4]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Al-Emaan in the Sharee'ah cannot be attained except with belief, statements and actions. This is the definition given by most of the scholars. Rather as-Shaafi'ee, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Aboo 'Ubyadah and others from the scholars of old. They even proclaimed consensus on this point, that al-Emaan comprises of statement and actions, it increases and decreases."[5]

Imaam al-Baghawee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his book known as Sharh as-Sunnah:

"The Companions were all in agreement, as well as the generation that came after them and those after them, the scholars of the Sunnah, that actions are part of al-Emaan. They stated that al-Emaan is comprised of statements, actions and beliefs ('Aqeedah)[6]."

After mentioning these statements, it is not conceivable that any one could possibly disagree.

Although some of the definitions that one may come across do not mention any connection to the heart, what is intended as al-Emaan being statements and actions alone, is that it comprises of statements of the limbs and the tongue, stemming from the actions and beliefs of the heart.

This is extremely important, because if one was to misunderstand this then it is feared that they could define the word al-Emaan as statement and actions of the limbs alone, without including beliefs as being an aspect of al-Emaan.

Some of the scholars defined the word al-Emaan with an extra wording of, 'Statements, actions and intentions'. Others added the wording, "and to follow the Sunnah" as a fourth condition. What this means is that Emaan consists of the statements and the actions of a believer that are Beloved to Allaah, which can only be gained if one follows the Sunnah.

Sahl as-Tastaree was asked what is al-Emaan and he replied, “It is statements, actions, intentions and the following of the Sunnah. One cannot have al-Emaan except if one has statements and actions, without this the person would be guilty of committing Kufr. Had Emaan been statements and actions without intention then this would be hypocrisy. And had Emaan been actions, statements and intiontion without the following of the Sunnah then this would be an innovation (Bid’ah)[7]”.

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[1] Kitaab as-Sunnah of 'Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hanbal (1/207).

[2] See Kitaab al-Emaan.

[3] This is known as Ijmaa' or scholarly consensus. Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in defining it, “If Ijmaa’ is confirmed on a particular ruling of Islaam, then it is not permitted for any Muslim to conflict that which there is consensus on. This is because the Ummah agreeing on something cannot be misguidance.” [Majmoo’ al-Fataawaa (20/10)]

[4] At-Tamheed (9/238). Also see: Sharh Usool al-'Itiqaad of Laalikaa'ee (4/832) and Fath al-Baaree (1/47)

[5]  Tafseer Ibn Katheer (1/39) in Tafseer of the Statement,

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ

"Who believe in the Ghaib" [al-Baqarah 2:3]

[6] Sharh as-Sunnah (1/38)

[7] Majmoo' Fataawaa of Ibn Taymiyyah (7/171)

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

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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