my book lovers

Understanding and explanation of Life Insurance in Islam

2012-10-11T05:54:00.001+07:00

Is it permissible to take out life insurance in Islam? Is there any evidence (daleel) or scholar's verdict relating to this question?

Under common interpretations of Islamic law, conventional insurance is forbidden in Islam. Scholars such as Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) criticise the system of conventional insurance as putting one’s money at undue risk to being lost and involving usury/interest.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about life insurance, and he said:

Insurance of one’s life or possessions is haraam and is not permitted, because it involves gharar (buying/selling something where it is not known whether what is being bought/sold will actually be achieved/delivered, or in what specific quantity, thus putting one’s money at undue risk to being lost) and riba (usury, interest). Allaah has forbidden all transactions that are based on riba, and all transactions which involve deceit, as a mercy to this ummah, and to protect them from that which may harm them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“whereas Allaah has permitted trading and forbidden Ribaa” [al-Baqarah 2:275]

And it was narrated in a saheeh report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade deceit. And Allaah is the source of strength.

Source : Fataawa Islamiyyah, 3/5

The Three Fundamental Principles

2012-02-12T14:12:00.001+07:00

The Three Fundamental Principles (Thalâthatu ‘l-Usûl) of the Imaam and Mujaddid Muhammad bin 'Abdil-Wahhaab [Died 1206H] -may Allaah have mercy on him- is an important book which every Muslim should read and understand.

The book deals with the three questions asked in the grave: Who is your Lord? What is your dîn? Who is your Prophet?

You can download the ebook here. As such this book is beneficial for everyone insha Allah.

Arabic version

This translation is also Clearly written, well organized and well printed too .

Translated/English version

Are We Forced or do we have Free Will?

2011-10-08T20:42:00.002+07:00

Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan writes in Mujmal Aqeedah as-Salaf,

"Many groups have been misled in their understanding of Qadar (Predestination/Divine Decree). From them are the Jahmiyah and the Jabriyah who claim that the slave is forced in his actions and he has no control, ability or will. He is like a feather or a leaf which is blown by the wind.

Another group went to the other extreme and declared that every man creates his own actions. Allah has no will or control in the slave's action. The slave performs his actions by his choice and power that is independent of the Will of Allah. Some of them exaggerated to the extent that they said that Allah does not know the thing before it occurs...

The first group (Jabriyah) affirmed the Divine Decree and exaggerated (in their affirmation of Allah's Will) and thus robbed the slave from his will.

The second group (Qadariyah) exaggerated in (their affirmation of) the slave's will until they denied the Will and Decree of Allah.

Both these groups are greatly mistaken and misguided.

The Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah is on the middle path – they affirm ability, choice and will for the slave but it is subservient to the Will and Power of Allah and the slave cannot do anything except by the Will of Allah. [end quote]

This booklet gives the reader a thorough understanding of how the will, choice and ability of the slave are subservient to the Will and Power of Allah in the words of the noble Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saleh al-Uthaimeen (rahimahullah)

Apart from explaining what it means to believe in the Divine Decree, the Shaikh has expansively clarified important issues related to the subject, like Allah's Will for the occurrence of Kufr despite His Hatred for it.

Explanation of additional issues like - the sinner's justification by predestination, Is it obligatory upon us to be pleased with what has been decreed? - make the book more comprehensive and beneficial for the reader.

We ask Allah to forgive our mistakes and make us amongst those who are patient and pleased with the Decree of Allah. Ameen.

www.qsep.com

This booklet is part of the Arabic book
'Sharh Hadeeth Jibra'eel' by Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saleh al-Uthaimeen

areWeForced.pdf (3.3 Mb)

Reading from the books of tafseer while in the state of impurity

2011-08-14T09:08:00.000+07:00

Question:
I read books of Tafseer of the Qur'an when I am not in a state of purity... such as during my monthly period, is there any objection to this, and am I committing any sin by doing so? Please deliver a verdict, and may Allah reward you.

Answer:
There is no objection to the menstruating woman or the one who has postnatal bleeding reading books of Tafseer nor reciting the Qur'an, without touching the Book according to the most correct of the two opinions held by the scholars.

As for the one who is Junub, he may not recite the Qur'an at all, until he makes Ghusl, but he may read the books of Tafseer, Hadith and the like, without reciting the Verses they contain, as it has been authentically reported from the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam that nothing prevented him from reciting the Qur'an except Janabah. [Abu Dawud no.229, Ibn Majah no.594 & Ahmad 1:84, 124].

And in another version narrated by Imam Ahmad, with a good chain of narrators, he said:

”As for the one who is Junub; no, not even an ayah." [Ahmad 1:110]

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz Fatawa Islamiyah, vol. 1, p112-113, DARUSSALAM.

The best books on Aqeedah (Islamic Creed)

2011-06-02T17:26:00.000+07:00

Q. What are the best Islamic books for those who want to perfect their Iman (belief) and ‘Aqidah (creed) and to meet Allah (Exalted be He) while He be pleased with them?

