The Origins of Shirk

From that which has been established in the Sharee'ah (prescribed law) is that mankind was - in the beginning - a single nation upn true Tawheed, then Shirk (directing any part or form of worship, or anything else that is solely the right of Allah, to other than Allah) gradually overcame them. The basis for this is the saying of Allah - the Most Blessed, the Most high:

"Mankind was one Ummah, then Allah sent prophets bringing good news and warnings." (Surah Baqarah 2:213)

Ibn 'Abbas - radiallaahu 'anhu - said:

"Between Nooh (Noah) and Adam were ten generations, all of them were upon Sharee'ah (law) of the truth, then they differed. So Allah sent prophets as bringers of good news and as warners"(1)

Ibn 'Urwah al-Hanbalee (d.837 H) said:

"This saying refutes those historians from the People of the Book who claim that Qaabil (Cain) and his sons were fire-worshippers"(2)

I say: In it is also a refutation of some of the philosophers and athists who claim that the (natural) basis of man is Shirk, and that Tawheed evolved in man! The preceeding aayah (verse) falsifies this claim, as do the two following authentic hadith:

Firstly:His (the prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) ) saying that he related from his Lord (Allah) : "I created all my servants upon the true Religion (upon Tawheed, fre from Shirk). Then the devils came to them and led them astray from their true Religion. They made unlawful to people that which I had made lawful for them, and they commanded them to associate in worship with Me, that which I had sent down no authority."(3)

Secondly:His (the prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) ) saying: " Every child is born upon the Fitrah(4) but his parents make him a jew or a christian or a magian. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a natural offspring. have you noticed any born mutilated, before you mutilate them."

Abu Hurayrah said: Recite if you wish: "Allah's fitrah with which He created mankind. There is to be no change to the creation (Religion) of Allah."(Surah ar-Rum 30:30)(5)

After this clear explanation, it is of the upmost importance for the Muslim to know how Shirk spread amongst the believers, after they were muwahhideen (people upon Tawheed)

Concerning the saying of Allah - the most perfect - about the people of Nooh:

"And they have said : You shall not forsake your gods, nor shall you forsake Wadd, nor Suwaa', nor Yaghooth, nor Ya'ooq, nor Nasr."
(Surah Nooh 71:23)

It has been related by a group from the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), in many narrations, that these five deities were righteous worshippers. However, when they died, Shaytaan (Satan) whispered into their people to retreat and sit at their graves. Then Shaytaan whispered to those who came after them that they should take them as idols, beautifying to them the idea that you will be reminded of them and thereby follow them in righteous conduct. Then Shaytaan suggested to the third generation that they should worship these idols besides Allah - the most high - and he whispered to them that this is what their forefathers used to do!!!

So Allah sent to them Nooh (as), commanding them to worship Allah alone. However none responded to hiscall except a few. Allah - the mighty and majestic - related this whole incident in surah Nooh

Ibn 'Abbas relates:

"Indeed these five names of righteous men from the people of Nooh. When they died Shataan whispered to their people to make statues of them and to place these statues in their places of gathering as a reminder of them, so they did this.

However, none from amongst them worshipped these statues, until when they died and the purpose of the statues was forgotten. Then (the next generation) began to worship them."(6)

The likes of this has also been related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree and others, from a number of the salaf (Pious Predecessors) - radiallaahu 'anhum.

In ad-Durral-Manthoor (6/269):

'Abdullaah ibn Humaid relates from Abu Muttahar, who said: Yazeed ibn al-Muhallab was mentioned to Abu Ja'far al-Baaqir (d.11H), so he said: He was killed at the place where another besides Allah was first worshipped. Then he mentioned Wadd and said:

"Wadd was a Muslim man who was loved by his people. When he died, the people began to gather around his grave in the land of Baabil (Babel), lamenting and mourning. So when Iblees (Satan) saw them mourning and lamenting over him, he took the form of a man and came to them, saying : I see that you are mourning and lamenting over him. So why don't you make a picture of him (i.e. a statue) and place it in your places of gatherings so that you maybe reminded of him. So they said: Yes, and they made a picture of him and put in their place of gathering; which reminded them of him.

