There are no perfect people only perfect intentions♡

Gives You

Al-Jathiya [45:26] 

 Say: "It is Allah Who gives you life, then gives you death; then He will gather you together for the Day of Judgement about which there is no doubt": but most men do not understand.

The More One Obeys the More He is Guided

Shaikh Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him said, “The more a person sticks to Allaah’s Legislation the more He, the Most High, will guide him, due to His Saying, ‘And He guides them to a Straight Path.’ [5:16]  So sins are a cause for deviation and obedience and submission are a cause for guidance.”

Tafsir Suratul-Maa’idah, v. 1, p. 221.

Insults His Brother

Narrated by Mu'adh bin Jabal, radhiAllaahu 'anhu: Allaah's Messenger, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said,

"Whoever insults his brother due to a sin (which he has committed), will not die until he commits it himself."

[At-Tirmidhi reported it and graded it hasan (good), while its chain is Munqati' (broken)]

Footnotes: We thus know that there mere mention of the defects of another person is a sinful act. It is even worse to mention someone's shortcomings in front of others, with the intention of putting him to shame. A Hadith states that one should not remind anyone of his sin in reply to something he has said (which you may not like).

Bulugh al-Maram

Inhabitants of Jannah (Heaven)

 

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wasalam) said, “The inhabitants of Jannah will eat and drink therein, but they will not have to pass excrement, to blow their noses or to urinate. Their food will be digested producing belch which will give out a smell like that of musk. They will be inspired to declare the freedom of Allah from imperfection and proclaim His Greatness as easily as you breathe.” [Muslim]

Unlawful Love

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“And the cure for this deadly illness (i.e. love before marriage) is for the person that is afflicted to realize that this love is only due to his/her own delusions and ignorance.

So upon such a person is to first and foremost strengthen their Tawheed and reliance upon Allaah, and secondly to increase in worship and busy themselves with it, so much so that they do not have any spare time letting their minds wander and think about their beloved.

And they should call upon Allaah to protect them and save them from this evil, just as Prophet Yusuf called upon Allaah and he was saved. And they should do as he did, be as he was, in terms of ikhlaas (sincerity) and remembering Allaah in abundance.

This is because if the heart is filled with ikhlaas for the sake of Allaah, there will be no space left for any unlawful love to be present, rather this only happens to a heart that is empty and has no ikhlaas whatsoever.

And let such people remind themselves that whatever Allaah has decreed for them is only in their own best interests, and when Allaah commands something it is never to cause harm or misery to His slaves.

And let them also remind themselves that their unlawful love does not benefit them, neither in this world or the hereafter! As for this world then they will be so preoccupied with their love that it will cripple them and will cause them to live in a fantasy world. And as for the hereafter then it will cause them to be preoccupied with the love of the creation instead of love for the Creator!

These people need to be reminded, that the one who is emerged in something will never see its ill effects, neither will the person who has never experienced such things. The only people who will be able to relate to them are those who have experienced the same thing but have been saved. Such people can look back and realize how evil it is.”


[ad-Daa' wa ad-Dawaa p. 300]

Wrongdoers

Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.” [18:29]

The True Man

“A man is the one who fears the death of his heart, not his body.”

-Ibn al-Qayyim.

Madaarijus-Saalikeen, v. 3, p. 248.

“Why did you not tell me?”

 Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimahu`Allah) said:

There was a king who had a lot of wealth, and he had a daughter and no other children. He loved her very much, and he used to let her enjoy all kinds of entertainment. This went on for a long time. Beside the king there lived a devoted worshiper, and whilst he was reciting one night, he raised his voice saying,

“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones.” [At-Tahreem 66:6 – interpretation of the meaning].

The girl heard his recitation and said to her servants, “Stop!” But they did not stop. The worshipper started to repeat the verse, and the girl kept telling them to stop, but they did not stop. She put her hands to her collar and tore her garment, and they went to her father and told him the story. He went to her and said, “My dear, what happened to you tonight? What made you weep?” and he hugged her. She said, “I ask you by Allaah, O my father, to tell me, does Allaah have a Fire the fuel of which is men and stones?” He said, “Yes.” She asked him, “Why did you not tell me? By Allaah I will not eat any good food or sleep on any soft bed until I know whether my abode is in Paradise or Hell.”

[Safwat As-Safwah, 4/437-438]

Source : http://notebookofbenefits.blogspot.com

Increase of Provision through Forgiveness

Compiled & Translated by Umm Yahya

A) Hasan al Basri -Rahimullaah- mentioned:

‘That a man complained to him concerning drought so it was said seek forgiveness from Allaah, another complained about another matter so it was said seek forgiveness from Allaah, another complained about lack of rain for his land so it was said seek forgiveness from Allaah another complained of no offspring so it was said seek forgiveness from Allaah, then he (Hasan al Basri) recited.

ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارٗا ١٠ يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّدۡرَارٗا ١١ وَيُمۡدِدۡكُم بِأَمۡوَٰلٖ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجۡعَل
لَّكُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ أَنۡهَٰرٗا ١٢

<<Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.
He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers
And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers. >> [Nuh: 10-12]

[Taken from: ‘Fath al-Bari’ Chapter: the Best Method of Seeking forgiveness]

B) al-Hafidh Emaad ad-Deen Isma’eel Ibn Katheer (d. 774 A.H.) -Rahimullaah- said in his Tafseer about the previous Ayaat:

‘If you repented to Allaah and sought forgiveness from Him and showed obedience to Him your Rizq (provision) would increase and rain would fall from the blessings of the skies, and the blessings of the earth would spring forth, crops would grow for you. You will be given abundant livestock. You will be aided with wealth and offspring; meaning that offspring and wealth would be given to you. And you will be given gardens that have numerous types of fruits and through out there will be rivers that flow in these gardens. This is the way of giving Dawa’ by encouragement.’

