on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat

PROPHET MOHAMMED (SALA ALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALAM) LAST SERMON:

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, and this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (Interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived...



Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to commit adultery.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over other except by piety and good action.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness oh Allah that I have conveyed your message to your people."

This Sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat

THE LOVE OF ALLAH

Imaam Abu `Abdillah, Shamsuddin Muhammad, ibn Abu Bakr, ibn Ayyub, ibn Sa`d, ibn Hurayz, al-Jawziyyah, al-Hanbali mentioned ten causes that result in Allah's love for His slave and the slave's love for his Lord.

These ten are:
First, reciting the Qur'an while pondering over its meanings and what is meant by it.
Second, getting closer to Allah by performing voluntary deeds after completing obligatory deeds. This is as is stated in a Hadith Qudsi: "My slave continues getting closer to Me by performing voluntary deeds until I love him." (al-Bukhari)
Third, continual remembrance of Allah under all circumstances, with one’s tongue, heart and actions. The extent of one’s love of Allah is determined by this.
Fourth, giving precedence to what He loves over what you love when you are overtaken by your desires.
Fifth, the heart being avid of Allah's Names, and Attributes and the heart roaming in that garden of knowledge
Sixth, observing Allah's kindness, goodness and bounties, both hidden and open.
Seventh, and this is the most wonderful, the heart being soft, subdued and meek before Allah.
Eighth, being alone with Allah during the time when the Lord descends during the last portion of the night while reading His Book and ending that by asking for forgiveness and repenting.
Ninth, sitting with the beloved and sincere, benefitting from the most fruitful of their speech. And not to speak unless speaking is more beneficial and you know that it will improve your state and be beneficial to others.
Tenth, remaining away from every cause that comes between the heart and Allah.
These ten causes take the lovers to the station of true love and bring them to their Beloved.
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim al-Jawziyyah,From the book Madarij as-Saalikeen, Vol. 3, pp. 17-18

CHARMS, TOO DANGEROUS

Allah(Subhanna wa ta'ala) said:

"Say: Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah, -if Allah intended some harm

for me, could they remove His harm, or if He (Allah) intended some mercy for me, could they

withhold His Mercy? Say: Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust (i.e. believers) must

put their trust."

                                  (39:38)

Imran bin Husain (Radia Allahu anhu) narrated:

The Prophet (Sala Allahu alayhi wa salam) once saw a man with a brass ring on his hand and asked him, "What is this?" The man replied, "To overcome the weakness of old age." He said, "Remove it, for, it can only add to your weakness. Should death overtake you while you are wearing it, you would never succeed."

 [This Hadith was recorded by Ahmad (bin Hanbal) (Radia Allahu anhu) with a good chain of narrators.]

He also recorded a Marfu' Hadith:

Uqbah bin Aamir (Radia Allahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet Mohammed(Sala Allahu alayhi wa salam) said:

"Whoever wears talisman or an amulet would never see his wish fulfilled by Allah. And whoever hangs a sea shell would never get peace and rest."

In other version,the Prophet(Sala Allahu alayhi wa salam)is reported to have said:

"Whoever wears a talisman has committed Shirk (polytheism)."

Ibn Abi Hatim reported about Hudhaifah( Radia Allahu anhu)

He saw a man with a piece of twine on his hand (as a protection or cure from fever) so he cut the twine and read the verse:

"Most of them believe in Allah and still practise

Shirk(polytheism)." (12:106)

SOURCE: KITAB AT TAWHEED, MUHAMMAD BIN ABDUL- WAHHAB

BIOGRAPHY OF OUR PROPHET:IDREES

Allah (subhanna wa ta'ala) sais:

" Also mention in the Book, the case of Idrees: He was a man of truth and sincerity, a Prophet: And We raised to a lofty station."

                                             (Maryam:7)

He was the third Prophet after Adam and Sheath( son of Adam).

Ibn Is haaq , mentions that Idrees, was the first to write with a pen.

He was alive for 308 years of Adam's life.

Concerning the verse in the Quran " And We raised to a lofty station." It was reported in an autenthic Hadith  which recounts the ocasion of the Night Journey and the Ascent , that the Messenger Mohammed (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) passed by Idrees in the fourth Heaven.

No one knows much more about Him.

Source : Stories of the Prophets, of Ibn Katheer



THE MOST WONDERFULL POEM

1) Hold tightly to the rope of Allaah and the guidance,
And do not be an innovator, so that you might be successful.

(2) And practice your religion based on the Book of Allaah and the Sunan which
have come from the Messenger of Allaah so you will be saved and earn reward.

(3) And say: Not a created thing is the Speech of our great King,
Such was the religious position of the pious ones (before us) who spoke well.

(4) And do not be a person who takes no position on the Quran,
As did the followers of Jahm, and they had been too lax (to take the right position).

