Al-Khatīb al-Baghdādī رحمه الله said:
علم بلا أدب كنار بلا حطب،
“Knowledge without manners is like fire without wood,
وأدب بلا علم كروح بلا جسم.
and manners without knowledge is like a spirit without a body.”
[الخطيب البغدادي ~ الجامع ١/٨٠]
علم بلا أدب كنار بلا حطب،
“Knowledge without manners is like fire without wood,
وأدب بلا علم كروح بلا جسم.
and manners without knowledge is like a spirit without a body.”
[الخطيب البغدادي ~ الجامع ١/٨٠]
Hasan’ul Basri said: “Correct people with your actions (as an example), and not your speech (alone).”
Source: Kitab az-Zuhd (p. 222)
Source: Kitab az-Zuhd (p. 222)
’Abdullah ibn ’Umar said: “You should feel more embarrassed in front of Allaah than in front of people.”
Source: Kitab az-Zuhd of Imam Ahmad #454
Source: Kitab az-Zuhd of Imam Ahmad #454
O’ you who are sleeping unaware, wandering without guidance, for how long will the neglect last? Do you think you will be left alone and let off, and that you will not brought to account tomorrow? Or do you think that death can be bribed? Or do you think that death distinguishes between gazelle and lion?
No, by Allah, wealth and sons can never ward off death from you. Nothing can benefit those who will be forgiven except righteous deeds.
So good news to those who listen and understand, who practise what they preach, and are deterred from following their whims and desires, those who know that the victor is the one who pays heed, and that man will have he has striven for.
So wake up from this negligence, and make righteous deeds the provision with which you equip yourselves. Do not wish to attain the status of the righteous when you are weighted down with the burden (of sin), doing immoral deeds, when Allah is watching you even when you are alone.
Do not be so deceived by hopes and wishes that you neglect to strive.
One poet said,
“Take provision from this life to help yourself in the Hereafter.
Strive for the sake of Allah and do good deeds.
Do no accumulate too much in this world,
For that accumulation will eventually diminish.
Would you like to accompany people
Who have provision when you do not?”
[Source: Tadhkirat Al Qurṭubī]
No, by Allah, wealth and sons can never ward off death from you. Nothing can benefit those who will be forgiven except righteous deeds.
So good news to those who listen and understand, who practise what they preach, and are deterred from following their whims and desires, those who know that the victor is the one who pays heed, and that man will have he has striven for.
So wake up from this negligence, and make righteous deeds the provision with which you equip yourselves. Do not wish to attain the status of the righteous when you are weighted down with the burden (of sin), doing immoral deeds, when Allah is watching you even when you are alone.
Do not be so deceived by hopes and wishes that you neglect to strive.
One poet said,
“Take provision from this life to help yourself in the Hereafter.
Strive for the sake of Allah and do good deeds.
Do no accumulate too much in this world,
For that accumulation will eventually diminish.
Would you like to accompany people
Who have provision when you do not?”
[Source: Tadhkirat Al Qurṭubī]
Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan (hafidhahullah) said:
"Aqeedah is an important issue. It is more obligatory for you (to learn and understand Ageedah) than knowing the rulings of prayer, charity, other acts of worship, and other religious issues, because this is the foremost and fundamental issue, since Salaat, Zakaat, Hajj, and other acts of worship are not correct if they are not based upon the foundation of the correct Ageedah (belief) which is pure Tawheed of Allaah the Exalted."
[Source: Explanation of the Four Principles. By Shaykh-Al-Islam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab rahimahullah, Explained by Shaykh Salih Ibn Fawzaan. Book, page: 19.]
"Aqeedah is an important issue. It is more obligatory for you (to learn and understand Ageedah) than knowing the rulings of prayer, charity, other acts of worship, and other religious issues, because this is the foremost and fundamental issue, since Salaat, Zakaat, Hajj, and other acts of worship are not correct if they are not based upon the foundation of the correct Ageedah (belief) which is pure Tawheed of Allaah the Exalted."
