Ilm Fruits

The Disease of Kibr

The following is a short and beautiful advice regarding the arrogance or pride. This advice is taken from the transcribed lecture of Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo

"...The second characteristic that everyone has to be cautious of, but especially those people who are studying the `ilm, who have been given by Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa), who have been blessed by Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa) to have knowledge and to be making da`wah, these people have to be very careful about a disease that comes to people of this nature many times, unfortunately, and this is the disease of kibr, of arrogance and pride. And sometimes the way this is reflected is where the person refuses and does not want anyone to correct him, or at least he will not accept correction from certain people. He may accept correction or be told that he is wrong by someone who is from his group, someone who is a close friend of his, but anybody else, he will look down upon anyone else, and he will not accept any kind of criticism from anybody else, and this is kibr. This is pride and arrogance, as described in the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam).

The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said that no one who has even a mustard grain seed weight of kibr in his heart, no one who has this in his heart will enter Jannah.

Someone asked the Prohpet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam), he said that a man loves to have nice clothing on, put nice shoes., and he understood this is may kibr; the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "Allaah is beautiful and loves beauty," this is not kibr, but kibr is "to reject the truth and to look down upon the people", to reject the truth for example when it comes to you from the source you do not like, when it comes to you from someone perhaps who is not as much upon the right path as you think you are, and to look down upon other people and to disgrace them, this is kibr.

You have to realize that, I don't care if you are the biggest `aalim in the world, you could make a mistake sometimes, that some child could come up to you and say, you know, that was a mistake. Al-Bukhaaree was just 11 or 12 years old the first time he corrected his shaykh.

This is something that we have to be very careful about especially as I said when we are involved in da`wah and in giving knowledge. Because it is really when one gets knowledge that he feels, who are you to talk to me,... don't talk to me, you have a problem with me,... go talk to the ulamaa', and have the ulamaa' come and talk to me. This is a problem, and it is very dangerous unfortunately."

Action Plan for the Muttaqun:

• be humble with the people
• avoid despising, mocking, degrading the people with speech and actions
• accept the truth from whatever source it comes from and be sincere in correcting yourself

External Links:

• Pride: A Barrier to Paradise - By Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Naasir as-Sa'dee-Taken from Bahjatul-Quloobul-Abraar
• Explanation of the hadeeth: “Anyone who possesses a speck of Pride in his heart will not enter Paradise” - Ibn Taimiyyah
• The Prohibition of wearing long Garments out of Pride and the undesirability of wearing them without Pride - Riyaad as-Saliheen
  
• [Audio] On the Path of Da`wah (3): Wisdom and Humbleness by Yahya Adel Ibrahim

• Zaid Recognizes the Black Ant
• Money, Power, Respect
• As-Salaamu ‘Alikum: The Adab of Greeting
• It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s … MuminMan?

Like this post? Get instant ilm-ification via our RSS feed or through email!

The Kuffaar Ask Who Created Allaah

Question: I tell non-Muslims that Allaah created everything in this universe. They say to me, who created Allaah? How can Allaah have been there since the beginning? How can i answer them?

Answerer: Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, Islam QA

Praise be to Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى).

1. This question which the Kuffar have asked you is inherently false and self-contradictory. If we were to say – for the sake of argument – that someone created Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى), then they would ask you, Who created the creator of the creator? Then, who created the creator of the creator of the creator?! And so on, ad infinitum. This is irrational and impossible.

All of creation goes back to the Creator Who created all things. No one created Him; He created everything other than Himself. This is what makes sense and is logical. This creator is Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى), may He be glorified and exalted.

2. With regard to what our religion tells us, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) told us about this question, where it comes from, and how to respond to it.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “People will keep on asking question until someone will say, ‘Allaah created the universe, but who created Allaah?’ Whoever encounters anything like that, let him say, ‘Amantu Billaah (I believe in Allaah).’”

The Messenger of Allaah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The Shaytaan will come to one of you and say, ‘Who created the heaven? Who created the earth?’ He will say, ‘Allaah’” – then he mentioned something similar (to the previous report), and added, “And His Messengers.” [i.e., amantu Billaah wa Rusulihi = I believe in Allaah and His Messengers]

The Messenger of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Shaytaan will come to one of you and say, ‘Who created such and such?’ until he says to him, ‘Who created your Lord?’ When it reaches that stage, let him seek refuge with Allaah [say A’oodhu Billaahi min ash-shaytaan ir-rajeem = I seek refuge with Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) from the accursed Shaytaan] and stop thinking about it.”