(5) And do not say that the Quran is created, meaning: its recitation,
Since the Speech of Allaah, through its recitation, is made clear.

(6) And say: Allaah will make himself visible to all the creation, openly,
Just as the full moon is not hard to see, and your Lord (will be seen) more clearly.

(7) And He was not born, nor has He fathered anyone,
Nor is there anything similar to Him, exalted be the Glorified One.

(8) A Jahmee rejects this, however, we have
As a testimony to the truth of what we say - a hadeeth that clarifies it.

(9) Jareer narrated it, from the words of Muhammad,
So say what he said about that, and you will be successful.

(10) And perhaps a Jahmee might deny His Right Hand as well,
While both of His Hands are giving out all kinds of bounties.

(11) And say: The Ever-Compelling descends each night,
Without asking for exact details, magnificent is the One God and most worthy of praise.

(12) Down to the lowest heaven, granting bounties from His Grace,
As the gates of the heavens are opened and spread widely.

(13) He says: Is there anyone seeking forgiveness who would like to meet a Forgiver?
Or anyone seeking bounties of goodness and provisions, so he could be given (what he requests)?

(14) A group have reported this whose reports are not to be rejected,
But sadly some have went wrong and did not believe them, marring themselves.

(15) And say: Indeed the best of the people after Muhammad
Were his two deputies of old, and then 'Uthmaan, according to the most correct position.

(16) And the fourth of them was the best of creation after them,
'Ali, the companion of goodness, through goodness he was successful.

(17) Those are the people, those who we have no doubt about,
Upon the great camels of Firdows, shining brightly and roaming about.

(18) Said, Sa'd, Ibn 'Awf, Talhah,
'Aamir of Fihr, and Zubayr the praiseworthy.

(19) And speak with the best terms about the Companions, all of them,
And do not be one who speaks ill of them, pointing out their faults and criticizing,

(20) Since the clear Revelation has spoke of their excellence,
    And in (Soorah) al-Fat-h are verses about the Companions, praising them.

(21) And regarding the pre-ordained Qadr, be convinced, since it is
The pillar that combines many affairs of the Religion, and the Religion encompasses much.

(22) And do not reject, out of ignorance, (belief in) Nakeer and Munkar,
Or the Pool or the Scales, surely you are being advised sincerely.

(23) And say: Allaah, the Great, will remove, from of His Grace,
Out of the Fire, people, burned severely, who will then be tossed

(24) Into the river in Firdows, wherein they will regain life by its water,
Like a seed taken by a flood that comes and wipes things away with its abundant water.

(25) And surely, the Messenger of Allaah will intercede,
And speak about the punishment of the grave, that it is the truth, made clear.

(26) And do not make takfeer of those who pray, even if they commit sins,
Since all of them commits sins, while the Owner of the Throne forgives graciously.

(27) And do not hold a belief like that of the Khawaarij, for it is
A position held by only those who desire it, and it is destructive and disgraceful.

(28) And do not be a Murji', one who plays games with his religion,
Surely, the Murji' is joking about the religion (ie. not taking it seriously).

(29) And say: Eemaan (faith) consists of statements, intentions,
And Actions, according to the explicit statement of the Prophet.

(30) And it decreases sometimes, due to disobedience, and sometimes
Because of obedience it grows, and on the Scale it will outweigh (other things).

(31) And keep yourself from the opinions of people and their stances,
Since the stance of the Messenger of Allaah is more befitting and easier on one's chest.

(32) And do not be from those who play games with their religion,
Attacking the people of hadeeth and reviling them.

(33) If you keep this belief all your life, O holder of this (poem),
You will be upon goodness, day and night.

THE KEY TO PARADISE

The famous Taabi'i Wahb ibn Munabbih was once asked,

”Isn’t the statement of laa ilaaha ill Allah, the key to Paradise? He answered, "Yes, but every key has ridges. If you come with the key that has the right ridges, the door will open for you, yet if you do not have the right ridges the door will not open for you."

In the verses of Quran and Hadiths, we can find these conditions, ( the ridges of that key):

 1. Knowledge:

One most know what is meant by the shahaadah , understanding what the shahaadah affirm and what deny.

 2. Certainty:

This is the opposite to doubt... In Islam any kind of doubt is equivalent to kufr or disbelief.

We most in our hearts be absolutely certain of the truth of the shahaadah.

The greatest cure for the doubts is getting knowledge.

3. Acceptance:

If a person has the knowledge of and certainty in the shahaadah, this must be followed by the acceptance, with his tongue and heart, of whatever the shahaadah implies. This mean too, that he believes in whatever is state in the Quran or stated by the prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam), without any right to choose what he wants to believe and wants he wants to reject.

