Qunut for our imprisoned Muslimeen

Ruling of Seeking Judgement from the Taghout & Getting Rid of the Doubts Concerning it!

Our aim in this work with the permit of Allâh is to bring forth the narrations with regards to seeking judgment from Tâghût’s being in opposition to the Shahâdah (testimony) of La ilaha illallâh (There is no deity/god worthy of worship but Allâh) which is the Asl’ud Dîn (bases of the religion) itself.

There are many doubts and views concerning whether seeking judgment from Tâghût is something that nullifies the Asl’ud Dîn or whether it is a matter of Furû (secondary matters of the Dîn) which makes it merely a sin in which there is Ikhtilâf (disagreement) amongst the Ulamâ and contains unclear points concerning it.

In this work we will refute all those views that claim seeking judgment from the Tâghût should not be considered - even if it is said partially - within Tawhîd. We are going to start by summarizing the opposite views.

However before that, it needs to be underlined that the owner of these Bâtil (false) views and deviant creeds concerning the issue of seeking judgment from the Tâghût are some ignorant contemporary so-called scholars whose views cannot be taken in consideration. None of the views they bring forth can be quoted from any respected scholar.

The reason why we are going to mention these views in detail is not because we take them in consideration seriously, but to cause the Bâtil to be fully seen. It is because many people can only comprehend the issue after it is explained and clarified in detail and they will not be able to realize it being against the general principles which are also possessed by these Bâtil Usûl (methodology) owners.

For the sake of hoping to be a Wasîlah (means) to Hidâyah (guidance) for those who need explanation in detail, we are going to mention all of these Bâtil views and with the help of Allâh we will establish that they are against the principle “seeking judgment from the Tâghût nullifies Asl’ud Dîn”:

- According to some, seeking judgment from the Tâghût is not Kufr but Harâm ! Moreover, they assert that those who claim it to be Kufr are distanced from Ahl’us Sunnah and are closer to the Khawârij !

Advice from Sufyan at-Thawri...

❝Be truthful at all times and in all places. Stay away from lying and from deception, and do not sit alongside liars and deceivers, for all such deeds are sins.

My brother, be careful not to show off, either in speech or in deed, for showing off is Shirk itself (Shirk being to associate partners with Allāh in worship).

Do not be conceited, for even a good deed is not raised (to the heavens) if any conceitedness is involved in it.

Take your religion only from one who is sincerely and compassionately concerned about his own religious guidance. The example of a scholar who is not concerned about his own religious well-being is that of a sick doctor: If he cannot treat his own disease…then how can he treat the diseases of others…? Likewise, if one is not concerned about his own religious well-being, then how can he be concerned about the religious well-being of others?

My brother, your religion is nothing more than your flesh and blood (i.e., You should be concerned about your religious well-being, because if you aren’t, it is your flesh and blood that will pay the penalty through the punishment of Allāh). Cry out of concern for your soul and have mercy on it; if you do not have mercy on it, then mercy will not be shown to it.

Sit only in the company of one who advises you to desire little from this world and who encourages you to put your hopes in the Hereafter. Take care not to sit with worldly people who speak constantly about worldly affairs; such people will ruin your religious well-being and will corrupt your heart.

Remember death frequently, and just as frequently ask Allāh to forgive you for your past sins.

The most misused/ abused phrases !!!

The most misused/abused phrases by the people to cover-up their mistakes:

1 "Only Allah can judge" !
2 "You don't know what is in the heart" !

The statements are true but they are intentionally applied (to support) a wrong (cause). [This was said by Ali (ra) in his reply to the Khawaarij - Saheeh Muslim]

The first statement was uttered by the Khawaarij against Ali (ra). The Khawaarij denied the role of man in making decisions and forming judgments; whereas, we do indeed have court systems and judges to make judgments. [See the long conversation between Ibn Abbaas and the Khawaarij]

The second statement is from the `Aqeedah of the Murji'ah, those who believe that (a) Imaan is nothing but a belief of the heart only, (b) the actions of the limbs and statement of the tongue are not a part of Imaan, (c) it neither increases with obedience nor decreases with disobedience, (d) and that it remains constant. [Whereas the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah believe that Imaan is to believe in the articles of Faith with: a) firm conviction of the heart, b) statement of the tongue (saying the Shahadah), c) and actions of the limbs. d) It increases with righteousness and obedience, and decreases with sins and disobedience.]

