Helping a Companion

Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 169
Helping a Companion

969. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While we were travelling with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), a rider came and began to stare on the right and on the left. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "He who has an extra mount should hand it over to one who has none, and he who possesses surplus provision, should give it to him who is without provision.'' He named various kinds of possessions until we began to think (realize) that none of us had any right to anything surplus.
[Muslim].

Commentary:  Nowadays, there is a great fanfare of money-lending institutions such as cooperative societies, the financing companies and insurance companies which are apparently helpful in resolving the financial crises of people. But all are rooted in interest system which is rejected outright by Islam for its exploitative nature. These so-called cooperative institutions are indeed like blood-sucking leeches which ruin man. Islam, on the contrary, has given us a positive, simple and man-orientated formula of mutual cooperation. It teaches us that what can be spared should be given to those who need it. This obviates the chances of hoarding as well as the concentration of wealth in a few hands. No doubt, it is a moral instruction. But if Muslims, called as a single body, develop a true sense and awareness of it, wonderful results can accrue from it on a large social scale. What is more, the sublimity of man's Faith and moral behaviour stands on it. One who is indifferent to the perfection of Faith and morality may set it aside. But a man who rates Faith above everything can hardly afford to avoid putting this moral advice into practice.

970. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made up his mind to go in an expedition, he would say to us, "O Muhajirin and the Ansar! There are among you such people who have no property and no kinsfolk. Let everyone of you take along with him two or three men. None of us had a spare animal we took rides by turn.'' So I took two or three men with me and I rode my camel by turn equally with them.
[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: Firstly, this Hadith describes the Companions' condition in the early phase of Islam. Everybody participating in Jihad did not have an animal and so was the condition in respect of weapons and food. But in spite of all that, the Companions' zeal for Jihad was great. Secondly, it presents the picture of mutual cooperation which the Companions extended to one another. From all these considerations, emerges their distinctive place in history.

971. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to lag behind while travelling and urge the weak to walk quickly. He used to take up someone behind him and make supplication for him.
[Abu Dawud].

Commentary:  This Hadith tells us that the leader of a group (or Amir) should, during a journey, remain in the rear instead of the vanguard so that he may prop up the weak people and provide succour to the resourceless ones. Furthermore, he is presumed to pray for such people as the blessing of his prayer is likely to make up their deficiencies.

Snow Everywhere!

As Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullaah

Alhamdulillaah I have the next two days off from work so I don't have to drive in this mess. However Abi did, so big sis and I tightened up the Timbs, grabbed a couple of shovels and got to work. Although it was not snowing anymore, it still felt like a blizzard because of the heavy winds. We did a good enough job to see Abi off to work, leaving the driveway with no problem. While I was shoveling, I made sure to put some extra snow around my car to make sure that I don't go anywhere, lol.

It was reported that our damage was a whopping 24 inches maa shaa Allaah!...and it looks like it too.

Did the East Coast Storms affect anyone else? Please share in shaa Allaah..

Jama'ah Prayer of Eclipse

Jama’ah Prayer of Eclipse:

a.     It is an affirmed sunnah legalized if an eclipse of the sun or the moon takes place because the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said that if you see any that meaning eclipse, then perform the salah until it clears. This is narrated by Muslim

b.    The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam did not say if you see something of this nature then go and invite people to watch, and clap, and take pictures, and make a festival because this is a sign from Allah for people to contemplate and think about the horrors of the Day of Resurrection when this world will come to and end, these are close signs for people to think and contemplate and to check for their sins and seek forgiveness and hasten to give charity. This is what the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam admonished people at times of eclipses and in our time we see people in “happiness”, inviting tourists to their land to check for “phenomena”.

c.     This salah is two rakat; in the first rakah: one recites openly (loudly) surah Al-Faatihah and a long surah and then he goes in ruku for a long period and then lifts up from ruku saying sami Allahu liman hamiah and does not make sujud rather stands up recites surah Faatihah and another long surah and then makes ruku then stands up again then makes two lengthy prostrations. This is the complete rakah in salatul eclipse. Then he makes the second rakah: in the manner similar to the first one, then sits for tashahud and makes taslim.

d.    And this salah is not to be made up for the person missing it, if missed, either he misses a rakah from it, then he makes up other rakah in the same manner and completes the salah.  

e.     This salah can be done in times when it is prohibited to pray because it is linked to a cause; when it is present, it can be made.

f.     It is sunnah for the Imam to admonish the people and to remind them and incite them to make tawbah and make istighfar – seeking repentance from Allah and His forgiveness.

Taken from: http://msscofccny.multiply.com/links/item/32/

http://slipstitchesandmore.blogspot.com/2010/12/saturday-mornings-are-special-because.html

When can a Person be Criticized to His Face?

When can a person be criticised to his face?

Question: What is the ruling upon speaking to a person’s face and informing him of his shortcomings whilst he listens – is this permissible?

Answer: It is permissible if it is from the aspect of advising him and reprimanding him so that he is prevented from disobedience, and that it is done with fine manners so that he accepts the advice. As for it being done from the aspect of malice, and abuse and insult, or to publicise his faults and the like of this, then it is not permissible. And with Allaah is the tawfeeq. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayaan Shaykh `Abdullaah bin Qu`ood Shaykh `Abdur-Razzaaq al-`Afeefee

Question 6 from fatwa 5276 P342 Volume 12 Fataawaa of the Permanent Committee

Translated by Abu Abdir Rahmaan Nasser ibn Najam

Corruption of Mankind

Corruption of Mankind

Kitaabut Tawheed
Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan bin Abdillaah al-Fawzaan
Originally Produced By Daru Ahlil Athar

Allaah has created his creation so as to worship Him and has prepared for them that which will aid them in this from His provisions. He ta'ala says


"And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). Verily, Allaah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong."[1]


The soul, if it is left upon its fitrah (natural state) affirms Allaah's divinity and has love for Allaah, worships Him alone, and does not ascribe partners to Him.

However the Shayaateen from the Jinn and the Ins (mankind) corrupts and deviates it from that with what they reveal to one another by way of beautification in speech and deceptions. Tawheed is centered in the fitrah. Shirk is foreign and inserted into it. Allaah ta'ala says:

"So set you (O Muhammad SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) your face towards the religion of pure Islamic Monotheism Hanifa (worship none but Allaah Alone) Allaah's Fitrah (i.e. Allaah's Islamic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq­ilaah (i.e. the Religion of Allaah Islamic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not" [2]

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihe wa sallam) said "Every child born is born upon the fitrah, however his parents make him into a Jew or a Christian or a Pagan"[3] So the root of the children is Tawheed.