[Source: Explanation of the Four Principles. By Shaykh-Al-Islam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab rahimahullah, Explained by Shaykh Salih Ibn Fawzaan. Book, page: 19.]
Imam Shafi’ee (rahimahullah) said:
“I complained to Waki about my bad memory, so he advised me to leave sins and said: Verily, knowledge is a light and the light of Allah is not given to a sinner.
[al-Jawāb al-Kāfī P. 54]
“I complained to Waki about my bad memory, so he advised me to leave sins and said: Verily, knowledge is a light and the light of Allah is not given to a sinner.
[al-Jawāb al-Kāfī P. 54]
Fear Allah and He will Teach you! (وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ) – Ibn Al-Jawzi
Imaam Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimahullah) said when advising his son:
Observe, my son, the way you deal with the limits of Allaah and see how you can keep yourself within their bounds. Indeed, he who takes care of these limits is taken great care of, and he who doesn’t, is left to himself. I shall now mention some of my experience to you so that you may observe my striving and ask the Granter of success to bless me.
Truly, most of the blessings I have been given have not been earned by me but rather they are conferred as a result of the planning of The Gentle One alone.
I remember myself as a child: A highly motivated six-year old sitting in class with older boys. The intellect I had been given superseded of old men. I do not recall myself playing on the road with other kids or even laughing out loud.
When I was seven or so, I attended the gatherings in the Masjid. I would not sit in a circle of mere wordplay, but searching for a Hadeeth Scholar who would narrate about the Prophet’s (Sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) life. I would memorize everything he said, then go back home and write it down.
I was blessed for being granted my teacher Abu al-Fadl ibn Nasir (Rahimahullaah) who would take me to different Scholars and let me hear the Musnad [of Imaam Ahmad] and other major works.
All this time I had no idea of why I was made to do these things. My teacher recorded all I had heard, and when I reached puberty he handed me this record. I accompanied him till his death, and through him I learned the science of Hadeeth and transmission.
The kids used to go down to Tigris River and play on the bridge, but when I was small I used to take a book and sit far from people by the shore studying Sacred Knowledge.
Then I was inspired to abandon the vanities of this world so I began constant fasting and reduced my food intake to very little. I trained myself to be patient, embarking on a continuous pursuit in order to do so and staying up at night.
I didn’t feel satisfied with studying just one science so I read jurisprudence, sermon delivery and Hadeeth and followed those who practiced Zuhd. After that I studied linguistics. There was not a narrating Scholar or a preacher where I lived who I didn’t sit with and whenever such a person would arrive from elsewhere I would go to him.
I used to choose of virtuous deeds what suited me and if I had to choose between two things I usually chose the right of al-Haqq (Allaah). He has planned my life and cultivated me in a beautiful fashion, guiding me towards what is best for me.
He has protected me from my enemies, the jealous, and those who might plot against me. He has made everything convenient for my studies of Sacred Knowledge and sent me books from unexpected places. He gave me good understanding, the ability to memorize and write quickly and a talent for authoring books.
I lacked nothing of this world. As a matter of fact, things were quite the opposite as Allaah gave me more than enough. He put a great deal of acceptance of me into peoples’ hearts and made the impact of my words leave them not questioning the authenticity of what I had to say.
Approximately 200 thimmis [i.e. people of the book who live in Muslim lands according to a truce contract] have become Muslim at my hands and over 100 000 sinners have repented in my gatherings. More than 20 000 men have announced their repentance from foolish ways during my exhortations.
I used to go around Hadeeth gatherings of different Scholars and run till I was out of breath so no-one would precede me. I would start my day having nothing to eat and finish it having nothing to eat. Never did Allaah degrade me to take from another person, instead He provided for me in order to protect my honour.
Imaam Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimahullah) said when advising his son:
Observe, my son, the way you deal with the limits of Allaah and see how you can keep yourself within their bounds. Indeed, he who takes care of these limits is taken great care of, and he who doesn’t, is left to himself. I shall now mention some of my experience to you so that you may observe my striving and ask the Granter of success to bless me.