[Taken from: ‘Tafseer al-Qur’aan al-Atheem’ 4/p.536]

C) It is narrated from Abi Saeed Al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘Whoever performs Wudu and then says:
‘ Subhanaka Allahuma wabihamdika la ilaha ila anta astaghfiruka wa atooboo ilaika’
(‘Far are You O Allaah from imperfection, and You have all praise, there is none worthy of worship in truth except You, I seek forgiveness from You and I repent to You),
then this reward is written in a parchment and it is stamped with a seal and no falsehood can break it until the day of Judgment.’

[Taken from ‘Silsilah as-Saheehah’ No. 2333 declared Hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani]

Source : http://followingthesunnah.wordpress.com – Brother Abbaas Abu Yahya and Umm Yahya’s blog

Chains & Locks

"Sins are like chains and locks preventing their perpetrator from roaming the vast garden of tawhid and reaping the fruits of righteous actions”.  -Ibn Taymiyyah

Nearest To Me

Ibn Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wasalam) said: “The people who will be nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who supplicate Allah more often for me.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Personal 157

Allah gives us trials and tests us so that He may cleanse us. Feeling content right now because of all the things I've ever been through alhamdulilah. You can always make mistakes and correct them but at the end of the day something that was never meant for you, you cant or will never be able to make it be. I'm fine with this way of thinking because I trust Allah has something better and much more amazing waiting for me inshaAllahh. Having a chat with a close sister of mine on just how much Allah truly loves his slaves and how we can repent to him as much as we want, talk to him and ask him of what our hearts desire. Allah is all-hearing, all-seeing and I am positive he has heard me. I love reflecting on the good, the bad and the ugly it really helps develop inner character and shines light on what an individual must do to achieve inner peace and self improvement within their soul. Alhamdulilaah alaa kulli haal <3 loving Allah is the best and most honorable love!

No Creature

…”And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. All is in a clear register.” [10:6]

Best Amongst You

 

‘Uthman bin ‘Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wasalam) said, “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” [Bukhari]

A Lesson in Dawah

A Lesson in Dawah:  Prophet Noah, alayhi salam: “And if you turn away [from my advice] then no payment have I asked of you. My reward is only from Allah , and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims.” [10:72]

Concentrate Firstly on the Heart

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “It is fitting that a person always asks Allaah to purify his heart.  He should devote his attention to the actions of the heart.  The care a person gives to the actions of the heart must be more than the care he gives to the actions of the body–because everyone performs bodily actions, the believer and the hypocrite.”

Tafseer Surah al-Maa’idah, vol. 1, p. 410.

A Way Out

“Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wasalam, said, “If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.“ [Abu Dawud].

Against Ourselves

Our Lord! We have sinned against ourselves, and unless You grant us forgiveness and bestow Your mercy upon us, we shall most certainly be lost! (7:23)

Wealth

“And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?” [92:11]

Six Conditions for a Righteous Action to Conform to the Sharee’ah

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Righteous actions are those which conform to the Sharee’ah, and it is not possible that they conform to the Sharee’ah unless they agree with it in six things:

the reason/motive [for doing the action]
its type
the amount
how it is performed
the time and
the place [it is performed in].”

Tafseer Surah al-Maa’idah, vol. 2, p. 366.

From the Secrets of Fatiha and What it Contains – Ibn Qayyim aj-Jawzeeya

From the Secrets of Fatiha and What it Contains

By Shaykh ul –Islaam Ibn Qayyim aj-Jawzeeyah as-Salafi -Rahimullaah-

Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya

Shamsuddeen Muhammad bin Abee Bakr Ibn Qayyim aj-Jawzeeyah (d.751 A.H.) -Rahimullaah- said:

Two Strengths
‘The human being has two strengths:

The strength of researched knowledge.

And the strength of practical firm determination of actions.

A human’s complete happiness is dependent upon the perfection and completion of the two strengths of knowledge and firm determination of actions.
As for the perfection and completion of the strength of knowledge, then this is achieved
by knowing his Creator and his Originator,

knowing His Names and Attributes;

by knowing the path which leads to Him, and

by knowing what causes weakness in following that path, and

by knowing himself and his shortcomings and mistakes.

Having awareness of these five points, leads the human to achieve perfection in the strength of knowledge. The most knowledgeable of the people are those who know and understand these points the most.

As for the perfection and completion of the strength of practical firm determination of actions, this can only be achieved by complying with the rights of Allaah -Subhanahu- which He has over the slave, and the slave fulfills them with Ikhlaas (sincerity), truthfulness, faithfully, being righteous and by following and testifying to Allaah’s favours upon the slave of Allaah.
The slave has shortcomings in fulfilling Allaah’s rights, and so is ashamed to face Allaah with what (little) he has from servitude to Him. The slave knows that his servitude to Allaah is less than that which Allaah is worthy of, in fact it is even less and lesser than that. There is no way for him to perfect these two strengths except with Allaah’s help. Allaah guides him to the straight path to which He guided, His ‘Aawliyaa and those who are close to Him. Allaah averts him from going off the path (Siraat), through either becoming corrupted in his strength of knowledge, and he falls into misguidance, or from his strength of actions, which obligates anger upon him.
The Principles of Guidance in Sooratul – Fatiha
The complete happiness of a human cannot be achieved except with a combination of these matters, and they are included in Sooratul Fatiha and these matters are arranged in the best way, so the saying of Allaah Ta’ala: <> comprises the first principle, which is knowing about Allaah and His Names, His Attributes and His Actions.
The Names mentioned in this Soorah are the principle names of Allaah’s Beautiful Names, which are; the Name ‘Allaah’, ‘ar-Rabb’ (The Lord) and ‘ar-Rahmaan’ (The Most Merciful).

