Monthly Archives: March 2006

Forgiveness for Shirk?

March 16, 2006 – 12:58 am

Allah blessed me with the opportunity to listen to Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, who specializes in Aqeeda, speak about shirk. Here’s what he said.

Question: What happens if you’re Muslim and you’ve committed shirk?

Answerer: Shaykh Yasir Qadhi

In the Qur’an, in many places, Allah says shirk is unforgivable.

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَى إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا

Translation: Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin. (Surah Nisaa, verse 48)1, 2

Notice Allah says he “forgives what is besides that”–that means any sin is potentially forgivable. Subhanallah.

So what happens if you’re Muslim, and you commit an act of shirk? Does it destroy all your good deeds? Are you doomed to enter Jahannam, may Allah protect us all from that?

“Allah does not forgive [shirk]” means Allah will not forgive the person if he doesn’t repent. Repentance wipes out every sin, without exception. Many sahaba (may Allah be pleased with all of them) were mushrikoon when they accepted Islam.

The point is, if you commit shirk and die without repenting, Allah will not forgive you. If you fornicate, drink alcohol, consume interest, steal, and you repent afterward, Allah will forgive you inshaAllah. If you don’t repent from those sins and you die, Allah may forgive you. With shirk, if you die with it unrepented, Allah will not forgive you.

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) saught refuge from shirk and taught us a wonderful du’a to protect ourselves:

Dua for Protection from Shirk

Allaahumma innee ‘aoothu bika an ushrika bika shaiann wa anaa a’lamu, wa astaghfiruka limaa laa a’lamu.

Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I associate anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I know not.

Source: The collection of Ahmad. You can find the du’a in Fortress of a Muslim. You can find more details more in the comments inshaAllah.

May Allah protect us all from the evil of shirk, and allow us to live and die as true Muslims.

References

(1) Shakir, trans. “An-Nisaa (Women).” USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts. USC-MSA. 16 Mar. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/004.qmt.html>.

(2) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network. 28 Dec. 2005 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

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

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Aqeeda, Gems, Islam, Q&A, Tafseer | Comments (23)

Hijrah and the Islamic State

March 13, 2006 – 1:44 pm

In Surah Nisaa, Allah says:

وَدُّواْ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاء فَلاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء حَتَّىَ يُهَاجِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدتَّمُوهُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلاَ نَصِيرًا

Translation: They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they forsake (their homes) in Allah’s way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper (Surah Nisaa, 4:89)1

This ayah talks about hijrah (migration) and the Islamic state, and what happens to those who don’t migrate when they should.  Are they Muslim?  Kafir?  Munafiq?  If you study the tafseer, you’ll see that it refers to the munafiqiyn (hypocrites).
One characteristic of hypocrites mentioned here is that they want for you to disbelieve, too. It’s not that they’re just wishy-washy on Islam. (In our context, you see people with these characteristics–if you work or attend a post-secondary institute, you’ve probably run into “Muslims” who, for example, drink and don’t pray–and they push you to do the same.)

Contemplate the statement “… until they forsake their homes in Allah’s way.” Truly, those who forsake their homes give up everything–most of their property, their jobs, and their lives–to move to a new place. That itself attests to their sincerety and their character (when done for the sake of Allah).

And remember: in the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, they moved from their comfort zones to Al-Medina, a small city surrounded by enemies who plotted constantly to attack.

Regarding the last part of the verse, “… seize them and kill them wherever you find them …” (often quoted in the media, ho hum), the mufasireen put conditions on this. The situation is that the Islamic state springs up, the command for hijrah comes, they refuse, and they excise extreme hostility towards the state–a billigerent non-Muslim state plotting against you. In this case, you can fight; but not otherwise.

For example, if the hostile state is Muslim, the rules change–this doesn’t apply to the conflict between ‘Ali and Mu’awiya, may Allah be pleased with both of them. This verse does not allow vigilantism.

And finally, if the command comes and Muslims don’t make hijrah, but they don’t fight the state, special rules still apply to them–for example, you cannot marry them or do business with them.

And Allah is the All-Knowing, All Wise.

References

(1) Shakir, trans. “An-Nisaa (Women)” USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts. USC-MSA. 13 Mar. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/004.qmt.html>.

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

Of Hypocrites and Migration

March 7, 2006 – 8:19 pm

In Surah Nisaa, Allah says:

فَمَا لَكُمْ فِي الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَاللّهُ أَرْكَسَهُم بِمَا كَسَبُواْ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَهْدُواْ مَنْ أَضَلَّ اللّهُ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلاً

Translation: What is the matter with you, then, that you have become two parties about the hypocrites, while Allah has made them return (to unbelief) for what they have earned? Do you wish to guide him whom Allah has caused to err? And whomsoever Allah causes to err, you shall by no means find a way for him. (Surah Nisaa, 4:88)1

There are two opinions on this surah. Both opinions are about there were those who called themselves Muslims–they prayed, they fasted, and everything else–but lived with their (pagan) tribes.

One opinion is that this verse was revealed in Meccan times. If the tribes plotted against the Muslims, those Muslims in them plotted too. They had their “feet in both boats”–if the Muslims lost, they stayed with the kufr tribe, and if the Muslims won, they would share in the victory. The problem with having your feet in two boats is that when they go in opposite directions, and you go down into the water.

The other opinion is that it was revealed in Medina. When the order to make hijrah came, those Muslims living with their (pagan) tribes refused to make hijrah.

In either case, the hypocrites seemed like true Muslims–they said shahada, they established prayer, they fasted, and fulfilled all the obligations. BUT, for their actions, Allah cast them into disbelief–because of the way they lived their lives, waging war on the Muslims when the tribe waged war. And in war, those who fought against the Muslims, whether they claimed to be Muslim or not, recieved no special treatment.

