Lessons on Tawheed: Week six
Innal hamdalillah was’salaato was’salaam Alaa Rasoolillah
Before continuing onto further aspects under the heading of ‘manifestations of du’ah’, we will InshaAllah look into three matters that are of great importance in WORSHIP IN ISLAM, and also in general within our daily lives.
• Love
• Hope &
• Fear
Love fear and hope is the balance in worshipping Allah SWT
1. Love is the foundation of worship in Islam.
2. Love of Allah and for Allah SWT.
3. Fear and hope are the two balancing parts.
4. Fear of the wrath of Allah SWT and hope in the Mercy of Allah SWT.
Contemplate this description:
Imam Ibnul Qayyim Rahimahullah said that worship in Islam is like a bird. The head is love, its wings are hope and fear. If the head is severed then the bird is dead. If any of the wings are not balanced, then the bird would not be able to fly properly.
This co-incides with what Allah SWT says in Suratul Israa: 57
أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَى رَبِّهِمُ الْوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ وَيَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَهُ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحْذُورًا
“Those whom they call upon desire [of themselves] means of access to their Lord, as to which of them should be the nearest; and they hope for His Mercy and fear His Torment. Verily, the Torment of your Lord is [something] to be afraid of” Israa: 57
The question is, to what degree is each required?
So, love is what keeps ibaadah in place, while worshipping between hope and fear, is what balances matters.
What is love in the context that we are speaking of it?
Love of Allah SWT and Love for Allah SWT
Which one?
• Love of Allah SWT is the basis of our ibaadah.
• Love for Allah SWT is ibaadah itself
There are four types of love:
1. Love of Allah SWT
2. Love for Allah SWT [for the divine] e.g. Qur’an, Prophets, Believers,
righteous deeds etc
3. Natural love
4. Love that is Shirk
Love of Allah SWT
Ibaadah was also defined as complete/extreme humility combined with complete/extreme love. The beginning is upon interest, and its peak is extreme adoration. Why? At first the heart is interested in the beloved, then after the interest comes affection, then love and finally extreme adoration.
Love must be combined with submission, in order for it to be worship! If someone submits to someone due to force, or with hatred, or disdain, then that is not worshipping him. Similarly if one does not submit to someone, yet loves them, that is also not worship. It is like someone who loves his son or friends, but does not submit to them.
Love must be combined with submission, in order for it to be worship!
Our Love of Allah SWT, must be the greatest in our sights. Why? Nothing deserves complete love and complete submission, except Allah SWT. If something or someone is held in high regard, glorified, yet that was not commanded by Allah SWT, then that glorification will be rejected by Islam.
Lowest degree of love is that the love of Allah SWT should reign supreme in our hearts.
Test: If someone you love calls you to do something which incurs the wrath of Allah SWT – what choice have you/do you/will you make?
The utmost degree of love is that there remains not the slightest love for other than Allah.
Allah SWT says:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّهِ
• “Those who believe are fervent in their love of Allah” 2:165
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ
• “O you who believe! If any among you turns back on his faith, Allah will bring a people whom He loves and who love him…” 5:54
The love for Allah (SWT) and Ar-Rasool (SAAWS) should override any other love.
قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
Allah (SWT) said: “Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and Fighting in His Cause; then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the rebellious folk.” [At-Tawbah:24]
The essence of love and obedience must be due to Allah and His Messenger
يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللّهِ لَكُمْ لِيُرْضُوكُمْ وَاللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُواْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
“But it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAAWS) if they are (true) believers.” [At-Tawbah:62]
This is the objective; this is the goal, such that attaining the pleasure of Allah SWT, should be in our minds at all times. Is it not true, that if one loves someone, lets say your wife, and if we do something that is displeasing to them, we try by all means to attain their forgiveness and their love again? When it comes to Allah SWT, and loving Allah SWT, then this should always be in our minds, if I do this then am I pleasing Allah SWT? This that I did, did I attain the displeasure of Allah SWT?
This is the foundation of worship in Islam – Love.
It is deep, such that it is what aids one by providing the foundation of attaining the objective of being created. To worship Allah SWT. The love of Allah SWT must take precedence of our close family, friends, our desires, our homes, our businesses. This is why, it is said that this prepares one for the sacrifices required to make, in order to attain the pleasure of Allah SWT. This is the foundation, upon which ibaadah is built.
This foundation, is what is tested, tried, and placed under tremendous pressure. It is something that lies in the heart. Along with it lies, love of all the things we know of, whether we admit it or not, that we love this or that, we love so and so.
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْلَكُمْ
Allah SWT says: “Say: ‘If you love Allah, then follow me [Muhammad S.A.W.] Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins” Aal-Imran: 31
We will be tested, are we truthful or not, in developing and building this foundation. This is a foundation to attain what? Jannah! So here is the test, we profess love of Allah SWT upon our tongues, yet we do not follow what Muhammad S.A.W. came with, Qur’an and Authentic Sunnah? The result is this would only lead one to make the foundation weak, and to be against the test of truthfulness.
يَا أَيُّهَاالَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ
كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَاللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” As-Saff: 2-3
Love is something that is hidden, it exists in the heart and therefore anyone can claim to have it; Allaah informs us about the Jews and the Christians:
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى نَحْنُ أَبْنَاء اللّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ قُلْ فَلِمَ يُعَذِّبُكُم بِذُنُوبِكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ
“But the Jews and the Christians say: ‘We are the children of Allaah and His beloved.’ Say: ‘Then why does He punish you for your sins?’ Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created…” [Al-Maa’idah: 18]
Love is easy to claim but difficult to prove. One should not allow himself to be deceived by the thoughts which Satan brings to his mind, making him think that he loves Allaah; a person should first test himself by means of practical indicators in order to ascertain his claim. It is as Umar R.A. said that we should bring ourselves to account before we brought to account.
Allah SWT says: “Say: ‘If you love Allah, then follow me [Muhammad S.A.W.] Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins” Aal-Imran: 31
Ibn Kathir in his tafsir of this verse, mentions that this verse rules that people who merely claim love of Allah SWT, yet do not follow or strive to follow the path of Muhammad S.A.W. – will remain liars until such time that they adopt the shari’ah of Muhammad S.A.W. in words and deeds.
Muhammad S.A.W. said: “Whoever pursues or does any action that is not in accordance with our guidance will have it rejected.”
This is a reality, that is hard to except in a time of information and news. Information and news of people, what they say, what they calling for, what they doing!
فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىَ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيمًا
But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” An-Nisa: 65
The link between loving Allah SWT, and following Muhammad S.A.W. is just as close as the link between claiming the love and being happy with the shari’ah that Muhammad S.A.W. came with:
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُوَيُدْعَى إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ
“He it is Who sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that it should be victorious and superior over all other religions, even though the pagans hate it.” As-Saff: 7
O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. Have you seen those (hyprocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taghut (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaitan (Satan) wishes to lead them far astray.
Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal in explaining the verse:
اتَّخَذُواْ أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ
“They took their Rabbis and priests as lords besides Allah..”9:31
QUOTES Adi ibn Haatim as saying to Muhammad S.A.W. that ‘Truly they did not worship them”, and Muhammad S.A.W. replied saying: “They most certainly did. They made the haraam for them halaal and they made the halaal for them haraam, then they [people] obeyed them [rabbis and priets]. So that is how they worshipped them”
Imam Ahmed said: “The hadith says that if they ‘obeyed’ them, it is shirk. There is no mention that they ‘said’ that they were lords besides Allah. A sign for a Muslim that he is a real Muslim and happy with Islam is that if Allah SWT ruled or ordered or forbids, he must be happy. There is no resentment in his heart and he surrenders and submits in full, even though it is against his whims and interests or it is against the saying of his Shaikh or his group” Madaarij us-Saalikin Vol2, pg. 118
As sheikh Bilal Phillips explains: “Since the term ‘Ebaadah means total obedience and Allaah is considered the ultimate Lawgiver, the implementation of secular legal systems not based on divine law (Sharee’ah) is an act of disbelief in the divine law and belief in the correctness of such systems, such a belief constitutes a form of worshipping other than Allaah (Shirk). Allaah said in the Qur’aan:
“Those who do not rule by what Allaah has revealed are disbelievers (Kaafiroon). ” Al-Maa’idah
Allah SWT says: “Say: ‘If you love Allah, then follow me [Muhammad S.A.W.] Allah will love you….” Meaning that you will get more than you asked for, if you love Allah SWT – what is that? It is the objective that we mentioned earlier. It is the pleasure of Allah SWT! If you love Allah SWT, you will get more than you bargained for, and that is Allah will love you! This is the crux of the matter, as the ulema have explained that the objective is not to merely love, but to be loved.
And so Hasan Al Basri said that the people claimed that they loved Allah and so Allah tested them with this verse: “Say: ‘If you love Allah, then follow me [Muhammad S.A.W.] Allah will love you….”
But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” An-Nisa: 65
So we see that the Islamic view of worship, is really truly all encompassing of both speech and action, the hidden and the apparent. The Islamic view, as Shaikh Bilal Phillips says it “includes more than just fasting, paying Zakaah, Hajj and animal sacrifices. It includes emotions like love, trust, and fear, all of which have degrees which should only be directed to God. Allaah has addressed these emotions and warned against excesses in them”
“There are among men those who take (for worship) others besides Allaah as equals to Him. They love them as they should only love Allaah. But those who believe have a much greater love of Allaah…”
This is the foundation of worship in Islam. The head of the bird that represents that path or journey to Allah SWT. If it is not present, then the bird without a head is dead.
Love is characterized by longing for the loved one, horror of separation, hope of having one’s love reciprocated.
Love of Allaah is life itself, and to be deprived of it entails a terrible death; it is the light without which one would sail in a sea of darkness; it is the cure without which one’s heart
will be overwhelmed by a multitude of diseases; it is the joy without which one will
remain in permanent grief; it is the essence of faith and deeds, without which they become
like a soulless body.
It is the means without which people will never reach their destination nor attain their
place in Paradise; it is the means with which people reach their beloved (i.e., Allaah). I swear by Allaah that if people can achieve this honour in both this life and the Hereafter, then they have attained the true joy and happiness.
Then there is also love for Allah SWT which in short is what is called Al-Wala, or covered in this essential aspect of our belief, which legally means: “to totally agree with the sayings, deeds and beliefs which please Allah and the persons whom He likes”
This must be learnt, studied, understood, implemented and established, Al-Wala’u wal-Bara!