The Name ‘Allaah’ comprises the attributes of al-Ulooheeya (worship).

The Name ‘ar-Rabb’ comprises the attributes of Roobubeeyah.

The Name ‘ar-Rahman’ comprises the attributes of Beneficence, generosity and Kindness.

The meanings of the Names of Allaah revolve around this.
As for Allaah’s saying:
<> : This is knowing the path leading to Allaah, which is none other than worshipping Him Alone with what Allaah loves and is pleased with, and seeking aid from Him whilst worshipping Him.

As for His saying: <> this comprises the explanation that the slave of Allaah has no way to his own happiness except by Isteeqamah (being upright) on the Siraat al-Mustaqeem (the straight path). There is no path for him to Isteeqamah except by Allaah’s guidance, just as there is no way for him to Allaah’s worship except by Allaah’s aid, in the same way there is no path for him to Isteeqamah upon the correct way except by Allaah’s guidance.
As for Allaah’s saying: << not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray>> this contains the two extremities of deviancy from the straight path. Deviating to one of these sides leads to misguidance, which is the corruption of knowledge and belief deviating to the other side, to Allaah’s anger which is due to corruption of the intention and action.

The first part of the Soorah is mercy, the middle is guidance and last part is blessings.

The Slave of Allaah is between Blessings and Guidance

The portion of blessings a slave of Allaah has is related to the amount of guidance he has.

The proportion of guidance for a slave of Allaah is related to the portion of Mercy. So, the whole matter returns back to Allaah’s Blessings and His Mercy.

Blessing and Mercy are from those things which necessitate Allaah’s Roobubeeyah (Lordship). Indeed Allaah is The Merciful and The Giver of blessings and these are from the obligations of His Ilaheeyaeehi (being the One worthy of worship), so He is the deity in Truth, even if the rejecters deny it, and the Mushrikeen associate partners with Him
Whoever puts into effect the meanings of Fatiha with knowledge and understanding, practically and immediately; then he will have been successful in his perfecting [knowledge and action] in the best way. Then his worship of Allaah becomes a distinct worship by which his grade is raised above that of the general worshippers.
Wa Allaahul Must’aan.’

[Taken From his book ‘Al-Fawaid’ p.115-118]

Personal 156

Alhamdulilah it's that time of year again where we all have to go back to school or work etc..but lets not forget that now we will become more preoccupied by the dunya that we don't forget the ahkira. For alot of us the winter break gave us more time to reflect, read and learn about our religion and to familiarize ourselves with different subjects within our religion. We all wish that our breaks/ time off was extended but in reality it can't and won't be but that doesn't mean wait until schools over to hit the Islamic books once again! Instead set up a schedule for yourself personally that you can follow and commit too, incorporate your school/work life with your seeking knowledge lifestyle all in moderation of course. Figure out ways you can increase your iman, memorize your quran or simply attending a halaqa (Islamic gathering) at least once a week. Brothers and sisters it's important we don't fall off this path of remembering Allah and seeking to be near and dear to Him. This life is a mere illusion and as beautiful it may seem don't forget about the one who created it all for us. I would advise us all to memorize new and easy Dua'as (supplications) so that we can say them where ever we are and most importantly increase in Taqwa (fearing Allah as if we see him, but we don't) this will help us all sin less and holding on to our Iman (faith). These are just some tips I wanted to share with you all, May Allah make us among his successful slaves in this life and in the next! Ameen<3

Devotion

And remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with a complete devotion.

[73:8]

The Pleasure of Sinning or the Pleasure of Repenting?

Ibn al-Qayyim said,

“So if the sinner knew that the pleasure of repenting and the joy associated with it is multiple times greater than the pleasure of sinning and the joy associated with it, he would rush to it much more than the way he rushes to the pleasure of sinning.”

Ar-Rooh http://wp.me/p23HnI-1Z

Blessed is He

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wasallam) saying, “There is a Surah in the Qur’an which contains thirty Ayat which kept interceding for a man until his sins are forgiven. This Surah is ‘Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion.’ (Surat Al-Mulk 67).”
[Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud]

Exalted is He

“They have said, ” Allah has taken a son.” Exalted is He; He is the [one] Free of need. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. You have no authority for this [claim]. Do you say about Allah that which you do not know?” [10:68]

Two Different Types of Wudoo

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “All of us perform wudoo when we want to pray. But most of the time a person does so just wanting to fulfill a condition of worship, and there is no harm in that and what is intended [i.e., being pure for prayer] is achieved by it.

But there is something higher and more complete.

When you want to perform wudoo, sense that you are obeying the Order of Allaah, mentioned in His Saying, the Most High,“O you who have believed! When you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and (wash) your feet to the ankles.” [Maa'idah 5:6] so that the meaning of worship can be realised in you.

Sharh al-Arba’een an-Nawawiyyah, p. 253.
link: http://giftsofknowledge.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/two-different-types-of-wudoo/

Ibn al-Qayyim: Sit for a short while before you sleep and do this …

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, Ar-Rooh, p. 79.