When Iblees saw how they were (excessively) remembering him, he said : "Why doesn't every man amongst you make a similar picture to keep in your own houses, so that you can be (constantly) reminded of him."

So they all said "yes". So each household made a picture of him, which they adored and venerated and which constantly reminded them of him.

Abu Ja'far said: "Those from the later generation saw what the (pevious generation) had done and considered that........to the extent that they took him as an ilah (diety) to be worshipped besides Allah. He then said :" This was the first idol worshipped other than Allah, and they called this idol Wadd"(7)

Thus the wisdom of Allah - the Blessed, the Most High - was fufilled, when he sent Muhammed (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) as the final prophet and made his Sharee'ah the completion of all divinely Prescribed Laws, in that He prohibited all means and avenues by which people may fall into Shirk - which is the greatest of sins.

For this reason, building shrines over graves and intending to specifically travel to them, taking them as places of festivity and gathering and swearing an oath by the inmate of a grave; have all bee prohibited.

All of these lead to excessiveness and lead to the worship of other than Allah - the Most High. This being the case even more so in an age in which knowledge is diminishing, ignorance is increasing, thre are few sincere advisors ( to the truth) and shaytaan is co-operating with men and jinn to misguide mankind and to take them away from the worship of Allah alone - the Blessed, the Most High.

Notes

(1) Tahdheerus-Saajid min Ittikhaadhil-Quboori Masaajid (pp.101-106)
(2) Related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree in his tafseer (4/275) and al-Haakim (2/546) who said: "It is authentic according to the criterion of al-Bukhari." Adh-Dhahabee also agreed.
(3) Al-Khawaakibud-Duraaree fee Tarteeb Musnadul-Imaam Ahmad'alaa Abwaabil-Bukhaaree (6/212/1), still in manuscript form.
(4) Related by Muslim (8/159) and Ahmad (4/162) from 'Iyaadh ibn Himaar al-Mujaashi'ee radiallaahu 'anhu
(5) [From the Editors] Ibn-al-Atheer said in an-Nihaayah (3/457): "Al-Fitr: means to begin and create, and al-Fitrah is the condition resulting from it. The meaning is that mankind were born upona disposition and a nature which is ready to accept the true Religion. So if he were to be left upon this, then he would continue upon it. However, those who deviate from this do so due to following human weaknesses and blind following of others....."
Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar said in Al-Fath (3/248): "The people differ concerning what is meant by al-Fitrah and the most famous saying is that it means Islam. Ibn 'abdul-Barr said: That is what was well known with most of the salaf (pious predecessors), and the scholars of tafseer are agreed that what is meant by the saying of Allah - the Most High - "Allah's fitrah with which He created mankind." is Islam
(6) Related by Al-Bukhaaree (11/418) and Muslim (18/52)
(7) Realted by al-Bukhaaree (8/534)
(8) Related by Ibn Abee Haatim also, as is in al-Kawaakibud-Duraaree (6/112/2) of Ibn 'Urwah al-Hanbalee, along with an isnaad which is Hasan, up to Abu Muttahar. However, no biography could be found for him, neither in ad-Dawlaabee's al-Kunaa wal-Asmaa, nor Muslim's al-Kunaa, nor any one elses. And the hidden defect here is that he is from the Shee'ah, but his biography is not included in at-Toosee's al-Kunaa -- from the index of Shee'ah narrators

Source: Tahdheerus-Saajid min Ittikhaadhil-Quboori Masaajid
taken from http://www.albani.co.uk/

A Sunnah Many Overlook: Two Rakah for Repentance

أبي بكر الصدِّيق - رضي الله عنه - ، عن النَّبيِّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال : « مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْبًا ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيَتَطَهَّرُ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّى ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ إِلاَّ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ». ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ (وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ )

Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) said the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Any person who sins then performs wudu correctly and prays and afterward seeks Allah’s forgiveness Allah forgives him.” Then As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with ) recited the verse” And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults-- and who forgives the faults but Allah, and (who) do not knowingly persist in what they have done.{ Al-Imran 135}

Collected by Abu Dawud (1521) At-Tirmithi (406) Ibn Majah (1395) and Ahmed (1/2-8-9-10) graded as being Hasan by At-Tirmithi, Ibn ‘Adee, Ibn Kathir, At-Thahabee and Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on them all)