Shaikh Bilal Phillips explains in his book Fundamentals of Tawheed: “The acceptance of non-Islamic rule in place of Sharee’ah in Muslim lands is Shirk and an act of Kufr. Those in a position to change it must do so, while those unable to do so must speak out against the rule of Kufr and call for the implementation of Sharee’ah. If even this becomes impossible, un-Islamic government must be sincerely hated and despised for the pleasure of God and the upholding of Tawheed.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Whoever possesses the following three (qualities) will have the sweetness (delight) of faith: The one to whom Allah and His Messenger become dearer than anything else, who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake, and who hates to revert to disbelief as he hates to be thrown into the fire”. [Bukhary and Muslim]
What do you get, should one really truly strive for this. Should one truly begin upon a journey to build a good foundation for purifying ones worship, solely for Allah SWT, without any partners, associates or equals? What do you get?
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, who reported that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:“When Allaah loves a slave, He calls out to Jibreel and says: ‘I love so-and-so, so love him’. Then Jibreel loves him. After that, he (i.e., Jibreel) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that: ‘Allaah loves so-and-so, so love him’; then the inhabitants of the heavens (i.e., the angels) also love him and they then make the people on earth love him too.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
وَعَدَ اللّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ أَكْبَرُ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Allah has promised to the believers -men and women, – Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of ‘Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success.” 9: 72
Now that we have dealt with the foundation of worship, lets take a look at the balancing factors. How do we balance ourselves in our worship of Allah SWT. It is between hope and fear of Allah SWT.
Hope in the mercy of Allah SWT and fearing the Wrath of Allah SWT. Both of these must be present.
وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“Call upon Him with Fear and Hope.” [ Soorah (7): 56]
{س} تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in Fear and Hope.” [(32): 16]
Know that Allah is Severe in punishment and that Allah is Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful” [5:98]
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَى ظُلْمِهِمْ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
But verily, your Lord is full of Forgiveness for mankind inspite of their wrong-doing. And verily, your Lord is (also) Severe in punishment.” Ar-Ra’d: 6
So both fear and hope should be present in our hearts in equal proportions. Anas reported that the Prophet (salla-allahu alaihe wa-sallam) entered upon a young boy who was dying. The Prophet (salla-allahu alaihe wa-sallam) asked, “How are you?” The boy replied, “O Messenger of Allaah, I am in between hoping in Allaah and fearing for my sins.” The Prophet (salla-allahu alaihe wa-sallam) said, “The like of these two qualities do not unite in the heart of a servant except that Allaah gives him what he hopes for and protects him from what he feared.”[Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah
whenever we do a good action, we should hope that it has been accepted by Allaah, but at the same time we should also have fear that maybe it isn’t enough or that the good deed has not been worthy of acceptance. Likewise when we sin, we should have hope that Allaah will accept our repentance and forgive us, but we should also fear that we may be accountable for it.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَسَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Verily your Lord is Quick in Punishment and verily He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Giver of Mercy.” [(7): 167]
Continue with hope and fear next week Inshaallah
Add comment December 24, 2009
Week 5: Lessons on Tawheed
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Innal hamdalillah was’salaato was’salaam Alaa Rasoolillah
Manifestation of worship
Du’ah
“Verily, they used to hasten to do good deeds, and they used to make du’ah to Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us” Al-Anbiya: 90
Du’ah means ‘to call out, to summon’
Ibnul Qayyim said: “Asking what is of benefit to the person, and asking the removal of what is harming him, or [asking] the repelling of it [before it afflicts him]”
Du’ah is mentioned in many ways in Al-Qur’an, such as:
• Worship [Yunus: 106] “And do not call besides Allah that which will not
harm you nor benefit you…”
• Seeking of aid [2:23] “And call upon your witness besides Allah”
• A request [Ghafir: 60] “And call upon Me, for I will answer your
prayers…”
• A praise [Al-Isra: 110]
• A call [Al-Isra: 52]
• Speech [Yunus: 10]
• A question [2:68]
As worship
“Verily, your Lord has said: “Call upon Me, and I will answer you!’ Those who arrogant to worship Allah will enter Hell, humiliated” Ghafir: 60
Nu’am bin Basheer reports Muhammad S.A.W. as saying: “Du’ah is worship”
Du’ah is a type of worship amongst the greatest acts, and easiest to get close to Allah SWT.
“He is the Hayy, there is no deity except Him. SO make du’ah to Him, to Him is the din” Ghafir: 65
Allah SWT equated du’ah with the entire deen! To the entire concept of worship!
“Say [O Muhammad] ‘I make du’ah only to my Lord, and I associate none as partner along with Him” Al-Jinn: 20
• Making du’ah to anyone besides Allah is Shirk!
• Making du’ah for others is du’ah!
Du’ah in relation to Tawheed
When one makes du’ah it is:
1. Acknowledging that Allah exists
2. that Allah is the true Lord
3. Acknowledging that Allah controls all matters – thus – only Allah can
respond!
4. Acknowledging that Allah SWT is the Nourisher, Sustainer, Creator and
Master of the universe
N.B. Even when a non-muslim makes du’ah he is acknowledging the above – so how is it that his du’ah is responded to? By his acknowledgement of the Ruboobiyyah of Allah SWT his du’ah is answered
• Du’ah necessitates that only Allah SWT – Who responds to the du’ah –
should be worshipped
• Du’ah obligates that Allah has the Most Perfect Names and Attributes.
E.g. Only Allah SWT can hear whispering pleas, on matter where
& only Allah SWT can understand the situation a person is in. Allah
SWT Knowledge is all encompassing, and similarly it is only Allah SWT
who can grant something or prevent something from reaching the
servant.
Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Du’aa (supplication) is worship”[Sunan Abu Dawood v.1, no.1474]
Then Muhammad S.A.W. recited the verse: ““And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me, and I will respond to your (Du’aa). Verily, those who scorn My worship (i.e. do not supplicate to Me and do not believe in My Oneness) they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” [(40): 60]
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) encouraged the Muslims to always invoke Allah in supplications, he said: “No Muslim will perform a Du’aa that neither entails a sin, not cutting the relations of the womb, but Allah will give him (or her) one of three: He will either give him what he asks for sooner, or He will keep it for him for the Last Life, or He will avert harm that is equal in proportion from touching him.” They (the companions (radhiallahu anhu)) said: “We will then perform it much.” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Allah is even more (Gracious, Generous, Kind etc.).” [Al-Mishkat]
He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “Allah is shy and Most Gracious, He is shy that the slave raises his hands unto Him (in Du’aa) and then return them empty.” [Saheeh al-Jami]
Point of thought and note:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Ask Allah in Du’aa while certain of deliverance, and know that Allah does not accept Du’aa from an un-attentive, heedless heart.” [Saheeh al-Jami]
What is the reality of your heart, at any and every given time from wake to sleep, from day to day, from month to month?
Some points of note regarding supplicating to other than Allah SWT
“Whoever dies while supplicating to other than Allah as a rival [to him] will enter Hell Fire” Bukhari
(It will be said): “This is because, when Allah Alone was invoked (called upon, sought after) you disbelieved, but when partners were joined to Him, you believed! So the judgment is only with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great!” It is He, Who shows you His Ayat and sends down (rain with which grows) provision for you from the sky. And none remembers but those who turn (to Allah) in obedience and in repentance. So, call you (O Muhammad and the believers) upon (or invoke) Allah making (your) worship pure for Him (Alone). However much the disbelievers may hate (it).” 40: 12-14
And who is more astray than one who calls (invokes) besides Allah, such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls (invocations) to them? And when mankind are gathered (on the Day of Resurrection), they (false deities) will become enemies for them and will deny their worshipping. 46: 5-6
He merges the night into the day, and He merges the day into the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date¬stone). If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call, and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All ¬Knower (of each and everything). 35: 13 – 14
A SMALL CONCLUDING NOTE, A BIT OF THE TOPIC, YET RELATED:
It is often asked: WHO ARE THE AWLIYAA OF ALLAH?
Allaah has mentioned the signs by which His close friends or awliya’ may be known. They are: faith (eemaan) and piety (taqwa). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“No doubt! Verily, the Awliyaa’ of Allaah, no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve. Those who believed, and used to fear Allaah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds)”[Yoonus 10:62-63]
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “All Muslims should measure the deeds of those who are claimed to be awliya’ by that which is in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. If they are in accordance with the Qur’aan and Sunnah, then we hope that he is one of the awliya’ or close friends of Allaah, but if they go against the Qur’aan and Sunnah, then he is not one of the awliya’ of Allaah. Allaah has mentioned in His Book the fair standards by which His awliya’ may be known”
So a person is the the awliyya of Allah to the extent and degree of his firmness upon the eemaan as upheld by Muhammad S.A.W. and the extent and degree of Taqwa, and this matter of being or not being an awliyaa can only be judged by the persons actions, against The Qur’an and the Authentic Sunnah of Muhammad S.A.W. Just as the level of eemaan and taqwa of anyone cannot be known, then so too, one cannot say so and so is an awliyaa of Allah [in the affirmative] but rather one can say that one hopes that so and so is an awliyaa of Allah SWT due to his righteous deeds commonly known from him.
Your brother in Islam
abooasmaa
Add comment November 16, 2009
Categories of Sincerity
As-Salamu Alaykum (peace be upon you),
The People Divide into Four Categories with respect to Sincerity and Adherence to the Guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
This was taken from lessons conducted on the book ‘al-Qawl-ul- Mufid Fee Adillatit-Tawhid’ [Beneficial Speech in Establishing the Evidences of Tawhid] written by one of the major scholars of the Sunnah in Yemen, Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab al-Wasabi.
Al-Qisam al-Awwal (The First Category):
Those who have gathered between Ikhlas (sincerity) and Mutaba’ah (following the guidance of the Prophet).
So their actions, all of them, are for Allah, and all of their statements are for Allah and their giving and their forgiving is for Allah, and their love is for Allah and their hatred is for Allah, and their actions, both in the apparent and the hidden, are for the face of Allah alone.