Translated by Ahmed Abu Turaab @http://wp.me/p23HnI-38

Ibn al-Qayyim said,

‘Avoid those things that necessitate the punishment of the grave.

And from the most beneficial of them is that when a man wants to sleep, he sits for an hour, for the Sake of Allaah, calling himself to account over the things that he has lost and gained during that day of his. Then, between him and his Lord, he renews his sincere repentance over those things that he lost, and sleeps on that repentance, firmly resolving not to return to the sin when he wakes up–and he does this every night.

So if he dies on that night of his, he would have died upon repentance and if he wakes up, he will wake up going towards action, pleased with the postponement of his appointed time so that he can turn to his Lord and set right what he missed out on.

And there is nothing more beneficial for the servant than this sleep, especially when he follows that [i.e., his resolve to renew his repentance] up with the remembrance of Allaah, performing those sunnahs which have been reported from the Prophet of Allaah when going to bed, [doing so] until sleep overtakes him.

So whoever Allaah wishes good for, He will grant him the success to do that. And there is neither movement, nor power except through Allaah.”

Ar-Rooh, p. 79.

Seek Pardon

Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.” [Abu Dawud]

Illusion

The parable of life is like that rain that falls, the plants that come forth are pleasing and beautiful but become debris. What is life but a deception, an illusion.

Rest

“It is He who made for you the night to rest therein and the day, giving sight. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen.” [10:67]

A Calling

Our Lord! Behold we have heard a voice calling us unto faith: “Believe in your Lord” and we have believed. (3:193)

Falsehood

“And what will be the supposition of those who invent falsehood about Allah on the Day of Resurrection? Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to the people, but most of them are not grateful.” [10:60]

Self-amazement shovels away the Deeds of the Amazed one in its Violent Torrent

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu ‘ala rasulullaah
Amma-ba’d

Haafidh Al-Hakami Advises The Student Of Knowledge

Al-’Allaamah Haafidh Al-Hakami (rahimahullaah) advised the student of knowledge saying:

And self-amazement, be warned against it. Indeed, self-amazement shovels away the deeds of the amazed one in its violent torrent.

Shaikh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq Bin ‘Abdul-Muhsin Al-Badr (hafidhahumallaah) commented on the above statement of ‘Allaamah Haafidh Al-Hakami (rahimahullaah):

“He likened Self-amazement to the violent torrent that destroys everything in front of it; thus when a person is afflicted with the disease of Self-Amazement, all his righteous deeds are shovelled away, and nothing remains of it. Al-Haafidh Al-Mundhiree reported in his book At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb under the chapter Tarheeb Min Ad-Dawee Fil Ilmi Wal Qur`aan that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said that:

A people will appear who will recite the Qur`an and say: ‘Who recites (better) than us? Who knows more than us? Who has more understanding than us?’ Then the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said to his companions: ‘Is there any good from these people?’ They said: ‘Allaah and His Messenger know best.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘These ones are from you, from this Ummah, and they are fuel for the fire.’” [Imaam Al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah) Declared this hadeeth Hasan Li-Ghayrihee-Saheeh At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb: Number: 135]

Shaikh ‘Abdur Razzaaq then said:

“When self-amazement afflicts the student of knowledge, it drags him towards pride, exalting himself above the people, raising himself above the slaves of Allaah and exaltedness in the earth. And it has been reported in a hadeeth from the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) who said: “The one who has an atom’s weight of pride in his heart will not enter Jannah.” 

Link:http://salaficentre.com/2011/12/allaamah-haafidh-al-hakami-advises-the-student-of-knowledge/

Attaining Two Rewards for Trying to Accomplish what You are Aiming For

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Indeed those things which inhibit a person from attaining what he is aiming for are numerous.  But by seeking Allaah’s Aid, the Mighty and Majestic, and by expending [the required] effort he will achieve his goal.  And let it be known that every time the diversion is stronger then the one seeking [his goal] will be in a jihaad, and that every time the distraction is stronger but the person drives it away then through that he will receive two rewards: the reward for doing the [righteous] action and the reward for repelling the hindrance and for this reason the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said, “Ahead of you there are days of patience, when patience will be like grasping live coals, and the one who does good deeds will have the reward of fifty Companions,” because of the numerousness of the things that hinder.”

Ash-Sharh al-Mumti, vol. 1, pp. 22-23.

Have Taqwaa of Allaah Wherever You Are

Have Taqwaa of Allaah Wherever You Are
by Shaykh Muhammed As-Subayyal حفظه الله
Delivered on September 18th 2004

Brief Introduction To Lecturer by Moderator

Shaykh حفظه الله Zahid started praising Allaah and sending salaat and salaam upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and all his Companions. He then welcomed everyone and proceeded by saying, Dear brothers and sisters in Islaam, our speaker today is no stranger to you at all. He is one of the major Scholars of our time. Some of you may have heard him before during our weekly lectures. He is well known for his knowledge and is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars as well as an Imaam and Khateeb of Masjid al-Haraam. He is also the President of Affairs of three holy masaajid. Brothers and sisters in Islaam, our Shaykh حفظه الله is very, very tired and we thank him for giving us his time. Today he is scheduled to have two meetings in two different locations and he is very tired. However, he made himself available to us and we thank him for that. Therefore he will not be talking on the topic which he’s supposed to be talking on, rather he will give a hadeeth inshaa Allaah and then explain the hadith. The topic which we were supposed to have him discuss, he will discuss inshaa Allaah in the following weeks. Jazakum Allaahu khairun.