So, instead of owning up to their mistakes and correcting themselves, many people utter such statements as a cover-up, and to run away from their responsibilities.

They also utter such statements to silence those who want to help them. Their pride denies them from accepting the Truth/Guidance.
 

Love of Allah...

An exceptional love

The love of Allah should occupy man's heart and get total possession of it; and if it does not seize it entirely, it should at least outweigh the love of all other things in it. Allah says about the believers: "He loves them and they love Him," [5:54] and the Prophet (saws) said: "A man would not have attained faith until and unless he loves Allah and His Messenger more than anything else." [Bukhari] When angel of death came to take the soul of Prophet Ibrahim (as) the latter said, "Have you ever seen a friend take his friend's life?" To that, Allah replied, "Have you ever seen a friend unwilling to see his friend?" Then Ibrahim (as) said, "O Angel of death! Take my soul!" The Prophet (saws) taught the following supplication to his Companions, "O Allah, allow me to love You and to love those who love You, and to love whatsoever brings me nearer to Your love, and make Your love more precious to me than cold water to the thirsty." [At-Tirmithi]

Al-Hassan Al-Basri used to say, "He who knows Allah, loves Him."

Causes of the love of Allah

The first cause is man's love for himself and his drive to perfect his own creation. This leads directly to loving Allah because man's very existence and attributes are but the gift of Allah whose grace and kindness have brought man from behind the curtain of non-existence into this visible world. Man's preservation and eventual attainment of perfection are also entirely dependent upon Allah's grace. It would indeed be a wonder if one should take refuge from the heat of the Sun under the shadow of a tree and not be grateful to the tree, without which there would be no shadow at all. On precisely the same way, were it not for Allah, man would have neither existence nor attributes at all.

Advice for Muslimah's from our beloved Prophet (saws)

• The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "If a woman performs the five (obligatory) prayers, fasts the month (of Ramadaan), maintains her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her (on the Day of Judgment), 'Enter Paradise from whichever gate you like'." [Ibn Hibban] [Al-Albani: Saheeh]

• The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "O company of women! Give charity even from your ornaments, for you constitute the majority of the people of Hell on the Day of Judgment." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

• The Messenger of Allah (saws) further said: "I advise you (O women) to adhere to Tasbeeh (to say 'Exalted be Allah'), Tahleel (to say 'there is none worthy of worship except Allah'), and Taqdees (to say 'Exalted be (Allah) The Sovereign, The Pure, Exalted and Pure be the Lord of angels and Holy spirit'), and count with the help of your fingers, for they will be questioned and made to speak (to give witness to you), and be not heedless (of Dhikr - remembrance) lest you would forget (to seek) mercy." [Abu Dawood and At-Tirmithi]

• It was narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) asked a woman of the Ansar (The Companions of Prophet (saws) from Madeena) called Umm Sinan: “What prevented you from performing Hajj with us?” She replied, “There were only two camels used for carrying water owned by so-and-so (meaning her husband). He and his son offered Hajj on one, and the other was left to be used for irrigation.” The Prophet (saws) said: “Then, ‘Umrah (to be offered) in Ramadan is equal (in reward) to Hajj or Hajj with me.” [Muslim]

The Foundation of Islam & its Principle, PART-3.

Last week we talked about the issues of ‘Aqidah that are included in that topic. So, when we say we’re going to study ‘Aqidah, or this is a book about ‘Aqidah, what are the things that might be there and we talked a little bit about all the things that would be included, and what’s the most important and what’s the basis of those things and why we’re starting with that.

