Abdullah Al-Johany : Surah Al Qalam

To Be Alone...

Virtues of the Prayer : Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen

Source:Sifat Salaat-in-Nabee
Translator:isma’eel alarcon
Produced by:al-manhaj.com

The Prayer: is the second pillar from the pillars of Islaam and the most important pillar of Islaam after the Shahaadah (testimony) of Faith.The Prayer: is a link between the servant and his Lord. The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Indeed, when one of you prays, he speaks privately with his Lord.”[Reported by Al-Bukhaaree] And Allaah says in the qudsee hadeeth: “I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two parts, and My servant will have what he asks for.So when the servant says: ‘Al-Hamdulillaahi Rabb-il-‘Alameen’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has praised Me.’And when he says: ‘Ar-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has extolled Me.’

And when he says: ‘Maaliki-yawm-id-Deen’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has honored Me.’

And when he says: ‘Iyyaaka Na’bdu wa Iyyaaka Nasta’een’, Allaah says: ‘This is between Me and My servant and My servant will have what he asks for.’

And when he says: ‘Ihdinaas-Siraat-al-Mustaqeem. Siraat-aladheena an’amta ‘alaihim. Ghairil-Maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-Daalleen’, Allaah says: ‘This is for My servant and for My servant will be what he asks for.’” [Reported by Muslim]

The Prayer: is a garden of ‘ibaadaat (acts of worship), in which every splendid type of worship is found. There is the takbeer, by which the prayer is initiated, the standing in which the person praying recites the words of Allaah, the bowing in which he extols his Lord, the rising from the bowing position, which is filled with the praising of Allaah, the prostration in which he glorifies Allaah by His highness and in which he implores him through supplication, the sitting in which there is the tashahhud and (more) supplication and the closing with tasleem.

The Prayer: is a means of support and assistance in times of distress and grief. And it prevents one from evil and shameful deeds. Allaah says: “Seek assistance in patience and prayer.” And He says: “Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book and establish the prayer. Verily, the prayer prevents one from evil and shameful deeds.”

The Prayer: is the light of the believers in their hearts and in their place of gathering (on the Day of Judgement). The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “The prayer is light.” And he (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Whoever guards it (his prayers), it will be a light, a proof and a (means of) salvation for him on the Day of Judgement.” [Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Hibbaan and At-Tabaraanee]

The Prayer: is the joy and delight of the believers’ souls. The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “My delight was placed in the prayer.” [Reported by Ahmad and An-Nasaa’ee]

The Prayer: wipes away sins and expiates evil deeds. The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Do you think that if there was a river by the door of one of you and he bathed in it five times a day that there would remain any dirt on him?” They (the Companions) answered: “There would not remain any dirt on him.” The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “That is how it is with the five (daily) prayers, through them Allaah washes away the (minor) sins.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim] And the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “The five (daily) prayers and Jumu’ah (prayer) to Jumu’ah (prayer) are an expiation for what (sins) occur between them so long as one is not guilty of major sins.” [Reported by Muslim]

The Prayer in Congregation: Ibn ‘Umar (raa) reported that the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Prayer in congregation is better than praying alone by twenty-seven degrees.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim] Ibn Mas’ood (raa) said: “Whoever would be happy to meet Allaah tomorrow as a Muslim, then let him preserve (in establishing) these five prayers from the place where they are called from (i.e. masjids), for verily, Allaah has legislated for your Prophet the ways of guidance. And indeed these (five prayers in the masjid) are from the ways of guidance. And if you were to pray in your homes as this man who refrains (to pray in the masjid) prays in his home, then you would have abandoned the Sunnah of your Prophet. And if you were to abandon the Sunnah of your Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) you would go astray. There is not a man that performs the ablution and does it well, then sets out to go to one of these masjids except that Allaah records a good deed for him for every step he takes and raises him up one level and erases one evil deed due to it. You have certainly seen us, and no one would refr

ain from the prayer (in the masjid) except the hypocrite whose hypocrisy was well known. And indeed a man would be brought supported by two men until he was made to stand in the row (for prayer).” [Reported by Muslim]

Al-Khushoo’ (Submissiveness) in the Prayer, which means that 1) the heart is present and attentive, and 2) preserving that condition – are both from the means of entering Paradise. Allaah says: “Successful indeed are the believers. Those who in their prayers are submissive. And those who turn away from vain talk. And those who pay their Zakaat. And those who protect their private parts – Except in front of their spouses or those (women) whom their right hands possess, for indeed they are not held to blame (in that). So whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. And those who keep their trusts and covenants. And those who preserve their prayers. They are the inheritors – the ones who will inherit Al-Firdaus (highest level in Paradise), in which they will abide forever.”