Introduction by the Shaykh حفظه الله

Dear brothers and sisters in Islaam, our Shaykh Muhammad As-Subayyal حفظه الله started by praising Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and then sent salaah and salaam upon the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم and his family and his Companions and those who follow him in righteousness until the Day of Judgment. Then he said, all brothers in Islaam, all believing brothers, I greet you with the greeting of Islaam, “Assalaamullahi alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.”


Hadeeth: “Have taqwaa of Allaah wherever you are…”

Then he said that we all know very well that the best speech is the speech of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم. From his teachings and guidance is a short paragraph containing three sentences, yet containing much benefit and great meaning. It is binding upon us to understand it because in it we will find all goodness. And the Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said as he addressed some of his Companions رضي الله عنهم, "Ittiqillaaha haithumaa kunta – Have taqwaa of Allaah, have fear of Allaah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, for verily a good deed will erase a bad deed. And deal with mankind in the best manner.”[1]

And then our Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by saying that this is from the best actions and they are short and concise words, meaning the hadeeth of Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه و سلم when he said, “Ittiqillaaha haithumaa kunta – Fear Allaah wherever you are…”[1] to the rest of the hadeeth, he said these words are very short and concise. However, their meanings are great and they contain much benefit in it.


Having taqwaa of Allaah

The Shaykh حفظه الله said inshaa Allaah we will deal with some of its meanings, such as Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم saying, “Fear Allaah, have taqwaa of Allaah”.[1] He حفظه الله said that fearing Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is from the best of actions. Fearing Allaah means to make between yourself and Allaah سبحانه و تعالى a protection, a barrier, a protection that would protect you from the punishment of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. This protection from the punishment of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is by doing what Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has ordered you with, and leaving off what He has prohibited you from. If you do this, you will have protected yourself from the worst of punishments.


Have taqwaa of Allaah in all circumstances

“Ittiqillaaha haithumaa kunta - Fear Allaah wherever you are…”[1] ‘wherever you are’, meaning in any place or any time. He حفظه الله said some of the scholars have explained the meaning of taqwaa and spoken about the reality of taqwaa. From such statements is that fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is:

• ‘It is a vessel (ship) of the righteous.’
• ‘It is a path for the one taking the way of guidance.’
• ‘It is the light for the one following the light.’
• ‘It is joy if you are able to enter into its valley.’
• ‘It is honour that is higher than any other honour.’

The reward of those who have taqwaa of Allaah

Then the Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by saying that there is a great reward for those who have taqwaa of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, those who are conscious of Allaah, they will have a great reward with Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. As Allaah عز و جل said:

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَهَرٍ {54} فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ
{ Verily, The Muttaqûn (pious), will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers (Paradise). In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise),
near the Omnipotent King (Allâh, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour). } [Al-Qamar 54:54-55]

This is the reward of the Muttaqeen. This taqwaa – fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will place between you and the punishment of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى a protection, a protective barrier. It is to do what Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has ordered you with, and to leave off what He has prohibited you from. Remember the fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى in every place, time or position that you are in. You must have taqwaa of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, you must have awareness of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and awareness of taqwaa wherever you are. Your mind and thoughts should always be focussed and aware so that you keep away from entering into any undesirable affairs. This taqwaa of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will protect you from entering into or committing these undesirable actions. If you bring the fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى to your thoughts and mind, it will protect you from falling into sin as it will protect you from falling into what Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has prohibited you from. And no doubt doing what Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has prohibited you from is the opposite of taqwaa.

And then the Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by saying “Have taqwaa of Allaah, have fear of Allaah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, for verily a good deed will erase a bad deed.”[1] So fear Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and if you fear Him, if you have taqwaa of Allaah, He سبحانه و تعالى will reward you with good as He has described the Muttaqeen. He سبحانه و تعالى said,

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَهَرٍ {54} فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ
{ Verily, The Muttaqûn (pious), will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers (Paradise). In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise),
near the Omnipotent King (Allâh, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour). } [Al-Qamar 54:54-55]

With whom are they sitting? They are sitting with Allaah سبحانه و تعالى the Almighty King. And then he حفظه الله quoted the ayah when Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:

أَلا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللّهِ لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ {62} الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَكَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ
{No doubt! Verily, the Auliyâ' of Allâh [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allâh and fear Allâh much
(abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allâh much
(perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.
Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and used to fear Allâh much
(by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds).} [Yunus 10:62-63]

Therefore, the Awliyaa’ of Allaah shall have no fear nor shall they grieve, not in this world, nor in the Hereafter. In this world they shall have no fear for their children or families, all of their affairs will be free, which means Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will take care of their affairs. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will protect them. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is their Protector. He has protected them. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:

أَلا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللّهِ لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ {62} الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَكَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ
{No doubt! Verily, the Auliyâ' of Allâh, no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.
Those who believed and used to fear Allâh much.} [Yunus 10:62-63]

So if you loved and feared Allaah and refrained from sinning and from those actions that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has prohibited you from and you did what Allaah سبحانه و تعالى ordered you with, from upholding the prayers and making salaah on time, giving the zakaah, fasting the month of Ramadaan and making the Hajj to the House of Allaah, and refrained from what you were prohibited from, such as zinaa (fornication), ribaa (usury), and other things that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has prohibited you from – what He has made haraam upon you; then if you were to do that you will win with the best reward and the greatest victory.


