This should be our goal in life, "I want to go to Jannah (Paradise)." It should be written in bold letters on our foreheads so that it serves a constant reminder for us. The Prophet has left with us a very small key to Jannah, which we muslims today have become oblivious of. Just like you need a key to open your car's door, or hous door, or office door; similarly you need a key to open Jannah to you. What is this key?
Prophet said,"Whoever goes down a path/road searching for knowledge, Allah will make it easy for him the road to Paradise." [Saheeh Muslim, Vol.3 Hadith No. 99]
Travelling on the path to knowledge refers both to walking or driving along an actual road/pathway, such as going to Conferences, etc..or going to your local Masajids whenever there is either an international scholar/speaker or a local scholar/speaker speaking. Searching also entails, a metaphysical road, such as stydying and memorising Quran and Hadeeth. Not merely memorising like a parrot, but understanding it first and then memorising it.
The above hadeeth of the Prophet means that Allah makes learning the useful knowledge that is sought after easier for the seeker, clearing the way for him, and smoothing his journey to Paradise. This is why some of our pious predecessors used to say,"Is there anyone seeking knowledge, so that we can assist him in finding it?"
So brothers and sisters, be LOVERS of Knowledge, be seekers of Knowledge. "Yes, where is my Quran, where is my Hadeeth Bukhari." Getting up every morning with a purpose: to seek Jannah by seeking Knowledge! Knowledge is also the shortest path to Allah. Whoever travels the road of knowledge reaches Allah and Paradise by the shortest route. Knowledge also clears the way out of darkness, ignorance, doubt and scepticism. It is why Allah called His Book, Quran, "Light."
Knowledge is the ROAD to Paradise, and Islam is the vehicle that takes you to this destination of Paradise. Just like you get in a car to go from one destination to another, but how? By finding out the directions to get there, either by seeing a map or asking someone. Similarly, our Quran and Hadeeth are our maps, and our scholars are the people who give the directions from this map to get to our ultimate destination, Paradise.
Ask yourself, "Is Paradise easy?" Have you ever seen, how easy it is for our Hafizul-Quran brothers and sisters, who memorize the whole Quran by heart? Have you ever seen how easy it is for some of us to study Quran and hadeeth for hours and hours, whilst others cannot even open the Quran or Hadeeth at least once a year or month? Why?
Narrated Ali ibn Taalib(raa), While the Prophet was in a funeral procession he picked up something and started scraping the ground with it, and said," There is none among you but has his place written for him either in Hell-Fire or Paradise." They said,"O Messenger of Allah! Shall we not depend upon what has been written for us and give up deeds?" He said,"Carry on doing (good) deeds, for everybody will find easy to do such deeds as will lead him to his destined place for which he has been created. So he, who is destined to be among the happy (in the Hereafter) will find it easy to do the deeds characteristic of such people, whle he who is destined to be among the miserable ones, will find it easy to do the deeds characteristic of such people." Then the Prophet recited the following verses:
[Surah Al-Layl(92), Verses 5-10] "As for him who gives and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him,"
"And believes in Husna (the best)."
"We will make smooth for him the path of Ease (goodness, ie. Paradise)"
"But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient,"
"And gives the lie to Husna."
"We will make smooth for him the path for Evil (ie. Hell-fire)."
[Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Vol.6, Hadith No.474]
Numerous examples of this above hadeeth and verses of Allah are prevalent in our societies today, yet we don't learn any lessons from them. For example, how easy it is for some to fast the fast of Dawud, meaning fasting every other day, or doing voluntary fasts of Shawwal, Muharram, Rajab, etc. Whereas for some it is even hard to fast in Ramadhan, Why? ever notice how easy it is for some to get up in the middle of the night and talk to their Lord in private in Salat-ul-Tahajjud, while for others it is hard to even make the Obligatory (Fardh) prayers? Why?
How easy it is for some to remain single and yet gaurd their chastity and protect themselves from fornication, while others are married and yet still indulge in adultery. Why? How easily some memorise ayats (verses) of Quran and Hadeeth, while others memorise the latest songs in the market and memorise the latest cuss words used on streets. Why?
You see brothers and sisters, for some of us it is very EASY to practice Islam, as Allah wants to practice, while for others it is very HARD to practice. The answer for this are the verses of Surah Al-Layl, because for those whom it is easy to practice Islam, Allah is making it EASY the road to Paradise, whilst for those whom it is hard to practice, Allah is making it EASY for them the road to Hell-Fire. So why is it easy for some to practice Islam? It is because they are lovers and seekers of Knowldege and not only that, but also act upon that knowledge, and thus Allah is making it easy for them their destination of Paradise.