A. The most important book in `Aqidah is the Qur’an; it is the most truthful, the greatest and the noblest book. You should adhere to it as much as possible and recite it often. It includes `Aqidah, guidance to goodness and warning against evil. If you read it carefully out of desire to learn and follow its instructions closely, whether in words, deeds or `Aqidah, you will find all goodness in it from the beginning to the end i.e. from Surah Al-Fatihah [Surah (1)] toSurah Al-Nas, 114: 1 Say: “I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind, If you contemplate this great book and recite it often, you will comprehend the `Aqidah which Allah (Exalted be He) accept from you and from the Mu’mins (believers).

Then, you should read the books of Hadith, such as the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) and others.

After that, you should read the books of scholars known for knowledge, grace and true `Aqidah, such as the books written by the Shaykh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, including:

“Al-`Aqidah Al-Wasitiyyah”,
“Al-`Aqidah Al-Tadmuriyyah”,
“Al-`Aqidah Al-Hamawiyyah”,
“Minhaj Al-Sunnah” and
“Majmu` Al-Fatawa”.

There is also the book of `Aqidah written by Ibn Abu Zayd Al-Qayrawany. The explanation of Ibn Abul-`Izz for Al-Tahawiyyah `Aqidah, being a useful one. There are useful books written by Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful with him).

There is also the book written by Shaykh `Abdul-Rahman ibn Hasan entitled:

“Fat-h Al-Majid” ;

and the books by Imam and Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab:

“Al-Tawhid”,
“Kashf Al-Shubuhat” and
“Thalathat Al-Usul”

There is also “Al-Durar Al-Saniyyah” that include the Fatwas (legal opinions issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) issued by the scholars of Najd. I advise the beginner knowledge seekers to memorize the Qur’an or as much as they can, and to study the books entitled:

“Al-Tawhid”,
“Kashf Al-Shubuhat”,
“Thalathat Al-Usul” and
“Al-`Aqidah Al-Wasitiyyah”,

as they clarify the reality of the three parts of Tawhid and Salafiyyah (the way of the righteous predecessors), which is the `Aqidah called to by Shaykh and Imam Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab (may Allah be merciful with him), and which is the `Aqidah adopted by Saudi Arabia. It entails adhering to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and following the way of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) in `Aqidah and rulings according to the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and the way of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) and their followers.

Some people call it Wahabiyyah `Aqidah, and think that it is a new `Aqidah contradictory to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. This is not the case; it is the `Aqidah followed by the Salaf of the Ummah (nation) as previously mentioned but our enemies gave it this name to make people hate it and others imitated them out of ignorance.

However, a knowledge seeker should not be deceived by this; they should know the truth from their books, not through the claims of their enemies and those who are ignorant of their `Aqidah. May Allah grant everyone guidance and success!

Ibn Baz Fatwa >Volume 7>The ruling on joining religious parties

————————————————————————

A Reply to a similar quesion in another answer:

A. You should study the Book of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) which contains guidance and light and the Sunnah of his Messenger (peace be upon him). You should also study the books of Tafsir (exegesis of the meanings of the Qur’an) and that of thescience of Hadith with the help of specialized scholars.

It is important that you act upon what you learn. Whoever acts upon what they learn will be granted the knowledge of things that they do not know.

The following books are highly recommended:

the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e., Al-Bukhari and Muslim),
Bulugh Al-Maram,
`Umdat Al-Hadith by `Abdul-Ghany ibn `Abdul-Wahid Al-Maqdisy,
Muntaqa Al-Khbar and Zad Al-Ma`ad by Ibn Al-Qayyim, and
Al-`Aqeedah Al-Wasittiyah by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (May Allah be merciful with them both), in addition to:
- Al-Tawhid (Book of monotheism),
- Kashf Al-Shobuhat, and
- Fath Al-Majid.

May Allah grant us success!
May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ > Permanent Committee Fatwas > Volume 12: (Jihad and Hisbah) > Jihad and Hisbah > Knowledge > The best books >Fatwa no. 3534

Member : `Abdullah ibn Qa`ud

Member : `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan

Chairman : `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

What is 'Aqeedah?

2011-06-01T22:40:00.001+07:00

Aqeedah refers to those matters which are believed in, with certainty and conviction, in one’s heart and soul. They are not tainted with any doubt or uncertainty.

The Arabic word ‘aqeedah stems from the root ‘aqada, which conveys meanings of certainty, affirmation, confirmation, etc.

In the Qur’aan, Allaah says: "Allaah will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths (bimaa ‘aqqadtum al-aymaan)…"
[al-Maa’idah 5:87]

The verb paraphrased here as "deliberate oaths" is ‘aqqada/ta’qeed, which refers to when one has determination in the heart. It may be said in Arabic, ‘aqada’l-habl (the rope was tied), i.e., it was pulled tight together. The word i’tiqaad (belief) is also derived from this root, and has the meaning of tying up and making strong. The phrase a’taqadtu kadhaa (I believe such and such) means: I am convinced of it in my heart; this is a rational conviction.