Truly, most of the blessings I have been given have not been earned by me but rather they are conferred as a result of the planning of The Gentle One alone.
I remember myself as a child: A highly motivated six-year old sitting in class with older boys. The intellect I had been given superseded of old men. I do not recall myself playing on the road with other kids or even laughing out loud.
When I was seven or so, I attended the gatherings in the Masjid. I would not sit in a circle of mere wordplay, but searching for a Hadeeth Scholar who would narrate about the Prophet’s (Sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) life. I would memorize everything he said, then go back home and write it down.
I was blessed for being granted my teacher Abu al-Fadl ibn Nasir (Rahimahullaah) who would take me to different Scholars and let me hear the Musnad [of Imaam Ahmad] and other major works.
All this time I had no idea of why I was made to do these things. My teacher recorded all I had heard, and when I reached puberty he handed me this record. I accompanied him till his death, and through him I learned the science of Hadeeth and transmission.
The kids used to go down to Tigris River and play on the bridge, but when I was small I used to take a book and sit far from people by the shore studying Sacred Knowledge.
Then I was inspired to abandon the vanities of this world so I began constant fasting and reduced my food intake to very little. I trained myself to be patient, embarking on a continuous pursuit in order to do so and staying up at night.
I didn’t feel satisfied with studying just one science so I read jurisprudence, sermon delivery and Hadeeth and followed those who practiced Zuhd. After that I studied linguistics. There was not a narrating Scholar or a preacher where I lived who I didn’t sit with and whenever such a person would arrive from elsewhere I would go to him.
I used to choose of virtuous deeds what suited me and if I had to choose between two things I usually chose the right of al-Haqq (Allaah). He has planned my life and cultivated me in a beautiful fashion, guiding me towards what is best for me.
He has protected me from my enemies, the jealous, and those who might plot against me. He has made everything convenient for my studies of Sacred Knowledge and sent me books from unexpected places. He gave me good understanding, the ability to memorize and write quickly and a talent for authoring books.
I lacked nothing of this world. As a matter of fact, things were quite the opposite as Allaah gave me more than enough. He put a great deal of acceptance of me into peoples’ hearts and made the impact of my words leave them not questioning the authenticity of what I had to say.
Approximately 200 thimmis [i.e. people of the book who live in Muslim lands according to a truce contract] have become Muslim at my hands and over 100 000 sinners have repented in my gatherings. More than 20 000 men have announced their repentance from foolish ways during my exhortations.
I used to go around Hadeeth gatherings of different Scholars and run till I was out of breath so no-one would precede me. I would start my day having nothing to eat and finish it having nothing to eat. Never did Allaah degrade me to take from another person, instead He provided for me in order to protect my honour.
❤2
True Goodness
It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
Goodness is not in your wealth and offspring being plentiful; true goodness is when your [good] deeds are plenty and you have great understanding and forbearance, and when you compete to worship your Lord. If you do good you praise Allāh and thank Him, and if you sin you beg Allāh’s forgiveness. There is no good in this life except with two types of men: A man who sins but then corrects himself through repentance, and a man who strives and hastens to get [the good] of the hereafter.
[Ibn ‘Asākir, Al-Tawbah article 13.]
It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
Goodness is not in your wealth and offspring being plentiful; true goodness is when your [good] deeds are plenty and you have great understanding and forbearance, and when you compete to worship your Lord. If you do good you praise Allāh and thank Him, and if you sin you beg Allāh’s forgiveness. There is no good in this life except with two types of men: A man who sins but then corrects himself through repentance, and a man who strives and hastens to get [the good] of the hereafter.
[Ibn ‘Asākir, Al-Tawbah article 13.]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:
“Two things illuminate the heart:
Asking for forgiveness (from Allah).
Remembering Allah.”
[Al-Wabil As-Sayyib (p. 92)]
“Two things illuminate the heart:
Asking for forgiveness (from Allah).