Knowledge is the key and that is why our Prophet used to supplicate in every prayer,"Allahumma Inni Auzubikaa Min Illmin Laa Yanf'aau." O Allah! I seek refuge in you from Knowledge that does not benefit.
It doesn't benefit you brothers and sisters. For hours and hours you are sitting in front of that T.V. and its not benefitting you as its not leading you to Paradise. For hours and hours you waste time on bed-time novels or on magazines and newspapers in a month and yet it doesn't lead you to Paradise. When all that time you could have been studying Quran and Hadeeth or reading Islamic books instead of bed-time story novels and yet making easier for yourself the road to Paradise, and achieving it Insha Allah.
Not only does it not benefit you, but moreso it harms you. Hours and hours of those T.V. programs are not teaching you Quran and Sunnah, rather teaching you how to date, or how to hook someone from the opposite sex, or teaching you violence or foul language. Thus instilling evil and wicked ideas and things into your mind and heart, just for the pleasure of this temporary world, and making you further away from your destination of Paradise.
In conclusion, I say this brothers and sisters. We need to get our "cars" (Islam) fixed and focused on the right direction to our destination of Paradise. We need to pick up the "maps" (Quran & Hadeeth) and ask knowledgeable people (scholars/imams) for directions (road/path) to Paradise.
Was-salam, your helping hand and brother in ISLAM, Jawad Ahmed.
Sunday 15 August 2010
Saturday 3 April 2010
Questions for the competition for April 2010
Deadline: 30.04.2010 @ 23:59hrs
Name one ayah in the Quran that mentions tawheed ar – ruboobiyah?
Name the four divisions of the Sunnah and give proofs from the Qur’an?
Name the 2 types of hypocrisy and give a brief description about them and give the proofs from the Qur’an?
And whatever you spend from wealth (e.g. sadaqah – charity for Allah’s cause) or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all. And for the dhalimoon (wrongdoers) there are no helpers. Where is this statement from give the proof?
Allah has mentioned “But most of Mankind know not” there are eleven places this statement has been mentioned in the Qur’an give the proof of the 11 places?
What is an example of the Most Beautiful Names (of Allah) from the Sunnah give proof?
What is the proof Eemaan (faith) increases and decreases?
What is the proof for the (second) testification of faith that ‘Muhammad is the messenger of Allah’?
9. “Fear Allah wherever you are, follow up a bad deed with a good one, it will wipe it out, and behave well with the people.” Give the proof, where is this statement from?
“O Abaa ‘Umayr! What has an-Nughayr done?!” Where is this statement from give proof? Who was Abaa Umayr? Give brief description, what is the story behind this statement?
Name one ayah in the Quran that mentions tawheed ar – ruboobiyah?
Name the four divisions of the Sunnah and give proofs from the Qur’an?
Name the 2 types of hypocrisy and give a brief description about them and give the proofs from the Qur’an?
And whatever you spend from wealth (e.g. sadaqah – charity for Allah’s cause) or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all. And for the dhalimoon (wrongdoers) there are no helpers. Where is this statement from give the proof?
Allah has mentioned “But most of Mankind know not” there are eleven places this statement has been mentioned in the Qur’an give the proof of the 11 places?
What is an example of the Most Beautiful Names (of Allah) from the Sunnah give proof?
What is the proof Eemaan (faith) increases and decreases?
What is the proof for the (second) testification of faith that ‘Muhammad is the messenger of Allah’?
9. “Fear Allah wherever you are, follow up a bad deed with a good one, it will wipe it out, and behave well with the people.” Give the proof, where is this statement from?
“O Abaa ‘Umayr! What has an-Nughayr done?!” Where is this statement from give proof? Who was Abaa Umayr? Give brief description, what is the story behind this statement?
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Questions for This Month
Deadline: 31.03.2010
The winner will be announced 01.04.2010.
1. What is the reward for the person who prays Sunnah Prayers (supererogatory prayers)? And what is the proof? Indicate where the proof could be found.
2. How many Sunnah prayers the prophet used to pray (Salalaahu Alayhi waslam)? And what times did he pray each one?
3. Which Sunnah prayer is deemed to be the most important Sunnah prayer?
4. If Muslim prayers the two Rak’ah supererogatory prayers before Fajr in his house it is desirable that he lie upon his right side. What is the proof?