In our context, if the Islamic state emerges–it may happen in our great grandchildren’s time, or in our time, or at any time; Allah alone knowns when–and the call comes for hijrah, we must go or risk becoming the same type of people as this ayah describes. (Incidentally, one of the requirements of the Islamic state is that it can support the Muslim population.)

Even if the state does not arise in our lifetime, we must prepare our intentions, starting now.

May Allah preserve us from being among the hypocrites and the disbelievers.

And finally, when you consider the battle of Uhud, every sane, strong, able man went to fight–1000 men. 300 of them returned without fighting. 70 died in the battle. What happened? One-third of Muslims didn’t believe the way they should have believed.

As for that, guidance is from Allah. Whoever Allah misguides, none can guide.

May Allah protect us from being among those who earn misguidance as a result of out actions.

References

(1) Shakir, trans. “An-Nisaa (Women).” USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts. USC-MSA. 7 Mar. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/004.qmt.html>.

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

Six Pillars of Eman

March 4, 2006 – 11:30 pm

Eman has six pillars. To deny any one of the pillars, in part, or in whole, is the same as denying everything–it takes you out of Islam, and may Allah protect us all from that.

The pillars are:

  1. Allah: Believe that Allah, Lord of the Worlds, exists, and believe in his asmaa wal sifa.
  2. Books: Believe in all the divine revelation, including the Torah, the Injeel, and the Qur’an. They are really the same book (but now, the original Torah and Injeel no longer exist).
  3. Angels: Believe in the angels.
  4. Prophets: Believe in all the Prophets, from Adam (alayhi salaam), the first man and first prophet of Allah, to Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم), the seal of prophets, and everything in-between.
  5. Qadr: Believe in qadr (fate/predestination/free will)
  6. Day of Judgement: Believe in the Day of Judgement, and more generally, in the akhira.

Each of these pillars has more depth to them, but this is the general meaning. And I repeat: to deny any pillar (or any part of any pillar) is to leave Islam.

May Allah make us those who live and die on Islam. Ameen.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam | Comments (1)

Water, Soil, Plants, Fruit, Life Management

March 4, 2006 – 12:46 am

Imagine that your time is water. Every day, you get 24 liters to use as you wish. You keep it in one giant metal bucket and carry it around with you. The bucket leaks–if you don’t pour your time into buckets and use it effectively, most of it will end up spilled on the ground, lost.

Each day, you pass by some plants, and you have to stop and water them, or they die–the big, thick bush of family. The tall, massive oak tree of Allah. The smaller tree of yourself. Each plant represents obligations you must pay. If you don’t water these plants, they dry up, wilt, and eventually die.

Now, after you water them sufficiently, the rest of the water is yours–free to use as you please. You can pour it all into the plants for reading, video-games, hanging out, islamic work, whatever you please. Some plants bear fruit quickly. Others slowly. Others not at all–like weeds, they drink up all the water, and strangle any plant in their reach.

The key to managing your life is to pour the water into the plants that flower with the sweetest fruit–even if that fruit takes months and years–and not the quickest. And the best plants to water are planted on the soil of the akhira, not the soil of the dunya.

The three most important trees to manage are Allah’s tree, your family’s tree, and your own tree.

  • Allah’s Tree: Your obligations to the Lord of the Universe. Pray your salaah on time. Pay zakaah. Feed the poor. Strive to work for His cause.
  • Your Family’s Tree: Spend time with your family. Don’t neglect them. Be good to parents, they’re not going to be around forever.
  • Your Tree: Take time out for yourself–especially as you get involved in more and more Islamic work. Never work at the cost of yourself–if this tree dies, there’ll be nobody left to water the other ones.

Incidentally, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) distributed his water into exactly those three categories. Time into Allah’s tree involved time for the the Islamic State and the Muslims. The time for his family, he reserved for his family. And the time for himself, he used for personal ibaadah, and to answer any queries companions would bring him.

May Allah allow us to make the best use of our time in His cause, ameen!

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, General, Islam, Islamic Work, Tazkiyyah | Comments (3)

As-Salaamu ‘Alikum: The Adab of Greeting

March 1, 2006 – 8:06 pm

Allah says, in the Qur’an:

وَإِذَا حُيِّيْتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا

Translation: When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things (Surah Nisaa, 4:86)1

If your brother or sister in Islam gives you salaams, return it. So respond to “as-salaamu ‘alikum” with “wa’alikum as-salaam wa rahmatullah” and “as-salaamu ‘alikum wa rahmatullah” with “wa’alikum as-salaam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh” (but don’t go beyond that).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said (to the meaning of) “Give salaam, for it spreads the love between you.”

But what about if non-Muslims give you salaams?

Among the mufasireen, there are two opinions. One opinion (you can find it in books of tafseer by Mawdudi) is that you return their salaam, with something better. The other opinion (you can find it in books of tafseer by Ibn Kathir) is that you return to non-Muslims the same greeting (“wa’alikum”, which means, literally, “and the same to you”).

What about brothers giving salaam to sisters, and vice-versa, when you pass by each other? The answer is “yes, if it’s not fitnah“. You must be humble and keep your discussions, if any, within the allowed limts. (More on how to do that here.)

Islam-QA that outlines it nicely in a fatwa. They say: “It is also permissible for men to greet women with salaam and vice versa, according to the most correct opinion, but this greeting must be free of anything that may provoke desire in the person in whose heart is a disease, so as to be safe from fitnah [...]” It boils down to comfort level, and what’s fitnah for you. Read the whole fatwa, it covers a lot of details.

May Allah protect us from fitnah and allow us to be revivers of the sunnah. Ameen!

References

(1) Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid, Islam Question and Answer Website. 2 Mar. 2006 <http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=1121&dgn=4>.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Tafseer | Comments (3)