When the sky is split asunder?
When the sky is split asunder, obeying its Sustainer, as in truth it must, and when the earth is leveled and casts forth whatever is in it and becomes utterly void, obeying its Sustainer, as in truth it must, O man - you [that] have, verily, been toiling towards your Sustainer in painful toil - then shall you meet Him!
Quran (84:1-6)
Quran (84:1-6)
Its already written
Sometimes when things aren’t going to plan and when we have this life vision in front of us and have our life planned. Suddenly it gets turned on its head and you’re left thinking “eh how did that happen?” *scratch* Then we should know that as much as we plan, Allah [aza wajal] has already planned it for us..
Abdullah bin. ‘Amr al-’As [radiAllahu anhu] reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger [salAllahu alayhi wa salam] as saying:
Allah ordained the matters of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, as His Throne was upon water [saheeh Muslim]
subhanAllah a whole 50,000 years. Not even 50,000 years from now but a big fat five zero thousand years before creation. When suddenly a gift comes from the sky and you thought there was no way out, and Allah [aza wajal] blesses you with something you could only dream of then it was in your qadr. And if things dont work out as you wished then dont worry about it, sit back, relax and know that its already written *smiles*
As Salaf as Saalih (the Pious Predecessors) - Explanation of the Salaf
As Salaf as Saalih
(the Pious Predecessors)
Explanation of the Salaf
"And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger
(Muhammad s.a.w.s ) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way (i.e. the Prophet and his companions) We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination."
[Verse 115 of Surah Nisaa]
The word "Salaf" is a condensation of "Salaf-as Saalih" which means "The Pious Predecessors". The Salaf are the first three generations of Islam:
1) The Prophet and his Companions
2) The Taabi'een (the generation after them)
3) The Atbaa'tul- Taabi'een (the generation after the taabi'een)
The Taabi'een never met the Prophet, but met the sahaabi (companions).
So who are the people that follow the Salaf-as-Saalih? They are termed as "Salafi" or "Salafiyyah".
In the Cassette, "at-Tahdheer min al-Bid'ah" , Shiekh Saleh al Fowzan was asked:
"Is Salafiyyah a hizb (party) from amongst the parties. And is ascribing to them (i.e. the Salafis) a blameworthy thing?"
To which he replied:
"As-Salafiyyah (i.e. the Salafis) is the Saved Sect, and they are Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. It is not a hizb (party) from amongst the various parties, those which are called "parties" today. Rather they are the Jamaa'ah, the Jamaa'ah upon the Sunnah and upon the Deen (religion). They are Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. The Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah manifest and upon the truth not being harmed by those who forsake them neither by those who oppose them" and he (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) also said, "And this Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Hellfire but one". They said, which one is this O Messenger of Allaah? He replied, "They are those who are upon what I and my companions are upon today".
Hence Salafiyyah is a group of people (i.e. the Salafis) upon the madhhab of the Salaf, upon what the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions were upon and it is not a hizb from amongst the contemporary groups present today. Rather it is the very old Jamaa'ah, from the time of the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) which inherits (this way) and continues, and which never ceases to be upon the manifest truth until the establishment of the Hour, as he (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) has informed (us)."
In his Chapter of ascription to the Salaf from "Haadhihi Mafaaheemunaa", Sheikh Saalih Aal ash-Sheikh says:
"Muslims are of two groups: Salafis and Khalafis. As for the Salafis, then they are the followers of Salaf us-Saalih (first three generations of Muslims). And as for the Khalafis, then they are the followers of the understanding of the Khalaf and they are also called Innovators - since everyone who is not pleased and satisfied with the path of the Salaf us-Saalih, in knowledge and action, understanding and fiqh, then he is a khalafi, an innovator."
The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of Mankind is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them." (Related by Imam Bukhaari)
The term Salafiyyah or Salafi was not used that the time of the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) because they were on the true path of Islaam. But as Hizbs started to arise and sects became more prevalent, the need for further ascription arose. Therefore it is not Bid'ah to label ones self a Salafi.