5. Mention some of the virtues of supererogatory prayer of Dhuhr with the proof?
6. Can you break the Sunnah prayer if the Iqaamah is called despite still being in the middle o the prayer? What is the proof?
7. Can supererogatory prayer be observed in congregation? What is the proof?
8. There is a Hadeeth which mentioned that the prophet (salalaahu Alayhi waslam) said whoever prays six Rak’ah after Maghrib without uttering any evil speech between them, it is as if they have worshipped for twelve years. This Hadeeth is not authentic. What is the Proof that it’s not authentic?
9. Is it permissible for someone to combine Sunnah prayer of wudoo, the Sunnah of dhuhr and the Sunnah of Tahiyyatul masjid, and pray just two Rak’ah for all of these prayers? And what is the proof?
10. Is it better to pray the Sunnah prayer in the home or in the mosque? What is the proof?
The winner will be announced 01.04.2010.
1. What is the reward for the person who prays Sunnah Prayers (supererogatory prayers)? And what is the proof? Indicate where the proof could be found.
2. How many Sunnah prayers the prophet used to pray (Salalaahu Alayhi waslam)? And what times did he pray each one?
3. Which Sunnah prayer is deemed to be the most important Sunnah prayer?
4. If Muslim prayers the two Rak’ah supererogatory prayers before Fajr in his house it is desirable that he lie upon his right side. What is the proof?
5. Mention some of the virtues of supererogatory prayer of Dhuhr with the proof?
6. Can you break the Sunnah prayer if the Iqaamah is called despite still being in the middle o the prayer? What is the proof?
7. Can supererogatory prayer be observed in congregation? What is the proof?
8. There is a Hadeeth which mentioned that the prophet (salalaahu Alayhi waslam) said whoever prays six Rak’ah after Maghrib without uttering any evil speech between them, it is as if they have worshipped for twelve years. This Hadeeth is not authentic. What is the Proof that it’s not authentic?
9. Is it permissible for someone to combine Sunnah prayer of wudoo, the Sunnah of dhuhr and the Sunnah of Tahiyyatul masjid, and pray just two Rak’ah for all of these prayers? And what is the proof?
10. Is it better to pray the Sunnah prayer in the home or in the mosque? What is the proof?
Concerning Advice...
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
From Tameem ad-Daaree who said: Allaah's Messenger (Sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: The Religion is sincerity. The Religion is sincerity. The Religion is sincerity. We said: For whom, O Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) He said: For Allaah, and His Book, and His Messenger, and for leaders of the Muslims, and their general masses. [Related by Muslim-Kitaabul Eemaan (33, 55) and (1/74). Abu Daawood (no. 4944), (5/233). Ahmad (4/102-103). Nisaa`ee (7/140)]
al-Haafidh Ibn Hibbaan said: The faithful and sincere adviser has a distinguishing sign: when he wishes to enhance the one whom he is advising, he advises him privately. However, the sign of the one who wishes to disgrace him is that he advises him in public. [Rawdatul Uqalaa (p. 196)]
From Tameem ad-Daaree who said: Allaah's Messenger (Sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: The Religion is sincerity. The Religion is sincerity. The Religion is sincerity. We said: For whom, O Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) He said: For Allaah, and His Book, and His Messenger, and for leaders of the Muslims, and their general masses. [Related by Muslim-Kitaabul Eemaan (33, 55) and (1/74). Abu Daawood (no. 4944), (5/233). Ahmad (4/102-103). Nisaa`ee (7/140)]
al-Haafidh Ibn Hibbaan said: The faithful and sincere adviser has a distinguishing sign: when he wishes to enhance the one whom he is advising, he advises him privately. However, the sign of the one who wishes to disgrace him is that he advises him in public. [Rawdatul Uqalaa (p. 196)]
The Obligation of the Call and the Duty of the Caller
By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen
Concise explanation given by the shaykh in regards to questions like: What is the requirement of being a daa’ee? Is da’wah for men as well as women? What is the most fundamental duty of the caller? And a much needed clarification as to why we don’t differentiate between the Scholar and the caller.
As for the saying of some of the people that is is permissible to become du’aat (callers) without knowledge, then if they mean a daa’ee without a huge amount of knowledge, able to give fataawaa (religious verdicts), explain and deduce issues from their proofs – then it is possible to accept this saying.
[Q.1]: Is da’wah (calling) to Allaah obligatory upon every Muslim man or woman, or is it to be left for the Scholars and the students of knowledge only? Is it permissible for the lay person to call to Allaah?