They do not want by this from the people a recompense or thankfulness, and nor do they seek a high position with them, and they do not seek praise and position in their heart, and they are not fleeing from their rebuke. Verily, they see the people [who are alive] in the position of the people of the grave, those who do not control for them harm or benefit, or life or death, or resurrection. So actions for the people, and seeking a position with them, and hoping in harm or benefit from them [i.e. the general people], is not from them [i.e. these category of people]. Verily, it is from those who are ignorant of the situation and ignorant of their Lord. And whoever knows the people and puts them in their proper places, and knows Allah, is sincere in his actions and his statements and his giving and his forgiving and his love and his hatred. So no one does actions and deeds for the creation other than Allah except that he is ignorant of Allah and ignorant of the creation. For verily, the one who knows Allah and knows the people prefers actions and deeds for Allah over actions and deeds for the people.
And like this their actions, all of them, and their worship is in agreement with the command of Allah, and with what He loves and what He is Pleased with. And Allah does not accept from the people any action except this. And Allah has tested His servants with life and death, so He said:
“Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed.” [Noble Quran 67:2]
And He has made that which is upon the earth as a beauty for them upon the earth so that He may test them which of them are best in actions and deeds. al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyyad said: A beautiful action (al-’Amal al-Hasan) is that which is sincere (Akhlasuh) and that which is correct (Aswabuh).
They said: Oh Aba ‘Ali, what is sincere and what is correct? He said: Verily, if the action is sincere (Khalis) but it is not correct (Sawab): it is not accepted (Lam Yuqbal), and if it is correct but it is not sincere: it is not accepted, until it is sincere and correct. And a sincere [action] is: that which is for Allah and a correct [action] is: that which is upon the Sunnah.
And this is mentioned in His statement:
“So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” [Noble Quran 18:110]
And in His Most High statement:
“And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism); and he is a Muhsin (a good-doer). And follows the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) Hanifah (Islamic Monotheism – to worship none but Allah Alone).” [Noble Quran 4:125]
So Allah does not accept from the actions except that which is done sincerely seeking His Face, and that which is in agreement with His Order, and other than this is not accepted, rather it is repelled back on the person who does it at a time when he is in most need of it, and it is turned into scattered ashes.
And in as-Sahihayn [i.e. al-Bukhari and Muslim] from the narration of ‘A’ishah who narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
“Whoever introduces into this affair of ours that which is not from it will have it rejected”.
And in the narration from Muslim: “Whoever does a deed that is not ordered by us will have it rejected.”
So every action that is not in agreement [with the Sunnah], then it does not increase its doer except in distance away from Allah, for verily Allah Most High is only worshipped with what He has ordered to be worshipped with, not with opinions and desires.
Al-Qisam ath-Thani (The Second Category):
Those who have no sincerity and have no adherence to the Sunnah, so their actions and deeds are not in agreement with the legislation, and they are not sincere to the One who is worshipped.
They are like the ones who beautify themselves to the people, showing-off to them with that which Allah has not decreed and that which the Messenger has not informed the people of. And they are the evilest of creation (Shirarul-Khalq).
And they are the most disliked and the most hated of people to Allah Exulted He Be, and they have the biggest portion of His statement:
“Think not that those who rejoice in what they have done (or brought about), and love to be praised for what they have not done,- think not you that they are rescued from the torment, and for them is a painful torment.” [Noble Quran 3:188]
They are happy with what they do from innovation (Bid’ah) and misguidance (Dalalah) and association (Shirk), and they love that they be praised as they are the followers of the Sunnah and the people of sincerity – and they are not from the people of the Sunnah or sincerity (Ahlus-Sunnati wal-Ikhlas).
This category of people are numerous, from the people who have gone astray from the ones who are alienated from the people of knowledge (‘Ilm), and poverty (Faqr), and worship (‘Ibadah), from the Straight Path (Siratul-Mustaqim).
For verily they do actions of innovation and misguidance to show-off and to be heard-off, and they love to be praised for that which they have not done from the following of the Sunnah, and possessing sincerity and knowledge. So they are the people of hatred and misguidance (Ahlul-Ghadabi wad-Dalal).
Al-Qisam ath-Thalith (The Third Category):
The one who is sincere in his actions and deeds, but his actions and deeds are not in agreement with the order of Allah.
And they are like the ignorant worshippers and the ones who are from the path of abstinence (Zuhud) and poverty (Faqr).
And they are the ones who worship Allah with other than what He has decreed and legislated, and they believe that their worship is bringing them close to Allah.
And they believe that listening to clapping and whistling is bringing them close to Allah, and being isolated and leaving off the Jama’ah [i.e. the Friday prayer] and the Jama’ah [i.e. the mandatory prayers] is also being close to Allah, and continuing the fast until the night is also being close to Allah, and fasting the two holidays (Siyam al-’Idayn) of al-Islam is also a way of being close to Allah.
And they try to get close to Allah with actions of innovation (Bid’ah) and disobedience (Ma’asi).
So the sincerity of a person in this state does not benefit him because these actions that he does are from the actions of innovation. And the actions of the innovator are not accepted, and the proof being in the Hadith of Umm-ul-Mu’minin ‘A’ishah raised to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
“Whoever introduces into this affair of ours that which is not from it will have it rejected.” [Agreed upon; i.e. reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Al-Qisam ar-Rabi’ (The Fourth Category):
The one whose actions are in accordance with the Sunnah, but they are for the sake of other than Allah.
Such as obedience of the ones who show-off, and like the ones who fight to show-off, and because of great pride and great courageousness. And he does the Hajj so that it may be said that he has performed the Hajj.
And he reads the Quran so that it may be said that he reads the Quran.
And the actions of these people, from the apparent they seem righteous, but they are not righteous since they are performed for other than the sake of Allah, so they are not accepted. Allah said:
“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him).” [Noble Quran 98:5]
So they have not been ordered except that they worship Allah with that which He has legislated and with sincerity to Him in all their worship.
And the people of sincerity and adherence (Ahlul-Ikhlas wal-Mutabi’ah), they are the people of:
“You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). [Noble Quran 1:5]
End of excerpt from the book Madarij as-Salikin of al-’Allamah Ibnul-Qayyim (1/95-97).
Khadejah Jones
Share Islam Team
http://www.facebook.com/l/11458;ShareIslam.com
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Add comment November 11, 2009
Week 4: Tawheed lessons
What must be fulfilled?There are 3 conditions, one is assumed [common denominator], while the other two are commonly quoted.
1. The correct belief [common denominator]
2. The correct intention
3. The correct action
Correct belief
What is the correct belief?
الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُواْ إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُوْلَـئِكَ لَهُمُ الأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
6:82: “Those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with dhulm – for them only is there security and they are the rightly guided.
Dhulm, in this verse as explained by the mufassireen is Shirk. Thus those who believe and uphold Tawheed [They are Muwahideen] and they do not have any shirk with that belief, besides it, or partnering with it, in any form.
The correct belief, necessitates that one believes in all the articles of faith, together, in the correct manner, as did Muhammad S.A.W. and the Sahaabah R.A.
وَالسَّابِقُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُواْ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
9:100: “And the first to embrace Islaam of the Muhajiroon and the Ansaar and also those who followed them exactly in faith. Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein”
One knows that they must believe as Muhammad S.A.W. believed, and as we read in the ayah above, this belief is just as that of the Sahaabah R.A. Indeed the shi’ah who choose to cast such people as the mother of the believers, Ayesha R.A. and others from amongst the Sahaabah that Muhammad S.A.W. testified to had faith that would exceed the rest of the Ummah, such as Abu Bakr R.A. – would not seek to uphold a belief as this mentioned in this verse, and would thus be lead and lead others astray.
What are the articles of faith? The first is what we are dealing with i.e. Belief in Allah with Tawheed being the essence, as Allah SWT says:
وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
“Whoever believes in Allah, Allah will guide his heart” At-Taghaabun: 11
Thus we see the correct belief is required!
Nay it is of utmost importance and if not present, all claims to being upon truth is in actuality false, even though some actions may be present from the truth, just like a hindu may have some good character traits, but if he should die upon the worship of idols, or if the Christian should die upon the worship of Isa A.S. then what would their position be after death? What would the position of anyone who associated partners with Allah SWT, or made something or someone equal with Allah SWT be, IF they died upon that state of affairs? Surely this correct belief is the one that fulfills our shahaadah, should it not? Take note that All the Prophets [May peace be upon them all] said: “Worship Allah! You have no other ilah but Him” 7:59, 65, 73, 85 / 11: 50, 61, 84
The correct belief, necessitates the adoption of the shahaadah formula. The first and foremost matter is a rejection. A rejection of what?
1. Aaliha [Plural of ilah, found in our shahaadah]
2. Arbaab [Plural of Rub as found in Ruboobiyyah and Surah Faatihah]
3. Andaad [Something/someone made equal to Allah SWT]
4. Taaghut [literally means to exceed the bounds/limits]
Each of these need to be understood, learnt about, and the rejection of them, is what aids, with the help and guidance of Allah SWT, in purifying all worship for Allah SWT.
Can you relate the correct belief to what is happening in the world today?
What is happening in the world today?
To what extent and degree is Islam under attack?
Does this affect you?
How can the correct belief assist you, and the rest of the Ummah?
If you care and worry about what is happening in the world – Then take a moment to think, for Allah SWT says:
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ
“And We made from amongst them, leaders, giving guidance under Our command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our ayaat” 32;24
Certainty – belief with certainty – think of the repercussion of such a statement, such a claim:
People would give all their wealth
People would repeatedly say, may my mother/father be sacrificed for you
Facing an army of over 200 000, the motivational point is that they came to seek death [to meet Allah SWT]
For around to 10 – 13 years Allah SWT decreed that Muhamad S.A.W. must instill the correct belief, primarily pertaining to belief in Allah SWT and the Hereafter, and also some matters of character
If you do some research you will see that certainty relates primarily to Allah SWT and the Hereafter
WHY? Are we perhaps lacking in this area, that has left us wondering for over 60 years?
وَكَيْفَ أَخَافُ مَا أَشْرَكْتُمْ وَلاَ تَخَافُونَ أَنَّكُمْ أَشْرَكْتُم بِاللّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَانًا فَأَيُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ أَحَقُّ بِالأَمْنِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for which He has not sent down to you any authority. (So) which of the two parties has more right to be in security? If you but know.” Al-An’aam: 81
How many people, claim that one should fear speaking out against the Shirk of democracy, the shirk of grave worship or other than that and at the same time they, the callers to support democracy or grave worship [a little or a lot] – do not even nudge a minute to defend their call, and they blame, accuse and defend that democracy is not shirk, but Islam?
The worst of the lot still argues that democracy is not Shirk – not fearing that they promoting shirk – what sense does it make?
