Chapter: The night journey...prayers were enjoined (Pt. 4): Ascension to the First Sky

Follow @AhleDhikr Explanation

-from lofty manners if to ask permission before seeking to enter

-it's mustahab to seek to meet pious people and get good tidings from them and hear their pieces of advice and gain their Du'a for you 

-it's permissible to praise people to their faces if there is a benefit if they are safe from Fitnah 

-Ibrahim leaning against Bayt al-Ma'moor is proof that it's permitted to turn ones back to the Qiblah and even lean against it, Qaadhee.

-as-Sidr al-Muntaha is a tree that where the knowledge of the angels end (muntaha), no one has gone past it except the Messenger of Allaah, Ibn Mas'ood.

Sharh Sahih Muslim, 2/232-257

Story of Shaykh Muhammad and Correcting the Old Scholar

Follow @AhleDhikr Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab (may Allah have Mercy on him) travelled to Makkah and saw a scholar there delivering a lecture on a chair. 

Shaykh Muhammad was taken a back by his speech and the scholar. When the scholar delivering the lecture wanted to leave, and he was an old man who the people of Makkah had high esteem for, he beseeched, 'O Ka'bah of Allah!' 

Shaykh Muhammad realised that this is problematic because such a statement is Shirk and the scholar doesn't seem to realise it. However, Shaykh Muhammad was extremely wise. As the lesson was concluded by the Athan for Salat, the old scholar descended from his chair to his place of prayer expecting the prayer to commence. 

So Shaykh Muhammad greeted him and the old scholar asked him where he was from. He replied, 'From Najd, but I was extremely impressed by your talk - may Allah reward you with good. The speech was beneficial and from a true scholar. But I want to recite some Quran to you whilst we wait, because I am a novice.' 

So he began by reciting Surah an-Nas, "Say: I seek refuge by the Lord of mankind" then Surah al-Falaq, "Say:I seek refuge by the Lord of daybreak" etc. (reciting each Surah in backward order). 

When he reached Surah al-Quraysh he omitted the word "Lord" and read, 

'And worship the House', 

So the old scholar corrected him and said:

'And worship the Lord of the House.' (106:3)

Shaykh Muhammad said, 'But this is how I have learned the Surah!?' 

The old scholar said, 'This cannot be possible because had you worshipped the house you would have performed an act of Shirk, and Allah does not command Shirk'.

So Shaykh Muhammad asked, 'What's the correct way of reciting this line then?'

The old man recited:

'And worship the Lord of the House.'

So Shaykh Muhammad recited the statement of the Most High:

'And your Lord Said, "Supplicate to Me and I will respond to you" (41:60)  

And He, the Most High, didn't say "Supplicate to the House" or "Supplicate to the Ka'bah", because none is allowed to supplicate except to Allah. 

Shaykh Muhammad continued, 'I heard you say, my Shaykh, when you got up from your chair saying, "O Ka'bah of Allah!"'

The old scholar supplicated for Shaykh Muhammad and asked Allah to liberate his affairs and reward him with great good. 

Story quoted by Shaykh Muhammad bin al-Uthaymin in Sharh an-Nooniyyah, Vol. 4 Pg. 410-411

Chapter: The night journey...prayers were enjoined (Pt. 3): Similarities Between Milk and Islam

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-Milk is uprightness, a sign of Islam, it's easy and pure. It's joyful for those who drink it as nutritious. It a end is easy (digestion as hereafter). 

-As for Khmar, it's umm of evil and it involves corruption in the Dunya and Aakhirah

-The prophet chose the Fitrah and this Ummah have been blessed with following of the Fitrah. As some wordings of the Hadeeth state, had the prophet chosen Khamr then the Ummah would not have been on the Fitrah.  

Sharh Sahih Muslim, 2/232-257

al-Burjis: Rather, Their Accusations Carry No Weight At All

Follow @AhleDhikr Shaykh Abdus-Salam bin Burjis (may Allah have Mercy on him) said:

We have been tested in these times by some of those who attribute themselves to Salafiyyah but are extreme in placing the label of "innovation" on people. To the extent that they class whole communities as being innovators. This is despite the fact that a ruling cannot be placed on anyone until the methodology of the alleged is first made clear. These (extremists) are ignorant of the Sharia. They are ignorant in understanding the terminologies used by scholars in relation to innovation and its people. So their accusations are of no authority. Rather, their accusations carry no weight at all. Al-Allamah Shaykh Abdul-Mushin bin Hamad al-Abbad has exerted effort in giving advice to them and warning them against their methodology in his book, 'People of the Sunnah, be Kind with One Another'. I ask Allah, the Most High's protection from all forms of extremism.