The Messenger of Allaah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The Shaytaan will come to a person and say, ‘Who created such and such…’” and he narrated the whole report. (Imaam Muslim, 134).

In these ahaadeeth we see:Where this question comes from – from the Shaytaan;How to deal with it, which is:

1. to stop pursuing these thoughts and these tricks of the Shaytaan and to say, “I believe in Allaah and His Messengers”
2. to seek refuge with Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) from the Shaytaan.

It was also reported that one should spit drily three times to one’s left, and recite Qul Huwa Allaahu ahad. (See "Problems and Solutions" in the Shaykh’s Books section of the IslamQA site).

3. With regard to the prior existence of Allaah, our Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) has told us about this, for example:
1. He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “O Allaah, You are the First and there is nothing before You; O Allaah, You are the Last and there is nothing after You.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2713)
2. He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Allaah existed when there was nothing apart from Him.” According to another report: “There was nothing before Him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari; the first report 3020; the second report 6982).

This is in addition to what is stated in the ayaat of the Qur’aan.

The believer believes without a doubt, the kaafir denies and the munaafiq doubts.

We ask Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) to grant us sincere and certain faith with no doubts. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Source: Kuffar Ask Who Created Allah? - Islam QA

External Links:

• Who is Allah? - By Abu Iman Abd ar-Rahman Robert Squires. © Muslim Answers
• Where Is Allaah? - ahya.org - Mahmud Murad - e-book
• Very Nice Questions about Allah - islamtomorrow.com - Yusuf Estes
• Difference Between the Creator and the Creation and the Concept of Fana - by Shaykh ul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah
• Knowing Allaah by His Words - Quranic Ayahs - Dr Saleh As-Saleh (PDF)
• Knowing Allaah - Purpose of Our Existence Our End - Allaah Makes All That Known By His Words - A call to Ponder & Contemplate

• Amazing Hajj Gems
• Prostrate to Thank Allah
• Salaah: A Conversation with Allah
• Varying the Supplications (Salat 101)
• Be Smart

Like this post? Get instant ilm-ification via our RSS feed or through email!

Prostrate to Thank Allah

Sajdat al-Shukr is prescribed for anything that makes one happy, whether it is attaining some benefit or warding off some harm.

The evidence (daleel) for this is to be found in the Ahaadeeth and Aathaar (reports). Among the Ahaadeeth is the Hadeeth of Abu Bakrah (رضي الله عنه), who said that when the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) heard any news that made him glad, he would fall down prostrating to Allaah, may He be exalted. (Reported by the five except al-Nisaa'i; al-Tirmidhi said, it is hasan ghareeb). According to the version narrated by Ahmad: he saw the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), when news reached him that his troops had prevailed over their enemy, he was lying with his head in 'Aishah's lap, then he got up and fell in prostration. (Reported by Ahmad, 5/45; al-Haakim, 4/291).

Another hadeeth is that narrated by 'Abd al-Rahmaan ibn 'Awf (رضي الله عنه), who said: the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) went out to the place where the sadaqah (charitable donations) was kept, then he faced the Qiblah and fell in prostration, remaining like that for a long time. Then he raised his head and said, “Jibreel came to me with good news, he said, 'Allaah says to you, “Whoever sends blessings on you, I will send blessings on him, and whoever sends greetings of peace to you, I will send greetings of peace to him,”' so I prostrated in thankfulness to Allaah.” (Narrated by Ahmad. Al-Mundhiri said: the hadeeth of Sajdat al-Shukr came from the hadeeth of al-Baraa' with a saheeh isnaad, and from the hadeeth of Ka'b ibn Maalik and others.)

Other cases of companions prostrating in thankfulness include:

1. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) prostrated when he heard the news that Musaylimah had been killed. (Reported by Sa'eed ibn Mansoor in his Sunan).

2. 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib (رضي الله عنه) prostrated when he found Dhu'l-Thadiyah among the Khawaarij. (Reported by Ahmad in al-Musnad)

3. Ka'b ibn Maalik prostrated at the time of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) when he was given the glad tidings that Allaah had accepted his repentance. (The story is agreed upon)

And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Source: Sajdat al-Shukr (Prostration of thankfulness) - Islam Q&A

External Links: Thankfulness Towards Allah - various ways you can Thank Allah

• A Distance of One Mile
• Blessings of Knowledge

Like this post? Get instant ilm-ification via our RSS feed or through email!