The point is to distinguish ourselves from the factions that exist in Islam.
The prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said to Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her):"How excellent a Salaf I am for you." (Related by Muslim)
Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan was asked "Is the one who gives himself the title of 'as-Salafi' considered to have set up a 'hizb'?". To which he replied, "There is no harm in labelling oneself with Salafiyyah when it is in truth.
However how evil is it to label yourself from amongst the Salaffiyah but then have the 'Aqeedah and Manhaj of that other than it?
Brothers and Sisters, it is imperative that we grab hold to the rope of Allaah and follow His messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him)
As-Sam'aanee said in al-lnsaab: "As-Salafi: this is an ascription to the Salaf and following their ways, in that which is related from them." lbn al-Atheer said in al-Lubaab fee Tahdheebul-lnsaab, commenting upon the previous saying of as-Sam'aanee: "And a group were known by this ascription." So the meaning is: that the term Salafi, and its ascription to them, was a matter known in the time of Imaam as-Sam'aanee, or before him.
Imaam adh-Dhahabee said in "Siyar": "It is authentically related from ad-Daaraqutnee that he said: There is nothing more despised by me than 'ilmul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetorics). I say: He never entered into 'ilmul-kalaam, nor argumentation. Rather, was a Salafee (a follower of the Salaf)."
Ibn Taymiyyah said: "There is no criticism for the one who proclaims the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf, who attaches himself to it and refers to it. Rather, it is obligatory to accept that from him by unanimous agreement (Ittifaaq) because the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf is nothing but the Truth (Haqq)."
Imaam al-Asbahaanee said: "The sign of Ahlus-Sunnah is that they follow the Salafus-Saalih and abandon all that is innovated and newly introduced into the Deen." [Al-Hujjah fee Bayaanil Mahajjah]
Imam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullaah) said: "Adhere to the athar (narration) and the tareeqah (way) of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and beware of newly invented matters for all of it is innovation" [Reported by As-Suyootee in Sawn al Mantaq wal-Kalaam]
*REJECTED SUNNAH VS BEAUTIFIED OPINION:: It is reported that Al-Awzâ’î said, “Follow the narrations [ways] of those who have preceded (the Salaf) even if people reject you; and beware of people’s opinions, even if they beautify them for you.” [Al-Âjurrî, Kitâb Al-Sharîrah Vol.1 p138; Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jâmi’ Bayân Al-‘Ilm wa Fadlihi Vol.3 p373.]
(the Pious Predecessors)
Explanation of the Salaf
"And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger
(Muhammad s.a.w.s ) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way (i.e. the Prophet and his companions) We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination."
[Verse 115 of Surah Nisaa]
The word "Salaf" is a condensation of "Salaf-as Saalih" which means "The Pious Predecessors". The Salaf are the first three generations of Islam:
1) The Prophet and his Companions
2) The Taabi'een (the generation after them)
3) The Atbaa'tul- Taabi'een (the generation after the taabi'een)
The Taabi'een never met the Prophet, but met the sahaabi (companions).
So who are the people that follow the Salaf-as-Saalih? They are termed as "Salafi" or "Salafiyyah".
In the Cassette, "at-Tahdheer min al-Bid'ah" , Shiekh Saleh al Fowzan was asked:
"Is Salafiyyah a hizb (party) from amongst the parties. And is ascribing to them (i.e. the Salafis) a blameworthy thing?"
To which he replied:
"As-Salafiyyah (i.e. the Salafis) is the Saved Sect, and they are Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. It is not a hizb (party) from amongst the various parties, those which are called "parties" today. Rather they are the Jamaa'ah, the Jamaa'ah upon the Sunnah and upon the Deen (religion). They are Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. The Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah manifest and upon the truth not being harmed by those who forsake them neither by those who oppose them" and he (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) also said, "And this Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Hellfire but one". They said, which one is this O Messenger of Allaah? He replied, "They are those who are upon what I and my companions are upon today".