4. Submission and compliance:

This is one of the means of the word ISLAM,

"The submission to the wills and commands of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala)"

5. Truthfulness:

This means that when we say the Shahaadah, we are saying it honestly. We aren't lying.

6. Sincerity:

When we make the Shahaadah, we must do it for the sake of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala), is the opposite of Shirk.

One of the signs that we are Muslims for the sake of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) is that we do whatever Allah asks of us.

7. Love:

The believer most loves the shahaadah, he loves in accordance with the shahaadah, he loves the requirements of the shahaadah , and he loves those who act for the sake of the shahaadah. The one meeting the conditions of the Shahaadah, puts no one whatsoever as an equal to Allah in his love.

8. Denial of all other deities:

The person that make the shahaadah, most deny any other object of worship.

9. Adherence to the shahaadah until death:

Is that the Muslim adheres to the shahaadah until death, the shahaadah must be your banner until your death.

SOURCE: THE CONDITIONS OF LAA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH

ONLY ALLAH IS THE CREATOR

Making images implies that one is trying to match the creation of Allah(Subhanna wa ta'ala). The matter also has to do with ‘aqeedah when these images are taken as idols which are worshipped instead of Allah(Subhanna wa ta'ala).

Evidences that image-making is the exclusive preserve of Allaah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) are the following: 

In the Holy Quran:

 Allah says:

“He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He wills”

                              (al ‘Imraan :6)

“And surely, We created you  and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves to Adam’”

                               (al-A’raaf :11)

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise”

                            (al-Hashr :24)

“O man! What has made you careless about your Lord, the Most Generous? Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion. In whatever form He willed, He put you together.”

                          (al-Infitaar:6-8)

 From the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam):

It was reported from ‘A’ishah Umm al-Mu’mineen that Umm Habeebah and Umm Salamah mentioned a church which they had seen in Ethiopia, in which there were images. They  told the Prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) about it, and he said: “Those people, if there was a righteous man among them and he died, they would build a place of worship over his grave and put images in it. These will be the most evil of creation before Allaah on the Day of Resurrection.”

                 (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 417; Muslim, 528)
 Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said: This hadeeth indicates that making images is haraam. (Fath al-Baari, 1/525).

 Al-Nawawi said:
Our  companions and other scholars said: making images of animate beings is extremely haraam and is a major sin, because severe warnings have been issued against it in the ahaadeeth. Whether the image is made to be used in a disrespectful fashion or for other purposes, it is haraam to make it in all cases, because it implies that one is trying to match the creation of Allaah, whether the image is to appear on a garment, carpet, coin, vessel, wall or whatever. With regard to pictures of trees, camel saddles, and other pictures in which no animate beings appear, these are not haraam. This is the ruling on making images. (Sharh Muslim, 14/81)

Sa’eed ibn Abi’l-Hasan said: I was with Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia Allahu anhun) when a man came to him and said, O Abu ‘Abbaas, I am a man who lives by what his hands make, and I make these images. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: I will only tell you what I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) say. I heard him say: “Whoever makes an image, Allaah will punish him until he breathes life into it, and he will never be able to do that.” The man became very upset and his face turned pale, so [Ibn ‘Abbaas] said to him, Woe to you! If you insist on making images, then make images of these trees and everything that does not have a soul.

            (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2112; Muslim, 2110).

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) say: The people who will be the most severely punished before Allaah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image makers.

            (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5606; Muslim, 2109).

It was reported from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia Allahu anhun) that the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) said: Those who make these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them, Give life to that which you have created!

                (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5607; Muslim, 2108).

It was reported that Abu Hurayrah entered a house in Madeenah and saw somebody making images in it. He said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) say: Allaah says:Who does greater wrong than one who goes and creates something like My creation? Let them create a seed or a small ant!

             (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5609; Muslim, 2111).
Al-Nawawi said:
Concerning the words of Allaah. “Let them create a small ant or a seed or a grain of barley!” means, let them create a small ant which has a soul and moves by itself, like this small ant which was created by Allaah. Or let them create  a grain of wheat or barley, i.e., let them create a grain which is eaten as food or which can be planted so it will grow and which has the characteristics of a grain of wheat or barley or other seeds which were created by Allaah. This is impossible, as stated above. (Sharh Muslim, 14/90). None can bring forth living vegetation out of nothing except Allaah, may He be glorified.

 Abu Juhayfah said: the Prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) forbade the price of a dog and the price of blood, and he forbade tattooing and asking to be tattooed, and the consumption or paying of ribaa, and he cursed those who make images.

                      (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1980).

BIOGRAPHY OF OUR PROPHET:ADAM

Allah (Sub Hanna wa ta’ala) said:

“Remember when your Lord said to the angels: 'Verily, I am going to placemankind generations after generations on earth.' They said: 'Will You placetherein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with praises and thanks (exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.' Allah said: 'I know that which you do not know.'