In Islam, ‘aqeedah is the matter of knowledge. The Muslim must believe in his heart and have faith and conviction, with no doubts or misgivings, because Allaah has told him about ‘aqeedah in His Book and via His Revelations to His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

The principles of ‘aqeedah are those which Allaah has commanded us to believe in, as mentioned in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allaah, His Angels, His Books and His Messengers. They say, ‘We make no distinction between one and another of His Messengers’ – and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).’" [al-Baqarah 2:285]

- and as defined by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the famous hadeeth which describes how Jibreel came to him and asked him about Islam etc.: "Eemaan (faith) is to believe in Allaah, His angels, His Books, the meeting with Him on the Last Day, His Messengers, and the Day of Resurrection."

So in Islam, ‘aqeedah refers to the matters which are known from the Qur’aan and sound ahaadeeth, and which the Muslim must believe in his heart, in acknowledgement of the truth of Allaah and His Messenger.

(Source: Sharh Lam’ah al-I’tiqaad by Ibn al-Uthaymeen, and al-‘Aqeedah fi-Allaah, by ‘Umar al-Ashqar)

The Four, Five, Six and Nine Books of Hadeeth

2011-04-10T07:35:00.001+07:00

The Four Books of Hadeeth [Al Kutub al Arba’ah]: [Also known as ‘The Sunan’]:

1. Sunan Abu Dawood
2. Sunan at Tirmidhee
3. Sunan an Nasaa-ee
4. Sunan ibn Majah.

[Al Haafidh ibn Katheer in Al Baa'ith al Hatheeth: 1/6]

The Five Books of Hadeeth [Al Kutub al Khamsah]:

They are the foundations of Islaam, meaning :

1. Saheeh al Bukhaaree
2. Saheeh Muslim
3. Sunan Abu Dawood
4. Sunan at Tirmidhee
5. Sunan an Nasaa-ee

[Al Imaam an Nawawee in Sharh Saheeh Muslim: vol 1: P.6.]

The Six Books of Hadeeth [Al Kutub as Sittah]: What became well known amongst the people of knowledge, is that the fundamental books that consist of the Ahaadeeth of Ahkaam and others are:

Saheeh al Bukhaaree
Saheeh Muslim
Sunan Abu Dawood
Sunan an Nasaa-ee
Jaami’ at Tirmidhee
Sunan ibn Maajah

The people of knowledge are in agreement that the first five are from the fundamental books, and a lot of them considered Sunan ibn Maajah to be the sixth because it consists of a lot of Ahaadeeth that were not collected in the five. [TN: Some of the people of knowledge considered Muwataa Maalik to be the sixth. The first scholar to add Sunan ibn Maajah to the list was al Haafidh Abu Taahir al Andalosee]

It seems that the first scholar who used this terminology is al Haafidh al Haazimee.

The Order of the Six Books:

The first book is:

Saheeh al Bukhaaree, then
Saheeh Muslim, then
Sunan Abu Dawood, then
Sunan an Nasaa-ee, then
Sunan at Tirmidhi, and finally
Sunan ibn Maajah.

Some of the people of knowledge ordered them differently, giving some books precedence over others. It is mentioned in the biography of Abu Dawood as Sijistaanee – may Allaah have mercy upon him – that Abu ‘Abdullaah ibn Mandah said: “Those who separated authentic Ahadeeth from inauthentic Ahaadeeth are four:

Al Bukhaaree and Muslim, after them comes

Abu Dawood and an Nasaa-ee.

The Nine Books of Hadeeth [Al Kutub at Tis’ah]:

As for the Nine Books of Hadeeth, it seems that the first people to use this terminology were the Mustashriqoon in their book ‘Al Mu’jam al Mufahras li Alfaadh al Hadeeth] They included the Six Books of Hadeeth and added:

Musnad ad Daarimee
Muwataa Maalik
Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal

This is why some of the scholars dislike using this term; ‘The Nine Books of Hadeeth’, because it was not used by the scholars of Hadeeth. So they hold the opinion that the scholars of Hadeeth should not use the terminology of the Mustashriqoon, since Hadeeth is not a science of theirs, rather this is not even from their religion.

Others held the opinion that there is no need to dislike using this term for it is only terminology…”

[Al ‘Allaamah ‘Abdul Muhsin al ‘Abbaad in Sharh Sunan Abu Dawood: 1/19]

[TN The most authentic book after the Qur-aan is Saheeh al Bukharee, the two most authentic books are Saheeh al Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim.]