Following up a bad deed with a good deed

And then the Shaykh proceeded by saying “Have taqwaa of Allaah, have fear of Allaah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, for verily a good deed will erase a bad deed.”[1], as Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “All of the sons of Aadam make mistakes.”[2] There is no one innocent or free of sin, but if the person makes a mistake then he remembers and returns to Allaah and repents to Him and seeks His forgiveness, then Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will erase his sin.


Repentance to Allaah is from the Best of Actions

Because of this, the Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “All the children of Aadam make mistakes and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent”[2] because if he repents from his sin or from his mistake, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will forgive him and this is what Allaah سبحانه و تعالى wants, and this is what He has ordered us with as He سبحانه و تعالى says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِي اللَّهُ النَّبِيَّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَى بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
{ O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins,
and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) the Day that Allâh will not disgrace the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم)
and those who believe with him, their Light will run forward before them and with (their Records Books of deeds) in their right hands
they will say: "Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us [and do not put it off till we cross over the Sirât (a slippery bridge over the Hell) safely]
and grant us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things.} [At-Tahreem 66:8]

This repentance, this tawbah is the best of actions. A person needs to remember this. He needs to always have complete awareness of returning to Allaah and repenting to Allaah. “Have taqwaa of Allaah, have fear of Allaah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, for verily a good deed will erase a bad deed. And deal with mankind with the best manner.”[1] If someone falls into sin, and of course a person is not free from sins, he is going to fall into sins; a person may fall into sin, but he has to remember to return to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى in repentance because repentance erases what came before it. So if he repents to Allaah, Allaah wipes off his sin and forgives his mistakes which he repented from. So race towards repentance and indeed repentance erases the bad deeds. This is the reason that the Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم said, "follow up the bad deed with a good deed. It will erase it.”[1]


Good deeds erase the bad deeds

From the good deeds are: repenting to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, seeking His forgiveness and charity and righteous actions, all of this erases sins. All the good actions erase the evil actions and this is a reminder for those who remember. So righteous actions erase bad deeds because of what was said: "follow up the bad deed with a good deed. It will erase it.” [1] This is taken from Allaah’s statement as He سبحانه و تعالى said:

إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ أُوْلَـئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ

{.. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice). } [Hud 11:114]

Deal with the people in the best way

And then the Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by saying “Have taqwaa of Allaah, have fear of Allaah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, for verily a good deed will erase a bad deed. Wa khaaliqinnaasa bi khuluqin hasan – And deal with mankind with the best manner.”[1] Dealing with mankind with the best of manners is from the etiquettes of Islaam. You greet them with as-salaam, you meet them and you give them salaam. You make room in the sittings for them, and you do not show bad feelings towards them, or offend them, or talk about their honour. These manners will bring everyone together. Because of this, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “deal with mankind with good manners”. The word, an-naas (mankind) is general here and likewise its meaning is also general. It relates to Muslims and non-Muslims.


Deal with the non-Muslims in a good way is a form of Da’wah

Your good manners with the non-Muslims i.e. if you are easy and lenient with them and treat them in the proper manner, then this is a means from amongst the means used in calling to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. So when you are doing this, you are using a means from the means of Da’wah. If you act like this, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will put love for you into his heart, and he will like sitting with you and then he will like what you talk about. Then this might become a way, a means for him to come to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and to come to al-Islaam. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى might guide him because of your efforts. So the people, the mankind, they are everyone, Muslims or non-Muslims alike, as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has said in the Qur’aan:

وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً
{...and speak good to people [i.e. enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, and say the truth about Muhammad Peace be upon him } [Al-Baqarah 2:83]

The ‘mankind’ stated here are the Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He didn’t say, “Say to the Believers or Muslims or Muttaqeen (those with taqwaa) that which is best.” Rather He سبحانه و تعالى said, ‘mankind’. He used the word ‘an-naas’ which means every human being. And if you apply the best manner in your Da’wah then you have used the proper tools in giving Da’wah and the best akhlaaq (character) is the best tool to be used. So, if you are easy and good in dealing with mankind, even with the kuffaar, if you are good with them then you have applied the proper means in calling to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. A kaafir would be more inclined in learning from you if you come to him with good manners. As Allaah سبحانه و تعالى said:

وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً
{...and speak good to people [i.e. enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, and say the truth about Muhammad Peace be upon him } [Al-Baqarah 2:83]

So good manners and talking to mankind in a good way, this is from the Da’wah to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and a way to call to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and to call to al-Islaam, the Deen of Allaah.


The ones most deserving of being dealt with in a good way

And then the Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by saying Wa khaaliqinnaasa bi khuluqin hasan – And deal with mankind with the best manner.”[1] The ones most deserving of your good manners and good dealings are your parents, then those closest to you, meaning your relatives, then your Muslim brothers and then the non-Muslims. This is how Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم was with everyone.

"When he (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was out in the desert (in the sahara), a Bedouin came to him and the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم called him to al-Islaam and presented al-Islaam to him and then man said, “What is al-Islaam? And how does one become a Muslim?” Then the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship, there is no other God worthy of worship other than Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, and to perform the salaah and to give zakaah and … (to the rest of the hadith)” Then the man replied, “no, I don’t accept this and I wouldn’t become a Muslim.” The Bedouin was about to walk away and with him was a kind of desert animal which they eat. So when the Bedouin was about to tie the animal, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم called him and said, “If this animal that you have becomes Muslim, would you accept Islaam?” The man said, “Yes.” Then, the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم asked him to give him the animal. Then the man handed him the animal, and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said to the animal, “Who am I?”, and the animal replied, “You are the Messenger of Allaah.”[3] So with this good manner from the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم, the Arab Bedouin who was harsh, unsocial, tough and ignorant just like an animal, as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said in another hadith, “Do you see who is more misguided – the Bedouin or the animal?” [4] But when the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم spoke to him with good manners and expressed and showed him the miracle, he was affected and the Bedouin accepted Islaam.