If security in this life and hereafter is sought, then neither democracy nor any government, nor anything else smaller or greater, beyond Allah SWT, can provide this security! The security, for those who seek the truth – is upon Tawheed that Muhammad S.A.W. and the Sahaabah were upon!
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” An-Noor: 55
Tawheed is a condition for the acceptance of one’s good deeds. Good Deeds are not accepted from the Mushriks [By Allah SWT]. Even giving aid to the religion and speaking the truth will not save one from the Fire, if he was a Mushrik! Abu Talib, the uncle of Allah’ Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) – He aided the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and defended him. He used to agree that Islam was the best of religions. Yet this did not save him from the Fire! He will be in the shallow place in the Fire, with Fire reaching his ankles and causing his brain to boil.” [Saheeh Bukharee, v.1, no. 569]
WHAT WAS THE CONDITIONS FOR SECURITY IN THE ABOVE AYAAT?
“…….(provided) they worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me [Allah]…..”
Intention and action
What do you understand by the correct intention?
What is the meaning of intention?
If you really intended to do something, would you forget about it, not even get to it, or prepare to do it?
Can someone change their intention, after having started the action?
“Indeed all actions are judged by their intention. And surely every man will have what he intended. He who does an action for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, does the deed for that reason and he who migrates for some worldly benefit or to marry a women, the nhis migration would be for what he migrated”
Imam Ahmed and Imam Shafi’ii said that the hadeeth of Umar R.A. covers 1/3 of knowledge? Why? Al Baihaqi explained this statement saying that: “This is so because the person earns rewards with his heart, tongue and body. Thus intention is involved in one of these components”
The meaning of Niyyah
Endeavor, intention, purpose, resolution, goal, aim, determination …..
If one has the intention to do something, then he/she will do it as long as there is nothing preventing him or he has not changed his intention. Juristically it has been defined as the intent in the heart that must accompany and precede any act of worship.
Niyyah and Ikhlaas
The objective is to make ones intention, purely for the sake of Allah SWT – this is ikhlaas – that One seeks or desire the pleasure or as it said, the Face of Allah only.
“And they were commanded not but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone and sincerely, and offer prayer perfectly, and give zakat. That is the right religion” Al-Bayyinah: 5
“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him” 22: 37
There are three types of intention:
Good or pious intention
Religiously neutral intention
Evil or prohibited intention
N.B. Allah SWT has linked the correct belief, with the correct action, as a means to salvation, and since intention is linked to the action, then intention is implied.
107:18: “Verily, those who believe and work righteous deeds will have the Gardens of Al-Firdous as an abode”
So intention is of primary importance. Why do you do what you doing? No, why are you really doing it? The deep down reason?
“Say: whether you hide what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah knows it” 3:29
Now we can have:
someone who does good – yet he has the incorrect intention
One can have someone doing wrong, yet having a good intention
Both are needed! Correct intention and correct action
Some people say or lets say, claim to have a good intention, yet is said: “If the intention is truly there, the act is forthcoming”
Recall the hadeeth of the three, who will be thrown into the fire first, one being from the ulema, one being from the mujahideen and another from those who was generously giving from his wealth. Can you imagine, in a time when there are so many calls to seek knowledge, to join the jihad in the lands of jihad, and also calls to give zakat, sadqa and/or lillah – yet the reality is:
“……that He may test you which of you is best in deed…” Al-Mulk: 2
Al-Fudayl bin Iyad said: “Meaning, most correct and sincere in deed” with sincerity being that it is free of showing off, and correctness being that it is truthful and in accordance with what Muhammad S.A.W. came with.
So we must beware of our intentions and the reality of our hearts conditions. Are we sincere to Allah SWT – or is there some other reason?
Salaf has said: “I did not find anything more difficult for me to keep in check other than the intention”
We must keep on asking of Allah SWT to make our inner reality better than our outer, and to make our outer reality good too”
How many of us say things or argue points or call to matters that are not really in our hearts?
How many times do we call for things or agree to matters that are not truly in our hearts?
It was said by sheikh Abdullah Azzaam Rahumahullah that the foam is washed away and does not remain on the ground, as Allah SWT said: “….then as for the foam, it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus, Allah sets forth parables” Ar-Ra’d: 17
He explained that the inner reality and outer reality eventually will come upon one reality. He said: It is the fitrah of Allah that the outer eventually becomes one and the same as the inner”
“Do you not see how Allah sets forth a parable? A goodly word is as a goodly tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches reach to the sky, giving its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind that they may remember. Amd the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of Earth, having no stability” Ibrahim: 24-26
SubhanAllah! Intention and linking it to action
From Abu Moose who narrated that a man came to the Prophet S.A.W. and said: “A man fights for the bounty, another man fights to be mentioned and another fights for show. Which is the one who fights for the cause of Allah?” He answered: ‘The one who fights to make the word of Allah supreme is the one who [fights] for the cause of Allah”
Ibn Taymiyyah explains: “….it does not mean by intention good deeds only. Instead it is reference to the praiseworthy and blameworthy intention as well as the praiseworthy and blameworthy deed. This is why he S.A.W. said to complete the hadeeth on intention, ‘Whose migration was to Allah and His Messenger….” He mentioned the praiseworthy intention of emigration to Allah and His Messenger. The blameworthy intention is the emigration for a women or wealth. That is why he mentioned them in detail after a general, unspecified reference. He said, ‘All actions are but by their intention and for everyone is what he intended’ then he explained that by his statement ‘Whose emigration was….”
Lets say, you were doing good, and you discovered through reflection that your intention was wrong – do you stop doing it?
Correct it, and carry on
Remove the reason for the incorrect intention – to be seen by people or other than that
Strengthen your resolve and focus, perhaps you may attain ihsan InshaAllah.
ACTIONS
What do you understand by the correct action?
Do you think there are different types of actions?
What types of actions can there be?
Can a man do a wrong action, yet be rewarded?
Can a man do a right action, yet be punished?
What makes you pursue actions, what motivates you?
From Ash-Shaatibi – acts are divided into four:
The intention and action are consistent with the shari’ah
The intention and the action both contradict the shari’ah
The intention is not while the action is according to the shari’ah
Two subcategries here:
[a] Person did not know his act was according to the shari’ah e.g. person drinks something thinking its alcohol, but its water [Sinner due to intent to violate shari’ah – punishment in hereafter]
[b] Person knew his act is according to shari’ah. E.g. performed congregational prayers, but to be seen by other people [Sinner, committing minor shirk and all his deeds relating to that action are nullified]
The intention is according to the shari’ah while the action is not
[a] Person knows his actions is contrary to shari’ah. It is the essence of bid’ah.
[b] Intent is to do according to shari’ah – yet action is against, and he is ignorant that his contrary to shari’ah. E.g. person drinking what he thinks is grape juice, but it turned out to be alchohol.
Firstly actions will only be correct when they are according to what Muhammad S.A.W. came with “So whatever the Messenger give you, accept it and whatever the Messenger forbids you abstain from it” 59:7
What must be considered in planning for any action to take place?
1. Iraadah [Will to do the act]
2. Must not be preventative factors [Do you have the ability to do the action?]
Iraadah has two pre-requisites:
1. Knowledge: If someone wants to drink water, he must know what water is, before he can have the will or desire to attain it, in order to drink it.
2. The motivation: Islam constantly gives us motivations, to do good and to stay away from sin
A man wants to drink Alcohol, yet in the cup is water. He does not have knowledge of it, so he drinks it thinking it is alcohol. Result, even though he drinks the water, he is still held accountable for drinking alcohol, as this is the shari’ah judgment of that action. So having the correct knowledge is very important. Similarly if a man drank alcohol, thinking it to be water, he will not be held responsible, as he desired water.
Having said that, a good intention, does not make the haraam halaal. So we can say, that is why, both conditions must be present for a deed to be accepted – correct Intention and correct action. If you have the correct intention, but your action is not in accordance with what Muhammad S.A.W. came with – it will be rejected. If you your action is according to what Muhammad S.A.W. came with, yet your intention is wrong – it will be rejected. Both must be correct, intention and action.
The first point of Intention comes in when someone has the iraadah to do something, however some preventative factor, leads him to not doing the act, then he will be rewarded for that act according to Islam.
E.g. One has the desire to give money to help the mujahideen. So he sets out to try and get it to them. After trying all ways, he is unsuccessful in finding a way to get it to them. So he will be rewarded for his intention, even though he was unsuccessful, due to preventative factors – not being able to find a way.
Example of a preventative factor: Desire
You learn about the benefits of giving charity, so you have the knowledge, which leads you to have the iraadah [will] and knowing the benefits gives you the motivation. Then desire comes in and says you need not spend on this and that poor person, as you gave enough, and you should rather spend it on yourself or wife etc
So desire is an obstruction that prevents the motivation.
The acts of worship in Islam are the essence of Islam. Either we worshipping Allah SWT or other than Allah SWT [money, women, desires]. People will deal with usury, for the love of money or ownership of something, so due to the worship of money they indulge in a sin.
Conclusion of the acceptance of acts of worship and understanding of actions in general
“Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving” Al-Mulk: 3
Nomani wrote, after explaining that a good intention does not make an evil deed good, like the one who steals in order to give to the poor or needy: “ …………Their evilness cannot be taken away by purity of motive. What is more, to perform them with a noble intention and be hopeful of Divine reward because of it may well be the cause of additional misfortune and enhancement of punishment as it will amount to playing with the Faith of God”
Correct belief → leads to the correct intention → leads to seeking correct knowledge → leads to the will to act on the knowledge → leads to the motivation which drives the person to act → thus action & reward OR action & punishment
Points of note:
[1]
Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali [May Allah SWT's mercy be upon him]said: “Know that actions, though they are divided into many categories, such as doing, saying, moving, keeping still, pushing, taking, thinking, remembering or else of that which is not conceivable to be counted or investigated, are [in reality] three categories: Sins, obedience and the permissible sayings and actions”
Regarding sins: The intention does not change the nature of the action. So, even if you have a good intention, but your action is Haraam, shirk, kufr or other than that – then you will have fallen into the sin.