Extract from Buhooth Nadwah Athr al-Quran al-Karim fi Tahqiq al-Wasatiyyah, Pg. 218

Chapter: The night journey...prayers were enjoined (Pt. 2)

Follow @AhleDhikr Explanation

-Nawawi refutes the Ta'weel of the Mutakalimoon that the Israa was a dream or just his soul, rather it was both in body and soul.

-Qadhee states that the angels came whilst the prophet was sleeping doesn't mean that the prophet slept through the whole thing.

-They differed when it happened, some said it was 15 months after the beginning of revelation, al-Harbee said 27th of Rabee al-Awwal a year before Hijrah, az-Zuhree said five years after prophethood and Ibn Ishaaq said something similar, this seems to be the correct view. 

-the scholars are agreed that the obligatory prayers were legislated on this night.

-the scholars are agreed that Khadeejah was alive and she died after the legislation of obligatory prayers, thus she prayed some obligatory prayers in her life.

-Ibn Durayd said al-Buraaq is Ishtiqaaq from Al-Baraq which means speed.

Qaadhee said it has two colours, others said it's called al-Buraaq because it has white eyes. Others said he was black with bits of white this sheep like this are called Burqaa'. Others said a plain white sheep is called Al-Burqaa'

-Bayt al-Maqdis is called al-Maqdis (pure) because it purified from idols. 

To be continued..

Sharh Sahih Muslim, 2/232-257

Parenting Fiqh: The Times when Children Can Go to Their Parents Room and Times When they Need to Seek Permission Before Doing So

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Question: At what age should the child start to seek permission before going to his parents 

room?

Answer: This has been explained by Allaah in Surah an-Noor, where He Stated:

“O you who believe! Let your legal slaves and slave-girls, and those among you who have not come to the age of puberty ask your permission (before they come to your presence) on three occasions; before Fajr (morning) prayer, and while you put off your clothes for the noonday (rest), and after the 'Isha' (late-night) prayer. (These) three times are of privacy for you, other than these times there is no sin on you or on them to move about, attending (helping) you each other. Thus Allah makes clear the Ayat (the Verses of this Qur'an, showing proofs for the legal aspects of permission  for visits, etc.) to you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [an-Noor 24:58]

After that, He Stated:

And when the children among you come to puberty, then let them (also) ask for permission, as those senior to them (in age). Thus Allah makes clear His Ayat (Commandments and legal obligations) for you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [an-Noor 24:59]

So before the age of puberty, they should seek permission the three aforementioned times 

however after they started or passed puberty, then they should seek permission to enter, at 

all times.

The child starts puberty if one of the three signs are present: either he starts ejaculating with 

desires, or he grows pubic hair on his armpits or private parts or when he reaches the age of fifteen years old. If these are present, then he must seek permission before entering at any time of the day. This is the case upon entering upon his mother who may be in an indecent state for him to see her in, or it may be his wife, or his sister, the point is that he should ask for permission before entering so that these women will not be surprised when he enters so that they can be descent for him when he enters. As for children or who have not yet started puberty, then they only 

need to seek permission during the three times mentioned above.

http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/9631

Chapter: The night journey...prayers were enjoined (Pt. 1)

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It is narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