Ibn Taymeyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said,” It is a recommended act for every person who sinned to perform Wudu then pray two Rak’ah [ Majmou Fatawaa vol 21 / 139]

Ibn Al-Arabee (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned some beneficial remarks about this hadeeth He wrote the following in ‘Aaridatul Ahwathi Bi Sharh Sunnan At-Tirmithi [ Vol 2 page 167 . Printed by Darul Kitabul Ilmeeyah]

• This hadeeth shows the superiority of the Wudu, the prayer and the act of seeking Allah’s forgiveness
• This hadeeth explains verse 135 in surah Al-Imran.
• This hadeeth shows how the servant carries out acts of obedience in repenting. First the servant feels regret which purifies him internally. Then he makes wudu. Next he prays. And after he finishes praying he seeks the Most Merciful’s forgiveness.

Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

The Best Hours of the Day- Fajr and Asr

· Allah‘s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged the Muslims to safeguard Fajr and Asr.

جَرِيرٍ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ النَّبِىِّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فَنَظَرَ إِلَى الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةً - يَعْنِى الْبَدْرَ - فَقَالَ « إِنَّكُمْ سَتَرَوْنَ رَبَّكُمْ كَمَا تَرَوْنَ هَذَا الْقَمَرَ لاَ تُضَامُّونَ فِى رُؤْيَتِهِ ، فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَنْ لاَ تُغْلَبُوا عَلَى صَلاَةٍ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا فَافْعَلُوا » . ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ( وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ )

Jarir (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “ We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he looked at the moon on a full moon night and said,” Certainly you will see your Lord as you see this moon and you will have no trouble seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep or worldly affairs) a Salah before sunrise and before sunset, you must do so.” He the recited Allah’s verse: “ And glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its’ setting.” [50:39] [ Bukhari 554]

* Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) said,” This hadeeth establishes that Allah will be seen in Jannah. .. This hadeeth points to the great importance of Fajr and Asr prayers. They are the best out of the five daily prayers. And for that reason some people call both of them the middle prayer.” [ Fathul Bari 4/ 554 maktabul Ghurabah1996]

· Angels come in succession at Fajr and Asr.

أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قَالَ « يَتَعَاقَبُونَ فِيكُمْ مَلاَئِكَةٌ بِاللَّيْلِ وَمَلاَئِكَةٌ بِالنَّهَارِ ، وَيَجْتَمِعُونَ فِى صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ وَصَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ ، ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ الَّذِينَ بَاتُوا فِيكُمْ ، فَيَسْأَلُهُمْ وَهْوَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ كَيْفَ تَرَكْتُمْ عِبَادِى فَيَقُولُونَ تَرَكْنَاهُمْ وَهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ ، وَأَتَيْنَاهُمْ وَهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said,” Angels come to you in succession by night and day and all of them get together at the time of Fajr and Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you ascend and Allah asks them, though he knows everything about you, “ In what state did you leave my slaves?” The angels reply: When we left them, they were praying and when we reached them they were praying.” [ Bukhari 555]

· Whoever prays Fajr and Asr will enter Paradise. [ inshallah]

َبِى بَكْرِ بْنِ أَبِى مُوسَى عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قَالَ

مَنْ صَلَّى الْبَرْدَيْنِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ

Abu Bakr ibn Abe Musa narrated that his father told him that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever prays the the two cool Salat (Asr and Fajr prayers) will enter Paradise.” [Bukhari 574]

· The Morning and Evening supplications are done at these times.

وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ آنَاءِ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ النَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ

..and glorify your Lord by the praising of Him before the rising of the sun

and before its setting, and during hours of the night do also glorify (Him) and during parts of the day, that you may be well pleased [Taha 130 ]

وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ

..and sing the praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting.[ Qaf 39 ]

· The recitation of the Quran is witnessed at Fajr and Asr.

إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا

…and the morning recitation; surely the morning recitation is witnessed [Isra 78]

* Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih AL-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him said,” This witnessing also applies to Asr, because the recording Angels gather together at that time too.”[ Sharhus Saheeh Al-Bukhari 1/143]

· Allah will been seen in Jannah after Asr and Fajr

جَرِيرٍ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ النَّبِىِّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فَنَظَرَ إِلَى الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةً - يَعْنِى الْبَدْرَ - فَقَالَ « إِنَّكُمْ سَتَرَوْنَ رَبَّكُمْ كَمَا تَرَوْنَ هَذَا الْقَمَرَ لاَ تُضَامُّونَ فِى رُؤْيَتِهِ ، فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَنْ لاَ تُغْلَبُوا عَلَى صَلاَةٍ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا فَافْعَلُوا » . ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ( وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ )

Jarir (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “ We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he looked at the moon on a full moon night and said,” Certainly you will see your Lord as you see this moon and you will have no trouble seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep or worldly affairs) a Salah before sunrise and before sunse, you must do so.” He the recited Allah’s verse: “ And glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its’ setting.” [50:39] [ Bukhari 554]

* Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) said,” Since these are the two special times when the people of Paradise will see Allah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) urged the Muslims to safeguard them in this world. [Al-Muhajjah fee seerid Daleejah ]

Translated and compiled by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

taken from salafitalk

A Neglected Sunnan – Two Rakats after Asr

Al-Albani (may Allah rest him in Firdous) said,” This is a prayer which is forgotten and should be revived.”[ Saheehah hadeeth hadeeth 3174]

عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ صَلاَتَانِ مَا تَرَكَهُمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- فِى بَيْتِى سِرًّا وَلاَ عَلاَنِيَةً رَكْعَتَانِ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ وَرَكْعَتَانِ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ.

1.Âisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “There are two prayers that the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never neglected to pray in my house secretly or publicly: Two Rak’ah before Fajr and two Rak’ah after Asr.” [Bukhari 592]

ائِشَةُ رضى الله تعالى عنها مَا دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ إِلاَّ صَلاَّهُمَا.

2. Âisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Anytime Allah’s messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) came to my house after Asr he prayed two Rak’ah [Bukhari 593 ]

The scholars’ analysis about these two Rak’ah:

1. Imam At-Tahawee (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “Some people see no harm in praying two Rak’ah after Asr and consider them a Sunnah.” [Sharh Ma’anee Al-Athar 1-301]

2. Imam Ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy on him) said,” …Third: If this hadeeth is authentic it’s a proof for us. This hadeeth tells us that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed two rak’ah after Asr. On the contrary if it wasn’t allowed or disliked, Allah’s messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) wouldn’t have prayed these two rak’ah. His actions are guidance and correct, regardless whether he does it once or a thousand times.” [ Al-Muhalla]

3. Ibn Hajr (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “ To cling to these narrations establish the permissibility to offer a supererogatory prayer after Asr in any respect as long as it isn’t intended to be done during sunset.” [ Fath 2/85 ]

4. Shaykh Nasirud deen Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) said,” Among the accepted errors in the books of Fiqh is the prohibition of these two rak’ah and not mentioning them among the supererogatory exercises of devotion. Nevertheless, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) preserved these two Rak’ah the same way he preserved the two before Fajr. There isn’t any evidence for the two Rak’ah after Asr’s abrogation or their being special for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) only! How could it be, when Âisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the most knowledgeable person about these two rakah’ safeguarded them as well as other companions and pious Salaf.[ Silsilatus Saheehah 7/528]

5. Shaykh Muhammad Adam El-Ethiopee (may Allah preserve him) said,” The more acceptable position is that it is permissible to pray after Asr as long as the sun is pure white. The ruling for this action is based on an authentic hadeeth, the actions of the companions, and tabee’oon… [Thakheerahtul ‘Uqba fee Sharh Al-Mujtabah 7/202]

6. Shaykh Ubayd Al-Jaabiree (may Allah preserve him) said, “There are a large number of people who don’t know that Asr has a Sunnah. It is recommended to pray two rak’ah after Asr. Many people today are unaware of this act therefore it causes some confusion. We have emphasized on more than one occasion that if a Muslim combines Thur and Asr he doesn’t offer a sunnah prayer between them. Because doing so contradicts the act of joining. However when he finishes Asr he can pray two rak’ah if he wishes; since the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do so as collected by Imam Muslim.