----------------

Reference:

Within the article

Author: Number of Scholars

www.subulassalaam.com

Islam Against Terrorism

2011-03-23T17:39:00.003+07:00

This ebook (file extension .CHM) consisting of all related fataawa (islamic verdicts) from the islamic scholars such as :
- Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn 'Abdullaah ibn Baaz
- Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-'Uthaymeen
- Shaykh 'Abdul-Muhsin al-'Abbaad
- Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh
- Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab al-'Aqeel, etc.
You can now download it here.

Islam Against Terrorism - v1.33 (1.42MB)

Iljam al-Awam an 'ilm al-kalam

2011-03-20T09:57:00.005+07:00

Al-Ghazali is universally known as "the proof of Islam" (hujjat al-islam). He is one of the famous islamic scholar. Find his very last work, the Iljam al- 'awam 'an 'ilm al-kalam/Restraint of the Common People from the Science of kalam (إلجام العوام عن علم الكلام ) in ebook version. You can now download here.

ILJAMUL AWWAM.pdf (1.6MB)

Al-'Aqidah Al-Wasitiyyah

2011-03-20T08:23:00.004+07:00

The famous writing al-Aqeedatul-Wasitiyyah (العقيدة الواسطية) of the great Scholar Ibn Taymiyyah deals with the perfect and undefiled Islamic Faith and Creed of the As-Salaf-As-Salih (the pious predecessors) particularly in regards to Allah's names and attributes, with solid arguments in brief words and terminology. The book is highly appreciated by the scholars for its brevity as well as comprehensiveness; and for its contents produced perfectly in line with the Qur'an and Sunnah in an appealing and manifest manner. You can now download the ebook version here.

aqidah_wasitiyah.pdf (414.5Kb)

Explanation of the Hadith of Jibril About the Teachings of Islam

2011-03-20T07:10:00.002+07:00

Author: al-’Allamah ‘Abdul-Muhsin Ibn Hamad al-’Abbad
Published: (01-Aug-10)
Pages: 168

The book is a detailed explanation of the famous hadith of Jibril, at the end of which, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “This was Jibril, he came to you in order to teach you your Religion.”

Due to the many benefits contained within this book, the Muhaddith of al-Madinah, Shaykh ’Abdul-Muhsin al-’Abbad – may Allah preserve him – decided to write a book dedicated solely to the treasures found in this hadith. The Scholars of the past have mentioned the comprehensive nature of this hadith in various places:

So al-Qadhi ’Iyadh said, “Indeed, this hadith comprises an explanation of all the acts of worship, the outward ones and the inward ones, from the tenets of iman, the actions of the limbs and the sincerity of the souls and it cautions against the harmful actions; to the extent that the all of the Shari’ah sciences refer back to it and branch out from it..” And al-Qurtubi said, “This hadith deserves to be called Ummus-Sunnah (mother of the Sunnah), due to what it contains from comprehensive knowledge of the Sunnah.”

Is there a Reward for Reading Hadeeth?

2011-03-05T13:03:00.001+07:00

From Shaykh, Allaama, Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdul Azeez bin Abdullaah Bin Baz

Translated by Umm Yahya

The Noble Shaykh Bin Baz -Rahimullaah- was asked:

‘The reward for reciting the Book of Allaah is evident. Is there a reward for reading Hadeeth too?’

The Shaykh replied:

‘There is a great reward for reading the Noble Qur’an in terms of coming closer to Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, as is reading and memorizing the Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam. And this is because it is worship of Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala (in pursuit of) acquiring knowledge and a greater understanding of the religion.

Evidence in the Shariah indicates that seeking knowledge and gaining an understanding of the religion is obligatory in order for the slave to worship His Lord upon firm knowledge (Baseerah)

An example of this evidence is the saying of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam:

‘Whoever Allaah wills good for He grants them the understanding of the Deen (religion)’ And he said:

‘The best of you are those who learn the Qur’aan and teach it’

And the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

‘Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge on that path, then Allaah makes the path to paradise easy for him due to his seeking knowledge, and no group of people gather in one of the houses of Allah reciting the Book of Allaah and studying it, except tranquillity descends and they are covered with Mercy and the angels surround them and Allaah mentions them to those who are close to Him’ And there are many Hadeeth regarding the virtues of reciting the Qur’aan such as the saying of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam:

‘Recite the Qur’aan for verily it will come as an intercession for the one who recites it on the Day of Resurrection’ Collected by Muslim

And one day the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam came out and said:

‘Who would like to go to Bathaan (a valley in Medina) or to al-Aqeeq (a valley in Makkah) and return with two great female camels, without sinning and without severing the ties of kinship?’ So we said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah we would love that’

He -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘If one of you went to the masjid and learnt or read two Ayaat from the Book of Allah Azza wa Jal (that) is better for him than two female camels and three Ayaat are better than four female camels and in addition to that the same amount in male camels’ As is collected by Imam Muslim in ‘Saheeh Muslim’ and this is an evidence concerning the virtue of reciting the Qur’aan and teaching it.