So, we said the most basic part of ‘Aqidah is Tawhid, so following Tawhid and staying away from Shirk and this is why we chose this small Risalah, it’s very basic and it gives you the most basic aspects of the ‘Aqidah of the Muslimin and these are aspects that don’t even fall, if someone contradicts them, they don’t even fall into aspects of Bi’dah, they actually fall out of the fold of Islam, because the most basic thing, if someone doesn’t have Tawhid, or they have Shirk then they’re not Muslim.

So, this isn’t a matter of, to say that this person is not from Ahlus-Sunnah or this person is a Mubtada’, we’d say that this person has actually left the fold of Islam and he’s not a Muslim, or he’s a Kafir or however you want to phrase what this person is, but the fact of the matter is that they’re not Muslim.

So, this is why we started with this and last week brother Jamal read it for us, and we see that it’s two aspects, so the first is thing that must be done by the Muslim, so that he must have Tawhid, act upon Tawhid and he must encourage upon that, and he must have his Wilayah for it, or forming his allegiances are based upon Tawhid and that the fourth is that he declares to be a disbeliever the people who don’t have Tawhid.

The second aspect was the opposite of that, so staying away from Shirk and encouraging or warning people against that, or having Bara’ah and disvowment from the people who fall into shirk, and then the fourth part is declaring the people who do it, to be non-Muslim, and be kuffar. The Imam who wrote this, he mentioned the evidence for all of these, when Allah said,

“And verily, We sent to every community a Messenger (proclaiming): ‘Worship Allah (Alone) and avoid the Taghut’.” [16:36]

Summary of Events after Hijrah

1st year of Hijrah:

1. As soon as the Prophet (saws) reached Madinah, he built a Mosque for prayers. The walls were made of mud and the roof was made of leafy stalks of date trees.

2. Up until then there were only two compulsory Rak'aat for the noon (Dhuhr), afternoon (‘Asr) and night (‘Isha) prayers; but from then on four Rak'aat were made compulsory for these three times of prayers.

3. Agreements were made with the Jews and the neighboring tribes for peace and friendliness.

4. Bonds of brotherhood developed between the Muhajireen of Makkah and those of Madina, called Ansar. The Ansar loved the Makkans more than their brothers and permitted them to share in their properties on equal terms.

2nd year of Hijrah:

1. Regular calls for the prayer began to be observed.

2. Allah Almighty commanded the Muslims to change their direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah in Makkah.

3. Fasting in the month of Ramadaan was made compulsory.

4. Battle of Badr took place.

3rd year of Hijrah:

Islam and Jihaad for the sake of Allah...

Islam came to complete the previous Divine religions and faith on earth. In fact, the Prophet (saws) completed the missions of the previous Prophets. Allah’s Messenger (saws) said: “My example, and the example of the prophets, who preceded me, is like that of a person who built a beautiful house. The house was perfect, magnificent and great except for a place of a single brick (in one corner). People, who visited (or saw) that house admired it but always wondered, why did not the owner complete that missing single brick?’ I am that (missing) brick. I am the final Prophet (for mankind on the earth).” [Al-Bukhari]

Islam diligently acts to provide the basic needs of man on earth, like the previous Divine religions and works hard to secure his rights.

Let us read together the following verse of the Quraan: “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors.” [2:190]
Allah has made Jihaad a rewardable act that Muslims believe in and practice. In fact, Jihaad is looked upon as the “hump” of the camel, the highest most important point on the body of the camel, and a Muslim should regard it similarly. Struggle for the sole cause of Allah Almighty must be cherished by the sincere believing Muslims in this life. It should be treated with reverence and taken seriously, with a mature understanding of its objectives. Jihaad is not an innovation in Islam. In fact, Jihaad is an accepted, well-established, and known practice in the previous faiths and nations as well.