Allah taught Adam all the names of everything, then He showed them to the angels and said: "Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful." They (angels) said: "Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what You have taught us.

Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise."He said: "O Adam! Inform them of their names," and when he had informed them of their names, He said: "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been hiding?"Remember when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourself before Adam" They prostrated except Iblis, he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers(disobedient to Allah)."

We said: "O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and both of youfreely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zalimeen (wrongdoers)."Then the Satan made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: "Get you down all with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time."Then Adam received from his Lord Words. His Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the most Merciful.

We said: "Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then wheneverthere comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, and signs and revelations, etc.) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever. (Al Baqarah:30-39)

 

 Abi Musa al Sha'arai narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah created Adam from a handful of dust taken from different lands, so the children of Adam have been created according to the composition of the land. Therefore from mankind we have white, red, black and yellow ones; we have good and evil, ease and sorrow, and what comes in between them."    (Sahih al Bukhari).

 

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salaam) said: "Allah created Adam from dust after He mixed the clay and left him for some time until it became sticky mud, after which Allah shaped him. After that Allah left him till it became like potter's clay. Iblis used to go past him saying 'You have been created for a great purpose.' After that Allah breathed His spirit into him.The first thing into which the spirit passed was his eye and then his nose. He sneezed. Allah said:

"May your Lord have mercy upon you, O Adam! Go to those angels and see what they would say.' So Adam went and greeted them. they replied saying: "Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah." Allah said: "O Adam! This is your greeting and that of your offspring.  (Sahih al Bukhari).

Allah(Sub Hanna wa ta’ala) said:

"Remember when your Lord brought forth from the children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam's loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves saying: 'Am I not your Lord?' They said: 'Yes! We testify' lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection:. 'Verily we have been unaware of this'. Or lest you should say: 'It was only our father aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allah and we were merely their descendants after them; will you then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practiced al batil (polytheism) and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allah?'Thus do We explain the Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations etc.) in detail so that they may turn unto the truth. (Al Araf:172-174).

Adam opened his eyes and saw all the angels prostrating before him except one being who was standing at a distance Adam did not know what kind of creature it was that did not prostrate before him nor did he know its name. Iblis was standing with the angels so as to be included in the command given to them but he was not one of them. He was a jinn, and as such he was supposed to be inferior to the angels. What is clear is that this prostration was to show respect and did not mean that the angels were worshipping Adam. Prostrating in worship is done only for Allah..

Allah(Sub Hanna wa ta’ala) granted Adam the power to know the natures of all things and to summarize them by names; that is a bird, that is a star, that is a tree, etc. Allah implanted in Adam an insatiable need for and love of knowledge and a desire to bequeath knowledge to his children. This was the reason for his creation and the secret of his glorification. After Adam had learned the names of all things, along with their  properties and uses, Allah presented them to the angels and said:"Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful. (Al Baqarah :31)

Adam knew the names of everything. Sometimes he talked to the angels, but they were preoccupied with worshipping  Allah (Sub Hanna wa ta’ala). Therefore Adam, felt lonely. One day he slept and when he awoke he found near his head, a woman gazing at his face with beautiful tender eyes.

The angels asked him her name he replied: "Eve (Hawa)." (means living things). They asked: "Why did you call her Eve?" Adam said: "Because she was created of me and I am a living being."

Adam and eve were admitted to Paradise and there they lived the dream of all human beings. Allah permitted them to approach and enjoy everything except one tree, that might have been the Tree of Pain or the Tree of Knowledge. Allah forbade them they were give abode in Paradise."But come not near this tree or you both will be of the wrong doers." (Al Baqarah:35)

Adam and Eve understood that they were forbidden to eat the fruit of that tree. Adam was however a human being and man tends to forget. His heart changes and his will weakens. Iblis summoned all the envy within him and took advantage of Adam's humanity to exploit him. He started to whisper to him day after day, coaxing him: "Shall I guide you to the Tree of Immortality and the Eternal Kingdom?" He said to them: "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals." He (Satan) swore by Allah to them both saying: "Verily I am one of the sincere well wishers for you both." (Al Araf:20-21)

Adam asked himself: "What will happen if I eat from this tree? It might truly be the Tree of Immortality." His dream was to live forever in the pure innocence of Paradise."Years went by, and Adam and Eve were preoccupied with thoughts of that tree. Then one day they decided to eat of its fruit. They forgot that Allah had warned them not to approach it and that Iblis was their sworn enemy. Adam stretched out his hand, picked one of the fruits andoffered it to Eve. They both ate of the forbidden tree.Allah said: "Thus did Adam disobey his Lord so he went astray."(Taha:121).

