March – 2006 – Ilm Fruits

Monthly Archives: March 2006

The Fruits of Eman (6): Khilafah

March 29, 2006 – 4:17 pm

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman:

15) The Khalifa

In Surah Noor, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

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

Translation: Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, , inheritance (of power), … [when] they worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. (Surah Noor, verse 55)¹

Now, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) promised–promised!–those who believe (have eman) and do good deeds, the khilafa on this Earth. And Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) does not need to promise anything. But He promises it anyway.

This verse shows that khilafa is from eman and tawhid. Notice the pre-condition: those who believe and do good deeds, i.e. eman and tawhid.

And remember, the Prophet (peace be upon him) spent 13 years in Mecca focused purely on eman and tawhid, belief in Allah alone. It came even before salaah (which started late in Meccan times) and many prohibitions like alcohol. Unfortunately, today, we have many groups who do not start where the Prophet, peace be upon him, started, nor do they aim for what he aimed for.

Related Posts: Belief: A Beautiful Tree

References

(1) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network. 25 Mar. 2006 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

(2) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Comments (2)

The Fruits of Eman (5): Glad Tidings of Angels Before Death

March 27, 2006 – 5:40 pm

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman:

14) Glad Tidings of Angels before Death

In Surah Fussilat, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

Translation: In the case of those who say, “Our Lord is Allah”, and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them [and say]: “Fear ye not, nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), the which ye were promised! (Surah Fussilat, verse 30)¹

This ayah refers to the final milliseconds of life of an individual, when the angels come to carry the soul away.

From now, from today–nevermind the final milliseconds of life–Allah separates between believers and unbelievers. For the pious, Allah sends down armies of angels (as narrated in one hadith)–beautiful angels who say “don’t worry about the Hereafter, don’t worry about your family, we’ll take care of them.”

And the soul leaves the body like water poured from a glass (source unknown), and the eyes follow the soul up when it leaves the body [Muslim]²

The end result? The mu’min is content even before he leaves this world. And the for the non-Muslim, the torture beings here. May Allah protect us all from that evil end, and make us of those content when we leave the dunya.

Related Posts: Belief: A Beautiful Tree

References

(1) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network. 25 Mar. 2006 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

(2) “Sahih Muslim Chapter 177: Closing the Eyes of the Dead and Supplication For Him on Visitng Him.” USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts. University of Southern California. 27 Mar. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/004.smt.html#004.2005>.

(3) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

The Fruits of Eman (4): A Good Life

March 26, 2006 – 11:59 am

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman:

13) A Good Life

In Surah Nahl, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

Translation: Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions. (Surah Nahl, verse 97)¹

Eman beings blessings into this world. And only Muslims can truly enjoy this world.

Muslims know about paradise and the different levels and things, but many of us also fail to realize that the blessings begin here, in this life.

If you look at non-Muslims, they’re never satisfied, no matter how much they get–they always want more and more and more, and the little they have, they’re afraid to lose. (Have you ever heard of someone who reached a certain point in their wealth where they said “ok, that’s enough for me”?–never!)

Interestingly, $400-million is the mark–the point at which a person can buy anything they want. After that, if someone earns more money, there’s no more stuff to buy. But the quality of life of the person is the same. Of those people who have over $400M in personal holdings (and there are quite a few), not one of them says “let me retire in peace”. They want more, and think–and this is a common misconception–that money necessitates happiness. Wrong.

The real mu’min remains content no matter what he has–even if it’s $1, he says “alhamdullilah” and spends it on himself and his family. He remains content because he knows Allah will give him more. As for what he doesn’t have, Allah knows best about it.

The highest suicide rates are in “civilized” first-world countries. It’s the multimillionaires who watch the stock-market crash and commit suicide because of the millions they lose. A farmer, if you give him $1M, he won’t know what to do with it.

The mu’min’s quality of life is incomparable. And it’s not in wordly posessions, it’s in attitude. So don’t forget–Jannah is the ultimate goal, the ultimate reward, yes–but your rewards start here as well, inshaAllah.

And one last difference: when disasters strike, non-Muslims and people with low eman go crazy. Muslims bear through it with patience. That’s why nobody can have the quality of life we can have.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) give us the best of this life and the next life.