It’s a must to know that many Muslims not only in contemporary times but past centuries as well neglected these two rak’ah as being Sunnah. Âisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Anytime Allah’s messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) came to my house after Asr he prayed two Rak’ah.”The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray two rak’ah before Thur .One day he was to occupied to offer them at that time, hence he prayed them after Asr and continued this act. The fact that he continued to pray these two Rak’ah after Asr makes it a Sunnah. He didn’t just pray them once. We are not prohibited from praying these two rak’ah. [www.Sahab.net]

References:

1.‘Illamu Ahul Asr bee Sunnahtil Rak’ahtain ba’d Asr by Abee Harith Tahir

2.www. Sahab.net

3.Silsilatus Saheehah by Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him)

Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle

Naseehah (Sincerity of Purpose) to Allaah and to the Muslims by Shaykh Rabee' ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee

In the Name of Allaah, ar-Rahmaan, ar-Raheem...

All praise is due to Allaah, and may Allaah raise the rank of the Messenger of Allaah, his family, his Companions, and those who follow his guidance, and grant them peace.

To proceed:

Verily it (this advice) is due to the gloomy calamities and catastrophes that have afflicted Islaam and its people and the disgrace and humility that has reached them at the hands of the enemies of Islaam, as they gather around them to feast, as if they were gathering around a dish to eat it.

I turn with my request to the Muslims' scholars and educational foundations in every region of this world, and to all of the rulers of the Muslims, that they fear Allaah regarding this Ummah, and that they recognize the dangers that are closing in on them, dangers that are the cause of the calamities and catastrophes befalling them. They must respond quickly, being conscious of the accountability (they have) in front of Allaah to lead the Ummah away from the tribulations and afflictions that have reached them. Furthermore, (I advise them) to hasten to take every possible step that will help them to lead the Ummah out (of such calamities). At the very head of these affairs is to return to their Religion of Truth, in all affairs of beliefs, acts of worship, manners, and politics.

They must establish the correct school curriculums derived from the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), and what the righteous Salaf were upon so as to educate the (forthcoming) generations with it. This must be done in masjids and in schools, at all grade levels, and in all forms of media, keeping in mind the statement of the noble Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam):

"All of you are shepherds, and you are all accountable for your flocks." [2]

They must also keep in mind the statement of the noble Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam):

"If you perform business transactions of 'Eenah, content yourselves with agriculture, follow after the tails of cows, and abandon jihaad in the way of Allaah, then Allaah will send humiliation upon you, such that He will not remove until you return to your Religion." [3]

And no doubt, the Ummah has fallen into worse than these affairs, to the point that their affair has reached this bitter state.

Additionally, they must keep in mind the Statement of Allaah, the Most High:

"And it is not for any believing man, nor for any believing woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have made a judgement in an affair, that they have any choice on their part." [4]

So know that there is no way for you to ever deliver the Ummah (from harm) other than this way. And (know) that taking other approaches will not increase the Ummah in anything except destruction and humiliation. And (know) that nothing short of taking the Ummah away from their Religion will please the enemies of Islaam:

"And the Jews and Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their religion." [5]

I ask Allaah, the Generous, the Lord of the mighty Throne, to grant the Ummah, its rulers, scholars, and people, success in hastening to take these beneficial steps. Our Lord will not accept other than this. And may He gather their hearts and statements together upon the Truth.

And at this occasion I turn my advice to those whom Allaah has allowed to follow the methodology of the righteous Salaf, that they fear Allaah and be mindful of Him in all situations, open and secret. And (I advise them) to be sincere to Him in all their statements and actions, and to apply themselves fully to seeking beneficial knowledge.

And I advise the proprietors of the Internet websites to make these sites successful means of disseminating the Salafee methodology in the proper, scholastic way, with regards to everything they present to the people through these means that have been afforded them.

And let a sufficient number of the scholars of this methodology take up this task, especially those who are specialists.

So whoever is a specialist in Tafseer of the Noble Qur'aan, then let him write things related to Tafseer and its sciences, and let him touch on various issues of belief, acts of worship, dealings, and manners by way of the Verses that he explains. Let him also touch on the principles of Tafseer and its various branches.