Adam had hardly finished eating when he felt his heart contract, and he as filled with pain, sadness and shame. The surrounding atmosphere had changed and the internal music had stopped.He discovered that he and his wife were naked, so they both started cutting tree leaves with which to cover themselves.

Allah (Sub Hanna wa taála) addressed him:

"Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily Satan is an open enemy unto you?" They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." Allah said; "Get down, one of you an enemy to the other (Adam, Eve, and Satan etc.). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment, for a time." He said: "Therein you shall live and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (resurrected)." (Al Araf:22-25).

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salaam) said: "The best of days on which the sun has risen is Friday. One this day Adam was created, and on this day he was descended to earth." (al Bukhari)

Adam knew he bade farewell to peace and he left Paradise. On earth he had to face conflict and

struggle. No sooner had one ended than another began. He also had to toil to sustain himself. He had to protect himself with clothes and weapons and protect his wife and children from the wild beasts. Above all, he had to struggle with the spirit of evil. Satan, the cause of his expulsion from Paradise, continued to beguile him and his children in an effort to have them thrown into the eternal hellfire. The battle between good and evil is continuous, but those who follow Allah's guidance and should fear nothing while those who disobey Allah and follow Iblis will be damned along with him. Before his death Adam reassured his children that Allah would not leave man alone on the earth, but would sent His prophets to guide them. The prophets would have different names, traits and miracles, but they would be united in one thing; the call to worship Allah alone. This was Adam's bequest to his children. Adam finished speaking and closed his eyes. Then the angels entered his Room and surrounded him. When he recognized the Angel of Death among them, his heart smiled peacefully.

Source: Stories of the Prophets, of Ibn Katheer

 



       

IMAN, NO ONLY IN OUR HEARTS

Iman is believe and conviction in the heart, Speech of the tongue,and action of the limbs.
Iman increases  by performing good deeds and decreases by committing sins.
Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) said in Quran:

"Verily, we have sent you, oh Muhammad, as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings , and as a warner." (Al fath:8)

The prophet (Sala Allahu alaihi wa salam) said:

"Iman is seventy odd branches: the hightest is to say Laa Ilaaha Ill -Allah, the lowest is to remove harm from the path; and modesty is a branch of Iman"

                                (Muslim)

Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) writes in Kitaab al-Imaan:

"One must understand that if any term is found in the Qur'aan and the Hadeeth, and its explanation is known and its meaning is made clear by the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), then there is no need to use any linguistic meanings as evidence…

The words Salaah, Zakat, Siyaam (fasting), Hajj are found in the words of Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). The same is true for the word Khamr (intoxicants) and others. From him (Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)), one knows their meanings. If anyone wants to explain such terms in a way, other than how the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) explained it, such an explanation will not be accepted… The terms Imaan, Islam, Nifaaq (hypocrisy) and Kufr are more important than these terms.

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) explained the meanings of these terms in such a way that it is not necessary to look for their linguistic origins or how they were used by the pre-Islamic Arabs and so forth. Therefore, it is a must that while trying to determine the meanings of such terms, one looks at how Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) explained them. Their explanation is clear and sufficient… the heretics have been misled on this matter.

Eeman is explicitly described in the famous hadeeth of Jibreel (alaihis-salaam), when he (alaihis-salaam) asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam): "What is Eeman?" He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) replied: "Eeman is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and to believe in the Predestination; the good and the bad." [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim].

BELIEF OF THE HEART: Heart is the root of Eeman. If the belief of the heart is not firm and correct then no other deed or action can be perfect. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "There is a lump of flesh in the body. When it is sound, the whole body is sound; but when it goes wrong, the whole body goes wrong (as a result). It is the heart!!" [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Belief in the heart constitutes of two parts: -

(a) Statement of the Heart, i.e. Tasdeeq (Affirmation) made up of Recognition, Knowledge and Affirmation of Allah and His Commands.

(B) Actions of the Heart i.e. Inqiyaad (Submission) made up of Acceptance and Submission to Allah and His Commands.

The first aspect of Recognition and Knowledge is ingrained in the human nature (i.e. Fitrah Natural Instinct). The second aspect of Submission requires to be implied. Therefore, the main message of all the Messengers of Allah (alaihis-salaam) and their dispute with the disbelievers was specifically the second aspect; i.e. 'Submission to the Commands of Allah.'

Allah says: "And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah (Alone) and avoid Taghoot." [Soorah an-Nahl (16): 36]

It was difficult for the disbelievers to accept and submit to the Commands of Allah because they lacked the love for the Truth.