The religion was Islaam from the time of Aadam (alaihi salaam) and until those who came after him from his progeny for many generations.

Allaah ta'ala says:
"Mankind were one community and Allaah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings" [4]

The first occurrence of shirk and deviance upon the aqeedah was with the people of Nuh (alaihi salaam)

"Verily, We have inspired you (O Muhammad SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) as We inspired Nuh (Noah) and the Prophets after him;" [5]


Ibnu Abbaas said "There was between Aadam and Nuh (alaihima salaam) ten generations, all of them upon Islaam"

Ibnul Qayyim said "This comment (of Ibnu Abbaas) is clearly correct for the reading of Abi ibn Ka'b of the verse "So they differed and then Allaah sent the Prophets"

Allaah's statement affirms this when He says :
"Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion - Islaamic Monotheism), then they differed (later), and had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed" [6]

The sending of the Prophets was due to the differing from that which they were upon from the correct religion. Just as the Arabs were upon the religion of Ibraaheem (alaihi salaam) until 'Amru bin Lahee al-Khazaa'ee surfaced and changed the religion of Ibraaheem. He erected idols in the land of the Arabs and in the land of al-Hijaaz in a specific manner until they were worshipped besides Allaah and shirk began to spread in the Holy lands and its surrounding it until Allaah sent His Prophet Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). He called the people to Tawheed and to following the path of Ibraaheem and fought the true Jihaad until the creed of Tawheed and the path of Ibraaheem was returned to and the idols were destroyed. Allaah completed with him His religion and completed His favor upon all of the worlds. This methodology continued through out the noble generations from the beginning of this Ummah until ignorance began to spread in the later generations. Many (false) ideologies infiltrated it and shirk returned to many of this Ummah because of callers to misguidance and building structures over the graves in an effort to glorify the Awliyyaa' and Saaliheen (righteous individuals) claiming love for them until monuments were built over their graves.

They were taken as idols of worship besides Allaah by many ways this included du'a, seeking assistance, slaughtering, and sacrifice at their locations.

They called shirk Tawassul (means of drawing closer to Allaah thru worship) with the righteous and expression of their love for them and not worship of them as they claimed.

They have forgotten that this was the excuse of the pagans before them when they said,


""We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allaah" [7]


Even with this shirk falling upon the mankind past and present you found the majority of them believing in Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah but ascribing partners to Allaah in their worship as Allaah ta'ala says:


"And most of them believe not in Allaah except that they attribute partners unto Him"

They do not deny the existence of their Lord; only a small number of mankind did, such as Phir'awn, atheists, and the communists present in this era. Their denial is from their being blatantly arrogant. They are still compelled to testify this inside (their hearts) as Allaah says:


"And they belied them (those Ayah) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their own selves were convinced thereof" [8]


Their intellects know full well that every creation has to have a creator, every thing in existence has to have one who brought it into existence, and the order of this great disciplined and complicated matter has to have one who has power over it , wise, and maintains its order possessing all knowledge of it. Whoever denies these facts then he is either void of any intellect or blatantly arrogant and has limited his intellect and suppressed himself and this of course has not goal to it.

FOOTNOTES:
[1] Adh-Dhaariyaat – 56-58
[2] ar-Room -30
[3] In the two saheehs on the authority of Aboo Hurairah
[4]al-Baqarah -213
[5] an – Nisaa 163
[6] Yunus - 19
[7] az-Zumar - 3
[8] an-Naml - 14

The Connection of the Soul to the Body

The Connection of the Soul to the Body

Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (d.751H)

Source : Kitaabur-Rooh (p. 44)

 

The soul (ar-rooh) is connected to the body in five different ways, to which different rules apply.

[1] Its connection to the body as a fetus in his mother’s womb.

[2] Its connection to the body after a person is born.

[3] Its connection to the body when a person is asleep, when the soul is connected in one way and separated from it in another way.

[4] Its connection to the body in al-Barzakh (the period between a person’s death and the Day of Resurrection), when it has departed from the body and separated from it, but is not separated completely in such a way that there is no connection at all. We have mentioned at the beginning of this reply that there are ahaadeeth and reports which indicate that the soul is returned to the body when somebody sends the greeting of salaam to a deceased person. This returning is of a special nature which does not mean that the life is restored to the body before the Day of Resurrection.

[5] Its connection to the body on the Day when bodies will be resurrected. This is the most perfect type of connection to the body, and has no comparison to the previous types, because after that the body will never die, sleep or have anything wrong with it.

When a person is asleep, his soul is in his body and he is alive, although his being alive is not the same as that of a person who is awake, for sleep is comparable to death. Similarly, when a dead person’s soul is returned to his body (when the greeting is sent upon him), he is in a state between one who is alive and one who is dead, whose soul is not restored to his body. This is like the case of a sleeping person who is in a state between life and death. We hope that this will dispel a lot of your confusion.

Abu Tasneem Dawud Adib

http://anisabintbenjamin.multiply.com/tag/dawood%20adeeb
Our elder, brother Dawud Adib was born in the USA and accepted Islaam in 1975. Shortly thereafter – without a teacher - he began to learn the Arabic language and by 1977 he was the regular khateeb (preacher) at two local masaajid in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey including the musallaa (prayer hall) at the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry. Dawud also served as Director of Islamic Studies from 1980 to 1985. While serving as the Director of a full time Islamic school he also taught grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. He has worked as a chaplain in three state correctional institutions teaching Arabic language, Islamic studies and counselling both Muslims and non-Muslims inmates alike. He has lectured in the Caribbean, throughout North and South America (where he has delivered talks on both television and radio), Britain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Germany at civic centers, prisons, elementary, secondary and high schools, colleges, universities and churches. He is an Islamic marriage counselor and was recently the Imaam of Masjidul-Bayaan formerly the Islamic Center of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Currently, Abu Tasneem is the Imaam of Masjid as-Sunnah Nabawiyyah in Philadelphia. He continues to call to ad-Da'watus-Salafiyyah through his lectures and classes, remaining steadfast to the speech of the 'Ulamaa (Scholars) of Ahlus-Sunnah. (Taken from abdurrahman.org)

