4 weeks ago
Showing posts with label Knowledge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Knowledge. Show all posts
08 November 2014
20 December 2011
The Beginner Students of Knowledge who Try to Tower Over the Major Scholars
Questioner: I have found, and I ask Allaah to forgive me and I hope that my feeling is misplaced, but I’ve started to notice that some of the students of knowledge, young people, who generally, alhamdulillaah, are good, but you will see that he has studied for four or five years, just having started [studying] the science of hadith and you find that he tries to build himself up by opposing so and so, for example, he will disagree with Al-Albaani [in hadith], or in fiqh he will even oppose Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz or Uthaimeen, so this is a phenomenon which I fear, O Shaikh.
Al-Albaani: We are men and they are men!
Al-Albaani: We are men and they are men!
28 September 2011
THE SEVEN WAYS TO FIGHT LAZINESS, BOREDOM & WEAKNESS WHEN TRYING TO STUDY
The Questioner says: “I’m weak in my reading the books of benefit
and when I begin to read some of the books of `ilm (knowledge) I
feel weakness and boredom; so what is your advice for me, and what
is the correct path in reading the books which contain beneficial
knowledge; benefit us (those seeking reward)?”
Firstly: It is a must for the one who seeks knowledge to purify
his intention for Allaah the Lord of the worlds, and make his
seeking the `ilm (knowledge) being only for the purpose and goal of
16 January 2011
Learn Arabic!
One of the reported instructions 'Umar wrote to Abû Mûsâ Al-Ash'arî and those under his governance during the former's Caliphate was, "Seek knowledge and understanding of (fiqh) the Sunnah and seek knowledge and understanding of Arabic."
Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf Vol.6 p126.
It is reported that he said, "Learn Arabic, for it strengthens the intelligence and increases one's noble conduct (al-murû`ah)."
Al-Bayhaqî, Shu'ab Al-Îmân Vol.4 p187.
It is also reported that he said, "Do not learn the language of the non-Arabs, and do not enter upon them in their churches on their festivals, for indeed wrath descends upon them."
'Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San'ânî, Al-Musannaf Vol.1 p411.
It is also reported that he was once circumambulating the Ka'bah when he heard two men speaking in a language other than Arabic behind him. He turned to them and said, "Find some way to learn Arabic."
'Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San'ânî, Al-Musannaf Vol.5 p496.
It is reported that Ubay b. Ka'b – Allâh be pleased with him – said, "Learn Arabic just as you learn to memorize the Qurân."
Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf Vol.7 p150.
It is reported that Ibn 'Umar – Allâh be pleased with them – used to hit his children for making language errors.
Tahdhîb Al-Tahdhîb Vol.9 p292.
It is reported that Shu'bah – Allâh have mercy on him – said, "Learn Arabic, for it increases the intelligence."
Tahdhîb Al-Tahdhîb Vol.4 p303.
It is reported that 'Attâ b. Abî Rabâh – Allâh have mercy on him – said, "I wish I were fluent in Arabic," when he was ninety years old.
Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A'lâm Al-Nubalâ`, in his biography of 'Attâ b. Abî Rabâh.
It is reported that Ibn Shubrumah – Allâh have mercy on him – said, "Men have never worn a garment more beautiful than Arabic."
Al-Bayhaqî, Shu'ab Al-Îmân Vol.4 p197
From: http://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/
A Man once said to al-Hasan al-Basree (rahimahullah):
يَا أبُو سَعِيْدٍ
"O' Aboo Sa'eed!"
So he responded:
كَسْبُ الدَّرَاهِمِ شَغَلَكَ عَنْ أنْ تَقُولَ يَا أبَا سَعِيْدٍ
"The earning of Dirhams has occupied you from (correctly) saying 'O' Abaa Sa'eed'."
From: http://theajaaroomiyyahblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/when-occupying-ones-self-with-dunyaa.html
Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf Vol.6 p126.
It is reported that he said, "Learn Arabic, for it strengthens the intelligence and increases one's noble conduct (al-murû`ah)."
Al-Bayhaqî, Shu'ab Al-Îmân Vol.4 p187.
It is also reported that he said, "Do not learn the language of the non-Arabs, and do not enter upon them in their churches on their festivals, for indeed wrath descends upon them."
'Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San'ânî, Al-Musannaf Vol.1 p411.
