❌ The Impermissibility Of Congratulating The Disbelievers On Their Holidays

🎙 Speaker: Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

‼️ “Greeting non-Muslims at the time of their religious celebrations saying: “Have a jolly day” or “Congratulations on this day” is impermissible. If extending these greetings is not kufr (disbelief), then at the least, it is prohibited. This is worse than congratulating a non-Muslim for consuming alcohol, or having unlawful sex; rather, it is like congratulating him for prostrating to the cross, yet many Muslims who have weak faith do so without understanding how repugnant this action really is.” [Ibn Al-Qayyim, Ahkam Ahl Al-Dhimmah vol 1 pg. 441]

🚫 Avoid phrases such as “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”, and be careful not to express approval through other ways such as giving/accepting gifts or attending gatherings

💡 Some Muslims have fallen into this trap, and when they're made aware of it, they say “I'm just being nice” - there's nothing nice about encouraging someone in falsehood; rather, you're aiding the devil against them in committing shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is the worst of all sins that will admit them to the Hellfire for the rest of eternity (if they die upon that)

📖 Explanation to the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allah

✍️ By Sheikh Abdur-Rahman As-Sa'di رَحِمَهُ ٱلله

💡 “From the most noble and lofty stations of cognisance is to know the Lord, the Glorious, through His beauty. This is the knowledge possessed by the elite of this creation. All of them know Him through an Attribute from amongst His Attributes but those amongst them who have the most complete cognisance are those who know Him through His perfection, magnificence and beauty.”

💎 The Importance Of Good Character

💡 Sheikh Abdur-Razzaq Al-Badr حَفِظَهُ ٱلله discusses two ways to attain good character HERE and describes noble manners HERE

📖 Abu Huraira narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: “Treat women nicely, for women were created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion, so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely.” [Bukhari 3331]

🎙 Click HERE for a short explanation by Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله on what it means to take good care of women

✅ A Powerful Response To A Popular Argument Used By Atheists

❌ Atheists often claim that, “If an All-Powerful and All-Merciful Creator existed, evils such as natural disasters, calamities, diseases, and injustice would not exist in this universe.”

💡 Sheikh Saleh Sindhi حَفِظَهُ ٱلله provides eight concise answers to this flawed logic in a beautiful and eloquent response - this is truly a must-watch

📹 Click HERE for the original source

💡 Maintaining A Healthy Relationship With Food - How To Stop Overeating

📖 Miqdam bin Ma'dikarib said that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying: “No human being fills a vessel worse than his stomach. A few morsels are enough for the son of Adam to keep him upright. If he must eat more, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath.” [Tirmidhi 2380, Graded Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Tirmidhi 2380]

✅ “The comfort of the body is in eating little food, and the comfort of the soul is in having little sins, and the comfort of the tongue is speaking a little.” [Ibn Al-Qayyim, Zad Al-Ma’ad 4/186]

🎙 Click HERE for the benefits of hunger explained by Sheikh Abdur-Razzaq Al-Badr حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

➡️ The steps pictured above are easy, but they require discipline and training - remember to rely on Allah first and foremost by offering lots of du'aa and asking Him to aid you in all of your affairs

💎 Follow The Sunnah When You Feel Pain In Your Body

🎤 Click HERE for the pronunciation

💡 There is a similar Hadith narrated in Ibn Majah 3522 (graded Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Ibn Majah 2855) where the Prophet ﷺ mentions placing your right hand on the place where you feel pain - use your right hand if possible

➡️ Be patient and remember that pain is an expiation for your sins

📖 Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” [Bukhari 5641]

✅ Rush to Allah first any time you have a need in your life - the means such as doctors, medicine, etc, will only work if Allah Wills for them to work, so you should always begin by asking Allah to aid you

‼️ The Dangers Of Watching Debates

📹 The speaker is Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله and you can find the original source HERE

➡️ Watching debates has become increasingly popular in recent times, especially amongst the youth. This has happened for three main reasons:

🔢Many Muslims mean well, but they don't know how to seek knowledge properly, and therefore, they believe that watching debates is how they're supposed to learn more about Islam. It's important to educate others about the proper way to seek knowledge by:

• Attending the circles of knowledge at the Masajid upon the Sunnah
• Reading the books of the scholars (past and present) who are known to be upon the correct Aqeedah (creed)
• Watching the lectures of qualified scholars who convey relevant and important information for every Muslim

🖥 Click HERE and navigate to the “Knowledge” section for resources to learn more about Islam.