Related Posts: Belief: A Beautiful Tree

References

(1) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network. 25 Mar. 2006 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

(2) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Gems, Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

The Fruits of Eman (3)

March 25, 2006 – 11:28 am

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman:

9) Good Always Happens to You

In one hadith, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “How amazing is the situation of the believer. His affair is always for the best, and this is not true for anyone besides the believer. If good befalls him he is thankful and this is best for him. If ill befalls him he is patient and this is best for him.” [Sahih Muslim]^?

What does it mean? A Muslim is never a loser. He always has good happen to him. Alhamdullilah.

10) A Gateway from Sorrows

In Surah Talaq, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

ذَلِكُمْ يُوعَظُ بِهِ مَن كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا

Translation: Such is the admonition given to whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day. And for those who fear Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him. (Surah Talaq, verse 2)²

Whoever has eman and taqwa, Allah makes an escape route for him from his worries and problems. So a believer is never trapped–financially, socially, marital problems–no problem! Allah says, if you fear/worship Me, I will make a way out for you from a way you did not suspect would be able to help. Subhanallah.

11) Raised up Here and in the Hereafter

In Surah Mujadila, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ

Translation: Allah will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted Knowledge (Surah Mujadila, verse 11)²

Those who believe (and have eman) will be raised up to high ranks, in this life and in the hereafter.

12) Protection from Falling into Evil

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “A person who commits zina, while doing it, is not Muslim. A person who drinks alcohol, while doing it, is not Muslim. A person who plunders from the booty, while doing it, is not Muslim.” [Sahih Muslim]^?

Why isn’t he a Muslim? Because if he had eman, he wouldn’t be doing those things. We know, from other ahadith, that while he commits these acts, his eman leaves his heart, and when he finishes, enters in a diminshed state. And notice, these three things mentioned, are not just ordinary sins. They are big sins.

May Allah increase our eman and protect us from kufr, shirk, and nifaq.

Related Posts: Belief: A Beautiful Tree

References

(1) Al-Oadah, Salman. “Mistakes.” Islamtoday.Com. 25 Mar. 2006 <http://www.islamtoday.com/showme_weekly_2005.cfm?cat_id=30&sub_cat_id=777>.

(2) Dosani, Adeel. trans. 25 Mar. 2006.

(3) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

The Fruits of Eman (2)

March 24, 2006 – 7:16 pm

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman:

4) Forgiveness of Sins

In Surah Furqan, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُوْلَئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Translation: [Whoever] repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful,” (Surah Furqan, verse 70)¹

Whoever sins, repents, and believes (and works good deeds)–Allah will forgive him. Subhanallah! And good deeds blot out bad deeds. Alhamdullilah for the mercy of Allah, without whom none of us would enter Jannah.

5) The Protection of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى)

In Surah Baqarah, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

اللّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ

Translation: Allah is the Protector of those who have faith (Surah Baqarah, verse 257)¹

And when Allah protects you, what does he do? Well, He …

6) Defends and Fights for You

In Surah Hajj, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُ

Translation: Verily Allah will defend (from ill) those who believe (Surah Hajj, verse 38)¹

And who can defend you better then Allah?

7) More Eman

In Surah Yunus, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ يَهْدِيهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِإِيمَانِهِمْ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الأَنْهَارُ فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ

Translation: Those who believe, and work righteousness,- their Lord will guide them because of their faith: beneath them will flow rivers in gardens of bliss. (Surah Yunus, verse 9)¹

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) increases the eman of those people with eman. And those who desire the straight path, Allah will guide them because of their eman.

8) Protection and Comfort for Believers

In the battle of Uhud, the Muslims were surrounded. It seemed like they were going to be defeated, wiped out. Allah then revealed:

الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَقَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا اللّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

Translation: Men said to them: “A great army is gathering against you”: And frightened them: But it (only) increased their Faith: They said: “For us Allah sufficeth, and He is Al-Wakeel (the best disposer of affairs).” (Surah Al-Imraan, verse 173)¹

When the believers were surrounded and it seemed hopeless, they turned to their eman and found comfort and hope.

May Allah give us all the benefits of the fruits of eman!