Abu Uwais Abdullaah Ahmad Ali (1425H)

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Abu Uwais Abdullaah Ahmad Ali (Rahimahullaah)

One of the pioneers of ad-da'watus-salafiyyah in the West. Abu Uwais (rahimahullaah) was the Imaam of the salafi masjid, Masjid Rahmah in Newark, New Jersey, USA. After studying in Saudi Arabia, Abu Uwais migrated to England where he called to the usool of salafiyyah at a time when many were afraid to use the praiseworthy term 'salafi'. He later returned to America in the mid-nineties and was influential towards spreading salafiyyah in N. America and repelling the callers to innovation. (Taken from troid.org)

The Intention Behind Seeking Knowledge

The Intention Behind Seeking Knowledge
Source: Ad-Da'wah Ilallaah (Vol 1/Issue 3)
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/

Actions Are Judged By Intention

By Allaah’s permission we should already have some idea of how important it is to seek knowledge of our religion, and feel motivated into doing so because of the many excellent rewards and virtues attached to this deed. But before actually seeking and acquiring this knowledge we must find out the intentions behind it, the reasons why a Muslim must gain knowledge of his religion.

Every deed and saying has behind it an intention, but for the Muslim, every intention must be correct, since the Messenger of Allaah, SallAllaahu `alaihi wa sallam, informed us: "Actions are judged by intentions and every man shall have that which he intended..."(1) The correct intention is as important as the action itself. It is certainly more difficult to achieve as the scholars of the past - our Pious Predecessors - used to say: "Nothing is harder for me to handle than the intention, for it overwhelms me."(2) One of them also said: "Learn the intention, for it is more serious than the action."(3)

The Correct Intentions

The intention behind all our actions should be to earn the pleasure of Allaah, and seeking knowledge is no exception. We know that this noble action has attached to it many rewards as the Messenger of Allaah informed us that for the seeker of knowledge "...angels accord welcome and whatever is in the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the water seek forgiveness... and that Allaah - the Most High - ...directs him to tread a path from the paths of paradise."(4) This, then, should be at least one reason for gaining knowledge, to acquire for oneself these great blessings, both in this world and the Hereafter.

Another benefit of seeking knowledge of Islaam is that it will, by the permission of Allaah, remove ignorance about the religion from ourselves. A Muslim cannot remain in a state of doubt and confusion about how to worship Allaah, because this will prevent him from worshipping Allaah correctly. However, acquiring knowledge of this will eradicate the ignorance.

Imaam al-Aajurree (d. 360H) - rahimullaah - said: "...worship is not possible without knowledge, so seeking knowledge is compulsory and ignorance is not a good state for the believer to be in, so he seeks knowledge to remove ignorance from himself and to be able to worship Allaah in the way Allaah has commanded..."(5)

And it is only when one has removed ignorance from oneself that one can help lift the veil of ignorance that also prevents others from the true worship of their Lord.

Also acquiring sound knowledge of Islaam enables one to counter the attacks upon it from disbelievers and innovators and all others who want to either destroy or corrupt it. So equipped with certain knowledge one can be in a better position to defend the religion.

There are then, certain reasons behind seeking and acquiring knowledge: wanting the rewards and excellence attached to it, wanting to remove ignorance from oneself and others about Islaam in order to worship Allaah properly and being able to defend the religion.

Warnings From The Prophet, Sallallaahu ‘ Alaihi Wa Sallam

Many actions can be and are done for the purely worldly gains, to seek personal gain or benefit. As we know, this should not be the reason behind the actions and sayings of a Muslim. To seek the pleasure and reward of Allaah should be our sole aim. To make this easier for us the Messenger of Allaah, sallAllaahu `alaihi wa sallam, warned us against doing actions for other than the sake of Allaah and specifically against seeking and acquiring knowledge for the wrong reasons, with incorrect intentions.

He, sallAllaahu `alaihi wa sallam, said: "Whosoever learns knowledge by which is to be sought the Face of Allaah, but he does not do so except to goal of this world, he will not smell the odour of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection."(6)

In another narration the Prophet warned us by saying: "Do not learn the knowledge to amaze/stupefy by it the scholars, nor to delight against the foolish by it, nor to possess the gatherings by it. Whosoever does so, then the Fire, the fire."(7)

These two ahadeeth are extremely clear in their warnings against acquiring knowledge with other than the correct intention. Knowledge of Islaam is sought to teach ourselves and others, but most importantly to act upon (to be covered in the next issue, inshaAllaah) as Allaah, the Most High, revealed: "It is only those who have knowledge among his slaves that fear Allaah." [Soorah Faatir 35:28]; and as some of the scholars of the past used to say: "Knowledge is not narrating much, but knowledge is fear of Allaah."(8)

It should not be sought for reasons of fame or status, which are goals of this world. We should be fearful of not falling into this category, since as the ahadeeth state the consequences are severe - Hellfire.

We must therefore constantly check our intentions to ensure sincerity and purity of action, especially those in the forefront of dawah, calling people to Islaam; since it is easier for intentions to become tainted whilst standing infront of an audience or group of people. Shaitaan is also constantly at work trying to ruin our good deeds in whichever way he can.

So let us be careful and anxious about why we are seeking knowledge of Islaam and ask Allaah to save us from being included with the likes of the first to be judged by Him on the Day of Judgement, about whom the Prophet, SallAllaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, warned us: "...So the first to be summoned will be a man who learned knowledge and taught it and read the Qur’aan. He will come with it and favours to him will be made known to him and he will recognise it. It will be said: What have you done by it? ‘He will say: ‘I studied the knowledge and taught it and recited for You the Qur’aan. It will be said:

‘You have lied. Rather you studied the knowledge so that it would be said of you: ‘a scholar’ and you recited the Qur’aan so it would be said of you: ‘a reciter.’ And that was said. Then he will be commanded and would be dragged on his face until he is thrown into the Fire..."(9)

May Allaah - the One free from all imperfections - protect us from this.