Remembering Allah.”
[Al-Wabil As-Sayyib (p. 92)]
Imām Ahmad رحمه الله said:
“Illnesses are a [form of] purification [from sins]!”
[Zād Al-Musāfir: 2/287]
“Illnesses are a [form of] purification [from sins]!”
[Zād Al-Musāfir: 2/287]
Khushoo'
Abu Darda reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The first thing to be taken from this nation will be humble reverence, until you will not see anyone in it with reverence.”
Source: Musnad al-Shāmiyyīn lil-Ṭabarānī 1561
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani 📚
Abu Darda reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The first thing to be taken from this nation will be humble reverence, until you will not see anyone in it with reverence.”
Source: Musnad al-Shāmiyyīn lil-Ṭabarānī 1561
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani 📚
Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said,
“It is not permitted for the Muslims to accept a gift from the disbelievers in celebration of their festivities.”
[Al-Lajnah ad-Dā'iman]
“It is not permitted for the Muslims to accept a gift from the disbelievers in celebration of their festivities.”
[Al-Lajnah ad-Dā'iman]
Some narrations reported from the Salaf in explanation of what it means to protect oneself and one’s family as mentioned in Al-Tahrīm verse 6:
O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels, stern and severe, and who disobey not the commands they receive from Allāh, but do that which they are commanded. [66:6]
· ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allah be pleased with him:
Discipline them, teach them.
· Ibn ‘Abbās – Allah be pleased with him.
Stay obedient to Allāh, stay away from disobeying Allāh and command your families to remember Allāh, and He will save you from the Fire.
· Mujāhid – Allāh have mercy on him:
Fear Allāh and obey him (practice taqwā) and tell your families to practice taqwā.
· Qatādah – Allāh have mercy on him:
A person protects his family by telling them to obey Allāh and forbidding them from disobeying Him. He upholds Allāh’s commandments and helps his family to uphold them. So if you see some disobedience of Allāh you stop them from doing it, and you reprimand them.
[Al-Ṭabarī, Al-Tafsīr, Sūrah Al-Taḥrīm.]
O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels, stern and severe, and who disobey not the commands they receive from Allāh, but do that which they are commanded. [66:6]
· ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allah be pleased with him:
Discipline them, teach them.
· Ibn ‘Abbās – Allah be pleased with him.
Stay obedient to Allāh, stay away from disobeying Allāh and command your families to remember Allāh, and He will save you from the Fire.
· Mujāhid – Allāh have mercy on him:
Fear Allāh and obey him (practice taqwā) and tell your families to practice taqwā.
· Qatādah – Allāh have mercy on him:
A person protects his family by telling them to obey Allāh and forbidding them from disobeying Him. He upholds Allāh’s commandments and helps his family to uphold them. So if you see some disobedience of Allāh you stop them from doing it, and you reprimand them.
[Al-Ṭabarī, Al-Tafsīr, Sūrah Al-Taḥrīm.]
It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said during a sermon he was delivering in Homs:
“Total destruction lies in doing bad deeds during a time of calamity and tribulation.”
[bn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-ʿUqūbāt article 327.]
“Total destruction lies in doing bad deeds during a time of calamity and tribulation.”
[bn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-ʿUqūbāt article 327.]
Imām ash-Shāfi'ī: “The one who doesn't love knowledge has no goodness in him and between you & him there shouldn't be any friendship.”
[المصدر: توالي التأنيس لابن حجر ١٦٧]
[المصدر: توالي التأنيس لابن حجر ١٦٧]
Real Success
Shaykh Muḥammad Ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله said: "Success is not attaining something from the dunya, (real) success is to be saved from hellfire and entering Jannah."
[شرح صحيح البخاري ٢٨٩/٨]
Shaykh Muḥammad Ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله said: "Success is not attaining something from the dunya, (real) success is to be saved from hellfire and entering Jannah."
[شرح صحيح البخاري ٢٨٩/٨]