I was brought al-Buraq Who is an animal white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, who would place his hoof a distance equal to the range of version. I mounted it and came to the Temple (Bait Maqdis in Jerusalem), then tethered it to the ring used by the prophets. I entered the mosque and prayed two rak'ahs in it, and then came out and Gabriel brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. I chose the milk, and Gabriel said: You have chosen the natural thing. Then he took me to heaven. Gabriel then asked the (gate of heaven) to be opened and he was asked who he was. He replied: Gabriel. He was again asked: Who is with you? He (Gabriel) said: Muhammad. It was said: Has he been sent for? Gabriel replied: He has indeed been sent for. And (the door of the heaven) was opened for us and lo! we saw Adam. He welcomed me and prayed for my good. Then we ascended to the second heaven. Gabriel (peace be upon him) (asked the door of heaven to be opened), and he was asked who he was. He answered: Gabriel; and was again asked: Who is with you? He replied: Muhammad. It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. The gate was opened. When I entered 'Isa b. Maryam and Yahya b. Zakariya (peace be upon both of them), cousins from the maternal side. welcomed me and prayed for my good Then I was taken to the third heaven and Gabriel asked for the opening (of the door). He was asked: Who are you? He replied: Gabriel. He was (again) asked: Who is with you? He replied Muhammad (ﷺ). It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and I saw Yusuf (peace of Allah be upon him) who had been given half of (world) beauty. He welcomed me prayed for my well-being. Then he ascended with us to the fourth heaven. Gabriel (peace be upon him) asked for the (gate) to be opened, and it was said: Who is he? He replied: Gabriel. It was (again) said: Who is with you? He said: Muhammad. It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. The (gate) was opened for us, and lo! Idris was there. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being (About him) Allah, the Exalted and the Glorious, has said:" We elevated him (Idris) to the exalted position" (Qur'an xix. 57). Then he ascended with us to the fifth heaven and Gabriel asked for the (gate) to be opened. It was said: Who is he? He replied Gabriel. It was (again) said: Who is with thee? He replied: Muhammad. It was said Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and then I was with Harun (Aaron-peace of Allah be upon him). He welcomed me prayed for my well-being. Then I was taken to the sixth heaven. Gabriel (peace be upon him) asked for the door to be opened. It was said: Who is he? He replied: Gabriel. It was said: Who is with thee? He replied: Muhammad. It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and there I was with Musa (Moses peace be upon him) He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being. Then I was taken up to the seventh heaven. Gabriel asked the (gate) to be opened. It was said: Who is he? He said: Gabriel It was said. Who is with thee? He replied: Muhammad (may peace be upon him.) It was said: Has he been sent for? He replied: He has indeed been sent for. (The gate) was opened for us and there I found Ibrahim (Abraham peace be upon him) reclining against the Bait-ul-Ma'mur and there enter into it seventy thousand angels every day, never to visit (this place) again. Then I was taken to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha whose leaves were like elephant ears and its fruit like big earthenware vessels. And when it was covered by the Command of Allah, it underwent such a change that none amongst the creation has the power to praise its beauty. Then Allah revealed to me a revelation and He made obligatory for me fifty prayers every day and night. Then I went down to Moses (peace be upon him) and he said: What has your Lord enjoined upon your Ummah? I said: Fifty prayers. He said: Return to thy Lord and beg for reduction (in the number of prayers), for your community shallnot be able to bear this burden. as I have put to test the children of Isra'il and tried them (and found them too weak to bear such a heavy burden). He (the Holy Prophet) said: I went back to my Lord and said: My Lord, make things lighter for my Ummah. (The Lord) reduced five prayers for me. I went down to Moses and said. (The Lord) reduced five (prayers) for me, He said: Verily thy Ummah shall not be able to bear this burden; return to thy Lord and ask Him to make things lighter. I then kept going back and forth between my Lord Blessed and Exalted and Moses, till He said: There are five prayers every day and night. O Muhammad, each being credited as ten, so that makes fifty prayers. He who intends to do a good deed and does not do it will have a good deed recorded for him; and if he does it, it will be recorded for him as ten; whereas he who intends to do an evil deed and does not do, it will not be recorded for him; and if he does it, only one evil deed will be recorded. I then came down and when I came to Moses and informed him, he said: Go back to thy Lord and ask Him to make things lighter. Upon this the Messenger of Allah remarked: I returned to my Lord until I felt ashamed before Him.

Commentary to follow...

al-Khudayr: Extravagant Decorations in the Masjid is Completely Against the Sunnah

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

Member of Committee of Senior Scholars and Permanent Committee of Research and Fatwaa, Saudi Arabia

11/7/1435 – 15/4/2014

Before I begin my talk, I want to point out something that distracted me from my Salaat, the extravagant décor in the Masjid. This is completely against the Sunnah of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him]. This is plain to observe from various images capturing the different Masaajid in different parts of the world, especially historically with what still exists today in Turkey from the remnants of the Ottoman caliphate. They followed the Hanafee Madhab in which they permitted such extravagance, however it remains impermissible to follow such practices.

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] was given a mat from Aboo Juhaym [May Allaah be Pleased with him], he said, “Take this back to him because it was a Fitnah (preoccupied) for me in my Salaah.”

If this was the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him], the one whose heart was closest to Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, the one who forget everything from the Dunyaa once he stood in front of Allaah, then what about us? Allaah Musta’aan (Allaah’s Help is sought).

It is a must that those who draw plans to build these Masaajid must be under the supervision of students of knowledge. What has happened now is that it has become common and accepted to have extravagant Masaajid, no one advising one another, but my advice to anyone who is responsible for maintaining and building Masaajid and want to gain closer to Allaah by it, that they don’t contradict the command of the One they are trying to get closer to when building. Nothing will bring any benefit if He is Angered with it.

The Muslim is commanded to stand and face the Qiblah in prayer, but if in front of him he has a wall that is decorated with extravagance, it is not possible that he will not be distracted. In the instance of the mat of Aboo Juhaym, a few lines of design distracted the Prophet and was a Fitnah for him, as he said. Just a few lines.

[Seerah an-Nabaweeyyah 4-9mins]