🔢The disbelievers have created a “debate culture” that has permeated into many areas of life such as sports, politics, and even religion. This has given many the perception that Da'wah (calling to Islam) should be done through debating and addressing common misconceptions about Islam. As such, many Muslims have turned to debates to equip themselves with these talking points in preparation for Da'wah, however, this method of Da'wah is ineffective.

📝 A study was done in Saudi Arabia with two different groups consisting of 50 non-Muslim women from the Philippines. The first group of women were given Da'wah using a simple explanation of Tawheed (singling out Allah alone with everything that pertains to Him only). The second group were given Da'wah by presenting doubts and replying to each one in detail.

💡 After a month of this experiment, 40 out of the 50 women from the first group accepted Islam, compared to only 1 woman from the second group.

📹 More details HERE

🔢After giving up music and movies, many Muslims have turned to debates as a form of entertainment. They follow certain personalities and it becomes similar to reality TV, especially as the feuds unfold between the Muslims themselves or with the disbelievers. Time is a precious asset for every Muslim, and many are wasting hours away as they convince themselves that they're investing in their Akhira (afterlife) when they're really just seeking entertainment. The personalities online are aware of this and often resort to “click-baiting” tactics to increase views and followers.

⚠️ In addition to wasting time, the hearts of the Muslims are being exposed to doubts which jeopardizes their Iman (faith) as Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله mentions in the video above.

✅ Use technology in a manner that benefits you and be careful not to fall into the many traps of social media.

💎 Follow The Sunnah On Friday

🔢 Ghusl should be done after sunrise on Friday and delaying it until right before going to the Friday prayer is best (if possible)

💡 “Ghusl for Jum'muah (Friday) begins at the break of dawn, but it is better not to do ghusl until after the sun has risen, because the day has certainly begun after sunrise, and because the time before sunrise is the time for Fajr prayer, and the time for Fajr prayer has not ended yet, so it is better not to do ghusl until after the sun has risen. Then it is better not to do ghusl until the time for going to Jum'muah, so that he will be going to Jum'muah immediately after purifying himself.” [Majmu Fatawa Ibn Uthaymeen (16/142)]

‼️ Ghusl should NOT be done the night before - click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

🔢 Use the Siwak - click HERE for more info on the Siwak

🔢 Walk to Friday prayer and be early - click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

🔢 Remain silent and avoid distractions during the Khutbah (sermon)

📖 Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: “When the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, then no doubt you have done an evil act.” [Bukhari 934]

💡 “In this tradition is the prohibition of every kind of talking during the sermon.” [Al-Nawawi, Sharh Al-Nawawi alaa Sahih Muslim]

📖 Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger ﷺ as saying: “He who performed ablution well, then came to Friday prayer, listened (to the sermon) and kept silent, all (his sins) between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven with three days extra, and he who touched pebbles caused an interruption.” [Muslim 857b]

🔢 Friday prayer is not obligatory for women, and it is better for them to pray Dhuhr at home, but it is permissible for them to attend

💡 “The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from going to the mosques of Allah.” So if she goes out to listen to the Khutbah and learn, and she is covered, observing hijab and modest, then there is nothing wrong with that and there is no blame on her. But her house is better for her, and she may pray Dhuhr at home with four rak‘ahs. But if she goes out, do not prevent her, because if she is modest and observing hijab, and it is safe for her, and she is seeking good and wants to listen to the Khutbah and learn, there is nothing wrong with that and there is no blame on her, inshaAllah.” [Ibn Baz, Fataawa Noor Ala ad-Darb (2/1051)]

🔢 A woman attending Friday prayer should perform ghusl, but she should NOT use perfume or display her adornments - click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله about ghusl being for those who plan to attend the Friday prayer

⚠️ “I advise Muslim women to observe chastity; wear the veil and guard themselves against showing off their beauty. They should also be warned against applying perfume while they are outside their homes. In fact, these are all means to evil and temptation. No doubt, they have to fear Allah and be warned against showing means of temptation such as makeup, perfume, and showing off their beauty.” [Fatwas of Ibn Baz (16/346)]

🔢 Reciting Surah Al-Kahf should be done between sunrise and sunset on the day of Friday - click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen رَحِمَهُ ٱلله

🔢 The best form of sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ is “Salat al-Ibraaheemiyya” - click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

✅ Salat al-Ibraaheemiyya: Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama salayta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed. Allaahumma baarik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed. [Bukhari 3370] - click HERE for the pronunciation