Related Posts: Belief: A Beautiful Tree

References

(1) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network. 24 Mar. 2006 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

(2) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

The Fruits of Eman (1)

March 22, 2006 – 3:31 pm

Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ibrahim:

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاء
تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللّهُ الأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

Translation: Have you not seen how Allah has given the parable of a beautiful kalimah, like a beautiful tree whose roots are firmly established, and whose branches tower in the sky? It gives its fruits at all times by the permission of it’s Lord, and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. (Surah Ibrahim, verse 24-25)¹

We discussed in the previous entry, the parable of the tree that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) sets forth in the Qur’an. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says here that the tree of eman is ever fruitful–unlike other trees that fruit only at specific times (once a year, twice a year, etc.) this tree is always fruitful.

And it is only the tree of eman that is perpetually fruitful.

Now, you might ask, what are the fruits of this tree–the fruits of eman? There are many–I know only 20–so inshaAllah we will discuss them over a series of entries.

Bismillah.

1) Jannah / Paradise

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Surah Kahf:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا

Translation: As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they shall have many jannat in firdaus (Surah Kahf, verse 107)¹

Those who believe (the word is “amana”), they shall have Paradise. So Paradise is one of the fruits of eman!

2) Protection from Hellfire

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, in one hadith: Whoever said “La ilaha ilallah” and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a barley grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said “La ilaha ilallah” and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a wheat grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said “La ilaha ilallah” and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of an atom will be taken out of Hell.” [Bukhari 1/2/21]²

This hadith shows, explicitly, that there are different levels of eman (that’s a topic of another entry). And eman protects you from Hellfire–whether from a permanent stay (may Allah protect us from that) or all-together.

3) The Key to Acceptance of Good Deeds

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Isra:

وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الآخِرَةَ وَسَعَى لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا

Translation: Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter, and strive therefor with all due striving, and have Faith – they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to Allah). (Surah Isra, verse 19)¹

This shows that eman–belief in the Hereafter–is the key to having your good deeds accepted.

Which raises the question–what about non-Muslims? There are those who build hospitals, feed orphans, etc. They believe in Allah, perhaps in a different way then we do (such as the mushrikeen of Arabia during the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him). Will their reward go in vain? If Allah is just(سبحانه وتعالى) how can he let their good deeds go in vain?

The answer is that they do receive rewards from Allah–but in this life, only, and not the Hereafter. Wallahu ‘alim.

Related Posts: Belief: A Beautiful Tree

References

(1) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network. 22 Mar. 2006 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

(2) “Sahih Bukhari, Book 2: Faith.” USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts. University of South California. 22 Mar. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/002.sbt.html>.

(3) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

Belief: A Beautiful Tree

March 21, 2006 – 5:37 pm

Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ibrahim:

Translation: Have you not seen how Allah has given the parable of a beautiful kalimah, like a beautiful tree whose roots are firmly established, and whose branches tower in the sky? … Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. (Surah Ibrahim, verse 24-25)¹

Look at all the images embedded in this metaphor. Trees produce fruit, wood for houses, shade, shelter.

And more then that–oxygen! Trees are the fundamental building block of the ecosystem!

“roots are firmly established” means strength and stability. Think of hurricanes–when they hit, they uproot weaker trees. Trees with good roots remain firm. Eman is like that–it keeps you firm. And like the tree, once eman enters the heart, it doesn’t leave. (Consider the scholars–never in the history of the ummah has one left the deen. Scholars of other religions leave them all the time–for Islam. A hafidh never leaves Islam. Even non-practicing Muslims never doubt their faith. Those who leave, they were never really, truly Muslims.)

“Branches tower in the sky” shows that the larger the tree, the more benefits–the more oxygen, the more shade, the more fruit.

May Allah give us understanding of His parables and allow us to remember them. Ameen.

Related Posts: The Fruits of Eman (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

References

(1) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam, Tafseer | Comments (0)

Da’wah to Atheists: Five Minutes

March 20, 2006 – 9:47 pm

When you give da’wah to atheists, give them five minutes of your time, then move on. If you can’t convince them in five minutes, you won’t be able to in five centuries.

As proof that you should focus your da’wah on other then atheists, consider the Qur’an. How many verses did Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) reveal to the Jews and Christians (People of the Book)? Countless. To the mushrikeen, the polytheistic Arabs? Dozens upon dozens. To the atheists? Three to seven.

Think about that. Three to seven verses only. Subhanallah. Why? Why so few?