And let the specialist in Hadeeth derive his writings from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), and let him focus on topics of beliefs and the other things that we mentioned for his brother, the explainer of the Qur'aan. Likewise, he should also write about the principles of Hadeeth Sciences and about the biographies of the imaams of Hadeeth.

And let the specialist in Fiqh write within this field, and let him choose subjects to write about that aid the students of knowledge in understanding the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), pairing that with issues that he solves, along with their evidences.

And let the specialist in History write about the life of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), the lives of His Companions, and the lives of the great mountains of this Ummah who produced outstanding efforts that aided Islaam.

And let the specialist in the modes of recitation (Qiraa'aat of the Qur'aan) and Tajweed write within his field.

And let the specialist in (Arabic) Language write within his field, on the condition that he stays away from that which is not recognized by the Salafee methodology, like figurative speech (majaaz) and its different types.

And (I advise that) no one takes up the task of criticizing the people of innovation and refuting their falsehoods except the people of knowledge.

And I hope that those responsible for these sites, like Sahab and its sisters, will not accept any posts unless they are signed by their authors using their real names. And (I also hope) that they will not accept (the writings of) those who write under pen names.

Similarly, I hope that the Salafees in general will shun arguments and all other causes of differing. And if some of this (differing) does take place between some of the brothers, (I hope that) they will keep it to a minimum, and not quote and place their (opponent's) statements on Salafee websites, or on other than them, rather they refer the issue back to the people of knowledge so they can speak a word of Truth about it that will put an end, in shaa' Allaah, to the differing.

And I advise the brothers to be vigilant in spreading beneficial knowledge between themselves, and to spread the causes of affection and brotherhood between themselves.

May Allaah grant everyone success in attaining what pleases Him, and may He reconcile what is between the hearts. Verily my Lord is One who answers the supplications.

Written by:

Rabee' ibn Haadee ibn 'Umayr al-Madkhalee
25th of Thul-Qi'dah, 1424 years after the Prophet's Hijrah
Makkah al-Mukarramah

This article was taken from BAKKAHnet (www.bakkah.net)

FOOTNOTES

[1] Click here for the words of Shaykh Rabee' ibn Haadee in 'Arabic.

[2] Saheeh: Collected by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh (#5200), Muslim in his Saheeh (#4701), and others on the authority of Ibn 'Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him.

[3] Saheeh: Collected by Aboo Daawood in his Sunan (#3462) on the authority of Ibn 'Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him. Al-Albaanee graded it saheeh in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#11).

[4] Soorah al-Ahzaab (33):36

[5] Soorah al-Baqarah (2):120

source : www.sahab.net, Translation for www.bakkah.net

Identifying Ahl us-Sunnah and Ahl ul-Bid'ah By The Love and Hate of As.haab ul-Hadeeth

Identifying Ahl us-Sunnah and Ahl ul-Bid'ah By The Love and Hate of As.haab ul-Hadeeth

Ja'far bin Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Qaadee said, "I heard Qutaibah bin Sa'eed say: When you see a man loving the People of Hadeeth, such as Yahyaa bin Sa'eed al-Qattaan, Abdur-Rahmaan bin Mahdee, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ishaaq bin Raahawaih - and he mentioned some other people - then he is upon the Sunnah, and whoever opposes this then know he is an Innovator".

Ahmad bin Kaamil recited the following verses of poetry to Ja'far al-Khawaas:

Gone are the confederates of Innovation (As.haab ul-Bid'ah). And their rope weakened and then broke altogether. The League of Iblees that used to be a throng. And O people! Do they have in their innovation. A Faqeeh or an Imaam that is followed? The likes of Sufyaan, of ath-Thawr. Who taught the people the innermost realities of wara' (fear)? Or Sulaimaan of at-Taim. Who abandoned sleep out of the fear of [the day of] questioning. Or the Brave of Islaam, I mean Ahmad. That one who if the reciters were to come to blows with him. Would not fear their whip when they would frighten (therewith). Nay! And nor (would he fear) their sword when it would be brandished

Ahmad bin Sinaan al-Qattaan said, "There is no Innovator upon the earth except that he hates the People of Hadeeth, for when man innovates, (perceiving) the sweetness of hadeeth is removed from his heart."