It is also reported that he was once circumambulating the Ka'bah when he heard two men speaking in a language other than Arabic behind him. He turned to them and said, "Find some way to learn Arabic."
'Abd Al-Razzâq Al-San'ânî, Al-Musannaf Vol.5 p496.
It is reported that Ubay b. Ka'b – Allâh be pleased with him – said, "Learn Arabic just as you learn to memorize the Qurân."
Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf Vol.7 p150.
It is reported that Ibn 'Umar – Allâh be pleased with them – used to hit his children for making language errors.
Tahdhîb Al-Tahdhîb Vol.9 p292.
It is reported that Shu'bah – Allâh have mercy on him – said, "Learn Arabic, for it increases the intelligence."
Tahdhîb Al-Tahdhîb Vol.4 p303.
It is reported that 'Attâ b. Abî Rabâh – Allâh have mercy on him – said, "I wish I were fluent in Arabic," when he was ninety years old.
Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A'lâm Al-Nubalâ`, in his biography of 'Attâ b. Abî Rabâh.
It is reported that Ibn Shubrumah – Allâh have mercy on him – said, "Men have never worn a garment more beautiful than Arabic."
Al-Bayhaqî, Shu'ab Al-Îmân Vol.4 p197
From: http://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/
A Man once said to al-Hasan al-Basree (rahimahullah):
يَا أبُو سَعِيْدٍ
"O' Aboo Sa'eed!"
So he responded:
كَسْبُ الدَّرَاهِمِ شَغَلَكَ عَنْ أنْ تَقُولَ يَا أبَا سَعِيْدٍ
"The earning of Dirhams has occupied you from (correctly) saying 'O' Abaa Sa'eed'."
From: http://theajaaroomiyyahblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/when-occupying-ones-self-with-dunyaa.html
07 January 2011
Mountains of Knowledge Passing Away
….before we go on to that, as we mentioned in the introduction of today’s lesson about the death of Shaykh Mohammad Al Banna (1) (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala); a mountain of knowledge. And it should be known that I myself ‘mathalan’ (for example), I came to Riyadh in 2007. And when I came to Riyadh in 2007 you had a mountain, tremendous mountain of knowledge present and he was sick in Riyadh at that time; Shaykh Ahmed An-Najmi (2). Shaykh Ahmed bin Yahya An-Najmi (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala) he was sick in Riyadh at that time. And he was coming for eye surgery, something you know he felt and the doctors themselves felt was simple… simple surgery… and the Shaykh would return to good health and Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi (hafidhahu Allahu Ta’ala) went to the hospital; King Fahad Medical City. He received his operation. Then after that he was in a hotel, we visited him in the hotel. That was the time that I got the chance to ask about what people say about Shaykh Rabee’ (3) and Shaykh ‘Ubayd Al Jabiree (4) which is still the ‘kalam’ (speech) of some of the people. And I mentioned to the Shaykh I said: ‘Shaykh I see you.. you know… your health situation but I just have an important question’. He said: ‘tafadalu’, he said: ‘ask’. I said: ‘Ya Shaykh! People say that Shaykh Rabee’ and Shaykh ‘Ubayd Al Jabiree are not from the Kibaar Al ‘Ulama (Senior Scholars) but rather Luhaydan (5) and Fawzan(6) and Ghudayan (7) and the likes’. He said: ‘no doubt. Yes. Luhaydan, Ghudayan and Fawzan they are from amoungst our Shuyookh and they are from Kibaar Al ‘Ulama but that does not exclude Shaykh Rabee’ and Shaykh ‘Ubaid and others’. So Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi responded. He said: ‘this will not… this will not harm Rabee’ and it will not harm ‘Ubayd. The statement of these people will not harm Rabee’ and it will not harm ‘Ubayd. We hold them to be Ahl Al ‘Ulama… we hold them to be from the Kibaar Al ‘Ulama. We hold them to be…’ look at this mountain of knowledge, Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi said, ‘we hold them to be from the Kibaar Al ‘Ulama and that statement from the people is from themselves.. it is from themselves’. That was in 2007. Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala) after that time.. he returned to Al Jizaan and he came a week later for another operation. Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi went into a coma, during the second operation. It would be a few days before he comes out of the coma. Something went wrong. ’qadar Allahu ma sha’a fa’l’(Allah decrees what he wants). Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi lost the ability to speak. Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi went in and out of the coma. Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi stayed in Riyadh for close to a year.. for close to a year in the same hospital, in the same bed. We could no longer benefit from him, we could no longer ask him questions, we could no longer take from his… extended knowledge and understanding and wisdom. Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi died. Rahimahu Allahu ta’ala.