There is (another) famous Hadeeth from Ibn Mas’ood which is collected in ‘Jamia Tirmidhi’ with a Hassan (good) chain of narrators that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allaah he gets one reward for it and one reward is equivalent to ten times the reward of it.’

And it is the same for reading the Sunnah, if a believer learns it by reading the Ahadeeth and studying them and memorizing them, distinguishing the authentic from the non authentic, then he will receive a great reward. This is because this is considered acquiring knowledge, concerning which the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge on that path, then Allaah makes the path to paradise easy for him due to his seeking knowledge, and no group of people gather in one of the houses of Allaah reciting the Book of Allaah and studying it, except tranquility descends and they are covered with Mercy and the angels surround them and Allaah mentions them to those who are close to Him’

This is proof of reading the Ayaat and reflecting upon them, studying Hadeeth and memorizing them, desiring knowledge and (desiring) an understanding of the religion and acting upon it (consequently) is from (one of the reasons) for entering paradise and being saved from the hell-fire. As the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:

‘Whoever Allah wills good for He grants them the understanding of the Deen (religion)’

There is a consensus with regard to its authenticity and it clarifies the virtue of knowledge and seeking it, and that is a sign of goodness as we clarified earlier. And the understanding of the Deen is attained through the Book (The Qur’aan) and through the Sunnah (Hadeeth) therefore (attaining the) understanding the Sunnah is a sign that Allah has intended goodness for His slave, there is a lot of evidence to substantiate (this point).

All Praise is for Allah Lord of the worlds

Taken from: http://www.sahab.net/home/index.php?Site=News&Show=986

Ahadeeth (Narrations)

2011-03-05T12:46:00.000+07:00

Hadith (الحديث al-ḥadīth, pl. aḥadeeth; lit. "narrative") are oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of the prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him). Hadith are regarded by traditional schools of jurisprudence as important tools for determining the Muslim way of life, the sunnah. Hadiths were originally oral traditions of Muhammad's (Peace and Blessings be upon him) actions and customs.

From the first Fitna of the 7th century people sought to verify the sources of hadiths. This resulted in a list of transmitters, for example "A told me that B told him that Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said." This process was predominantly an oral one in the first century or so, until hadiths were eventually written down en masse. They were then evaluated and gathered into large collections mostly during the reign of 'Umar bin Abdul Aziz, the grandson of Umar bin Khattab (Peace be upon them both), the 2nd Caliph during the 8th and 9th centuries. These works are referred to in matters of Islamic law and history to this day.

The Story of 1000 Dinars and The Man and the Gold

2011-01-30T01:03:00.002+07:00

Author: Umar Salim and Salimah Salim.
Published: (01-Apr-01)
Pages: 20 pp. (paperback)

"Keeping one's promises" is the central theme of "The Story of 1000 Dinars." Taking Allaah as a witness and a guarantor to obtain a loan, a man resorts to a very unusual method in order to fulfill his promise and repay his debt when it is due. His honesty and dependence on Allaah pays off for him. "The Man and the Gold" - Finding treaures has always been a dream for many people. And when it is found, it always tends to bring about the worst in us. In this story, a man finds gold in a piece of land he just bought. He is confronted with the question of whether to keep it or return it to the man from whom he bought the land. He reacts in a way that is fast becoming rare. No doubt, many lessons are to be learnt from this story.

The Virtue of Reading Books

2011-01-29T22:36:00.003+07:00

Collected by Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr in ‘Jami’ Bayan al-’Ilm wa Fadlih,’ the chapter titled: ‘The Virtue of Looking Through Books and the Praiseworthiness of Tending to Them’:

2414: Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad bin Isma’il al-Bukhari was asked: “What is it that strengthens one’s memory?” He replied: “Constantly looking through books.”

2415: Ahmad bin Abi ‘Imran said:
“I was with Abu Ayyub Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Shuja’, and he was staying in his house. So, he sent one of his sons to Abu ‘Abdillah bin al-A’rabi to invite him over.
The boy returned, saying: “I asked him this, and he said to me: “I am with a group, and when I am done being taught by them, I will be over,” and I did not see a single person at his house. Rather, he had in front of him books that he was looking through. He would look in this book for some time, and then look in another book for some time.”

Shortly thereafter, he arrived. So, Abu Ayyub said to him: “O Abu ‘Abdillah! Glory be to Allah, the Mighty! You stayed behind and prevented us from your presence, and my son said that he did not see anyone with you, and that you said you were with a group, and that you would come as soon as you were done being taught by them!”

So, Ibn al-A’rabi said:

We have company who sit with us and do not bore us * Loyal ones who can be trusted while they are present or away; They benefit us from their knowledge of what happened in the past * And intelligence, manners, and opinions that are correct; With no fear of conflicts or bad companionship * And one does not fear from their tongue or hand; So, if you say that they are dead: nay! You are a liar * And if you say they are alive, you are not far from the truth…

Translator’s note: He did not lie, as he was referring to his books as his companions, and this is from the ma’arid (metaphoric speech) that do not count as lies, as was narrated authentically from ‘Imran bin Husayn, ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, and Ibn ‘Abbas.