Allah says: "…he brought them the Truth, but most of them are averse (unwilling, opposed) to the Truth." [(23): 70]

And: "It is not you (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)) that they deny, but it is the signs of Allah that the wrongdoers deny." [Soorah al-An'aam: 33]

But "If you ask them (the disbelievers) who created them, they will surely say: "Allah" How then are they turned away (from His worship)?" [(43): 87]

Thus, in general, the truth of Allah's Oneness (Allah's Lordship) is clear to all, but they do not accept and submit to the Commands of Allah, which Allah refers as Truth in the verse. This is one of the major aspects that distinguish Mumin (believer) from Mushrikeen (non-believers).

Thus, the belief of the heart is the most important component of Eeman. One who desires to be certain about his Eeman and safeguard himself from loosing it (Eeman) - he must Recognize the Truth, Desire the Truth and hold Love for it (meaning adhere firmly to the Commands of Allah). This should also be combined with hatred for falsehood and disbelief, because Allah mentioned love for Faith along with the hatred for disbelief and disobedience in the verse:

"But Allah has endured the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience hateful to you. These are the rightly guided ones." [Soorah Hujurat (49): 7]

SPEECH OF THE TONGUE:

The second necessary component of Eeman is the confessing of one's Eeman by the Tongue. The simple pronouncement of the words 'La ilaha illAllah' is not the intent - Certainly, the hypocrites did so (merely pronounced the Shahadah) but they were not true believers. The pronouncement of the words must accompany: -

• The Correct Belief in the Lordship of Allah and its related aspects.
• Rejection of all kind of Shirk.
• Adherence to the laws of Islam.

If these principles are not the intent of the proclamation, then such a confession is not beneficial. Hence, before one makes the testimony of Faith, he must clearly understand the meaning and purport of confession.

Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) writes in his book Kitaab al-Eeman:

"The Arabs do not have any such thing in their language as affirmation or denial unless it be in meaning and wording (i.e. unless one understands and verbally confesses). One will not find in Arabic speech statements such as: 'Mr. X believed in Mr. Y' or 'denied him' if Mr. X only knew it in his heart that he (Mr. Y) was true. (Such a statement would only be made if the person) spoke it. Whoever does not affirm his belief in someone with his speech, if he has the ability to do so, is not a believer according to (the language of the) Arabs. Therefore, our pious predecessors of this nation (the Sahabah) and those who follow them in goodness agree on this point.

One who believes in his heart but does no verbally state his belief is not considered as a believer neither in this life nor in the Hereafter. Allah has not declared such a person to be a believer in the Message (the Qur'aan) - simply due to the Knowledge of Eeman in his Heart. He is not considered a believer unless he confirms it by his speech.

Therefore, the outward speech is an essential aspect of Eeman, and according to the earlier and later scholars, one will not be saved unless he verbally testifies. The Muslims agree that he, who does not make the confession of faith although he has the ability to do so, is a disbeliever. He is a disbeliever both inwardly and outwardly according to the pious predecessors and Imams of this nation." [Ibn Taymiyyah, Kitaab al-Eeman, p.126]

ACTION OF THE LIMBS:True belief of the heart results in external Submission to the Commands of Allah. It is not possible that one's belief of the heart is at a high level of Eeman but is not demonstrated by his deeds.

Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: "It is inconceivable that there be a man who is a believer with confirmed belief in the heart that Allah has obligated him to Pray, give Zakaat, Fast and perform Hajj but he lives his whole life without even making one prostration to Allah or never fasting any month of Ramadaan, never paying Zakaat for the sake of Allah and never making pilgrimage to Allah's House. This is impossible!! This would only happen if the person has hypocrisy and opposition to Islam in his heart - It would never happen with a true faith!! For this reason, Allah describes those who refused to prostrate, as unbelievers…" [Muhammad Ibn Taymiyyah Majmoo vol.7, p.611]

The most important belief that should dictate our actions is that Allah All-Mighty exists, He is the Creator and Provider, and none can benefit not harm us except with His Permission. For example, if a person's Eeman in Allah is firm, he will be able to direct all his worship and obedience to Allah and feel no fear to worldly powers.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH (part 2)



From Eemaan (faith) in Allaah is to have eemaan in those of His Asmaa'ul-Husnaa (Beautiful names) and Sifaatul-Ulyaa (Lofty Attributes) that occur in His Great Book and that have been affirmed by His trustworthy Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) -without tahreef (distorting the wording or the meaning), tateel (divesting or denying the Attributes), takyeef(asking how) or tamtheel (resembling Allaah to any of His creation). Rather,it is obligatory to leave them as they came, without takyeef (asking how) or tamtheel (resembling Allaah to any of His creation). Along with this, it is also obligatory to have eemaan in the meaning that Allaah-the Mighty and Majestic-has been described with, in a way which befits Him: without resembling Him to His creation in any of His attributes.