Thereafter we got the ‘khabar’ (news) and.. keep in mind.. when Shaykh Ahmed An-Najmi was in the hospital.. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan was hit by a car. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Ghudayan after Salat Al Maghrib, on a Friday, after Salat Al Maghrib or after Salat Al ‘Isha on a Friday was on his way to teach the English speaking community and that particular day his son.. one of his sons did not pick him up..and there is only one street between the Shaykh’s house and the masjid that we have our lesson.. and AlhamduliLLAH that lesson is continuous.. there’s only one street in between.
And the Shaykh said; he looked, he came outside, he did not see his son, he said; ‘let me cross the street’. He tried to cross the street and he was hit by a car. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan is a very fragile man. He is a very soft, small fragile man. Stitches in his head..stitches.. jawbone broken.. visited him in the hospital..we were.. we weren’t allowed to attend classes… the normal classes with Ghudayan for the rest of the year… for the rest of the year. But Allah brought him back to good health.. Allah brought him back to good health. And it was mentioned by some of the ‘Salaf’. One of the ‘Salaf’ fell into a hole… fell into a hole, he wasn’t harmed, except a scratch or two.. and it was a deep hole..and the people approached him and said, ‘subhan Allah.. Allah preserved you, Allah protected you’. He said, ‘yes because I used to protect Allah.. I used to protect the orders of Allah when I was young.. when I was younger so Allah protected me when I am older’. Wallahi! I say that with Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan. A car hitting him and the Shaykh recovered in a few months. And he is in his 70s.. in his late 70s.. mid to late 70s.. and he recovered ‘wa li-llahi al hamd’(and the praise is for Allah), not a broken arm, not a broken leg, not a broken tooth and now the Shaykh is teaching us once again. But he was in the hospital the same time Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi was in the hospital.
Then a few months later we got the ‘khabar’(news) of the death of Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd. And although Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala) later on.. there were some issues with regards to manhaj and the likes of that (8), there is no doubt that Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd was considered from people of Ahlul ‘Ilm. Specially with regards to his old books… specially with regards to his old books. Specially in issues of manhaj and issues of Salafiyyah and Ahl As-Sunnah and the likes of that. Although later on he changed in some issues but before we benefited from him greatly. And he was also from the original members of the ‘Lajnah’ or the ‘hay’atu kibar al ‘Ulama’(The Committee of the Major Scholars), if you look at the old ‘Fataawah’ (verdicts) you see Shaykh bin Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Manee’, Shaykh ‘Abd Ar-Razzaq Al ‘Afifi, Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan and Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd. Five.. before Fawzan.. before ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz Aal Ash-Shaykh, before all of them was Bin Baaz, ‘Abd Allah Al Manee’, ‘Abd Ar-Razzaq Al ‘Afifi, ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan, Bakr Abu Zayd. Bakr Abu Zayd, dead (rahimahu Allah). Bin Baaz, dead (rahimahu Allah). ‘Abd Ar-Razzaq Al ‘Afifi, dead (rahimahu Allah). ‘Abd Allah Al Manee’, dead (rahimahu Allah). The only standing person from the original group: Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan.
Then later on we got news of the death.. recently.. the death of Ibn Jibreen (9) (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala). And although we know Jibreen was.. you know.. had issues with regards to manhaj and was an Ikwanee and he praised Ikhwaan Al Muslimeen (10) and the likes of that but in terms of knowledge.. in terms of knowledge and understand I am not saying that this is just the case of Ibn Jibreen, but understand you have from amongst the ‘Ulama that said you might have and individual who is considered an ‘Alim but he is from Ahl Al Bid’ah. And this was mentioned to me by Shaykh Abdul ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee (11). Shaykh Abdul ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee, from the students of Shaykh Muqbil (Rahimahu Allahu Ta’ala).. when he visited us in Madeenah a few years ago and he said ya shaykh, he said.. ‘afwan’ (excuse me)..Shaykh ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee said: I said to Shaykh… I said to Shaykh Muqbil: “do you have a person from Ahl Al Bid’ah (Innovators) and he is an ‘Alim?” Shaykh Muqbil said: “yes. Abu Ghuddah” (12). There is an individual by the name of Abu Ghuddah, he has many books in Hadeeth. And the reason why Shaykh ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee was mentioning that to us is because he was encouraging us to read a book called ‘Qeematu Az-Zamn ‘Ind Al ‘Ulama’, ‘The worth of time with the scholars’. And it was a book written by Abu Ghuddah. And Shaykh Muqbil considered him to be an ‘Alim from amongst the Ahl Al Bid’ah. So we got the news of the death of Ibn Jibreen. And now we get the news of the death of Shaykh Mohammad Al Banna (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala).