💡 Click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله regarding 40 benefits of sending salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ

🔢 Do NOT say “Jum'muah Mubarak” - click HERE for an explanation by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

✅ Forgotten Sunnah - Praying 4 Units Of Voluntary Prayer Before AND After The Obligatory Dhuhr Prayer (8 Total Units Of Voluntary Prayer)

💡 The 6 rak'ahs (units) of Sunnan Al-Rawatib (found HERE) that are associated with the obligatory Dhuhr prayer are included in these 8

➡️ If you're regularly maintaining Sunnan Al-Rawatib, then you should be praying 4 rak'ahs of voluntary prayer before the obligatory prayer of Dhuhr and 2 rak'ahs after it (6 total), so all you have to do is add 2 more rak'ahs after to make it 8 total - click HERE for an explanation from Sheikh Ibn Baz رَحِمَهُ ٱلله

‼️ These rak'ahs of voluntary prayer are prayed 2 by 2 - you say the Salam after the first 2 rak’ahs to conclude the prayer, and then you start over from the beginning for the next 2

📖 Ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “(Voluntary) Prayers at night and during the day are to be offered two by two.” [Ibn Majah 1322; Graded Sahih by Al-Albani in Tamaam Al-Minnah pg. 240]

💎 “Voluntary acts are a safeguard for the obligatory acts; they protect them and make up for their deficiencies. And they are the most beloved deeds to Allah after the obligatory ones.” [Ibn Al-Qayyim, Madarij As-Salikeen 1/107]

✔️ The correct way to implement this Sunnah:

🔢 When the time of Dhuhr enters, you offer 4 rak'ahs of voluntary prayer
🔢 Then the obligatory prayer of Dhuhr
🔢 And then another 4 rak'ahs of voluntary prayer before the time of Asr enters

🤔 Reciting The Qur'an - Rewards For Each Letter

⚠️ Remember that in order to earn rewards for each letter that you read you must move your tongue and lips, and not just scan your eyes over the words - click HERE for an explanation by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

▶️ Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary رَحِمَهُ ٱلله is widely regarded as one of the best reciters of all time, especially for those trying to practice their pronunciation - click HERE for his full recitation of the Qur'an

⚙️ Slow the video down for even more clarity through the settings on YouTube

🎤 Use headphones or earbuds to ensure that you hear everything clearly, inshaAllah

💡 Every Muslim should strive to complete the Qur'an on a regular basis - Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله mentions HERE that the reading/recitation of the Qur'an should be completed at least once every 40 days

🧠 Click HERE to learn how the Qur'an benefits your brain, and click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله on the importance of understanding the Qur'an, pondering over the verses, and acting upon it

💡 Optimize Your Phone For Well-Being With 9 Easy Steps

‼️ “Smartphones are amongst the most widespread and volatile pieces of technology in the modern day. You can use your phone to seek knowledge, help the needy, and to enjoin good, or you can use it to destroy your worldly life and Hereafter. It’s upon each individual to be responsible with their phone, and that includes optimizing them to best serve your well-being.”

✅ The goal of these steps is to increase in obedience to Allah, and to distance ourselves as far as possible from heedlessness and that which is impermissible. We want to isolate the blessing of this technology while avoiding the negative effects it can have on our health, our time, and most importantly, our religion.

🥙 Suhoor: Having A Meal Before Fasting Starts

🎙 Click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen رَحِمَهُ ٱلله on the Sunnah of Suhoor and click HERE for his commentary on delaying the Suhoor

💡 The one who intends to fast should have Suhoor, both for the obligatory fasting of Ramadan and voluntary fasting throughout the year

✅ Try to include dates in your Suhoor meal

🍶 If you don't have the appetite for food, then make sure to have at least a sip of water to follow the Sunnah of having Suhoor

➡️ Rectify your intention - remember that having Suhoor is an act of worship and not just a routine of eating and drinking

🖥 Resources For The Month Of Ramadan

🔗 Click the hyperlinks below

✅ Ramadan Mubarak
❌ Ramadan Kareem - click HERE to learn why

➡️ Commentary by Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله on forming the intention to fast - remember that the intention is formed in the heart and NOT uttered on the tongue; saying “I intend to fast today” is a bid'ah (innovation)

💡 Having a meal before fasting starts (Suhoor)

💎 How to increase your rewards while fasting and the correct way to break your fast

📖 “The Wisdoms of Fasting” by Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen رَحِمَهُ ٱلله and “Ahadith about Fasting, Rulings and Manners” by Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