Mu’adh ibn Jabal reported: I was travelling with the Prophet (saws) one morning, close to him as we journeyed together, and I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a deed that will admit me into Paradise and keep me away from the Hellfire.” The Prophet (saws) said, “You have asked about an enormous matter, yet it is easy upon those for whom Allah makes it easy. Worship Allah and do not associate anything with him, establish the prayer, give the charity, fast the month of Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage to the House.” Then, the Prophet (saws) said, “Shall I not tell you about the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield, charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire, and the prayer of a man in the late night,” and the Prophet (saws) recited the verse, “They arise from their beds and supplicate to their Lord in fear and hope. They spend from what We have provided them, for no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort as reward for what they used to do.” (32:16) Then, the Prophet (saws) said, “Shall I not tell you about the head of the matter and its peak?” I said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (saws) said, “The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is prayer, and jihād is its peak. Shall I not tell you how to achieve all of this?” I said, “Of course, O Prophet of Allah.” The Prophet (saws) pointed to his tongue and he said, “Restrain this.” I said, “O Prophet of Allah, will what we say be held against us?” The Prophet (saws) said, “May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’adh! Is there anything that topples people onto their faces into the Hellfire but the harvest of their tongues?” [At-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

Physical characteristics of Angels

What they were created from and when

The substance from which Allah created angels is light. It is narrated on the authority of `A'ishah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from smokeless fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you (i.e. in the Quraan, which is clay)." [Muslim]

Prophet Muhammad (saws) did not explain what light this is that they were created from. Hence we cannot indulge in trying to say more about this matter, because it is the matter of the unseen concerning which no further clarification has been narrated, apart from this Hadith.

We do not know when the angels were created, for Allah has not informed us about that. But we do know that they were created before Adam the father of mankind. Allah has told us that He informed the angels that He was going to create a Khaleefah on earth. Allah says in the Quraan:
"And (mention, O Muhammad), when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." [2:30]
 

Allah also says:

"And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My soul, then fall down to him in prostration." [15:29]

Seeing the angels

The universal Da’wah of Islam...

The Da’wah of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) was not restricted to a particular time or place; rather, it was a universal Da’wah; one to last until the end of time.

There is much evidence to substantiate this and some wonderful examples can be found in the Quran. Allah clarifies the timeless prophetic role of Muhammad (saws) in the following Ayaat:

• "And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and as a warner to all mankind." [34:28]

• "Say (O Muhammad): 'O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah." [7:158]

• "Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e., this Quran) to His slave (Muhammad) that he may be a Warner to the 'Aalameen (mankind and Jinn)." [25:1]

There is a Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "I have been given superiority over the other Prophets in six respects: I have been given words which are concise but comprehensive in meaning; I have been helped by terror (in the hearts of enemies); spoils have been made lawful to me; the earth has been made for me clean and a place of worship; I have been sent to all of mankind and I am the seal of the Prophets." [Muslim]

The Foundation of Islam & its Principle, PART-2.

So, insha’Allah now we’ll talk a little bit about each one of these four aspects of the first rule that he mentions. So, he says the first one is:

a) Commanding the worship of Allah Alone without any partners.
We know Allah said,
“Say: ‘O People of the Book, come to a word that is Just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him; and that none of us shall takes others as Lords besides Allah.’ Then if they turn away, say: ‘bear witness that we are Muslimin’”. [3:64]

So, we see from this verse that, first of all, we are ordered to call the people to this. It’s not something that we say “I believe and I’m not going to push my beliefs on anyone else”, because if we believe this is true, and we believe Allah has the right to be worshipped, and no one has the right to be worshipped other than Allah, this is something we have to openly declare.

Whether it’s to Muslimin who have problems with this, who fall into acts that contradict this, we should correct them and inform them that we don’t accept it. Likewise, taking part in other non-Muslim acts that are worship of other than Allah, or that contain any of these aspects, they should be openly declared because Allah ordered us here, “Qul ya Ahl-Kitab”, so the first one is the Prophet (saws), and we’re ordered to follow him in everything that’s not specific to him, and this is obviously one of the things that isn’t specific to him.

We also see here, that Allah said to call them to this word, that we don’t that we don't worship anybody except Allah, that we associate no partners with Him and that none of us shall take others a Lords besides Allah, so these three things. Then he said, if they turn away from this, then say, “bear witness that we are Muslimin.” So, if people don't accept these things, they're not Muslims.