NOTES

1. Reported by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim from Umar ibn al-Khattaab radiAllaahu ‘anhu.

2. From Sufyaan ath-Thawree as is related in Jaamiul-Uloom wal-Hikam (p.34) of Ibn Rajab.

3. From Yahyaa ibn Abee Katheer as is in Jaamiul-Uloom wal-Hikam (p.34) of Ibn Rajab.

4. SAHEEH: Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan. Authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami [6297].

5. From Akhlaaqul Ulemaa (pp.42-43) of Imaam al-Aajurree.

6. SAHEEH: Reported by Ahmad (2/338), Aboo Daawood (3664), and others from Aboo Hurairah radiAllaahu ‘anhu. Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami (6159).

7. SAHEEH: Reported by Aboo Hurairah in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/88).

8. From Fadlul ilmus-salaf of Ibn Rajab (p.46).

9. Narrated by Muslim, an-Nasaaee (6/23-24), Ahmad (2/322) and others, from Aboo Hurairah.

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Istikharaah (seeking Allaah's Counsel)

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How to Erase Our Sins

How to Erase Our Sins

Following is a compilation of Ahadîth that speaks of ways in which we can erase our sins, InshaAllâh!

Repenting

A servant [of Allâh's] committed a sin and said: O Allâh, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for sins. Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you. [Hadîth Qudsi]

O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it. [Hadîth Qudsi]

Abû Bakr radhiAllâhu `anhu reported:

"I heard the Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam saying: 'Allâh forgives the man who commits a sin (then feels ashamed), purifies himself, offers a prayer and seeks His forgiveness.' Then he recited the 'ayyah: 'And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allâh and implore forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allâh? - and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever- a bountiful reward for workers."' [al-'lmrân: 135-136]. [Abû Dawûd, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, al-Baihaqi, and at-Tirmidhî who calls it hasan.]

Performing Wudhû

Narrated Abû Hurayrah radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh's Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said:

When a bondsman - a Muslim or a believer - washes his face (in course of ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water ; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out pure from all sins. [Sahîh Muslim]

Narrated Uthmân ibn AffânradhiAllâhu `anhu:

The Messenger of Allâh sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said: He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails. [Sahîh Muslim]

Performing Prayer

Narrated Uthmân ibn Affân radhiAllâhu `anhu: "I heard Allâh's Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam say:

When the time for a prescribed prayer comes, if any Muslim performs ablution well and offers his prayer) with humility and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin; and this applies to for all times. [Sahîh Muslim]

Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: "Allâh's Apostle said,

"The congregational prayer of anyone amongst you is more than twenty (five or twenty seven) times in reward than his prayer in the market or in his house, for if he performs ablution completely and then goes to the mosque with the sole intention of performing the prayer, and nothing urges him to proceed to the mosque except the prayer, then, on every step which he takes towards the mosque, he will be raised one degree or one of his sins will be forgiven. The angels will keep on asking Allâh's forgiveness and blessings for everyone of you so long as he keeps sitting at his praying place. The angels will say, 'O Allâh, bless him! O Allâh, be merciful to him!' as long as he does not do Hadath or a thing which gives trouble to the other." The Prophet further said, "One is regarded in prayer so long as one is waiting for the prayer." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abû Hurayrah radhiAllâhu `anhu:

"The Messenger of Allâh sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said: He who purified himself in his house, and then he walked to one of the houses of Allâh for the sake of performing a fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara'id (obligatory acts) of Allâh, both his steps (would be significant) as one of them would obliterate his sin and the second one would raise his status. [Sahîh Muslim]

Attending the Jumu'ah Salâh

Narrated Abû Hurayrah radhiAllâhu `anhu: The Messenger of Allâh sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said:

Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. [Sahîh Muslim]

Narrated by Salman Al Farsi radhiAllâhu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allâh has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Doing good deeds

Narrated Ibn Masud radhiAllâhu `anhu: A man kissed a woman and then came to Allâh's Apostle and told him of that, so this Divine Inspiration was revealed to the Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam:

"And offer Prayers perfectly at the two ends of the day, and in some hours of the night; (i.e. (five) compulsory prayers). Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (small sins). That is a reminder for the mindful." (Qur'aan : 11.114) The man said, Is this instruction for me only?" The Prophet said, "It is for all those of my followers who encounter a similar situation." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Performing Umrah and Hajj

Narrated by Abû Huraira : The Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"Whoever performs Hajj for Allâh's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud radhiAllâhu `anhu narrated that the Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said:

"Alternate between Hajj and 'Umrah (regularly), for these two remove poverty and sins just as the blacksmith's bellows removes all impurities from metals like iron, gold and silver. The reward for Hajj Mabrur is nothing short of Paradise." [Nasa'i and Tirmidhi, who regards it a sound hadîth ]

Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh's Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"(The performance of) 'Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allâh) is nothing except Paradise." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Saying 'آmîn'

Narrated by Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"When the Imâm says 'Aamîn', then you should all say ‘Aamîn’, for the angels say ‘آmîn’ at that time, and he whose ‘آmîn’ coincides with the ‘آmîn’ of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Fasting and performing prayers in the night of Qadr in Ramadân

Narrated by Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"Whoever fasted the month of Ramadân out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allâh, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allâh, then all his previous sins will be forgiven ." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Sending salutations

Abû Talha Al Ansari radhiAllâhu `anhu said, "The Prophet, sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam, woke up one day cheerful and beaming. His companions exclaimed, 'O Prophet of Allâh, you woke up today cheerful and beaming.' He replied,

'Yes! A messenger of Allâh, the Mighty and the Glorified, came to me and said, "If anyone from your ummah sends you a salutation, Allâh will record for him ten good deeds, wipe off ten of his sins, and raise him thereby ten degrees in rank, and He will return his salutation with a similar salutation".' [Ahmad] Ibn Kathîr considers this a sound hadîth ]

Being kind to animals

Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh's Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allâh thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allâh's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh's Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"A prostitute was forgiven by Allâh, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allâh forgave her because of that." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Leaving grey hair

Amr ibn Shu'aib related on the authority of his father from his grandfather that the Prophet sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"Do not pluck the grey hairs as they are a Muslim's light. Never a Muslim grows grey in Islam except that Allâh writes for him, due to that, a good deed. And he raises him a degree. And he erases for him, due to that, one of his sins." [Related by Ahmad, Abû Dawûd, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah] And Anas said, "We used to hate that a man should pluck out his white hairs from his head or beard." [Sahîh Muslim]

Some simple supplications through which we can erase our sins, Insha'Allâh!

Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh's Apostle said,

"Whoever says, 'Subhan Allâh wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh's Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said,

"Whoever says: 'La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa 'ala kulli shai'in qadir,' one hundred times will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he." [Sahîh Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abû Hurayrah radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allâh's Apostle sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said:

If anyone extols Allâh after every prayer thirty-three times [SubhanAllâh], and praises Allâh thirty-three times [Alhamdulillah], and declares His Greatness thirty-three times [Allâh hu Akbar], ninety-nine times in all, and say to complete a hundred: "There is no god but Allâh, having no partner with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him to praise due, and He is Potent over everything," his sins will be forgiven even if these are as Abûndant as the foam of the sea. [Sahîh Muslim]

Abû Hurairah radhiAllâhu `anhu reported that the Prophet, sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam, said,

"If anyone sits in an assembly where there is much clamor and says before getting up to leave, "Subhanaka Allâhumma wa bihamdika, ashadu an-la illaha illa-anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayka" (Glory be to You, O Allâh, and I begin with declaring all praise is due to You, I testify that there is no god but You; I ask Your pardon and turn to You in repentance), he will be forgiven any sin that he might have committed while in that assembly. [Tirmidhi and Al-Baihaqi, (Kitab ad-D'wat Al-kabir)]

Mu'adh b. Anas radhiAllâhu `anhu reported that the Prophet, sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam, said,

"If anyone wears a new garment and says, "Alhamdu lillahillazi kasaabi hazaa wa razakabehi min ghairi hawlin minna walaa kuwwata" 'All praise be to Allâh, Who clothed me with this garment and provided it for me, with no power or strength from myself' Allâh will forgive all his previous sins." [Abû Dawûd, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah]

The Bitter Consequences of Sins

The Bitter Consequences of Sins

By Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah [1]

It is essential to know that sins and acts of disobedience are, necessarily, very harmful. Their harm effects upon the heart are akin to the harmful effects of poison upon the body, though the effects vary in their levels and intensities.

So is there any evil or harm in this world, or in the Hereafter, except that it is due to sins and disobedience?

So what was it that expelled the two parents [i.e. Adam and Eve] from Paradise; the home of delight, bliss, splendor and joy; to the home of pain, sorrow and misfortune?

What was it that expelled Iblees [i.e. Satan] from the heavenly realms, causing him to be rejected and cursed; transforming him both inwardly and outwardly, so that his form became ugly and hideous - his inner form more hideous than his outer - replacing his nearness with remoteness, mercy with curse, his beauty with ugliness, from being in Paradise to being in the blazing Fire, from having faith to being an unbeliever, from having the patronage and friendship of Allaah, the Praiseworthy Guardian, to being the greatest enemy and opponent, from glorifying and praising Him to committing acts of unbelief, shirk, lies, deception and shamelessness, from being adorned with faith to being clothed in the garment of unbelief, sinfulness and disobedience, causing him to reach the deepest depths of despicability, plunging down in the sight of Allaah as far as it is possible to plunge; causing the anger of Allaah the Exalted to be upon him, making him an outcast - despised and humiliated - so that he became a leader for every sinner and criminal, becoming pleased with leadership for himself, after having reached the station of worship and nobility?

O Allaah, we seek refuge in You from opposing Your command and falling into what You have forbidden.

What was it that caused the people of the earth to drown, to the extent that the water rose above even the mountaintops?

What was it that caused the violent winds to overcome the people of ‘Aad, such that it flung them down dead upon the face of the earth - as if they were lopped-off palm trunks - and it destroyed whatever dwellings and crops it came across, thus making them an example for nations until the Day of Resurrection?

What was it that caused the piercing shrieks to be set loose upon the Thamood people, such that their hearts were severed within their very bodies, by which they all perished?

What was it that caused the town of the homosexuals to be raised­ up and turned upside down, such that they were all destroyed? Then stones from the sky pelted down upon them so that they suffered a combined punishment, the like of which was not given to any other nation! And for their brothers will be its like; and it is not far off from the transgressors!

What was it that caused the clouds of punishment to overcome the people of Shu’ayb, such that when these clouds were above their heads it rained scorching fire upon them?

What was it that caused the Pharaoh and his people to be drowned in the ocean, and caused their souls to be transported to the Hellfire, so their bodies drowned and their souls burned?

What was it that caused Qaaroon, his dwelling, wealth and family to sink down into the earth?

What was it that caused the destruction of those generations after Noah, and how they were afflicted with various punishments that caused their annihilation?

What was it that caused the destruction of the companions of Yaa Seen, with the clamorous shout, which destroyed them?

What caused there to be sent against the Children of Israa’eel enemies of great strength and might, plundering their homes, killing their men, enslaving their women and children, burning their dwellings, seizing their wealth, and then returning again a second time, destroying what was rebuilt after the first onslaught?

What was it that caused the various types of punishments to be set loose upon the Children of Israa’eel? Killing them, enslaving them, destroying their land and at times causing them to be oppressed by kings, whilst at another time causing them to be transformed into apes and swines - and finally the Lord took an oath that: “He would certainly keep on sending against them, until the Day of Resurrection, those who will inflict them with a humiliating torment.” [Soorah al-A’raaf 7:167]

Imam Ahmad said: al-Waleed ibn Muslim related to us; that Safwaan ibn ’Amr related to us; that ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Jubayr ibn Nufayr related; from his father, who said:

“When Cyprus was conquered and its people were dispersed and they started weeping to each other, I saw Abud-Dardaa sitting alone and weeping. So I said to him: O Abud-Dardaa! What makes you weep on this day that Allaah has granted strength and honor to Islaam and its people? So he said: Woe be to you O Jubayr! How insignificant the creation becomes to Allaah when they turn away from His command. In front of us is a nation who were evidently powerful and who had dominion, yet they abandoned Allaah’s command, so look what has become of them.”

[2] ‘Alee ibn al-Ja’d said: Shu’bah ibn ‘Amr ibn Murrah informed us; I heard Abul-Bukhtaree say:I was informed by someone, who heard the Prophet (sallalalhu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:

“The people will not perish, until they have no excuse left for themselves.”