“Sins do not become permissible by the intention but only by a specific evidence”
[2]
Shaikh Abdul Qaadir al-Jilani said about righteous deeds: “You are a necessity we cannot do without, but through you we do not arrive”
“No, indeed man is a transgressor. For he thinks himself to be self-sufficient” 96: 6-7
“It is not through our righteous deeds that we are granted nearness [Qurbah] to Allah SWT., but by the divine acceptance of the deed. In other words, Qurbah is not deserved, it is gifted”
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“Don’t look at the meagerness of your sin, look at who it was that you disobeyed.” – Bilaal ibn Sa’d
Your brother in Islam
abooasmaa
Add comment November 9, 2009
Raising children
Providing children with Islamic education and raising them up as good practicing Muslims are essential duties of parenthood. Rightfully fulfilling these duties will lead to the Pleasure of Allah and good for the parents and the child in this life and the Hereafter. However, ignoring these duties would lead to the destruction of the child’s Hereafter and the Wrath of Allah will befall the parents for not protecting their child from the traps of Shaytan and allowing him to choose the path of destruction.
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock, a man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock; a woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock, the servant is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
Allah says in the Quran:
“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your family from a fire whose Fuel are men and stones.” [Noble Quran 66:6]
One of the ways of protecting your children from the Fire is to let him memorize the Words of Allah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“If the Quran is gathered in a body (i.e. a person), Allah will not burn him with the Fire.” [al-Baihaqi, Authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani]
“Teaching the children the Quran is a fundamental from the fundamentals of Islam. By it the child will grow upon the Fit rah (natural Islamic monotheism) and the lights of wisdom will rush to their hearts before the desires are able to settle in them and darken them with the cloudiness of disobedience and misguidance,” said al-Hafidth as-Suyooti.
This is because the child from the early age will be protected from the temptations of the world and whispers of the Shaytan, he will live and grow up among the gathering of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) where tranquility and the mercy of Allah of descends, and as a result Allah will preserve his Fit rah (natural inclination of Islamic Monotheism)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“No people gather in a house of the houses of Allah (i.e. Masjid) reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that the tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him (the lofty gathering of Angels).” [Sahih Muslim]
Your child will be given a position in Paradise according to the number of verses he memorizes from the Book of Allah, it will be said to him on the Day of Judgment as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“‘Read, ascend and recite with slow, rhythmic chanting just as you used to recite in the worldly life. For verily, your position (in Paradise) will be at the place of the last verse that you recite.” [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]
Every time your child goes to the Masjid to learn the Quran he will have the reward of a perfect Hajj. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever goes to the Masjid in the morning having no intention except to learn something good or teach it he will have the reward like the person who performs Hajj.” [At-Tabari. Authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Abu Dharr,
“O Abu Dharr! That you set out in the morning and learn one verse from the Book of Allah is better for you than if you prayed one hundred Rak’ahs (units of prayer).” [Ibn Majah]
The Quran will intercede for your child on the Day of Judgment, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Recite the Quran for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for those who recited it.” [Sahih Muslim]
Your child will be given to wear garments and a crown of honor on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The Quran will come on the Day of Judgment and say, ‘Oh Lord! Adorn him.’ So the person will be made to wear the crown of honor. Then it (the Quran) will say, ‘Oh Lord! Increase him.’ So the person will be made to wear the garment of honor. Then it will say, ‘Oh Lord! Be pleased with him.’ So Allah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said, ‘Recite and ascend.’ And the person will receive an extra good deeds for every verse (that he recites of the Quran.)” [Sahih at-Tirmidhi]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever recites the Quran, learns it and acts upon it will be given a crown of light to wear on the Day of Judgment and its light will be like the light of the sun.” [Sahih al-Hakim]
So, why not encourage our children to memorize the Quran and make them one of the best individuals of this Ummah. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Allah, the Exalted, has also promised abundant rewards for those parents who guide their children to memorize the Quran. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever recites the Quran, learns it and acts according to it will be given a crown of light to wear on the Day of Judgment whose light will be like the sun. His parents will be clothed in two garments that did not exist in this worldly life. So they will say, ‘What has caused us to be clothed (in these garments)?’ It will be said, ‘Your child taking hold of (i.e. memorizing) the Quran has caused this.’” [Al-Hakim graded it authentic]
When the parents leave a righteous child behind them, the child will be a source of reward and blessing for them after their death, for Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“When a man dies, all his good deeds come to an end, except for three cases; the charity of continuous blessings, beneficial knowledge which he leaves behind and a righteous child who prays for him.” [Sahih Muslim]
The parents will also receive equal amount of reward that the child receives by memorizing or reciting the Quran, for the parents guide him to this good act and instill in his heart the love for Islam, and the love for the Book of Allah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever guides to something good is like the one who does it.” [Sahih Muslim] and:
“Whoever invites to guidance will receive the reward like the rewards of those who follow him and that will not diminish anything from their rewards…” [Sahih Muslim]
The parents should also send those children who are intelligent and bright to learn the Quran and Islamic education. It should not be that only those children who when are unsuccessful in worldly studies are sent to Madras as for religious studies. The parents should realize the importance of Islamic education for their children and raising well-educated Muslims who would in the future work for the Cause of Islam.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The example of guidance and knowledge with which, Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil, absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rainwater and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge), which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)” [Sahih al-Bukhari v.1 no.79]
Those parents who give the excuse that their child is weak or does not have good memory or ‘he is not gifted’, should know that Allah has said in the Quran:
“And indeed we have made the Quran easy to remember.” [Noble Quran 54:17]
And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever treads on a path in search of Islamic knowledge, Allah will ease the way to Paradise for him. The Angels will lower their wings, pleased with this seeker of knowledge, and everyone in the heavens and on earth will ask forgiveness for the knowledgeable person, even the fish in the deepest of waters will ask for his forgiveness.” [Sahih Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi (2835)]
It is not mandatory for your child to memorize the complete Quran. If he is not able to memorize the complete Quran then know that only attending daily circle for memorization will suffice your child for it will accustom him to frequent the places of worship rather than visiting evil gatherings. Your child will find good companions which will protect him from deviating and adopting evil habits and practices. Allah says:
“And keep yourself patiently with those who call on their Lord, morning and afternoon, seeking His Face and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose hearts We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lust and whose affairs (deeds) have been lost.” [Noble Quran 18:28]
Khadejah Jones
Share Islam Team
http://www.facebook.com/l/4683f;ShareIslam.com
Add comment November 5, 2009
Week 3: Lessons on Tawheed
To begin from the last lesson:
“Is this belief, the belief that enters us into Islam, and distinguishes us from the mushrik and kaafir?”
Allah SWT informs us in Al-Qur’an [The meaning of which is]:
==============================================
Say (O Muhammad ): “Praise and thanks be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)! Is Allah better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to Him)?” (Of course, Allah is Better).
Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!
Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water).Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Nay, but most of them know not.
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!
Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? High Exalted be Allah above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!
Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Say, “Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful.” An-Naml: 59-64
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Do you see in the above ayaat?
Allah SWT mentions matters of Ruboobiyya [creating, providing, sustaining] and then points out the area of deviation of majority of people i.e. in the matter of the ilah [The object of worship – see a key to understanding below after the numbered points]
The belief that Allah SWT is the creator, the sustainer, the maintainer, the one who controls all affairs, giving life and death – is insufficient to enter one into Islam!
How can one say this? N.B. This is not intended for people to go and call others kaafir [takfir] but rather for one to reflect on themselves and their families and make corrections, and repair matters – Inshaallah.
Lets take a look at this matter: “The belief in the ilah is what distinguishes us [Who do we direct our worship to], as opposed to only having the belief in the Rubb [Accepting Allah SWT as the creator, sustainer, maintainer, provider and the one that decrees all matters]”
1.
”And most of them believe not in Allah, except that they attribute partners unto Him” Yusuf: 106
Ibn `Abbas commented, “They have a part of faith, for when they are asked, `Who created the heavens Who created the earth Who created the mountains’ They say, `Allah did.’ Yet, they associate others with Him in worship.” Similar is said by Mujahid, Qatadah, and others. In the Sahih, it is recorded that during the Hajj season, the idolators used to say in their Talbiyah: “Here we rush to Your service. You have no partners with You, except a partner with You whom You own but he owns not!”
Al-Hasan Al-Basri commented on Allah’s statement, saying: “”This is the hypocrite; if he performs good deeds, he does so to show off with the people, and he is an idolator while doing this.”Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salah, they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.) [4:142]
2.
“And they worship besides Allah things that harm them not, nor profit them, and they say: ‘These are our intercessors with Allah’…..” Yunus:18
Allah reproaches the idolators that worshipped others beside Allah, thinking that those gods would intercede for them before Allah. Allah states that these gods do not harm or benefit. They don’t have any authority over anything, nor do they own anything. These gods can never do what the idolators had claimed about them. That is why Allah said: (Say: `Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth’)
Ibn Jarir said: “This means, `Are you telling Allah about what may not happen in the heavens and earth’ Allah then announced that His Glorious Self is far above their Shirk and Kufr by saying: (Glorified and Exalted is He above all that which they associate as partners (with Him)!)
3.
“Surely the religion is for Allah only. And those who take Awliyya besides Him (say): ‘We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah’…” Az-Zumar: 3
The people would set up idols or images, of angels, through whom they believed they would get close to Allah SWT. Indeed many people, theses days, make an idol of someone or something, due to that persons piety, righteousness or other than that, seeking to get closer to Allah SWT. Suffice to say, Allah SWT ends the verse saying: “Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar and a disbeliever
4.
“And when they embark on a ship they invoke Allah making their faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others” Al-Ankaboot: 65
Muhammad bin Ishaq reported from `Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl that when the Messenger of Allah conquered Makkah, he (`Ikrimah) ran away, fleeing from him. When he was on the sea, headed for Ethiopia, the ship started to rock and the crew said: “O people, pray sincerely to your Lord alone, for no one can save us from this except Him.” `Ikrimah said: “By Allah, if there is none who can save us on the sea except Him, then there is none who can save us on land except Him either, O Allah, I vow to You that if I come out of this, I will go and put my hand in the hand of Muhammad and I will find him kind and merciful.”
A KEY TO UNDERSTANDING INSHAALLAH – PIECING THIS TOGETHER
The Rub, of whom was our topic last week, regarding the oneness of Allah SWT in Rubobiyyah, is the oneness of Allah SWT in His actions – FROM ALLAH SWT TO US
The ilah, of whom was spoken of last week, in our shahaadah, containing a negation and affirmation, is the object to whom worship is directed. – FROM US TO ALLAH SWT
PRINCIPLE:
• RECOGNISING ALLAH SWT AS THE RUB, NECESSITATES THAT WE PURIFY WORSHIP FOR ALLAH SWT, WITHOUT ANY SHIRK.