Dealing with the Parents

Therefore brothers and sisters in Islaam, deal with mankind with the best manners, and first and foremost in this respect are your parents, and the rights of mother are more that the father, as in the hadith of Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه و سلم when he was asked, “Who has the most rights?” And the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) replied, “Your mother.” And he was asked again, and again he replied, “Your mother.” And he was asked again, and again he said, “Your mother.” And then on the fourth time, when he was asked again, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Your father.”[5] So the right of the mother is greater than that of the father, but still the father’s right is great. So the closer they are to you in their relation to you, like your brother, sister, cousin and so on, then they are those who have the most right to your kindness and good manners and this is from keeping the ties of the womb or ties of kinship.


Maintaining the ties of kinship

These ties are a great affair because the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم praised keeping the ties and warned from cutting them off and breaking the relation of kin. The Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by quoting the hadith of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم who said, “When Allaah سبحانه و تعالى created the womb, it clung to the throne and said, ‘O my Lord, I seek refuge in You from being cut off.’ So Allaah سبحانه و تعالى replied, ‘Will you not accept that I cut off whoever cuts you off? And I keep connected to whoever keeps connected to you?’ And then the womb replied, ‘Yes, yes.’”[6] So Allaah سبحانه و تعالى revealed in the Qur’aan:

فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَن تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ {22} أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ فَأَصَمَّهُمْ وَأَعْمَى أَبْصَارَهُمْ
{Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship?
Such are they whom Allâh has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight. } [Muhammad 47:22-23]

So whoever is related to you from near or far, then they have a right over you. You should say good things to them and honour them as much as possible. This is from al-birr (righteousness) and from good manners that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم have ordered us with. And, be aware of cutting off these ties. It is a very serious and dangerous matter. And as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has said:

فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَن تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ {22} أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ فَأَصَمَّهُمْ وَأَعْمَى أَبْصَارَهُمْ
{Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship?
Such are they whom Allâh has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight. } [Muhammad 47:22-23]

So brothers and sisters in Islaam, these are our three short sentences from the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم and to each of them there are no bounds or ends concerning their benefits and blessings. “Have taqwaa of Allaah, have fear of Allaah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, for verily a good deed will erase a bad deed. And deal with mankind with the best manner.” [1]


The results of having good manners

And then the Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by saying that good manners are such that it will bring forth light for you, as well as for the kuffaar. So if you deal nicely and politely with non-Muslims and render your hand to them in good services in the best manner, then this is from the means of calling them to al-Islaam. Perhaps he will be guided to al-Islaam with Allaah’s سبحانه و تعالى tawfeeq (success) and then from your Da’wah and your efforts and your kind words so you will reap the reward of it. Speaking of this, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “If Allaahسبحانه و تعالى guides by you one man, then it is better for you than a red camels.” [7] And the red camels have the highest type of capital, of highest value with the Arabs, so we should be aware and memorize these verses of the Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم and act on them and order with them with what Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم have ordered us with.

Then the Shaykh حفظه الله proceeded by making du’aa in Arabic, and Shaykh حفظه الله Zahid proceeded by thanking the Shaykh حفظه الله and saying brothers and sisters as we said earlier today, the Shaykh حفظه الله was very, very busy. He has two appointments and it was very kind of him that he made himself available for us and we thank him sincerely.



References

[1] Found in Imaam an-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth (#18). Reported by at-Tirmidhi (#1987). Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله says Hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (#97).

اتَّقِ اللهَ حيثُما كُنتَ وأتبعِ السَّيِّئةَ الحسَنَةَ تمحُها وخالِقِ النَّاسَ بخلُقٍ حسنٍ

[2] Reported in Sunan ibn Maajah 2/1420 (#4251). Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله says Hasan in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (#4515).

كل بني آدم خطاء، وخير الخطائين التوابون

[3] Reference Pending

[4] Reference Pending

[5] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Kitaab al-Adab (#5626) from Abi Hurayrah, and in Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Birr was-Silah wal-Aadaab (#2548).

جاء رجل إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا رسول الله، من أحق الناس بحسن صحابتي؟ قال: (أمك). قال: ثم من؟ قال: (ثم أمك). قال: ثم من؟ قال: (ثم أمك). قال: ثم من؟ قال: (ثم أبوك)

[6] Reported with the following wording in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Kitaab at-Tafseer (#4552) and with a similar wording in Kitaab al-Adab (#5641,5642), and also in Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Birr was-Silah wal-Aadaab (#2554).

خلق الله الخلق، فلما فرغ منه قامت الرحم، فأخذت بحقو الرحمن، فقال له: مه، قالت: هذا مقام العائذ بك من القطيعة، قال: ألا ترضين أن أصل من وصلك، وأقطع من قطعك؟ قالت: بلى يا رب، قال: فذاك

[7] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Kitaab al-Jihaad was-Sayr (#2783) and with a similar wording in Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab Fadaa’il as-Sahaabah (#2406).