[3] Imaam Ahmad reports in his Musnad, from the hadeeth of Umm Salamah, who said: I heard Allaah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:

“When acts of disobedience become widespread in my ummah, then Allaah may send punishment upon them all from Himself” So I said: 0 Allaah’s Messenger! Even if there are righteous people amongst them that day? So he replied: “Indeed!” So I said: How will that be? He replied: “They will be afflicted with what afflicts the people, then they will move on to the forgiveness of Allaah and His good pleasure.” [4]

FOOTNOTES

[1] Ad-Daa’ wad-Dawaa’ (pp.65-67).

[2] Reported by Imaam Ahmad in az-Zuhd (i/86) with an authentic (saheeh) chain of narration

[3] Reported by Ahmad (4/260) and Abu Daawood (no.4347) with an authentic chain of narration.

[4] Reported by Ahmad (6/304) and one of its narrators is Layth ibn Abee Sulaym, who is weak. However the hadeeth is established due to further supporting narrations. Consult Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah (no.1372) of Shaykh al-Albaanee

http://abdurrahmanorg.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/fatwa-on-islamic-animated-cartoon-movies/

Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari

                            Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari

In the Waddan valley which connects Makkah with the outside world, lived the tribe of Ghifar. The Ghifar existed on the meagre offerings of the trade caravans of the Quraysh which plied between Syria and Makkah. It is likely that they also lived by raiding these caravans when they were not given enough to satisfy their needs.

Jundub Ibn Junadah, nicknamed Abu Dharr, was a member of this tribe.

He was known for his courage, his calmness and his far sightedness and also for the repugnance he felt against the idols which his people worshipped. He rejected the silly religious beliefs and the religious corruption in which the Arabs were engaged.

While he was in the Waddan desert, news reached Abu Dharr that a new Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) had appeared in Makkah. He really hoped that his appearance would help to change the hearts and minds of people and lead them away from the darkness of superstition. Without wasting much time, he called his brother, Anis, and said to him: "Go to Makkah and get whatever news you can of this man who claims that he is a Prophet and that revelation comes to him from the heavens. Listen to some of his sayings and come back and recite them to me."

Anis went to Makkah and met the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam). He listened to what he had to say and returned to the Waddan desert. Abu Dharr met him and anxiously asked for news of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam).

"I have seen a man," reported Anis, "who calls people to noble qualities and there is no mere poetry in what he says."

"What do people say about him?" asked Abu Dharr.

"They say he is a magician, a soothsayer and a poet."

"My curiosity is not satisfied. I am not finished with this matter. Will you look after my family while I go out and examine this prophet's mission myself?"

"Yes. But beware of the Makkans."

On his arrival at Makkah, Abu Dharr immediately felt very apprehensive and he decided to exercise great caution. The Quraysh were noticeably angry over the denunciation of their gods. Abu Dharr heard of the terrible violence they were meeting out to the followers of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) but this was what he expected. He therefore refrained from asking anyone about Muhammad not knowing whether that person might be a follower or an enemy.

At nightfall, he lay down in the Sacred Mosque. Ali Ibn abi Talib passed by him and, realizing that he was a stranger, asked him to come to his house. Abu Dharr spent the night with him and in the morning took his water pouch and his bag containing provisions and returned to the Mosque. He had asked no questions and no questions were asked of him.

Abu Dharr spent the following day without getting to know the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam). At evening he went to the Mosque to sleep and Ali again passed by him and said: "Isn't it time that a man knows his house?"

Abu Dharr accompanied him and stayed at his house a second night. Again no one asked the other about anything.

On the third night, however, Ali asked him, "Aren't you going to tell me why you came to Makkah?"

"Only if you will give me an undertaking that you will guide me to what I seek."

Ali agreed and Abu Dharr said: "I came to Makkah from a distant place seeking a meeting with the new Prophet and to listen to some of what he has to say."

Ali's face lit up with happiness as he said, "By God, he is really the Messenger of Allah," and he went on telling Abu Dharr more about the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) and his teaching. Finally, he said: "When we get up in the morning, follow me wherever I go. If I see anything which I am afraid of for your sake, I would stop as if to pass water. If I continue, follow me until you enter where I enter."

Abu Dharr did not sleep a wink the rest of that night because of his intense longing to see the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) and listen to the words of revelation. In the morning, he followed closely in Ali's footsteps until they were in the presence of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam).

"As-salaamu alayka yaa Rasulullah, (Peace be on you, O Messenger of Allah)," greeted Abu Dharr.

"Wa alayka salaamullahi wa rahmatuhu wa barakaatuhu (And on you be the peace of Allah, His mercy and His blessings)," replied the Prophet.

Abu Dharr was thus the first person to greet the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) with the greeting of Islam. After that, the greeting spread and came into general use.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam), welcomed Abu Dharr and invited him to Islam. He recited some of the Qur'aan for him. Before long, Abu Dharr pronounced the Shahadah, thus entering the new religion (without even leaving his place). He was among the first persons to accept Islam.

Let us leave Abu Dharr to continue his own story . . .

After that I stayed with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) in Makkah and he taught me Islam and taught me to read the Qur'aan. Then he said to me, "Don't tell anyone in Makkah about your acceptance of Islam. I fear that they will kill you."

"By Him in whose hands is my soul, I shall not leave Makkah until I go to the Sacred Mosque and proclaim the call of Truth in the midst of the Quraysh," vowed Abu Dharr.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) remained silent. I went to the Mosque. The Quraysh were sitting and talking. I went in their midst and called out at the top of my voice, "O people of Quraysh, I testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

My words had an immediate effect on them. They jumped up and said, "Get this one who has left his religion." They pounced on me and began to beat me mercilessly. They clearly meant to kill me. But Abbas Ibn Abdul Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam), recognised me. He bent over and protected me from them. He told them: "Woe to you! Would you kill a man from the Ghifar tribe and your caravans must pass through their territory?"

They then released me. I went back to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam), and when he saw my condition, he said, "Didn't I tell you not to announce your acceptance of Islam?"

"O Messenger of Allah," I said, "It was a need I felt in my soul and I fulfilled it."

"Go to your people," he commanded, "and tell them what you have seen and heard. Invite them to Allah. Maybe Allah will bring them good through you and reward you through them. And when you hear that I have come out in the open, then come to me."

I left and went back to my people. My brother came up to me and asked, "What have you done?" I told him that I had become a Muslim and that I believed in the truth of Muhammad's teachings.