[A.1]: When a person has knowledge and insight into that which he is calling to, then there is no difference between the one who has a great amount of knowledge, or a student of knowledge who has recently started in pursuit of knowledge, or a lay person – as long as he has certain knowledge of the issue at hand. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Convey from me, even if it is one aayah.” [1] So it is not a condition upon the daa’ee (caller) to attain a great amount of knowledge, but the condition is that one must have knowledge of what one is calling to. If this calling is established upon ignorance and passion, then it is not permissible.
Thus, we see that some of the brothers who call to Allaah, they do not have except a little knowledge. We see them, due to their strong emotions, prohibiting that which Allaah has not prohibited, whilst making obligatory that which Allaah has not made obligatory upon his worshippers. This is a very dangerous matter, since permitting what Allaah has made haraam (unlawful) is like prohibiting what Allaah has made halaal (lawful). So when they begin prohibiting people from making a certain matter halaal, then others will rebuke them for making it haraam. Allaah the Most High says:
“And do not say, concerning that which your tongues falsely put forward, ‘This is lawful and this is prohibited,’ so as to invent lies against Allaah. Indeed those who invent lies against Allaah will never prosper.” [Sooratun-Nahl 16:116-117]
As for the lay person, then he must not call to Allaah if he does not have knowledge. Rather, it is essential to have knowledge, in accordance to the statement of Allaah the Most High:
“Say: This is my path, I call unto Allaah upon sure knowledge.” [Soorah Yoosuf 12:108]
So it is a must to call to Allaah upon knowledge. However, if a matter is clearly known to be evil or good, then one can command it – if it is good, or prohibit it – if it is evil.
So the callers to Allaah must start with knowledge. Whosoever calls to Allaah without knowledge, then such a
person will cause greater harm than good – as is evident. So it is obligatory upon a person to first acquire knowledge, then to give da’wah. As for the clear evils, and that which is clearly good, then the good is enjoined and the evil prohibited. [2]
[Q.2]: What is the difference between a Scholar and a daa’ee?
[A.2]: The difference between the Scholar and the daa’ee is clear. The daa’ee is the one who strives to convey the message of the Sharee’ah to the servants of Allaah. He calls them, sometimes by means of targheeb and tarheeb (persuation and deterring).
The Scholar is the one to whom Allaah has given knowledge and who may, or may not be a daa’ee. However, if the Scholar is not a daa’ee, then he is extremely deficient in his knowledge, and not a complete inheritor of the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). This is because the Prophets (’alayhimus-salaatu was-salaam) did not bequeath the dirham nor the deenaar as inheritance, but they bequeathed knowledge, as the Prophet sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed the Scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, and indeed the Prophets do not leave behind them the deenaar nor the dirham as inheritance. They leave behind only knowledge as inheritance. So whosoever acquires it aqcuires a huge fortune.” [3] Consequently, whoever acquires knowledge and calls to Allaah, then such a person has truly inherited from the inheritance of the Prophets – in proportion to what he establishes and implements from their prescribed laws.
As for the saying of some of the people that is is permissible to become du’aat (callers) without knowledge, then if they mean a daa’ee without a huge amount of knowledge, able to give fataawaa (religious verdicts), explain and deduce issues from their proofs – then it is possible to accept this saying. However, if they mean a daa’ee not having knowledge what to give da’wah to, nor having knowledge what to give da’wah with, then there is no doubt that this cannot be. And I warn people from calling to the truth in this manner, since the harm caused is greater than the goodness achieved, as can be seen! [4]
Footnotes:
[1] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 3461) from ’Abdullaah Ibn ’Amr (radiyallaahu ’anhu).
[2] Taken from as-Sahwatul-Islaamiyyah (p. 75-76) of Shaykh Ibnul-’Uthaymeen, as compiled by ’Alee Aboo Lawz.
[3] Hasan: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 3461) and Ibn Maajah (no. 223) from Abud-Dardaa‘ (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in his checking upon Sharhus-Sunnah (1/276).
[4] Taken from as-Sahwatul-Islaamiyyah (p. 76-77)
Concise explanation given by the shaykh in regards to questions like: What is the requirement of being a daa’ee? Is da’wah for men as well as women? What is the most fundamental duty of the caller? And a much needed clarification as to why we don’t differentiate between the Scholar and the caller.