• IF ONE RECOGNISES ALLAH SWT AS THE RUB, THEN IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT HE IS A MUWAAHID [UPON TAWHID], AND NOT MIXING IT WITH SHIRK [MUSHRIK]
Now we had a brief discussion on whether it is sufficient to say Worship Allah SWT alone. I Say, it is correct, but not sufficient, as we see that many people worship Allah SWT, thinking that they purifying their worship for Allah SWT alone, yet they commit shirk.
“Say (O Muhammad ): “Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? “Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! “ Kahf: 103
Imam At Tabari in his tafsir of this verse, explained in summary, that there are people who are comfortable, that their deeds are righteous, and good, yet their actions in dunyaa are wrong, astray and worthless. We gotta be careful!
Imam Ahmed reports that when the verse: “those how believe and confuse not their beliefs with Dhulm” 6 :81-82, was revealed the sahaabah felt this to be hard to bear and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who amongst us is there that has not done wrong to himself?’ Muhammad S.A.W. replied: ‘You have misunderstood the verse. Have you not heard what the righteous servant said: “O my believed son! Join not in worship other besides Allah. Verily to join others in worship with Allah is a great Dhulm indeed” Luqman: 13. Dhulm here is Shirk! Shirk is the greatest form of oppression!
At the end of the day, Allah SWT chose this way, of rejection and affirmation, to be the manner of purification of our worship for Allah SWT. In addition it is highlighted in many places in Qur’an that the majority do not worship Allah SWT Alone. Thus as explained last week, it is better, more effective and more clear in saying and calling people in this manner, as opposed to merely saying ‘Worship Allah Alone’. Or to combine between this and what would negate it, such as we find in Surah An-Nahl: “And We have sent to every nation a Messenger [proclaiming] Worship Allah and avoid/stay away from, the Taaghut….”
Summary of the above:
• The Mushriks of the past, and present, recognize Allah SWT, as the Rub, yet commit shirk, in the following ways:
1. As the verse in Surah Yusuf indicates, believing in Allah, yet a mushrik
2. The excuses used when worshipping other than Allah SWT, like to get closer to Allah.
3. The fact that people turn to Allah in times of difficulty/distress, yet commit shirk thereafter
4. The verses from Suratul Naml, 59-64, wherein mushriks, reject pure worship of Allah SWT.
5. The Jahiliyyah Arabs Talbiyya :Allah we at your service, there is no partner associated with you, except that which you have decreed”
• There is a difference between the Rub and the ilah, being that the latter is the object of worship.
• The formula, of our shahaadah is better and more accurate, due to the broad based ignorance of what negates it, thus not calling for the Worship of Allah SWT Alone, but rather calling for the rejection of all that competes with the affirmation of the purification of all true worship for Allah SWT Alone.
TAWHEED AL ULOOHIYYAH
Dr. Bilal Phillips says: the most important aspect of Tawheed is that of Tawheed al-’Ebaadah, maintaining the oneness of Allaah’s worship. All forms of worship must be directed only to Allaah because He alone deserves worship, and it is He alone who can grant benefit to man as a result of His worship. Furthermore, there is no need for any form of intercessor or intermediary between man and God. Allaah emphasized the importance of directing worship to Him alone by pointing out that this was the main purpose of man’s creation and the essence of the message brought by all the prophets.
Allaah says: “I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except for My worship.”43
Understanding the purpose of creation in a complete sense is beyond man’s innate abilities. Man is a finite created being and can not reasonably hope to fully comprehend the actions of the infinite Creator.
“Verily, Allah grasps the seven heavens and the earth lest they should move away from their places, and if they were to move from their places, there is no one that could grasp them after Him. Truly, He is Ever Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.” (35:41)
Thus, Allah SWT created us upon an innate nature, which is to worship Him SWT alone, and thus books and Messengers were sent, calling to this shahaadah.
We testify to this fact 17 times a day, saying “Thee alone we worship and thee alone we ask for help” Al-Faatihah
A clear statement that all forms of worship should only be directed to the One who can respond, Allaah SWT! The Prophet Muhammad (saws) confirmed the concept of oneness of worship saying, “If you ask in prayer ask only Allaah, and if you seek help, seek it only from Allaah.”
There is no need for intercession [In this life], between us and Allah SWT, as is further emphasized in the verses that speak of the closeness of Allah SWT. Thus affirming uloohiyyah or ibaadah to Allah SWT, singularly, necessitates a rejection of doing so by any other means, such as:
• If someone prays to the dead seeking their influence on the lives of the living or the souls of those who have passed away
• If someone prays to the Prophet (saws), to so-called saints, Jinns or angels asking for help or asking them to request help from Allaah for them, they have also committed Shirk
• Christian deified Isa A.S. and directed prayers to him A.S.
• Catholics have saints who mediate for them, since they believe that the saints are closer to Allah SWT and thus more likely to be listened to
• The Shi’ah dedicate certain times for prayers to Ali, Fatimah, Hassan and Hussein
A short reflectionquestion and reflection: To what extent must worship be purely for Allah SWT?
It is to such an extent that Allah SWT has allocated all worship for Himself, to the degree that not even Muhammad S.A.W. or Jibreel A.S. have even, an atoms weight share, in that worship.
“I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except for My worship.” 51:56
So, What is worship in Islam?
• Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah – said: “Worship (al-’Ibaadah) is obedience to Allaah by following that which He ordered upon the tongues of His Messengers.” He also said, “Worship (al-’Ibaadah) is a comprehensive term covering everything that Allaah loves and is pleased with – whether saying, or actions, outward and inward.”
• Al-Qurtubi has said, «Worship is firmly rooted in submission and subservience. The functions of the Islamic law have been called acts of wor¬ship because worshippers abide by them and perform them while in a state of submission to Allah (the Exalted).
Here it is important to understand that there are two types of worship:
1. [General] The servitude of the creation, which encompasses all [believers and disbelievers], as Allah SWT says: “There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave.” 19:93. There is no choice in this category of servitude.
2. [Specific] The servitude prescribed by the Shari’ah, such that one obeys or disobeys the law of Allah SWT. This is based on choice granted to the creation.
It is the second type that we are talking about here, it is this type which determines whether one is worshipping Allah SWT or committing shirk.
Ibn Taymiyyah said: “This Tawheed marks the difference between the monotheists and the polytheists and punishment in this world and in the hereafter is based upon it. Those who do not believe in it are mushriks [polytheists]”
This aspect of Tawheed, encompasses the other aspects, being Ruboobiyyah and Asmaa was Sifaat, while the converse is not necessarily the case!
What are some aspects of worship?
1. Sincere dedication of love to Allah SWT
2. Devoting supplication to Allah SWT
3. Devoting reliance/dependence upon Allah SWT
4. Devoting hope to Allah SWT
5. The obligation of fearing only Allah SWT
6. The obligation of dedicating purely and solely to Allah SWT all physical acts of worship [Prayers, vowing, fasting, sacrifice, charity etc]
What are other aspects of worship?
1. The conditions of ibaadah being accepted [Correct intention and correct action]
2. The pillars of Ibaadah [These are love, hope and fear]
3. Obedience to the shari’ah in matters of legislation, judging, ruling etc is an act of worship and conversely, not doing so in certain matters falls within acts of shirk
Some points of note:
1. Love: Has levels, and if a certain level is exceeded, then one could enter into the shirk al Mahabbah [Shirk in love]
2. Supplication or du’ah to anyone other than Allah SWT is shirk
3. Reliance/Dependance has levels and limits, such that certain things are within the ability of a person. E.g. moving a heavy box
4. Hope brings a person to doing good deeds, hoping in the Mercy of Allah SWT
5. Fear keeps one away from sinning, such that one fears the wrath/punishment of Allah SWT. There is the natural fear and the reverential fear.
Some principles to keep in mind:
a.
Ibaadah can only be a part of ‘worship in Islam’ when there is an evidence for enacting it. One is thus prohibited from worship, unless there is an evidence for it.
“Whoever does an action, which we have not commanded, will have it rejected”
“Whoever does an action in a way different from ours will have it rejected”
Why would Muhammad S.A.W. say this? The action spoken of, is that which falls under ‘worship in Islam’
b.
Nothing is to be worshipped except Allah
c.
Worship is by what Allah SWT ordered and legislated, and not with innovations, having no basis upon evidence.
d.
Worship in Islam, is all encompassing, to the extent that a disbeliever approaches Salman Al Farisi asking: “Didn’t your messenger teach you how to go to the toilet?….”
Other matters of Ibaadah [Not metioned here and not exhaustive]:
• Seeking refuge [Isti’adhah]
• Seeking help/relief [Istihanah and Istigatha]
• Sabr
• Seeking Blessing [Tabarruk]
• Seeking a means of approach [Tawassul] and Shafa’ah [Intercession]
• Visiting the graves and grave worship
Your brother in Islam
abooasmaa
Add comment November 4, 2009
Tawheed Part II
Introduction
Muhammad S.A.W. would go from person to person, from town to town, calling people, to accept La ilaha il’lAllah Muhammadur Rasoolullah.
The people offered him so much, from wealth, women, status and even leadership – just for one thing – To give up this call of his. WHY?
Abu Bakr R.A. in his first statements after Muhammad S.A.W. passed away, informed the people, that if you worship Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but if you worship Allah SWT, then Allah SWT never dies. WHY?
The people of that time had an understanding of what was being called to. So, when you see someone accepting the invitation, then you see yaqeen, qabool, inqiyaad, as-sidq, al-ikhlaas, and you see al-mahabbah. On the other end those who rejected it, you see the realization of this call as well, in their reactions, from threats, beatings, warnings, slander, and so forth.
This is what we InshaAllah going to try and do:
Reflect on whether we really, truly understand with knowledge, this statement of ours La-ilaha…… Reflecting the examples above, is not for us to merely admire them, and look up to them, but it is to seek to emulate them, “to believe as they believe”
“We hear, and we obey” 2: 285
So, having said that, lets reflect on what Ibn Abi Talib said: “Knowledge calls out to actions, if actions don’t respond, the knowledge will leave”
Often we learn or study topics, and because we may not have structure, we may not really know, where does it fit it, in the big picture. So I ask, where does this topic of Tawhid and all it relates to, fit in? Can you see it in each of the following as the primary foundation?