Being sincere to Allaah in the prayer and performing it according to the manner it is described in the Sunnah are the two fundamental conditions for its acceptance. The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Verily, actions are by intentions and every person will have what he intended.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim] And he (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Pray as you have seen me pray. {Reported by Al-Bukhaaree]

Written by Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen
On 4-13/1406H

The Condition of the Salaf in Ramadhaan – Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan

Question:

I have some questions; the first question: what was the state of the Salaf As-Saalih, may Allaah have mercy upon them and be pleased with them, in anticipation of this great month? How was their guidance? How was their character and their conduct? The second matter, O eminent Shaykh, how does the Muslim prepare to take advantage of these nights and days which he is now living in; preparation by way of knowledge, by knowing the rulings of fasting and knowing the nullifiers of the fast and its rulings? Some of the people are heedless of these things so they do not understand the affair of fasting and they also do not have the obligatory understanding of the affair of the fast, has the Shaykh noticed this matter? May Allaah reward you.

Answer:

In the name of Allaah the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Wa Alaykum As-Salaam wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh; may Allaah bless you. Regarding that which you have drawn attention to, from these two great matters; the first question is regarding the condition of the Salaf in the month of Ramadhaan. The condition of the Salaf, as it is recorded in the narrated books with chains of narrations from the trustworthy people (narrating) from them is that they would ask Allaah the Mighty and Majestic to make them reach Ramadhaan before it entered; they would ask Allaah to make them reach the month of Ramadhaan due to what they knew that it contained from abundant good and general benefit. Then, when Ramadhaan entered, they would ask Allaah to aid them upon righteous actions therein. The when Ramadhaan ended they would ask Allaah to accept it from them. As Allaah the Mighty and Majestic says:

وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوْا وَقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ ٦٠ أُولَئِكَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَهُمْ لَهَا سَابِقُونَ ٦١

“And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning). It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salât (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on].”(Al-Mu’minun 23:60-61)

They would strive hard in doing actions, then worry would afflict them, after the action, as to whether their action was accepted or not. That was due to their knowledge of the greatness of Allaah and their knowledge that Allaah does not accept except that (action) which is done purely for His face and correctly in accordance with the Sunnah of His Messenger from actions. So they would not purify themselves, and they would fear that their actions would be rendered null. So (worry) that they (the action) will be accepted was weightier with them than (even) the performance of them. This is because Allaah the Mighty and Majestic says:

إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

“Verily, Allaah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).” (Al-Ma’idah 5:27)

So they would devote their time within this month, as we have previously mentioned, to worship and would minimize actions of the Dunyaa. They would spend their time sitting in the houses of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic and they would say: We are safeguarding our fast and we will not backbite anyone. They would read the Mus-hafs and study the Book of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. They would safeguard its time from squandering. They were not heedless or negligent as many of the people are today. Rather, they would preserve its time; the night, by standing (in prayer) and the day by fasting, recitation of the Qur’aan, the remembrance of Allaah, and righteous actions. They were not negligent therein of (even) a minute or a second, except that they would put forth therein righteous actions. This is the first question.

Translated by Raha ibn Donald Batts

Source: alfawzan.ws/node/9840 

Speech of the Scholars (past and present) on the importance of studying the Arabic language

From time  to time we wish to encourage one another with the importance of studying.  Recently we came across the following speech of the scholars.

Sheikh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said:

The Salaf would admonish their children when they made Arabic grammatical mistakes.  Due to this, we are ordered, whether it be an obligation or a recommendation, to preserve the Arabic (grammatical) laws, and to correct the tongues that have deviated from the correct speech.  By doing so, we preserve the methodology of understanding the Quran and the Sunnah.  We also preserve the following of the Arab in their manner of (correct) speech.  If people were left with their grammatical mistakes, this would be considered a great deficiency and despicable mistake.  (source: Majmoo’ Al Fatawa 32/252)

The speech of Ibn Taymiyyah reminds us of the statement of Umm Abdullah al Wadie’yah concerning her father, the beloved Sheikh Muqbil bin Hadee al Wadi’ee.