📝 List of daily occurrences and whether or not they break your fast

✔️ Qur'an reading schedule of the Salaf (pious predecessors) in Ramadan

🧠 Click HERE to acquire knowledge and build good habits

💬 Ramadan Q&A playlist by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

❗️ How to stop overeating and how to optimize your phone (to avoid wasting time)

🎙 Commentary on the last 10 nights of Ramadan by Sheikh Saleh Alfawzan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

📹 Explanation of Laylatul-Qadr by Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhayli حَفِظَهُ ٱلله and when you should seek this blessed night

➡️ “Points About Zakat Al-Fitr” by Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen رَحِمَهُ ٱلله

🌟 Connect with the Holy Cities - click HERE for a live look at the Ka'bah in Makkah and click HERE for a look around Medina

🔗 https://t.me/IslamicBooksforDownload/424

❗️ Sins And Obedience In Ramadan

➡️ Strive to build good habits with an intention to carry on after Ramadan

🚫 Make a sincere effort to quit bad habits and remember that not all bad habits are sinful - taking a 2 hour nap when you only needed 30 minutes is a bad habit

⌛️ Utilize every second of this blessed month - time is a precious asset and these fleeting days of Ramadan should increase the sense of urgency to fill your time with righteous deeds

💡 Be intentional by creating measurable goals to hold yourself accountable:

❌ Recite more Qur'an (too vague)
✅ Recite 10 pages during the day and 10 pages at night

🔗 Click HERE for Ramadan resources

🛡 Protect Your Fasting From Sins

📖 Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not leave false speech, and acting upon it, then Allah is not in any need of him leaving his food and his drink (fasting).” [Tirmidhi 707, Graded Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Tirmidhi 707]

📖 Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are those who pray at night and get nothing from their prayer but sleeplessness.” [Ibn Majah 1690, Graded Hasan Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Ibn Majah 1380]

🎙 Click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

⚠️ The list of sins pictured above are from the most common things that people engage in while fasting, however, it's important to note that all sins reduce from the reward of fasting, and some sins may nullify the fasting completely

🗣 Understanding The Islamic Greeting And How To Respond

▶️ Click HERE and HERE for the full pronunciations

📖 Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Should I not direct you to a thing which, if you do, will foster love amongst you? Spread the Salam amongst yourselves.” [Muslim 54a]

📖 Sahl ibn Hunayf reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever greets with As-salamu alaykum, ten goods are recorded for him. Whoever greets with As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatu-llah, twenty good deeds are recorded for him. Whoever greets with As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatu-llahi wa barakatuh, thirty good deeds are recorded for him.” [Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir 5563; Graded Sahih Li Ghayrihi by Al-Albani in Sahih At-Targheeb 2711]

➡️ Giving/initiating the Salam is highly recommended (not obligatory), but if your fellow Muslim gives you the Salam, then it is obligatory for you to respond

💡 If someone enters upon a group of people and gives the Salam to the group (not any one person specifically), then it is obligatory for at least one person in that group to respond

🎙 Click HERE for commentary on these two matters by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

✅ Say This Immediately After Witr Prayer

🎙 Click HERE for the pronunciation by Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله along with an example of how to raise your voice and elongate the third time

💡 This remembrance should be said immediately after finishing the Witr prayer, and if Witr is prayed in congregation, each person should recite this remembrance individually, NOT in unison

➡️ “Dhikr (remembrance) in unison is an innovation (bid'ah) because it is something that has been introduced into the religion. What is prescribed is to remember Allah, may He be exalted, without reciting in unison.” [Scholars Of The Standing Committee, Fatawaa Al-Lajnah Ad-Da'imah, 24/268]

📖 Abu Ayyub narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Witr is a duty. Whoever wants to pray Witr with seven rak'ahs, let him do so, whoever wants to pray Witr with five rak'ahs, let him do so, whoever wants to pray Witr with three rak'ahs, let him do so, and whoever wants to pray Witr with one rak'ah, let him do so.” [Nasa'i 1710, Graded Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih An-Nasa'i 1709]

⚠️ Witr is an emphasized Sunnah, and although it is not obligatory, it is highly disliked to abandon it

‼️ Some of the Salaf would say that abandoning an emphasized Sunnah indicates that the one abandoning it has evil in him - click HERE for commentary by Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhayli حَفِظَهُ ٱلله

🧠 As mentioned in the Hadith, there are multiple ways to offer the Witr prayer - click HERE to learn about how to pray Witr from Sheikh Aziz bin Farhan حَفِظَهُ ٱلله