Do Not Reveal Your Sins

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

From among the teachings of Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) is to keep sins a secret matter. If someone commits a sinful act which is against the Commandments of Allah, or is against the moral character, or is such an act that may cause harm to one's honor, then he should keep it a secret and seek forgiveness from Allah in the darkness of night.

he Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "My entire nation is safe, except al-Mujahirin (those who boast of their sins). Among the Mujaharah is that a man commits an (evil) act, and wakes up in the morning while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret, he says: "O so-and-so! Last night I did this and that." He goes to sleep while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret but he wakes up in the morning and uncovers what Allah has kept a secret!" [Saheeh al-Bukhari]

Abdullah Ibn Masoud (رضي الله عنه) related, 'A man came to the Prophet and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! I have mingled with a woman in the far side of al-Medina, and I fulfilled my desire short of actually having sexual intercourse with her. So, here am I, judge me according to what you decide.' Umar Ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) then said: 'Allah had kept your secret, why did not you keep your secret?' [Sharh Muslim] Similarly, if one becomes aware of somebody else's sin, he should keep it a secret. Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "He, who relieves a hardship of this Dunya (world) for a believer, Allah will relieve (from him) a hardship of the Day of Resurrection; he who makes easy an indebted person, Allah will make it easy for him in the Dunya and the Hereafter; he who covers a Muslim (meaning his mistakes and shortcomings), Allah will cover him in the Dunya and the Hereafter …" [Muslim]

Today, there are also many novel channels through which sins are propagated in the society, such as books, magazines, and television programs that mention the crimes of others, illicit acts, and immorality under the name of creating awareness among the people. These programs--which are meant to help the people against the crimes--are in reality, helping the crime to spread faster in the society! Crimes, which were previously unknown to people have become common offenses! It is therefore necessary for the Muslims to avoid all such avenues which may lead to the destruction of our Muslim Ummah.

Action Items for the Muttaqun:

• Do not reveal your sins (whether major or minor), not even to your close ones such as your spouse or parents
• Ask Allah for the forgiveness for the sins you committed and also ask Allah to help you to save from the same in the future
• Hide and do not reveal the sins of your Muslim brothers and sisters, and non-Muslims, to others

• Lecture by Allama Ehsan Ilahi Zaheer (رحمالله), Qawaaid wa-Fawaaid min al-Arabeen an-Nawawi by Shaikh Nathim Sultan, Tafseer Ibn Katheer, and others.

Sources:

• Keeping Sins a Secret Compiled by Shawana A Aziz, As-Sunnah Islamic Newsletter Issue no 16

External Links:

• How to Stop Gossip by Shaykh Husayn al-Awaaishah
• The Bitter Consequences of Sins by Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
• The Sins Of Youth - Al Haramin Foundation
• The ill Effects of Sin - Ahya.org
• Falling into Sin from al-Jumu'ah Magazine

• Sins: Tawbah and Repetition
• The People of the Ditch (7): The People Most Tested
• Da’wah to Atheists: Five Minutes
• Forgiveness After Forgiveness After Forgiveness
• A River of Purity (Salat 101)

Like this post? Get instant ilm-ification via our RSS feed or through email!

Islamic Phrases for Daily Use

The following are some of the phrases that are in everyday usage. Try to use them more often to increase in your remembrance of Allah. And when you use these phrases, remember the meaning--don't just say it!

Source: Islamic Phrases for Daily Use - AbdurRahman.org

External Links: The Story behind saying inshaAllah

• The Terrible Consequences of not Praying Salah
• Lessons in Arabic Language
• Be Smart
• IlmSieve - Islamic Search Engine
• Schedule Around Salaah

Like this post? Get instant ilm-ification via our RSS feed or through email!

Have You Ever?

I'm curious - I know we all try to listen to lectures, read books and articles, surf the internet in search of knowledge - in search of how to be a better Muslim. I've done all of that - but somehow, at times, it seems as though I am unchanged. We hear words of wisdom and shake our heads in acknowledgment - but how many of us actually walk away and change the way we are and the way in which we do things?

I have a 'homework' assignment for all of us - please at least try it out. Find a lecture on a topic that is important to you - perhaps it will be 'how to choose the right friends' or how to stop 'the dangers of the tongue' or perhaps 'how to be a better wife.' It doesn't really matter what lecture, article, book, etc. that you use - what matters is what you do with it. After you have really listened to its message, take the time - sit down and really ask yourself - how can I apply this information to my life? If it is on the topic of 'backbiting' - what things can you do to change this bad habit? Should you change the people you spend your time with? Should you make dua before you speak? What other things can you do? Then ... apply it to your life.