2416: It was said to Abi al-’Abbas Ahmad bin Yahya (Tha’lab):

“The people have greatly missed you. If only you could leave your house for just a bit and show yourself to the people so that they could benefit from you, and you could benefit from them.”

So, he stayed silent for an hour, and said:

If we accompanied the kings, they would act arrogantly with us * And would belittle the rights of those they were accompanying; Or if we accompanied the merchants, we would become sorrowful * And would become mere counters of money; So, we remained in our homes, extracting knowledge * And filling with it the stomachs of these pages… ?

2419: From what was memorized in the past:

What a great speaker and companion the book is! * You can seclude yourself with it if your friends bore you; It does not reveal your secrets, and is not arrogant * And you can gain from it wisdom and uprightness…

2420: Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ahmad recited to me:

And the sweetest that a youth can desire after piety * Is knowledge that is beautified for him to seek it; And for every seeker, there is a pleasure that he desires * And the pleasure of the scholar is his books…

2421: And he asked me to add to the above, and I immediately followed up with this in his presence:

The book relieves the concerns of its reader * And when he reads, his exhaustion disappears; What a great companion it is if you seclude yourself with it * You do not fear it plotting against you, or causing commotion…

2424: Abu ‘Amr bin al-’Ala’ said:

“I never entered upon a man or passed by his door - seeing him with a book in his hand, and his companion doing nothing - except that I judged him to be the more intelligent one.”

2425: ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abd al-’Aziz bin ‘Umar bin ‘Abd al-’Aziz said:

“I never saw a better admonisher than the grave, or anything more satisfying than a book, or anything safer than lack of socialization.”

2426: al-Hasan al-Lu’lu’i said:

“Forty years of my life have passed in which I never awoke or went to sleep except that a book was resting on my chest.”

The Role of the Woman in Rectifying the Society

2011-01-28T17:28:00.001+07:00

Author: Ash-Shaykh Al-'Allaamah Muhammad Ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen .
Publisher: Ibnul Qayyim Publications (01-Jan-05)
Pages: 48

Indeed the role of the woman in rectifying society is a role of great importance and that is because rectification of society will occur in two ways:
The first way - the external rectification: It is that which will take place in the market places, the masaajid and in other places which are outside of the home. For the most part, this rectification occurs by way of the men because they are the ones who deal with the outside affairs. As for the second way, then it is the rectification of society which occurs within the home: It is that which takes place inside the homes and for the most part, it is those duties in which the women are entrusted with within the household.

Six Etiquettes of Learning

2011-01-27T19:26:00.001+07:00

Ibn al-Qayyim - rahimahullaah - said:

"There are six stages to knowledge:-
Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner.
Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively.
Thirdly: Understanding well.
Fourthly: Memorising.
Fifthly: Teaching.
Sixthly - and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to its limits."

Taken from Miftaah Daarus-Sa'aadah (p.283)

Words To Hang On The Wall And Imbue In The Heart

2011-01-27T19:20:00.002+07:00

These quotes futher illustrate how the illustrious pious predecessors of this ummah (may Allah be pleased with and bestow His Mercy upon them and guide us to their example) understood the guidance of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam (i.e. Islam).