فوالله لأن يهدي اللَّه بك رجلاً واحداً خير لك من حمر النعم

And we want to become scholars overnight …

Translated by Ahmed Abu Turaab

In the biography of the Imaam Ghaalib ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Ghaalib ibn Tamaam ibn Atiyyah al-Muhaaribi (d. 517) [which is mentioned] in the book Al-Ghunyah of al-Qaadi Iyaad, and in As-Silah of Ibn Bashkuwaal there occurs that he said:

“I read what one of my companions had written in his own handwriting [where he said] that he heard Abu Bakr [Ghaalib ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Ghaalib ibn Tamaam] ibn Atiyyah mention that he had read Sahih Bukhaari seven hundred times.”

And in [the book] Inbaa’ul-Ghamr in the biography of Sulaimaan ibn Ibrahim ibn Umar Nafeesud-Deen al-Alawi (d. 825) [there occurs]:

“So he mentioned to me that he went over Sahih Bukhaari one hundred and fifty times, [whether that was] by reading it himself, listening to his Shaikh read it, reading it himself to his Shaikh [or someone else] or comparing it against a manuscript.”

And in Fahrisul-Fahaaris quoting from Tabaqaatul-Khawaas of as-Sharji that he went over The Sahih [of Bukhaari] two hundred and eighty times, reading it himself, listening to others read it to him or reading it himself to his Shaikh [or someone else].”

And in the biography of Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Abdullaah ibn Muqbil al-Qaahiri al-Hanafi, well-known as ‘At-Taajir [The Trader]’ (d. 805) [which is mentioned] in [the book] Ad-Daw al-Laami’, [there occurs]:

“Al-Buhraan al-Halabi, his student, said that he [i.e., his teacher Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad] informed him that up until the year 780ah he had read Sahih Bukhaari ninety-five times, and he read it after that many times [too].”

And in the biography of Al-Burhaan al-Halabi [d. 840] [which is mentioned] in Ad-Daw al-Laami’, [it is stated that]:

“He read [Sahih] Bukhaari more than sixty times and [Sahih] Muslim about twenty times, this is not including the times he read it when he was a student [of knowledge and not yet a Shaikh] or the times other people read the two collections to him as he listened on.”

ِAnd Abul-Arab at-Tamimi mentioned in Tabaqaat Ulemaa Ifriqiyyah wa Tunis in the biography of Abbaad ibn al-Walid al-Faarisi [d. 218] that at the end of one of his books [there was written]:

“I studied it a thousand times.”

Al-Mushawwiq ilaa Qiraa’ah wa Talabil-Ilm, pp. 90-95.
Taken from : http://giftsofknowledge.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/and-we-want-to-become-scholars-overnight/

“Say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah!’” Instead he said, “King! Rook! Checkmate!”

Translated by Ahmed Abu Turaab

Ibn al-Qayyim said, “So it may become impossible for him to pronounce the shahaadah, as many people have witnessed happen to those on the deathbed, such that it was said to some of them:

“Say Laa ilaaha illallaah.” So he replied, “Aaah! Aaah! I cannot say it!”

And it was said to another, “Say Laa ilaaha illallaah.” So he replied, “King!  Rook!  Checkmate!” and then he passed away.

And it was said to another, “Say Laa ilaaha illallaah.” So he started singing irrationally, saying, ‘Taatinaa tinintaa, [no meaning, just irrational singing]’ and then passed away.

And the same was said to another, so he replied, “And how will what you are saying help me when I left no sin except that I committed it?” and then he passed away without saying it.

And the same was said to another, so he replied, “And how will that benefit me? And I don’t know if I have ever prayed a single time to Allaah?” and then he passed away without saying it.

And the same was said to another, so he replied [talking about himself], “He is a disbeliever in what you say,” and then he passed away.

And the same was said to another, so he replied, “Every time I want to say it my tongue withholds.”
And someone who was present at the death of someone who would beg told me that [they told him to say the shahaadah] so he started saying, “For Allaah’s Sake. A penny for Allaah’s Sake,” until he passed away.
And a trader told me that he was present when one of his relatives was on his deathbed, so they told him to say Laa ilaaha illallaah and he was saying, “This piece is cheap. This is a good buy. This is such and such,” until he passed away.

So if the devil has gained mastery over the servant in the state when his mind is present and his strength [is also present] and he has complete cognizance [i.e., while he is alive and healthy], and has employed him in committing whichever acts of disobedience to Allaah he wants him to do, and has made him unmindful of the remembrance of Allaah the Most High, and has paralysed his tongue from remembering Him and his limbs from obeying Him–then what does one think will be the case when his strength breaks down and his heart and soul become preoccupied with the death pangs that he is in?

And [all the while] Shaitaan will have gathered all of his strength and determination and assembled everything that he is capable of to avail his opportunity concerning him–for that is the last action. So the strongest his Shaitaan will be against him is at that time, and the weakest he [i.e., the person] will be is at that time.

So who do you think will be safe from that? So it is there that, “Allaah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word [i.e., 'the firm word' is Laa ilaaha illallaah], in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allaah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allaah does what He wills.”
 Ibraaheem 14:27 

So how can someone whose heart Allaah has made heedless from His remembrance and who has followed his desires and whose affair is ever [in] neglect be granted the success to have a good ending?

Thus far away–the one whose heart is distant from Allaah the Most High, heedless of Him, worshipping his own desires, a slave to his lusts, his tongue dry from ever remembering Allaah [i.e., not moist with His remembrance], his limbs incapacitated from obeying Him actively working to disobey Him–far away [is such a person] from being granted the success to have a good ending.”

Ad-Daa wad-Dawaa, pp. 91-92, slightly edited.