As for the saying of some of the people that is is permissible to become du’aat (callers) without knowledge, then if they mean a daa’ee without a huge amount of knowledge, able to give fataawaa (religious verdicts), explain and deduce issues from their proofs – then it is possible to accept this saying.
[Q.1]: Is da’wah (calling) to Allaah obligatory upon every Muslim man or woman, or is it to be left for the Scholars and the students of knowledge only? Is it permissible for the lay person to call to Allaah?
[A.1]: When a person has knowledge and insight into that which he is calling to, then there is no difference between the one who has a great amount of knowledge, or a student of knowledge who has recently started in pursuit of knowledge, or a lay person – as long as he has certain knowledge of the issue at hand. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Convey from me, even if it is one aayah.” [1] So it is not a condition upon the daa’ee (caller) to attain a great amount of knowledge, but the condition is that one must have knowledge of what one is calling to. If this calling is established upon ignorance and passion, then it is not permissible.
Thus, we see that some of the brothers who call to Allaah, they do not have except a little knowledge. We see them, due to their strong emotions, prohibiting that which Allaah has not prohibited, whilst making obligatory that which Allaah has not made obligatory upon his worshippers. This is a very dangerous matter, since permitting what Allaah has made haraam (unlawful) is like prohibiting what Allaah has made halaal (lawful). So when they begin prohibiting people from making a certain matter halaal, then others will rebuke them for making it haraam. Allaah the Most High says:
“And do not say, concerning that which your tongues falsely put forward, ‘This is lawful and this is prohibited,’ so as to invent lies against Allaah. Indeed those who invent lies against Allaah will never prosper.” [Sooratun-Nahl 16:116-117]
As for the lay person, then he must not call to Allaah if he does not have knowledge. Rather, it is essential to have knowledge, in accordance to the statement of Allaah the Most High:
“Say: This is my path, I call unto Allaah upon sure knowledge.” [Soorah Yoosuf 12:108]
So it is a must to call to Allaah upon knowledge. However, if a matter is clearly known to be evil or good, then one can command it – if it is good, or prohibit it – if it is evil.
So the callers to Allaah must start with knowledge. Whosoever calls to Allaah without knowledge, then such a
person will cause greater harm than good – as is evident. So it is obligatory upon a person to first acquire knowledge, then to give da’wah. As for the clear evils, and that which is clearly good, then the good is enjoined and the evil prohibited. [2]
[Q.2]: What is the difference between a Scholar and a daa’ee?
[A.2]: The difference between the Scholar and the daa’ee is clear. The daa’ee is the one who strives to convey the message of the Sharee’ah to the servants of Allaah. He calls them, sometimes by means of targheeb and tarheeb (persuation and deterring).
The Scholar is the one to whom Allaah has given knowledge and who may, or may not be a daa’ee. However, if the Scholar is not a daa’ee, then he is extremely deficient in his knowledge, and not a complete inheritor of the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). This is because the Prophets (’alayhimus-salaatu was-salaam) did not bequeath the dirham nor the deenaar as inheritance, but they bequeathed knowledge, as the Prophet sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed the Scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, and indeed the Prophets do not leave behind them the deenaar nor the dirham as inheritance. They leave behind only knowledge as inheritance. So whosoever acquires it aqcuires a huge fortune.” [3] Consequently, whoever acquires knowledge and calls to Allaah, then such a person has truly inherited from the inheritance of the Prophets – in proportion to what he establishes and implements from their prescribed laws.
As for the saying of some of the people that is is permissible to become du’aat (callers) without knowledge, then if they mean a daa’ee without a huge amount of knowledge, able to give fataawaa (religious verdicts), explain and deduce issues from their proofs – then it is possible to accept this saying. However, if they mean a daa’ee not having knowledge what to give da’wah to, nor having knowledge what to give da’wah with, then there is no doubt that this cannot be. And I warn people from calling to the truth in this manner, since the harm caused is greater than the goodness achieved, as can be seen! [4]
Footnotes:
[1] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 3461) from ’Abdullaah Ibn ’Amr (radiyallaahu ’anhu).
[2] Taken from as-Sahwatul-Islaamiyyah (p. 75-76) of Shaykh Ibnul-’Uthaymeen, as compiled by ’Alee Aboo Lawz.
[3] Hasan: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 3461) and Ibn Maajah (no. 223) from Abud-Dardaa‘ (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in his checking upon Sharhus-Sunnah (1/276).
[4] Taken from as-Sahwatul-Islaamiyyah (p. 76-77)
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