She wrote:

My father would admonish us (her and her older sister) if we made a mistake in Arabic grammar.  He would say: Don’t be like the people of Sa’daa, they learn Arabic for several years until they reach the level of reading ‘Al Mugnee al Labeeb’ (famous book in Arabic grammar), but they continue to speak like the normal layman. (source: Nubtha Muktesirah)

Sheikh Muqbil also mentioned:

The sciences of the Arabic language (nahoo) is from the important knowledge that is incumbent upon the Muslims to focus on.  This is because the enemies of Islam seek to divert the Muslims away from the language of their deen and busy them with what has less importance in their religion. And Allah is the Helper.  (source: Ershad Thawil Fitan pg.65)

Sheikh Muqbil likewise mentioned:

If a person becomes proficient in the Arabic language, then it will make learning easy for him. (source: Ar Rihlatul Akirah)

Sheikh Uthaymeen said:

From the benefits of learning the  Arabic language is correction of the tongue with the Arabic tongue which the speech of Allah was revealed in.  Because of this, understanding the Arabic language is extremely important.  But the sciences of the Arabic language are difficult in the beginning and becomes easy thereafter.  It is the example of a house made of cane (the likes of sugar cane), but its door is made of steel.  Meaning, it is difficult for one to enter, but once one does, is is then made easy.  Due to this, I encourage the student to learn the foundations of the language in order to make the rest easy for him/her.  (source: Sharh Al Ajromiyah)

In closing we say, one thing that a person especially a salafee who is in seek of knowledge can reflect over to help encourage the studying of the Arabic language, is the following question of reflection and contemplation:

What would you do if you came in to contact with the greatest scholars of our time, the likes of Sheikh Saleh al Fowzan, Sheikh Ahmed an Najmee, Sheikh Abdul Azeez ala Sheikh, Sheikh Ubaid al Jabiree, etc…, what if you came into contact with these scholars without having a translator?! How much would you truly be able to benefit from them?! How many questions could you possibly ask?! How would you understand their answers and advice?!

May Allah guide us to what is good in this life and the hereafter.  May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the last messenger Muhammed, his family members and companions.

Mustafa Gorge (Hafidahullah)

http://salaf-us-saalih.com/2010/09/20/speech-of-the-scholars-past-and-present-on-the-importance-of-studying-the-arabic-language/

Baby Showers: Permissible or Not? – Shaykh Abdul-Qaadir Al-Junayd

Questioner: As-Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullaah, Yaa Shaykh.

Shaykh: Wa Alaykum As-Salaam wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh;

Questioner: How are you, Shaykh?

Shaykh: Hayaakumullaah.

Questioner: Hayakumullaah. Shaykh, I asked you a question yesterday, about an issue…

Shaykh: You asked me what?

Questioner: I asked you a question yesterday about an issue, however, I wish to repeat the question for clarity.

Shaykh: Go ahead.

Questioner: The intent behind the question is as follows: What is the ruling regarding the events that are held wherein gifts are given to the parents on the occasion of a new child; it is the event which is held when the mother is within her 7^th or 8^th month of pregnancy wherein she invites the sisters, and they buy clothes for the new baby. This is something, O Shaykh, which is known within this land to be from the disbelievers. So is it permissible for the Muslim woman or no?

Shaykh: My brother, may Allaah bless you, a known custom within the lands of the Muslims is that when the woman gives birth to a daughter or son, then the people visit her to congratulate her and supplicate for this baby; and they bring some gifts with them. the women gather within the house for what occasion? (It is) the occasion of this new baby. They bring with them some food, gifts, and the like. This is known with the lands of the Muslims. Is that which is with you done in this manner?

Questioner: No, Shaykh.

Shaykh: Or is it as you mentioned, they gather a month or two months before the birth?

Questioner: Yes, like this, Shaykh. Here in America they do it when the mother is in her 7^th or 8^th month of pregnancy.

Shaykh: Na’am. This manner (of doing it) who was the first ones to do it?

Questioner: I didn’t hear you, Shaykh.

Shaykh: This manner, of doing it a month or two before (the birth); where did it come from?

Questioner: From the disbelievers in this land.

Shaykh: All of them (the disbelievers) do it in this manner?

Questioner: Ay Na’am.

Shaykh: Then if the manner is like this, then it is not permissible for the Muslim to do it because it is from the perspective of imitation (of the disbelievers). If the Muslims do it in this manner; before the birth by a two months whereas this is the custom of the disbelievers, then it is not permissible for the Muslims to do it. As for celebrating after the birth; and giving gifts for the child, then this is known amongst the Muslims as well as the non-Muslims. Clear?

Questioner: Clear, O Shaykh, may Allaah bless you. May Allaah reward you.

Shaykh: And you as well.

Questioner: As-Salaamu Alaykum.

Shaykh: Hayaakumullaah. Wa Alaykum as-Salaam

Translated By: Raha ibn Donald Batts
Question Posed On: 15 Rabi’ Ath-Thani 1434 H./Feb. 25, 2013 
Presented to you by Markaz Tawheed was-Sunnah in Durham, NC