• Shahaadah
• Islam
• Eemaan
• Ihsan
• Point of death
• First Question in grave
• The reason for a Mercy and forgiveness that is so great, can you imagine?
Where does the term Tawhid, come from?
• Take a short time period to reflect on Surah Al-Ikhlaas
• Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent Mu’aadh ibn Jabal to Yemen, he said to him: “You are going to people from among the People of the Book, so let the first thing to which you call them be belief in Allaah alone (Tawheed) [Yo’wah’hidullah]. If they accept that, then tell them that Allaah has enjoined on them five prayers every day and night. If they pray then tell them that Allaah has enjoined on them zakaah from their wealth to be taken from their rich and given to their poor. If they agree to that then take it from them but avoid the best of people’s wealth.”
• In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): belief that Allaah is One, establishing regular prayer, paying zakaah, fasting Ramadaan and Hajj.”
What is Tawheed? What does it mean?
Linguistically: Tawhid is derived from the root words wa ha da. It is the verbal noun, which means unifying something or making something one or to consolidate something.
Shar’i meaning can be said to be: the realizing and maintaining of Allaah’s one-ness in all of man’s actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him.
The belief in this regard can be said to be: It is the belief that Allaah is One, without partner in His dominion and His actions (Ruboobeeyah), One without similitude in His essence and attributes (Asmaa wa Sifaat), and One without rival in His divinity and in worship (Ulooheeyah/’Ebaadah)
It is said, that the excellence of any type of knowledge, is dependent on what it is attached to. So what is Tawheed attached to? How important is it?
Muhammad S.A.W said to Mu’adh bin Jabal R.A.: ‘Shall I not tell you of the head of the matter, its pillar and its uppermost part?’ I said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allaah!’ He said: ‘The head of the matter is Islam/testimony of faith. The pillar is prayer and its uppermost part is Jihad”
If there is no head, then there is no life. If there is no head, then there is no Islam. In other words, if there is no head, that is, if this issue is not fulfilled properly, then the hope of attaining Paradise, can be forgotten.
This hadeeth began, “Mu’adh Ibn Jabal reported: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Tell me of an act that will take me to Paradise and keep me away from the Hellfire
In another hadeeth from Mu’adh bin Jabal, who was asked if he knew what was the right of Allah over his slaves, and what was the right of the slaves over Allah SWT, it was explained that the right of the slave over Allah SWT is that Allah SWT will not punish him if he worships Allah SWT and does not make shirk with him.
So if his tawheed is pure, with no shirk, then he will be saved from the Fire, and will enter Jannah.
“Verily whoever sets up partners with Allah, the Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode…” 5:72
How can this [Tawheed] be realized [A beginning InshaAllah]?
In order to understand this we look at our shahaadah, and the Qur’an, which confer a formula for us. What formula? A formula in order to follow, so that InshaAllah we can realize Tawheed.
The formula consists of Naf’i [Denial/rejection] and Ithbaat [Affirmation].
Laa ilaha = naf’i
Il’Allah = Ithbaat
Where do we find this in Al-Qur’an?
لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower
WHY? Because if you say, as many people say, in our time and other than this ‘Worship Allah SWT Alone’ then this leaves room for people to worship Allah SWT yet at the same time, to associate partners with Allah SWT. So the formula at hand: Negation and affirmation. “We deny, disbelieve and reject servitude to anything or anyone and we affirm, believe in and confirm that we purify our worship for Allah SWT alone.”
Example to explain: I say Arshad is standing, means that he Arshad is standing, but at the same time Shaheed could be standing, and so can Khalid and so forth. Now if I change that, and I say that No-one else is standing except Arshad, it means that only Arshad is standing.
Allah SWT says: “I did not create the jinn and mankind except that they worship Me. [Qur’aan, soorat ath-Thaariyaat (51): 56].
This is the importance and extent of Tawheed that we talking about, such that it is the essence of the purpose of us being created.
What is the understanding of Tawheed?
The Ulema have divided tawheed. This division of Tawheed, is for the purposes of learning and not the reality, which is as explained: “The three overlap and are inseparable to such a degree that whoever omits any one aspect has failed to complete the requirements of Tawheed. The omission of any of the mentioned aspects of Tawheed is referred to as “Shirk” (lit. sharing); the association of partners with Allaah, which, in Islamic terms, is in fact idolatry”
InshaAllah you will see that: “the foundations of the components are all implied in the verses of the Qur’aan and in the explanatory statements of the Prophet (saws) and his companions”
Short overview of why the divisions were made by the Ulema of the passed.
The categorizing of Tawheed into three or four, was done due to the situation of the muslims, such that the minds/thinking/understanding was far from that of Tawheed. Thus in order to make matters easy this categorizing was done, and is ONLY for the purposes of academia or to gain an understanding, and was not done by Muhammad S.A.W. and the Sahaabah R.A. However as it is only for academic purposes and the categorizing is not an act of ibaadah, then it does not fall under the matters called bid’ah [innovation].
A reminder, once more: “Therefore, as the categories of Tawheed are studied separately and in more depth, it must not be forgotten that they are all a part of an organic whole which is itself the foundation of a greater whole, Islaam itself.” Dr Bilal
Categorizing of Tawheed
2 ways of categorizing that was adopted:
1] Tri-partite [3 categorise]
2] Bi-partite [2 categorise]
Tri-partite has:
• Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah
• Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah/ibaadah
• Tawheed Al-Asmaa was-Sifaat
Bipartite has:
• Knowledge and affirmation [Ruboobiyyah and Asmaa was Sifaat]
• Intention and action [Uloohiyyah]
N.B. Categorization is for the purpose of learning, and not reality, so whichever is adopted, is fine, as some may prefer this or that, as their minds work and understand. Recently a category that was previously placed under Tawheed Al Uloohiyya/Ibaadah, has been seperately categorised, due to the very same reason the original academic exercise was undertaken, due to peoples minds being so far from its reality, This category is called Tawheed Al Haakimiyyah.
We are going to use the three categories or four as some have adopted.
Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah
From the word Rub – Recall Surah Faatihah.
What does this mean?
• In short, Allah SWT is the creator, sustainer, maintainer, the controller of all affairs, and the provider who does not need to be provided for. Hence He has the ultimate right to be obeyed.
• It involves the actions of Allah SWT
• Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah is thus the oneness of Allah SWT in His actions
Some Usage of this term Rubb:
Total owner: “…leave it until its Rubb finds it….” Bukhari
The one who is obeyed: “ ….Mention me to your Rubb…” Yusuf: 42
The one who nourishes and sustains: “….And your rabaahib who live with you…” An-Nisaa: 23
Two types of Ruboobiyyah are:
• General: Lordship relating to all of creation, such that what comes from Allah SWT encompasses all under it, believer and disbeliever. Rain, Sunshine etc
• Specific: Specific Rahmah to the believers, and is also called the Shar’i or special Ruboobiyyah. It relates to special tests, that relate to the level of taqwa, piety and obedience, or special care granted to the believers.
What are the Islamic proofs for the Lordship of Allah SWT Ruboobiyyah?
1. Creation: “Or were they created without there being anything, or are they the creators?” At-Tur: 35
2. Signs of creation: many verses were mentioned in the gathering
3. Fitrah: “And (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.” Al-A’raf: 172
4. Innate feeling of helplessness, and turning to Creator: “Say (O Muhammad ): “Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and the sea (dangers like storms), when you call upon Him in humility and in secret (saying): If He (Allah) only saves us from this (danger), we shall truly be grateful.” Al-An’am: 63
5. Sending of Prophets and revealing of Books
This belief in the Lordship of Allah SWT is common between believers and disbelievers, so it helps to know that the disbelievers come to three primary proofs for the existence of a creator, and they are ontological, cosmological and theological.
At the end of the Day Allah SWT is the only true Power as was often repeated by Muhammad S.A.W. “La hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah” (There is no movement nor power except by Allaah’s will).
To what extent and to what degree is Allah SWT the only true Power?
Let’s try to gain some insight into who we are talking about – this will InshaAllah enable us to understand the extent and degree.
We learn about Allah SWT through His actions like creating, giving life, taking life, controlling all matters, sustaining everything and not being in need of anyone or anything, maintaining all of that. Allah SWT is the owner [Al-Malik] , the Mighty [Al-Aziz], The Wise [Al-Hakeem], The All-Knower, The All-Seer, The All-Hearer.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ.لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ.هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاء وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ.لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الأمُورُ.يُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ
“Whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the All-Mighty, All-Wise. His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, It is He Who gives life and causes death; and He is Able to do all things. He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him) and the Most Near (nothing is nearer than Him). And He is the All-Knower of everything. He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then Istawa (rose over) the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do. His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And to Allah return all the matters (for decision). He merges night into day, and merges day into night, and He has full knowledge of whatsoever is in the breasts.” Al-Hadid: 1-6
• Allah SWT is the creator
• Again Allah SWT is the owner of all up above and all down below, and everything from the lowest to the highest point – beyond which we do not ask about, for Allah SWT is the first and the last.
تَنزِيلًا مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ وَالسَّمَاوَاتِ الْعُلَى.الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى.لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَى.وَإِن تَجْهَرْ بِالْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى.اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى
“A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens. The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil. And if you (O Muhammad ) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden. Allah! La ilahla illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names.” Ta-Ha: 4-8
Allah SWT is Ar-Rahmaan, Ar-Raheem, Al-Malik, Al-Qud’doos, As-Salaam, Al-Mu’min, Al-Muhaymin, Al-Azeez, Al-Jab’baar, Al-Mutakab’bir, Al-Khaaliq, Al-Baari, Al-Mosow’wir, Al-Hakeem. Indeed there is none like Allah SWT, to whom belongs the Most beautiful names and attributes.
This is Allah SWT!
Allah SWT is in control of every single matter know, or unknown, apparent or hidden, from what is within the depth of the hearts of every single human being to the smallest atom in the universe, through to knowing and controlling the fall of every single leaf at any and every given instant. “La hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah”
“Allaah created all things and He Is the agent on which all things depend.”
“And Allaah created you all and whatever you do.”
“It was not you who threw, when you threw, but it was Allaah who threw.”
“And no calamity strikes except by Allaah’s permission.”