Hence Salafiyyah is a group of people (i.e. the Salafis) upon the madhhab of the Salaf, upon what the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions were upon and it is not a hizb from amongst the contemporary groups present today. Rather it is the very old Jamaa'ah, from the time of the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) which inherits (this way) and continues, and which never ceases to be upon the manifest truth until the establishment of the Hour, as he (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) has informed (us)."
In his Chapter of ascription to the Salaf from "Haadhihi Mafaaheemunaa", Sheikh Saalih Aal ash-Sheikh says:
"Muslims are of two groups: Salafis and Khalafis. As for the Salafis, then they are the followers of Salaf us-Saalih (first three generations of Muslims). And as for the Khalafis, then they are the followers of the understanding of the Khalaf and they are also called Innovators - since everyone who is not pleased and satisfied with the path of the Salaf us-Saalih, in knowledge and action, understanding and fiqh, then he is a khalafi, an innovator."
The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of Mankind is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them." (Related by Imam Bukhaari)
The term Salafiyyah or Salafi was not used that the time of the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) because they were on the true path of Islaam. But as Hizbs started to arise and sects became more prevalent, the need for further ascription arose. Therefore it is not Bid'ah to label ones self a Salafi.
The point is to distinguish ourselves from the factions that exist in Islam.
The prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said to Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her):"How excellent a Salaf I am for you." (Related by Muslim)
Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan was asked "Is the one who gives himself the title of 'as-Salafi' considered to have set up a 'hizb'?". To which he replied, "There is no harm in labelling oneself with Salafiyyah when it is in truth.
However how evil is it to label yourself from amongst the Salaffiyah but then have the 'Aqeedah and Manhaj of that other than it?
Brothers and Sisters, it is imperative that we grab hold to the rope of Allaah and follow His messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him)
As-Sam'aanee said in al-lnsaab: "As-Salafi: this is an ascription to the Salaf and following their ways, in that which is related from them." lbn al-Atheer said in al-Lubaab fee Tahdheebul-lnsaab, commenting upon the previous saying of as-Sam'aanee: "And a group were known by this ascription." So the meaning is: that the term Salafi, and its ascription to them, was a matter known in the time of Imaam as-Sam'aanee, or before him.
Imaam adh-Dhahabee said in "Siyar": "It is authentically related from ad-Daaraqutnee that he said: There is nothing more despised by me than 'ilmul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetorics). I say: He never entered into 'ilmul-kalaam, nor argumentation. Rather, was a Salafee (a follower of the Salaf)."
Ibn Taymiyyah said: "There is no criticism for the one who proclaims the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf, who attaches himself to it and refers to it. Rather, it is obligatory to accept that from him by unanimous agreement (Ittifaaq) because the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf is nothing but the Truth (Haqq)."
Imaam al-Asbahaanee said: "The sign of Ahlus-Sunnah is that they follow the Salafus-Saalih and abandon all that is innovated and newly introduced into the Deen." [Al-Hujjah fee Bayaanil Mahajjah]
Imam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullaah) said: "Adhere to the athar (narration) and the tareeqah (way) of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and beware of newly invented matters for all of it is innovation" [Reported by As-Suyootee in Sawn al Mantaq wal-Kalaam]
*REJECTED SUNNAH VS BEAUTIFIED OPINION:: It is reported that Al-Awzâ’î said, “Follow the narrations [ways] of those who have preceded (the Salaf) even if people reject you; and beware of people’s opinions, even if they beautify them for you.” [Al-Âjurrî, Kitâb Al-Sharîrah Vol.1 p138; Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jâmi’ Bayân Al-‘Ilm wa Fadlihi Vol.3 p373.]
KNOWLEDGE!