"I am not averse to your religion. In fact, I am also now a Muslim and a believer," he said.

We both went to our mother then and invited her to Islam.

"I do not have any dislike for your religion. I accept Islam also," she said.

From that day this family of believers went out tirelessly inviting the Ghifar to Allah and did not flinch from their purpose. Eventually a large number became Muslims and the congregational Prayer was instituted among them.

Abu Dharr remained in his desert abode until after the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) had gone to Madinah and the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq had been fought. At Madinah at last, he asked the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) to be in his personal service. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) agreed and was pleased with his companionship and service. He sometimes showed preference to Abu Dharr above others and whenever he met him he would pat him and smile and show his happiness.

After the death of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam), Abu Dharr could not bear to stay in Madinah because of grief and the knowledge that there was to be no more of his guiding company. So he left for the Syrian desert and stayed there during the caliphate of Abu Bakr and Umar.

During the caliphate of Uthman, he stayed in Damascus and saw the Muslim's concern for the world and their consuming desire for luxury. He was saddened and repelled by this. So Uthman asked him to come to Madinah. At Madinah he was also critical of the people's pursuit of worldly goods and pleasures and they were critical in turn of his reviling them. Uthman therefore ordered that he should go to Rubdhah, a small village near Madinah. There he stayed far away from people, renouncing their preoccupation with worldly goods and holding on to the legacy of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) and his companions in seeking the everlasting abode of the Hereafter in preference to this transitory world.

Once a man visited him and began looking at the contents of his house but found it quite bare. He asked Abu Dharr: "Where are your possessions?"

"We have a house yonder (meaning the Hereafter)," said Abu Dharr, "to which we send the best of our possessions."

The man understood what he meant and said: "But you must have some possessions so long as you are in this abode."

"The owner of this abode will not leave us in it," replied Abu Dharr.

Abu Dharr persisted in his simple and frugal life to the end. Once the amir of Syria sent three hundred dinars to Abu Dharr to meet his needs. He returned the money saying, "Does not the amir of Syria find a servant more deserving of it than I?"

In the year 32 AH, the self-denying Abu Dharr passed away. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassallam), had said of him: "The earth does not carry nor the heavens cover a man more true and faithful than Abu Dharr."

If you find yourself lazy upon obedience to Allah then be afraid that Allah is averse to your obedience

The following is a summary translation taken from sahab.net
http://www.sahab.net/forums/showthread.php?t=351059

Sheik Muhammad ibn Salih ibn Uthamin may Allah have mercy upon him said in his explanation of the book, Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah wa Jamaat in tape number seven…

وَلَكِن كَرِهَ اللهُ انبِعاثَهُمْ فَثَبَّطَهُمْ وَقيلَ اقْعُدوا مَعَ القاعِدينَ

…but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)." (Chapter 9 verse 46)

Oh Allah save us…this verse is extremely dangerous and the scale is in His saying, ‘but Allah was averse to their being sent forth’ meaning in battle.

{…and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)}

So beware and examine yourself, and if you see yourself being lazy upon doing good deeds then be afraid that Allah is averse to you putting forth good deeds.

Then look at yourself a second time, and make yourself patient and compel yourself upon obedience. So today you do acts of obedience and you are averse to it but tomorrow you do it willingly and effortlessly.

The important point is that this is a severe warning for the one who finds himself hindered from doing good deeds, so perhaps Allah the Exalted is averse to this man being from His obedient slaves therefore He hindered him from obedience.

We ask Allah to assist us upon His remembrance and upon thanking Him, and upon good worship.

Another point in this verse, {…but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home).}

It was not said … (وقال) and He said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)}
Because Allah does not order with evil, rather (قيل) it was said to them sit at home.
Who said stay at home? The soul (says this), no, it wasn’t Allah that said it, but rather it was the soul.
The person’s soul speaks to him saying, ‘Sit at home, don’t go this time go another time.
And shaitan hinders from good
And evil companions hinder from good

So for this reason the doer of the action was removed from this sentence, meaning the one who said the statement so that it would be more comprehensive.
Therefore those who say, ‘Sit you among those who sit (at home) are numerous and we mentioned three of them; the soul, shaitan, and evil companions.

(Explanation of the book, Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah wa Jamaat, in tape number seven, second side of the tape from minute 3:16 to 5:22)

وَكَانَ الْفُضَيْل بْن عِيَاض يَقُول : يَا كَذَّاب يَا مُفْتَرٍ , اِتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَلَا تَسُبَّ الشَّيْطَان فِي الْعَلَانِيَة وَأَنْتَ صَدِيقُهُ فِي السِّرّ

This Du`a includes protection from laziness...
Page 110-111 in my version of Hisnul-Muslim (Dar-us-Salaam's 'Fortress of a Muslim')

Allahumma 'innee 'a'oothu bika minal hammi walhazani, wal'ajzi walkasali, walbukhli waljubni, wa dhala'id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijaal.

O Allah, I seek refuge in you from grief and sadness, from weakness and from laziness, from miserliness and from cowardice, from being overcome by debt and overpowered by men (i.ei. others).

اللهَمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَـلِ، وَالْبُخْـلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّينِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

Al-Bukhari 7/158. See also Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/173.

Source : http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?forum=11&topic=6204

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTu9d28Qlsk

Mustafa George's Page

http://salafee.multiply.com/
Regarding Mustafa George's Autobiography, Mustafa George < > wrote:

Walhamdullahi, Allah gave me the chance to study in the Islamic university of madina. i graduated from the college of hadeeth. that means i studied matters of jarh wa ta'deel because i graduated, and a person that doesn't understand the subjects he is studying will not graduate!!

as for the scholars i studied with, they are many, by the grace of Allah. from them:

1. Sheikh Abdul Muhsin al Abaad

I studied with him for over 7 years completing many books. from them

-the end of sunan an nisa'ee
-sunan abi dawud (completed)
-Ja'ee at tirmidhee (beginning)
-the etiq. of walking to prayer
-40 hadeeths of imam an nawawee
-the book of rulership from sahih muslim
-yearly hajj class

and more. all my books for the above subjects are present with several notes in them. because the sheikh has so many students, i don't believe i am known to him. but to verify my sitting with him you should know that i was in charge of distributing the sadaqah given by people to the sheikh yearly. the sheikh has one person in charge of that his name is abdul hakeem, a saudi student studying with the sheikh for over 15 years. abdul hakeem placed me in charge of the western students. the money for them was given to me in check form and i would have to cash the check and distribute the money to the western students! you can varify this with:

-tahir wyatt
-abdur rahman umaysan
-adil al pakistani (married to sheikh ubaid's daughter)

and others!