Knowledge is like a father and action is like a child. Knowledge goes with action as narrating goes with understanding.
Do not feel satisfied with action while being desolate of knowledge, and do not feel satisfied with knowledge whilst being heedless of actions. Rather, combine the two, even if your share of either may be meager. A little of this, with a little of that is safer in the outcome, if Allah bestows His Mercy, and completes His favor upon His stave...
Knowledge leads to action, just as action leads to salvation. So if the action is less than the knowledge, the scholar's knowledge is a burden upon him.
Just as wealth has no benefit unless it is spent, knowledge does not benefit except one who acts upon it and observes its obligations.
Knowledge is one of the pleasures of the world, yet if it is acted upon, it becomes for the Hereafter.
There are two tyrannies in the world: the tyranny of knowledge and the tyranny of wealth. What saves you from the tyranny of knowledge is worship, and what saves you from the tyranny of wealth is renouncing it.
Whenever you intend to be honored with knowledge, be attributed to it and be of its people, before giving knowledge its full rights upon you, otherwise its light will be concealed from you and all that will remain on you is its outward illumination. That knowledge is against you, not for you, because knowledge directs towards its application, so if it is not applied appropriately, its blessings are removed.
The best knowledge is that which benefits, and Allah only causes knowledge to benefit a person when he acts upon it once having learnt it and He does not cause it to benefit the person that leaves it after having learnt it.
Knowledge without action is like a tree without fruit.
You are now in the preliminary world, in front of you are two places of abode, out of which you must live in one of. You have not been given assurance of protection, causing you to feel safe. Nor have you been granted acquittal, causing you to slacken.
If I were to know with full certainty that all of my life was but an hour, Why should I not renounce it and dedicate it to righteousness and obedience?
You are submerged in careless hope, the time or death you do not know of. § Do not be fooled by good health, for it is from the most painful of illnesses.
Every soul is by its day, In the morning all hope will be removed. So act with good deeds and work hard Before you are prevented from acting.
Ibn Mas'ood radiallahu 'anhu said: "Learn, learn, and once you have learned, act." [isnaad hasan]
Aboo Hurayrah radiallahu 'anhu said, "The example of knowledge not acted upon is that of a treasure none of which is spent in the way of Allah the Mighty and Majestic."
Az-Zuhree said, "The people will never be pleased with the statement of a scholar who does not act, nor of a person who acts but has no knowledge." [hasan]
Whoever sought knowledge, intending the knowledge alone (i.e. without action) would not benefit by it. Yet whoever sought knowledge intending to act upon it, would benefit, even by a little knowledge.
Knowledge rests upon action, action rests upon sincerity, and sincerity to Allah brings about understanding of Allah the Mighty and Majestic.
Whoever seeks knowledge in order to act upon it will be humbled by his knowledge but whoever seeks it for other than that, will be increased by it in arrogance.
The time will soon come, if you live long, that knowledge will become a source of beautification, just as a person beautifies himself with a garment." · "If Allah grants you knowledge, in return worship Him and do not make your goal merely narrating to the people.
The scholar remains ignorant with regard to what he has learned until he acts according to it, and only then does he become a true scholar.
The knowledge of the hypocrite is in his speech, yet the knowledge of the believer is in his actions.
Act upon your knowledge O man, and you will profit, for knowledge does not benefit unless one is proficient in action. Knowledge is a beauty, the taqwaa of Allah being its oration, and the pious are busy with the knowledge they possess. Learn, and then act, as much as you are able to, and do not let amusement nor arguing distract you. Teach the people and always intend to benefit them, and beware! Beware of weariness befalling you.
Whoever speaks good things yet acts unrighteously, Allah does not accept his good speech. Whereas he who speaks good things and works righteous acts, his speech is raised by his good deeds. That is because Allah says: To Him ascend the goodly word, and the righteous action raises it. [Al-Faatir 35:10]
Knowledge is the tool of action. So if a person spends his whole life gaining knowledge, when will he act?! Regardless of what knowledge passes you, do not let acting upon what you already know pass you. Whoever does not look into Allah's right upon him with regards to his knowledge, that knowledge is a proof against you and its result is evil.
If knowledge is not acted upon it becomes a proof against you and you are not granted an excuse for the knowledge you possess. So if you have realized this fact also realize, that the proof of a man's speech is in his actions.
One scholar said, "O how I wish I could gain salvation from my knowledge, it either being for me nor against me."
If knowledge does not benefit you, it will harm you.
There is no good in seeking to gain more knowledge, without having acted upon what you have already learnt, for the example of this person is that of one who gathers firewood and then ties them ready to carry. Yet once finding himself unable to do so, adds another to the bundle.
For how long will I continue seeking knowledge, affectionately gathering with every eagerness, seeking to learn every type of it and every field yet not acting upon a thing of it. If the seeker of knowledge does not act upon what he knows, he is a wretched servant. Indeed knowledge is only of benefit for he who acts upon it and is pious.
I certainly regard that a person forgets what he used to know because of a sin he commits.
Indeed if the scholar does not act, his admonitions fail to affect the hearts, just like the rain slides off a smooth rock.
The example of an evil scholar is that of a large rock which blocks a canal. Neither does it drink from the water, nor does it allow the water to pass, giving life to the trees. So if only the evil scholars advised the servants of Allah saying: "O worshippers of Allah! Listen to what we tell you of your Prophet, and your righteous predecessors, and act upon that. Do not took at these poor actions of ours, as we are a people in trial." They would have, by this, advised the people correctly. Yet they want to call the people towards their bad actions causing them to act similarly.
A corrupt reciter (of the Qur'aan) is more feared by me than a corrupt man who is open with his corruption, as the latter is the less deceiving of the two.
One scholar said: "Indeed the Qur'aan was revealed to be acted upon, but the people took its reciting as a vocation." [i.e. in order to earn money by that] At that it was asked, 'What is acting upon it?' So he replied, 'Accepting as halaal what is mentioned in it as halaal and as haraam what is mentioned as haraam. To act upon its orders, abstain from all it prohibits and to ponder over its wonders.
It has been said with regard to the saying of the Most High: (They) recite it as it should be recited. [Sooratul-Baqarah (2):121] "They follow it as it should be followed, acting upon it." Ibn Katheer mentions in his Tafseer: "lf the reciter reaches mention of Paradise, he beseeches Allah the Most High to grant him Paradise. If he reaches mention of the Fire he seeks refuge in Allaah the Most High from it " He (Ibn Katheer) also mentions, "Aboo al-'Aaliyah said: Ibn Mas'ond radiallahu 'anhu said: 'By Him in Who's Hand is my soul, reciting it as it should be recited is to consider its halaal as halaal and its haraam as haraam. To recite it as Allah revealed it without distorting its words, nor falsely explaining its intended meanings.
If Allah intends good for a servant he opens for him the door of action and closes for him the door of argumentation. Whereas, if Allah intends for a servant evil [once the servant had decided to follow such a path, Allah the Most Him, allows him to take such a path] He opens for him the door of argumentation and closes for him the door of action.
We used to seek aid in memorizing hadeeths by acting upon them
You meet a man not finding one mistake in his speech yet his actions may be completely at fault.
We have not been given ignorance but we Hide the face of knowledge through ignorance. We detest making mistakes in our speech Yet we do not care about making mistakes in our actions.
And you will not possess on the Day of Resurrection Other than what you ascertained before death If you do not sow the seeds and the harvest approaches you You will regret not having done so when the time was right.
When you find yourself in need of provisions You will not find provisions the like of righteous actions.
One of the scholars saw his neighbors wandering aimlessly, so he asked them, "What is the matter with you?" They replied, "We have finished our duties of the day." So he said' "And is this what the one with no duties has been ordered with?!"
The people who will be most accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be the healthy ones who had free time. Take advantage of your spare time by engaging in Prayers For maybe your death will come suddenly So many a healthy person you may have seen His life snatched away from him unexpectedly.
Some people invited a man to eat with them who in turn said' "I am fasting." They said to him, "Break your fast today and instead fast tomorrow." So he said, "And who will guarantee my living tomorrow?!"
It was said to a scholar ' "Advise us." So he said' "Beware of saying 'soon. "'
Beware of procrastination overcoming you and taking over your heart for verily it is the cause of fatigue and wastefulness. Due to it, aspirations are severed and amidst it, death is met.