So this is the 'aqeedah (belief) of Ahlu-Sunah wal-Jammaaah from the Companions of the Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) and those who followed them in goodness. This is what has been recordeed also by Imaam Abul-Hasan al-Asharee (d.324H)(rah) in his book:"Al-Maqaalat 'an Ashaabul-Hadeeth wa Ahlus-Sunnah". This has also been stated by many others from the people of knowledge and eemaan.

All those who oppose Ahlus-Sunnah in their aqeedah concerning Allahs names and attributes, have indeed fallen into opposing the textual evidences and sound reasoning along with clearly contradicting all that Allah has affirmed or negated for Himself.

So, Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah affirm for Allah -The Most Perfect -what He has affirmed for Himself in His Noble Book, or what has been affirmed for Him by His Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) in the authentic Sunnah. Affirming without tamtheel (resemblance) and freeing Allaah - the Most Perfect - from any resemblance to His creation, whilst also rejecting and being free from ta'teel. So whosoever holds fast to the truth which Allaah sent, humbling and accepting it, whilst being sincere to Allaah in the quest for it, then it is the way of Allah - the Most perfect - that He will grant such a person harmony with the truth and show them His clear evidences, as Allaah - the Most High - mentions

"Tahreef (distortion) means: changing the wordings of the Names and attributes, or changing their meanings. Like the saying of the Jahmiyyah that istiwaa(ascending above) is istawlaa (conquering and having dominion over); and like the saying of some of the Innovators that al-Ghadab (Anger) when refering to Allaah means 'intending to send blessings'. And all of this is tahreef. And their saying about istiwaa that it is istawlaa is tahreef of the wording, and their saying that ar-Rahmah is intending to send to send blessings and al-Ghadab is intending to punish is tahreef of the meaning.The true saying,howvere is that istiwaa means ascending and being above- as is clear in the Arabic language. And the QURAN came to show that its meaning is ascending and being above the arsh (Throne) in a manner which befits Allaahs Majesty and Greatness. Likewise,al-Ghadab and ar-Rahmanhare two real Attributes befitting Allahs Majesty and Greatness-just as is the case with the rest of the Attributes reported in the Book and the Sunnah.

Tateel (divesting) means; removal of the attributes and to deny them for allaah -the Most high. It is taken from their saying: 'A graceful neck without adornment (muattal) .So the Jahmiyyah and their like divest Allaah of His attributes and are thus called the Muaattilah. And this saying of theirs is totally futile, since it is not posible for there to be anything in existence without attributes - and the Quran and the Sunnah repeatedly affirm Attributes (for Allaah) in a manner befitting Allaah's Majesty and Greatness.

Takyeef means: Explaining how the Attributes are. So it is not said :"How did he ascend?" Since, speaking about the Attributes of Allaah follows the same principle, and is treated the same, as speaking about the Dhaat (Essence/Self) of Allah. So just as He has a Dhaat and we do not not know how it is,t hen likewise, He has Siffat (Attributes) and we do not know how they are either, no one knows that except Him. But we believe in the reality of their meaning.

As regards to tamtheel , then it means: tashbeeh (making resemblance). So it is not said: Allaah has a Dhaat (Essence) like ours,or resembling ours,etc. Thus, it is not said about the Attributes of Allaah that they are like --or resembling -- our Attributes. Rather,the Believer must stick to His - the Most High's --saying: "There is nothing like Him". And the meaning is that there is none who resembles Him.

Texts of sheikh ibn baz (rahimahu ALlah)Al-Aqeedatus-Saheehah wa Ma Yudaadahaa(pp.9-13)

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH (part 1)

" And to Him belong the most beautiful names ,
so suplicate to Him with them..."
(Al A-raf , 180)

The first obligation that Allah (Subhanna wa a'ala) obligated upon the people is to know Him. If they truly come to know Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala), they will worship Him as He deserves.

"And know that there is none that is rightfully worshipped except Allah..."

            (Muhammad:190)

Bringing the  mercy of Allah to mind causes one to hope , remembering His characteristic of being severe in punishment for disobedience instigates fear , and acknowledging His characteristics of being the exclusive giver of gifts creates a feeling of gratefulness. Therefore , what is meant by worshipping Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) through His Names and Attributes is that one learns them properly , undestands their meanings , and acts accordingly.

DIFERENT BETWEEN THE NAMES OF ALLAH (SUBHANNA WA TA'ALA)  AND HIS ATTRIBUTES

The Names  of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) and His Attributes both share the feature that allowed them to seek refuge and swearing by them.