The Prophet (saws) further elaborated on this concept saying, “Be aware that if the whole of mankind gathered together in order to do something to help you, they would only be able to do something for you which Allaah had already written for you. Likewise, if the whole of mankind gathered together to harm you, they would only be able to do something to harm you which Allaah had already written to happen to you”
From whispering between two people, nay, of a man to himself, through to whatever emanates from the depth of the earth, through to every single leaf that falls, in any given second, in the world, “Nothing happens in creation except what He allows to happen”
So, we think of good fortune and misfortune, yet the reality of either, is that they are tests.
“O Believers! Surely there Is In your wives and children an enemy for you, so beware of them.”
That is, within the good things of this life there are severe tests of one’s faith in God. Likewise, in the terrible events of life there lies test as is mentioned in the verse,
“Surely We will test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth and life and the fruits of your work, so give glad tidings to those who are patient.”
So, we do things, and we get a result. We decide upon a certain action, we then pursue that action, and we get a result, bad sometimes and good other times.
“Perhaps you may dislike something which is really good for you or like something bad for you, but Allaah knows (what is best for you), and you do not.”
Apparently evil events in human lives sometimes turn out to be for the best and apparently good things which people desire turn out to be harmful.
Consequently, man’s realm of influence in the course of events which make up his life is limited to the mental choice between options presented to him and not the actual results of his choice. In other words “man proposes and God disposes”
Points of thought of the extent and degree and the Ruboobiyyah of Allah SWT:
“O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. “ Al-Hajj: 73
Nothing happens, except that it is under the control of Allah SWT, and our realm of influence is within the choices we make, at every single juncture in life.
I conclude, with a point of thought and a question to be answered in the next part of this series, InshaAllah:
Is this belief, the belief in Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyya, the belief that enters us into Islam, and distinguishes us from the mushrik and kaafir?
Your brother in Islam
Add comment October 31, 2009
Intro to lessons on Tawheed part 1
Sharing from a friend in FB.
LESSON 1
Abu ‘Uthman said: ‘Sincerity is to forget about the creation by constantly looking at the Creator (in terms of gaining admiration for your deeds)
GENERAL REFLECTION ON KNOWLEDGE
1. Knowledge and the Shahaadah: “So know that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin..” Muhammad: 19
2. Knowledge and Eemaan: “Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge.” (58:11)
3. Knowledge and Taqwa: “It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.” (35:28)
4. Knowledge and da’wah: “Say (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me with sure knowledge….” Yusuf: 108
5. Knowledge and Jihad: “And it is not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad) all together. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil)” At-Taubah: 122
6. Tawheed and knowledge: “So Know! That there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah and ask Allah to forgive your sins and those of the Mu’mineen and Mu’minaat (believing men and women), verily Allah knows where you move around and where you rest.” Surah Muhammad, Ayah 19
7. Shirk and ignorance: “Say is it other than Allah you order me to worship Oh you ignorant people?”
8. Knowledge by itself: “Say, are they alike those who have knowledge and those who don’t have knowledge?” (39:9)
The Messenger of Allaah informed us about 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.”( SAHEEH: Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan)
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…”( From Akhlaaqul Ulemaa (pp.42-43) of Imaam al-Aajurree)
“Verily Allah says: O son of Adam, free yourself for my worship, I will (in turn) fill your chest with satisfaction and remove your poverty, and if you don’t I will fill your hands with distraction and will not remove your poverty.” (Ahmad, no. 8681, at Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah no.4107, Ibn Hibban and others). In another narration, “I will fill your chest with distraction.” (Sahih Ibn Majah no. 3315)
Add comment October 19, 2009
Secrets of the Organized
Today, I have an excerpt from guest authors Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper on some great practical tips for living an organized lifestyle.
1. Never stop picking up.
- Try picking up during TV commercials or while you are waiting for something to boil on the stove. You will be amazed how much you can get done in five minutes.
- Have the entire family spend five minutes picking up the family room or living room before they go to bed. Set a timer for young kids so they don’t get overwhelmed.
- If your family members go to bed at different times then have each member pick up his or her items before bed time. Once this becomes a habit, you will be amazed how much easier picking up becomes.
2. Stop making messes.
- Keep a trash can in every room. No one likes carrying one small piece of trash from the family room to the kitchen so it usually ends up on the floor. Keep small trash cans everywhere. In our office we have two trash cans, one next to the desk for throwing away regular office trash and one next to the shipping table for throwing away envelope tabs, extra invoices and other shipping trash. If you need two trash cans in a room put them in there. Make it easy to keep things clean.
- Throw that sticky food wrapper straight into the trash. Don’t lay it on the counter to make another mess that needs to be wiped up later.
- Don’t lay that dirty spoon on the counter. Rinse it and put it in the sink or dishwasher.
- As you’re undressing, don’t throw your dirty clothes on the floor or on the furniture. While they are still in your hand, put them in the hamper or if they’re still clean, hang them up.
- Keep the hamper close to where you undress at night. If it is convenient, you will be more likely to use it.
- Before you leave the bathroom, hang your wet towel on the rod. Don’t drop it on the floor or leave it in a pile.
3. Think ahead.
- What are you having for dinner?
- Are the kid’s papers signed and ready for school?
- What clothes are you wearing tomorrow?
4. Never, Never Procrastinate.
- Keep straightening things all the time. For example, when you put away groceries and you see that the cans of soup have fallen over, take two seconds to restack them.
- When you put linens or clothes in their drawers, make sure everything in those drawers is neatly stacked.
- Pick up as you go. Each time you walk through a room, pick up something.
- Stop thinking about it! Just do it.
5. Don’t give up. Practice makes perfect.
- Train family members to rinse their own dishes and stack them in the sink (or better yet to put them directly into the dishwasher). It may take a while to develop this habit. For kids, you may want to do something like charge each member a dime for every dish not rinsed or make them responsible for doing all the dishes for a week.
- Remember Thomas Edison? What if he had given up after his first 5, 10, or 100 light bulbs? Where would we be now if he had thrown up his hands and quit at his first failures? The same is true with getting and staying organized. Keep practicing and you will create a productive new habit.
6. Attitude, Attitude, Attitude.
- Stop dreading taking care of your home and start taking pride and pleasure in it. Think of an organized home as a special gift of peace and pleasure that you are giving your family. A disorganized one causes turmoil and frustration. Besides — You probably spend more time worrying about it than it would take to clean it.
7. Use rooms for their intended purposes.
- Don’t let kids get undressed in the family room - that’s why they have bedrooms.
- Eat food at the kitchen table or bar, not in bed. This alone can save a huge number of messes.
- Fold laundry in the laundry room immediately after taking it out of the dryer and put it away immediately.
8. Be a wise steward of your time.
- If you see something that needs to be clean, clean it as soon as possible.
- If something doesn’t need to be cleaned, don’t waste your time. If there is no dust, don’t just dust because you dust every Saturday.
- Don’t overbook yourself volunteering at schools, churches or charities. Learn to say “no”. Notice that I didn’t say don’t do these things at all, just control how much you do so they don’t take over your life.
- Don’t overbook your children with their activities, either.
- Get rid of fruitless activities. Many of us spend way too much time talking on the phone, watching TV, shopping unnecessarily or killing time on the computer. These are all time robbers when you devote a lot of time to them.
9. Keep on top of things.
- If you do small cleanings every day, you’d be surprised how much you can accomplish. In ten minute increments, you can do each of the following: wash the dishes, vacuum, file a pile of papers or clean your purse. It shouldn’t take more than ten minutes for each child to pick up his room before bed and to lay out his clothes for the morning.
- Don’t let the laundry, dishes, toys and paperwork get out of control.
Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper specialize in helping others to live a frugal lifestyle. Check out more great articles by them at http://www.livingonadime.com/.
Add comment August 9, 2009
Syarat-syarat untuk memperolehi rahmat Allah
Syaikh Ibnu ‘Athaillah menjelaskan sebagai berikut”
1. Menjaga tutur kata
Adapun dikatakan menjaga tutur kata ialah mampu mengendalikan diri daripada mengucapkan kata-kata yang tidak perlu diucapkan, seperti kata yang bersifat rahsia, kata-kata yang boleh menyinggung perasaan orang lain, kata-kata yang boleh mendatangkan fitnah, kata-kata yang boleh menimbulkan keresahan dalam masyaratkat dan seumpamanya.
Sehubungan dengan ini, ahli hikmah mengatakan sebagai berikut:
“Tiap-tiap perkataan itu ada tempat tertentu (yang layak) untuk mengucapkannya, dan tiap-tiap tempat juga ada kata-kata tersendiri (yang sesuai diucapkan padanya).”
2. Memahami zaman
Memahami zaman adalah melihat dengan teliti kebiasaan-kebiasaan yang berlaku pada zaman itu. Jika sesuai dengan nilai-nilai dan ajaran agama, maka ia akan dijadikan pegangan dan amalan, tetapi jika ia bertentangan dengan nilai-nilai dan ajaran agama, hendaklah ditolak dengan tegas dan dihindari sejauh-jauhnya.
Sehubungan dengan ini Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda yang bermaksud:
“Janganlah ada di antara kamu yang menjadi manusia ikut-ikutan, dengan mengatakaan: “aku mengikut orang ramai. Jika mereka baik aku juga demikian, dan andainya mereka rosak aku juga ikut rosak.” Tetapi hendaklah engkau tanamkan (suatu prinsip) dalam jiwamu, jika orang ramai dalam keadaan baik, hendaklah kamu demikian, sebaliknya jika mereka rosak, hendaklah kamu menjauhi kerosakan itu.”
(Diriwayatkan oleh at-Tirmidzi)
3. Istiqamah dalam hidup
Maksudnya ialah mempunyai pendirian yang tegas, tidak mudah diumbang-ambingkan oleh keadaan, dan tidak mudah pula terpengaruh oleh pujuk rayu apa dan siapapun, sehingga dalam keadaan yang bagaimanapun ia sentiasa berpegang teguh kepada keimanan dan ketaqwaannya.
Sehubungan dengan ini, kita perhatikan firman Allah yang bermaksud:
“Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang mengatakan: “Tuhan kami Allah!” Kemudian mereka meneguhkan pendirian mereka, maka malaikat akan turun kepada mereka (dengan mengatakan): “Janganlah kamu merasa takut dan janganlah kamu mereka sedih, dan gembiralah kamu dengan syurga yang telah dijanjikan
Allah kepadamu.”
(Surah fushilat: 30)
Demikianlah syarat-syarat yang mesti dipenuhi oleh orang yang ingin memperolehi rahmat daripada Allah Taala.
Add comment August 8, 2009