Taken from Iqtidaa-ul-'Ilmil-'Amal From Iqtidaa-ul-'Ilmil-'Amal by al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee rahimahullaah

[The names that the sayings were attributed are not cited, fearing the inauthenticity in the original attribution except where the authority is established and has abridged some statements, yet the wisdom within them is resoundingly established.]

A Little Boy Not Too Far Away

2011-01-23T14:26:00.000+07:00

Author: Umm 'Abdillaah bint Mahboob.
Pages: 32 (Paperback)

(Taken from the first few pages of the book.)
There is a house on a quiet little lane. In it lives a boy, and Khalil is his name. Khalil is like most other Muslims girls and boys. He loves to run and Play with toys. He loves to eat chicken, and he loves to eat rice. But please do make sure there's not too much spice!
Khalil loves to recite Qur'aan and pray. On Allah's Path, Khalil wants to stay. When he has something yummy and sweet, he shares it with others to give them a treat! He hates to be mean and tries to be kind. He's a good little boy most of the time.
But sometimes it's hard for him to do things the way he should.

Madinah Arabic Reader Book-3

2011-01-23T14:18:00.000+07:00

Author: Dr V. Abdur Rahim.
Publisher: Goodword Books (01-Jul-05)
Pages: 104

Professor Abdur Rahim's eight-volume texts enable the student to acquire a knowledge of Arabic in the classical structural form. All of the books teach essential language skills through applied grammar. Each lesson is based on a conversation which illustrates distinctive language patterns. A variety of exercises helps the student to understand and master each of the patterns occurring in the lesson. The vocabulary ranges from classical and Quranic Arabic to words and expressions current in modern Arabic. This series of books is currently being utilized at various schools to prepare students for the University of London (UK) GCE O-Level and A-Level examinations.

The Book of Knowledge

2011-01-23T07:38:00.002+07:00

Author: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen.
Publisher: Invitation to Islam (01-Jan-04)
Pages: 210

This book is intended to be an important companion to the sincere student of knowledge; highlighting the virtues of seeking knowledge, the etiquettes of doing the means which assist in acquiring knowledge. Other areas covered include the extremely important aspects of the paths to acquiring knowledge in addition to the mistakes against which precaution must be taken whist seeking knowledge.

FIQH COURSE

2011-01-23T07:26:00.003+07:00

Author: Sameh Strauch.
Publisher: IIPH (01-Jan-03)
Pages: 230

This course was complied for new musims and indeed all English-speaking Muslims and covers tahaarah (Purification), salaah (Prayer) and janaa-iz (Funerals); it is a set out in an easy-to-understand manner, citing evidences from the Quran and authentic ahaadeth. The aim of this book is to provide the reader with a correct, yet uncomplicated guide Muslim to the performance of the aforementioned acts of worship. Allah willing, it is the first in a series which will cover all aspects of worship and Islamic Jurisprudence.