What I want us to do is to really listen ... to really think ... information and wisdom that is passed on to us is useless if we don't apply it. It's not enough to be able to tell someone else, "yeah, I heard that on a lecture" - Islam is about applying this knowledge to our lives and it's about time we really looked at ourselves and asked if we are doing all we can to be the people we need to be. The best way to make dawah in this life is by action - by being a good example.

Have you done your part today?

• No related posts

Like this post? Get instant ilm-ification via our RSS feed or through email!

A Young Muslim Boy

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

Many years ago, during the time of the Tabi’een (the generation of Muslims after the Sahaba), Baghdad was a great city of Islam. In fact, it was the capital of the Islamic Empire and, because of the great number of scholars who lived there, it was the center of Islamic knowledge.

One day, the ruler of Rome at the time sent an envoy to Baghdad with three challenges for the Muslims. When the messenger reached the city, he informed the khalifah that he had three questions which he challenged the Muslims to answer.

The khalifah gathered together all the scholars of the city and the Roman messenger climbed upon a high platform and said, "I have come with three questions. If you answer them, then I will leave with you a great amount of wealth which I have brought from the king of Rome." As for the questions, they were: "What was there before Allah?" "In which direction does Allah face?" "What is Allah engaged in at this moment?"

The great assembly of people were silent. (Can you think of answers to these questions?) In the midst of these brilliant scholars and students of Islam was a man looking on with his young son. "O my dear father! I will answer him and silence him!" said the youth. So the boy sought the permission of the khalifah to give the answers and he was given the permission to do so.

The Roman addressed the young Muslim and repeated his first question, "What was there before Allah?"

The boy asked, "Do you know how to count?"

"Yes," said the man.

"Then count down from ten!" So the Roman counted down, "ten, nine, eight, ..." until he reached "one" and he stopped counting

"But what comes before ‘one’?" asked the boy.

"There is nothing before one--that is it!" said the man.

"Well then, if there obviously is nothing before the arithmetic ‘one’, then how do you expect that there should be anything before the ‘One’ who is Absolute Truth, All-Eternal, Everlasting the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden?"

Now the man was surprised by this direct answer which he could not dispute. So he asked, "Then tell me, in which direction is Allah facing?"

"Bring a candle and light it," said the boy, "and tell me in which direction the flame is facing."

"But the flame is just light--it spreads in each of the four directions, north, south, east and west. It does not face any one direction only," said the man in wonderment.

The boy cried, "Then if this physical light spreads in all four directions such that you cannot tell me which way it faces, then what do you expect of the Nur-us-Samawati-wal-’Ard: Allah - the Light of the Heavens and the Earth! Light upon Light, Allah faces all directions at all times."

The Roman was stupified and astounded that here was a young child answering his challenges in such a way that he could not argue against the proofs. So, he desperately wanted to try his final question. But before doing so, the boy said,

"Wait! You are the one who is asking the questions and I am the one who is giving the answer to these challenges. It is only fair that you should come down to where I am standing and that I should go up where you are right now, in order that the answers may be heard as clearly as the questions."

This seemed reasonable to the Roman, so he came down from where he was standing and the boy ascended the platform. Then the man repeated his final challenge, "Tell me, what is Allah doing at this moment?"

The boy proudly answered, "At this moment, when Allah found upon this high platform a liar and mocker of Islam, He caused him to descend and brought him low. And as for the one who believed in the Oneness of Allah, He raised him up and established the Truth. Every day He exercises (universal) power (Surah 55 ar-Rahman, Verse 29)."

The Roman had nothing to say except to leave and return back to his country, defeated. Meanwhile, this young boy grew up to become one of the most famous scholars of Islam. Allah, the Exalted, blessed him with special wisdom and knowledge of the deen. His name was Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah ‘alayhi-may Allah have mercy on him) and he is known today as Imam-e-A’dham, the Great Imam and scholar of Islam.

[Adapted into English from "Manaqib Abi Hanifah", written by Imam Muwaffaq Ibn Ahmad al-Makki (d. 568 Hijri). Dar al-Kitab al-'Arabiy, Beirut, 1981/1401H.]

• The Call of Jahiliyyah
• The People of the Ditch (1): Introduction
• Naseeha From Our Brother Sa’ad Gaya
• Five Sunnahs of Fasting
• Talk Ain’t Cheap

Like this post? Get instant ilm-ification via our RSS feed or through email!