Belief in Allah is self-evident. It’s part of the fitrah, the natural inclination of every human being. Someone who denies something so self-evident is not terribly intelligent, and definitely not worth spending effort on. (How long would you debate with someone who tells you, while outside on a sunny day, that the sun is not shining on them? Two seconds?)

Turn your purposes to more productive purposes and inshaAllah you will see more benefit from your actions.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) purify our da’wah and accept our good actions, ameen.

References

Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Da'wah, Gems, Islam | Comments (7)

Three Aspects of Tawhid

March 17, 2006 – 10:15 am

Scholars of ‘aqeeda divide tawhid into three aspects: tawhid ar-rububiyyah, tawhid al-uloohiyyah, and tawhid al-asmaa wal sifat.

Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah is the tawhid of Lordship. It pertains to Allah’s right as the Lord, and all that entails–the Creator, the Sustainer.

Tawhid Al-Uloohiyyah is the tawheed of worship. It pertains to Allah’s right to be worshipped, without any partners.

Tawhid Al-Asmaa wal Sifat is the tawheed of Allah’s names and attributes–such as that he is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim.

Note that denying part or whole of any of the parts of any of these three is shirk.

This division is derived directly from the Qur’an itself. Check it out:

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّي
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

Translation: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. King of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we seek for help (Surah Fatiha, verse 2-5)¹.

If you break these verses down, you will see a correspondance with the three aspects of tawhid.

Rabil ‘Alameen (Lord of the Worlds): Allah’s right to Lordship (Rububiyyah)

Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Maliki Yawmid-Deen (The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful, King of the Day of Deen): Allah’s names and attributes (Asmaa wal Sifat)

Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka na’sta’een (You alone we worship and You alone we seek for help): Allah’s right to be worshipped (Uloohiyyah).

The same thing happens in Surah Nas. Check it out:

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
مَلِكِ النَّاسِ
إِلَهِ النَّاسِ

Translation: Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of Humankind. The King of Mankind. The God of Mankind (Surah Nas, verse 1-3)¹

If you break these verses down, you will see a correspondance with the three aspects of tawhid.

Rabin-Nas (Lord of Mankind): Allah’s right to Lordship (Rububiyyah)

Malikin-Nas (King of Mankind): Allah’s names and attributes (Asmaa wal Sifat)

Ilahin-Nas (God of Mankind): Allah’s right to be worshipped (Uloohiyyah).

And there are many more examples. These are just two of them.There’s a lot of overlap between Rububiyyah and Asmaa wal Sifat, so in reality, a two-category classification is more accurate. However this method is easier to teach.

May Allah give us a perfect and pristine understanding of Him, unmarred by any false ideologies. Ameen!

References

(1) Alibhai, Ashiq, trans. Al-Quran. 17 Mar. 2006.

(2) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Islam, Tafseer | Comments (1)

‘Ibadah, Natural Actions, Religious Actions

March 16, 2006 – 10:42 pm

‘Ibadah. We hear the word all the time. But what does it mean?

Linguistically, ‘ibadah means to show subserviance, or to be subserviant to.

From a shar’ee perspective, ‘ibadah has two meanings:

The spiritual conscience of the worshipper–what constitutes worship spiritually.
The actions–what consitutes worship in action.

And Ibn Tamiyyah says: “‘Ibadah includes all hidden and shown actions, statements, and beliefs beloved to Allah.”

Of actions, there are two types: natural and religious.

Natural actions are all kinds–normal stuff, things like eating, sleeping, and blinking.

Religious actions are performed with a religious intention, and have a specific context and culture. For example, praying salaah is a religious action of the Muslims. And religious actions have two parts: sincerity (to Allah), and conformity (to the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him).

Any natural act can become religious. All it requires is a change of intention.

There is a famous hadith of Salmaan al-Farsi and Abu Darda, may Allah be pleased with both. Salmaan said: “I expect Allah to reward me in his sleep as He rewards me in Tahajjud.” Why? Because his intention is to sleep in order to serve Allah better. Sincerity transforms a natural act into an act of worship.

The majority of mankind performs natural acts with no intention of pleasing Allah. But those acts can plase Allah. Intention is the key difference.

The muhsin is one who worships Allah as if he can see Him, and he turns every natural act into a religious act.

May Allah give us all the tawfiq to gain maximal benefit for all our actions, ameen.