In the Name of Allaah, the Most-Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Messenger Muhammad, to proceed:
Verily from the most rewarding ventures a person can undertake is to pursue knowledge of Allaah's Deen. The ones who are favored with understanding of the Religion, not only does Allaah want good for them, as the Prophet of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:
"If Allaah wants good for someone, He gives him understanding
in the Religion." [2]
But he inherits directly from the noble prophets of Allaah, as the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:
"Verily the prophets do not leave behind deenaars or dirhams (money), rather they leave behind knowledge, so whoever gets hold of it, gets a great amount of good." [3]
And he becomes like the full moon compared to the rest of the stars, as the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:
"The example of the scholar compared to the worshipper is like the difference between the full moon and the rest of the heavenly bodies." [4]
And he lives his life with the true fear of Allaah that He deserves, as Allaah says [5]:
( Verily the ones who (truly) fear Allaah from among His Servants are the scholars )
Upon hearing this verse, the Muslim who wants to fear his Lord and earn His Pleasure says to himself, "I want to be a scholar!"
The Intention of the Student of Knowledge
On the authority of 'Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, he heard the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) saying:
"Verily actions are only by their intentions, and every person shall have only what he intended." [6]
The student of knowledge must intend to seek knowledge for Allaah's Face, fearing His Punishment and seeking His Reward only. For if he seeks knowledge to become famous or to take a position leading the people, or to have the people speak well of him, then his intention is corrupted, his foundation is faulty, and his seemingly righteous actions will only be a source of agony in the Hereafter, even if it was partially for Allaah's sake. Allaah says, in a hadeeth qudsee:
"I am free of needing an associate! Whoever does a deed (intending it) for Me along with someone else, I have abandoned him and his shirk." [7]
And indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) was very worried about members of his nation showing off, as he said:
"Verily what I fear most for you is minor shirk."
The companions replied, "O Messenger of Allaah, what is minor shirk?"
He (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) answered:
"Ar-Riyaa' (showing off), for verily Allaah, Blessed and Exalted, will say on the Day He rewards His Servants for their actions, 'Go to those in the Dunyaa you used to show off for! See if you find any reward with them!'" [8]
This danger is present in all our deeds, so we can never put our guard down against a corrupt intention. We must take the time to inspect our heart, and re-inspect it time after time, especially when it comes to an affair as tremendous as seeking knowledge. For verily the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) knew about the dangers that the student of knowledge would encounter and warned us accordingly:
"Do not seek knowledge to compete with the scholars, nor to argue with the foolish people, nor to gain control of gatherings; for whoever does that - the Fire, the Fire!" [9]
So know, with certainty, the one who does not purify his intention, even if he seeks knowledge for 50 years and dies without getting the fame he intended, his place is the Fire! And all the hard work he did in his life will be a source of agony for him in the Hellfire! So take heed of this warning now and correct your intention in seeking this knowledge.
The student of knowledge should intend to:
1.
Worship Allaah by seeking knowledge of His Deen, seeking His Pleasure alone
2.
Rid himself and others of ignorance, implementing what he learns without delay at every stage
3.
Command all those around him (his family, neighbors, fellow students, etc.) to perform the obligations in Islaam that he learns about, as he does them himself
4.
Recommend all those around him to practice the recommended deeds in Islaam that he learns about, as he does them himself
5.
Discourage those around him from doing the disliked deeds in Islaam that he learns about, as he avoids them himself
6.
Forbid those around him from doing the prohibited deeds in Islaam that he learns about, as he avoids them himself
7.
Be patient with the harms that reach him because of this work
If these things are found in the heart of the seeker of knowledge, then every step along his path will be a source of happiness for him on the Day of Judgement. If he becomes famous and the people gather around him, asking him to lead and teach them, then his intention will be what separates him on the Day of Judgement from the one who sought these things with a corrupt intention.
The Reality of Being a Student of Knowledge
Many people hear about the virtues of the student of knowledge and want to drop what they are doing to become one. However, it must be known, that not everyone is fit to be a student of knowledge. Whoever intends to take this path, before leaving his home, work, and family, let him think about the lifestyle that awaits him.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
Do you know that you will be studying every day for at least six hours? Even the lightest study schedules, like those found in the Islamic universities, demand at least six hours a day of reading. More serious and active students would consider six hours a day to be quite a weak and empty schedule. But let us think about the easiest schedule - six hours a day. Are you studying at home at least six hours a day consistently? If not, why do you want to leave your country to do it somewhere else?