The sheikh also gave me permission several years ago to translate some of his works with the condition that the translation is accurate.

i don't hold a tazkiyyah by the sheikh because he doesn't give tazkiyyahs like many scholars don't!

2. Sheikh Rabee bin Hadee Al Mukhali

I studied with the sheikh for one and a half years in madina, and then on the weekends for a year upon him moving to mecca.

i studied the following works:

-al wabilus saeeb
-muktasir zadul ma'ad (portion)

once again, sheikh rabee has several students, so me sitting with him in madina and then in mecca can be varified by his closest student Sultan al Juhani.

3. Sheikh Ubaid al Jabiree

I studied the following with him:

-kitab at tawheed (more than once_
-kitab as sunnah by barabaharee
-hajj and umrah (tahkeek wal idaah) by sheikh bin bazz
-chapters from sahih muslim
-wal wajibat by Qar'awee (aqeedah)
-minhaj as salikeen (fiqh)
and more

I have also been ordered by the Sheikh to translate his seminar in Jeddah the year 1426h. I translated for him, sheikh muhammed bin hadee, sheikh Ali at tawajiree, and sh. muhammed al aqeel.

i hold a tazkiyyah from sheikh ubaid, and he knows me very well.

4. Sheikh Abdur Razzaq al Abaad

I studied the following with him:

-kitab at tawheed
-adab al mufrad
-aqeedah of ibn abee zaid al qirawanee
-usool al 'itikad by sheikh Abdur Rahman As Sa'dee

and others. My face is well known to the Sheikh and he has given me permission to translate some of his works.

these are the scholars that i sat with the most. i also sat from time to time with:

-Sheikh Muhammed bin Saleh al Uthaymeen (yearly in mecca during ramadan twice a day)
-Sheikh Muhammed bin Hadee (several books)
-Sheikh Saleh as Suhamee (several books)
-Sheikh Ibraheem ar Rihaylee (several books)
-Sheikh Sulayman ar Rihaylee (several books)
-Sheikh Khalid Radadee (i hold a tazkiyyah by him)
-Sheikh Asim al Qurutee (teacher in Riyadh and student of Sheikh Al Albani, i hold a tazkiyyah by him)
-Sheikh Abdullah Al Bukharee (several books, and he knows me very well)

I also keep in close contact with:

-Shiekh Saleh al Fowzan (I have over 30 audio recorded questions with him)
-Sheikh Abdulllah al Gudayan (He knows my name and i have several audio recordings with him)
-Sheikh Abdullah Al Aqeel (i have audio recordings with him)
-Sheikh Ahmed an Najmee (I have several audio recordings with him)


This is a few of what i can mention about my scholars. as for the individual you mentioned Abdur Raheem McCarthy, you should know that many of the salafi scholars in madina hold him to be a person who has deviated away from the correct path!

from them:

Sheikh Muhammed bin Hadee called Abdur Raheem a DAJAAL!! This was said in the presence of Sheikh Saleh as Suhaymee, Sheikh Rabee bin Hadee, and many students!

This is sufficient enough to not accept a narration from him.

in any rate, i don't like to mention what i have done, nor who i have studied with except out of need. insha Allah, this was a time of need and i pray Allah grants me tawfeeq in continuing to study.

as for my present scholars, alhamdullah, a few months ago Sheikh Saleh as Suhaymee visited the UAE and we completed a work in Aqeedah (the aqeedah of the salaf by Sabunee)

sheikh abdur razzaq visited here twice and i attended both times.

i just returned from a trip to yemen and saudi. by the tawfeeq of Allah I sat in dammaj and San'a with sheikh yahya al hajoree, Sheikh Ahmed al Wasabee, and others for several days and i recorded over 20 questions and answers between me and sh. yahya.

i also visited madina and sat completed books with:

-sheikh Abdulr Razzaq
-sheikh ali al tuwayjiree
-sheikh muhammed ramzan al hajiree
-sheikh sulayman ar rihaylee

i also visit sheikh ubaid and informed him of my trip to yemen.

you asked for scholars to vouch for me, either the above will do so, or their trustworthy students, and my books with notes will!!

as for their numbers, If you consider yourself a student of knowledge, you should already have their phone numbers. in any rate, just to make things easy for you, here are some numbers

Sheikh Abdul Muhsin: 04 847 5207
Sheikh Ubaid al Jabiree: 04 848 0637
Sheikh Abdullah Al Bukharee: 050 532 6997



http://msscofccny.multiply.com/journal/item/59/Autobiography_of_Mustafa_George

Beneficial Audio from Maktabatul Uthaymeen Production's Page

http://maktabah2.multiply.com/music
May Allaah Subhanahu wa ta ala allow us to benefit, Aameen

A Voice Behind a Veil - Don't Miss Reading!

http://rasheedgant.multiply.com/journal/item/574/_A_Voice_Behind_a_Veil_-_Dont_Miss_Reading

Info for homeschoolers

http://saddiquamb.multiply.com/tag/homeschool

Albaseerah.org - Studyislaam.org

http://albaseerahorg.multiply.com/

Abu Yusuf Khaleefah's Page

http://31097.multiply.com/

6 Matters That Will Assist The Muslim Male and/or Female Upon The Obedience of Allaah in Ramadaan

http://31097.multiply.com/journal/item/37/6_Matters_That_Will_Assist_The_Muslim_Male_andor_Female_Upon_The_Obedience_of_Allaah...?replies_read=1

The Book of Fasting (Shaikh Saalim ibn Sa'd at-Taweel)

http://knowledgeforsuccess.multiply.com/music/item/916/The_Book_of_Fasting_Shaikh_Saalim_ibn_Sad_at-Taweel_2_songs
As Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullaah

Book: Manhaj as-Saalikeen
Author: al-'Allaamah 'Abdur Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa'dee
Teacher: Shaikh Abu Sa'd Saalim ibn Sa'd at-Taweel
Translator: Abu Rayhaanah Aqil Ingram

Barak Allaahu feek