Abu Nasr bin Sallaam al-Faqeeh, "There is nothing heavier upon the People of Deviation, and nor more hated to them, then listening to hadeeth and its being narrated with its isnaad".

[Abu Ismaa'eel] Muhammad bin Ismaa'eel at-Tirmidhee said: "I and Ahmad bin al-Hasan at-Tirmidhee were with the Imaam of the Deen, Abu Abdullaah Ahmad bin Hanbal and Ahmad bin al-Hasan said to him: 'O Abu Abdullaah, they mentioned the Ashaabul-Hadeeth (the People of Hadeeth) to Ibn Abee Qutaylah of Makkah and he said: 'The Ashaabul-Hadeeth are an evil people.' So Imaam Ahmad stood and while shaking off the dust from his garment he said: 'Zindeeq (heretic), zindeeq, zindeeq', [and he continued like this] until he entered his house."

Tahdheeb Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (p.84-86)

The Knowledge Will Be Carried in Every Generation By The Trustworthy Ones

The Saying Of The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) That The Knowledge Will Be Carried By The Trustworthy Ones In Every Generation
From Abu Hurairah who said that Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, "The trustworthy ones in every generation will carry this knowledge. They will remove from it the distortions of the excessive ones, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant people."

From Usaamah bin Zaid who said that Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, "The trustworthy ones in every generation will carry this knowledge. They will remove from it the distortions the ignorant ones and the false interpretations of the liars."

From Abdullaah bin Mas'ood who said that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) say, "This knowledge will be inherited by the trustworthy ones of each generation."

Ibraaheem bin Abdur-Rahmaan al-Udhree who said that Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, "The trustworthy ones in every generation will carry this knowledge. They will remove from it the distortions of the excessive ones, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant people."

And from Mu'aadh bin Jabal who said that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, "The trustworthy ones in every generation will carry this knowledge. They will remove from it the distortions of the excessive ones, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant people."

Takhreej: Majmoo al-Fataawaa of Ibn Taymiyyah (15/298), ar-Rawd al-Baasim of Ibn al-Wazeer al-Yamaani (1/21-23), Takhreej ul-Mishkaat of al-Albaani (1/82-83, no.248), Hadiyy

Tahdheeb Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (p.57-58)

Striving Against One's Desires

From al-'Alaa ibn Ziyaad who said: A man asked 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas, saying: Which of the Believers is best in his Islaam? He replied: He from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe. He asked: Then what is the best Jihaad? He replied: He who strives against his own self and desires for Allaah. He asked: Then which of those who migrates (performs hijrah) is best? He replied: He who strives against his own self and desires for Allaah. He asked: Is it something you have said O 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr, or Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam)? He said: Rather Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said it.

Reported by Ibn Nasr al-Marwazee in Ta'zeem Qadris Salaat (no. 639)

Adhering to the Understanding of the Companions

May Allaah have mercy upon you. Know that the Religion is what came from Allaah, the Blessed and Most High. It is not something left to the intellect and opinions of men. Knowledge it is what comes from Allaah and His Messenger, so do not follow anything based upon your desires and so deviate away from the Religion and leave Islaam. There will be no excuse for you since Allaah's Messenger explained the Sunnah to his Ummah and made it clear to his Companions and they are the Jamaa'ah, and they are the Main Body (as-Sawaad ul-A'dham), and the Main Body is the truth and its followers.

So he who contradicts the Companions of Allaah's Messenger sallallahu alaihiwasallam in any of the affairs of the Religion, then he has fallen into disbelief.

Taken from Kitaab Sharh us-Sunnah by Al-Barbahaaree

The Sunnah is Islaam and Islaam is the Sunnah

Imaam al-Barbahaari (rahimahullaah) said:

All praise is for Allaah who guided us to Islaam and blessed us with it and placed us in the best nation, so we ask Him to grant us that we keep to that which He loves and is pleased with and avoid that which He hates and which angers Him.

Know that Islam is the Sunnah, and the Sunnah is Islaam and one of them cannot be established without the other.

Taken from Kitaab Sharh us-Sunnah of Imaam al-Barbahaari