Start with the Qur'aan and whatever books you have about Islaam, and study them for at least six hours a day. Is this a schedule you want to live by? Can you keep this up for years?
What about your lifestyle? Are you doing things that you know you should have stopped a long time ago? Are there luxuries that you indulge in that you could not do without? Many students left their homelands and journeyed far only to find their addictions to television, movie theatres, music, and other things calling them back. Surely, you must wean yourself from the things that you know are wrong now, migrating from what Allaah prohibited within your own city, so that your migration to seek knowledge in another land will be successful.
Do you have patience? Do you strive through deeds that are unappealing or do you abandon them once the difficulties come? Surely, seeking knowledge at times does not have the same appeal that it had before you began. I mean, for example, the student who is excited about studying the Sciences of Hadeeth will one day find himself memorizing the biographies of narrators - when and where they lived, who they met and studied from, who met and studied under them, when and where they died, what did the Imaams of Hadeeth say about them, etc. The student studying Fiqh will find himself memorizing information like the amount of zakaah due on 91 camels, 50 sheep, or $3000 worth of merchandise. Or he may memorize who gets one-sixth of a deceased's wealth, or who gets one-third, etc. Seeking knowledge is hard work that requires long hours of reading and memorization! It is often not as fun as it seemed in the beginning, nor will you always have the same zeal! Do you have the patience to stick with it over the years?
People who go to conferences often get tired of going to lectures on the second or third day! That is at a conference, with powerful speeches that speakers prepared well in advance! The student of knowledge's life is like that every day, except the lectures he attends do not have that conference feel, that high-energy vibe, rather they are everyday presentations that require consistent attentiveness, active note-taking, and review time later. The enthusiasm that carries one through a conference is not going to last here. The student of knowledge must have exemplary patience to last over many years. Students can not expect to learn the details of the Deen in a just a year or two.
Can you get by in rough living circumstances? The Islamic universities like those in Saudi Arabia tend to have Western-style living conditions, but other places may not have anywhere near the things you are used to. A person may say that this does not matter, but the reality is that many students could not continue their studies in places like Yemen because of the extremely difficult living conditions. A two-week or one-month visit to the place you want to study at will help you decide if you can live there long term or not.
Do you have any skills or qualifications that would help you earn money during your studies? How will you get by financially? Have you saved any money? Becoming certified to teach ESL (English as a Second Language) does not take long, nor is it too expensive, and it is very useful in 'Arab countries. A qualified ESL teacher can earn over $25 an hour in many places in Saudi Arabia, working part-time. Degrees in general are helpful, so if you are currently studying in a university, then finishing your studies is highly advisable, as that degree may be what helps you to stay abroad for the length of your Islaamic studies.
If you are considering studying Islam abroad, then please consider this advice carefully. I hope that you find it beneficial, and Allaah knows best.
May Allaah Most High make the author from the firmest of the people upon this advice.
This article was taken from BAKKAHnet (www.bakkah.net)
FOOTNOTES
[1] written by Abul-'Abbaas
[2] an authentic hadeeth collected by Al-Bukhaaree (71) and Muslim (1037) on the authority of Mu'aawiyah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
[3] an authentic hadeeth collected by Aboo Daawood (3641) and and At-Tirmithee (2683) on the authority of Aboo Ad-Dardaa' (may Allaah be pleased with him), Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood (2/407)
[4] from the same hadeeth mentioned in Footnote #2
[5] the meaning of Soorah Faatir (35):28
[6] an authentic hadeeth collected by Al-Bukhaaree (1) and Muslim (4904) on the authority of 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him)
[7] an authentic hadeeth collected by Muslim (7400) on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
[8] an authentic hadeeth collected by Ahmad #23630 (39/39) on the authority of Mahmood ibn Labeed (may Allaah be pleased with him), Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Sah
eehah #951.
[9] an authentic hadeeth collected by Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, and Al-Bayhaqee, on the authority of Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him), Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (#107).
[9] an authentic hadeeth collected by Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, and Al-Bayhaqee, on the authority of Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him), Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (#107).