• It is allowed to supplicate to Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) using one of His Names , or name oneself " the slave of..." one of His Names, but  this is not allowed with His Attributes. Ex:               One may call himself  Abd al Kareem (the slave of the Most Generous) but no Abd  al Karam (slave of Generosity); and one may supplicate "oh Kareem (the Most Generous)" but not "oh Karam (Generosity ) of Allah"
• One may derive Attributes  from the Names of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) , but one may not derive Names from His Attributes. Ex:             The Attributte  " Rahman" (Mercy) from His name "Ar-Rahman ( The Mercifull) but no the name  "Al Mustawi" (The One who Rises Over) from His Attribute of "al  istiwaa" (Rising Over ).
• One may not derive Names from the actions of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala). Ex:                     One may not say that one of the Names of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala)  is  al ghaadhib (the angry) based on the fact  that Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) becomes angry.
• One may , however , derive Attributes from His actions. Ex: Thus affirm that one of the Attributes of Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) is Ghadab (angry) due to the fact  that  He becomes angry.

                                                                 

TAWHEED (MONOTHEISM)

THE ONENESS OF ALLAH

 *  Islam is the real and purposeful willing submission to the Will ofAllah. This is precisely the meaning of Islam. That is, to submit yourself willingly , of course , for the purpose of believing in Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala). The code of Islam is the worship of one God , that is At-Tawheed (monotheism). In other words , worship Allah alone and do not associate anything whether big or small with Him.

BELIEF IN HIS ATTRIBUTES

*Tawheed is to believe in Allah and to believe in all His attributes and seek His help in things that nobody can perform except Him.

Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) named His attributes in the Quran.

BELIEF IN HIS MESSENGERS

*The essence of His message was sent to all the messengers of Allah. But now and then , the forces of evil tried to divert man or to distract him from the Straight Path. As a result , we will have a barrier of the form of worship of One Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala).Since then , messengers now and then came to correct his deviation which leads man away from Allah. The correction , therefore , is needed from Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala).

.

 *All the messengers of Allah were sent with that message to their people.This is exactly what Noah, Shoaib, Moses, Jesus,Muhammad and the rest of messengers conveyed in their message. The words they used might have differed , but the gist of the message has always been the same. Probably the change in the message here and there might have differed according to the needs of the society and the evolution of history.

*Thus , Islam is the submission to the Will of Allah as is brought by messengers that Allah has sent to mankind. It is compulsory  for a person to be a believer or to be a Muslim to really submit to the Will of Allah , to believe in all the messengers of Allah. He must  believe in the messengers sent during his time, and in messengers sent before his time.The message of Muhammad is the final act of Allah´s revelation. It is the most comprehensive message , which if rejected, excludes them from the believer´s  fold.

This is a kind of a general rule- that all the messengers´message should be accepted as part of an unbroken chain.

*In the case of Prophet Muhammad, he is the final messenger and also the greatest. His greatnes is not only mentioned in the muslim sources , but also in non Muslim ones. So nobody can claim that he is a believer in Allah and at the time refuse to believe in Muhammad.

*Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) made it very clear in the Quran and instructed the Muslims to say that they believe in Allah and what was revealed to all His messengers; that they don't not make any distinction between them and submit to them all because  they all  came from the same One God.

BELIEF IN HIS CREATURES

*Besides making this very clear to their people, they indicated that faith( Iman) in the existence of Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) and also believe in the existence of other creatures of Allah, especially the angels, is very important.

* As regard angels, they are functioning for Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) . He creates them to perform various jobs that He assigns them. We do not see them, but  He has described them as being the best of creatures . They do whatever they are instructed to do and are created out of light, the Quran and the prophet  told us.

There is another kind of creature whom also we do not see. These are referred to as Jinn, created from fire. These Jinn are of two kinds. Some of them are believers and others are non-believers, just like human beings.

BELIEF IN HIS BOOKS

 *All the books that were revealed from Allah to His messengers to lead  them to the Straight Path. He cannot remain a Muslim while rejecting the Books revealed to Abraham , Moses, and the rest of the messengers.

BELIEF IN THE HEREAFTER

*The hereafter, includes resurrection and deeds, which will be brought before Allah for Judgement. Then the doer of good deeds will be taken to Paradise and the evil doer will be consigned to Hell.To be in Paradise, the supreme source of happines, by contarst, the hell will be filled with the sinners and the non-believers, who will be tortured physically and mentally.

BELIEF IN THE PREDESTINATION

*Allah , Who has created everything in this universe, knowes exactly what has happened, what is happening and what will happen in the future.

*Allah recorded every single thing that happens or is going to happen in the universe in a book that leaves nothing at all.Nothing will happen in the universe except with His permission and under His control.

*Space or time does not limit this kind of comprehensive knowledge.

These points are the pillars of faith, and with this we conclude  this short explication  of TAWHEED.

TEXT TAKEN FROM THE BOOK: INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM BY HIS EMINENCE SHAIKH ABDULAZIZ BIN ABDULLAH BIN BAZ.

May Allah (Subhanna wa ta'ala) lead us to the Right Path and bestow his guidance on us all.