So the reality, four ‘Ulama in two years..four from amongst the ‘Ulama in two years. I say that to say Ya Ikhwaan!...that which is happening of the scholars passing away is happening in front of our eyes. Bin Baaz..then Al Albani (13)..then ibn ‘Uthaymeen then Shaykh Muqbil (rahimahum Allahu ta’ala) in a period of two years.. or three years (14). Mountains of knowledge removed from the face of the earth in terms of benefits… removed from the face of the earth… was in a period of two and a half years. And now once again.. mountains of knowledge.. ‘yani’ .. with regards to.. Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi.. with regard to Shaykh Mohammad Al Banna.. with regards to the old books of Bakr Abu Zayd and the likes removed from the earth. And Shaykh Salih Al Fawzan last year.. last year.. six months.. Shaykh Salih Al Fawan was sick. We could not benefit from him anymore. He was in a hospital, we don’t know was it diabetes.. was it.. because Shaykh Salih Al Fawzan is very private. Six months.. not able to benefit from the Shaykh. The year before.. like we mentioned.. six months not able to benefit from Ghudayan. And it should also be known that ..many people don’t know .. that Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al ‘Aqeel.. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al ‘Aqeel (15); the last living student of Shaykh ‘Abd Ar-Rahman As-Sa’di.. last year was sick for four or five months..in the hospital. We could not benefit from him. He is.. this year he turns 98.
So the reality is Ya Ikhwaan! The reality is; knowledge being removed. And we have to make a sacrifice in terms of learning Arabic, in terms of traveling to meet the ‘Ulama, in terms of… sitting with them, in terms of.. we have to make a sacrifice because we cannot guarantee that Shaykh Salih Al Fawzan will live for another ten years nor another five years. We cannot guarantee that Shaykh ‘Abd Al Muhsin Al ‘Abbad will live for another ten years nor another five years. Shaykh ‘Ubayd Al Jabiree (hafidhahu Allahu ta’ala) now he is sick, he had an accident and he really hurt himself. And the people of Madeenah cannot benefit from him presently. So reality is Ya Ikhwaan! Do you think that the ‘Ulama will live for another ten years? Do you think that the ‘Ulama will live for another five years? These individuals are old. And the promise of Allah is true. The Prophet (salla Allahu wa salam) said it. Allah is going to remove them (16). What makes you think you have another five years to learn Arabic? And I say what makes you think you have another five or ten years before you travel and sit with the ‘Ulama? There is no guarantee. So there is no doubt you want to benefit from them while they are still alive. If you have to make a sacrifice, you make it. If you have to do… that what you have to do, you make that sacrifice because they will not be present for eternity.
This is some advice we have for the believers and now time is short, Insha Allah ta’ala next week we will do Sharh As-Sunnah and after that we will do some Ahadeeth on acting upon knowledge and the likes, we will also try and read from Riyaad As-Saliheen. May be not because Hajj is coming. We will see. Allah knows best. Wa salla Allahu wa sallama wa barak ‘Ala Nabiyyinaa Mohammad was ‘Ala Aalihee wa Sahbihee wa Sallam tasleeman katheera.
Download the audio version of this article from here or visit islaam.ae audio recordings section to listen it online.
Taken from the Friday lesson on Paltalk.
‘Sharh As-Sunnah’ of Imam Barbaharee.
Explanation of various scholars.
By Mustafa George.
24th Dhul Qa’dah 1430H 6th November 2009.
Transcription and footnotes by Zubayr Abbasi.
01) Biography by ‘Abd Al illah Lahmami: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlIcP7VAHfc (Audio)
02) Biography: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=6340&CFID=14606094&CFTOKEN=49798867
03) Biography By ‘Abul-Hasan Maalik Aadam al-Akhdar: http://www.troid.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=206&Itemid=415 (Audio)
04) Biography by ‘Abd Al illah Lahmami: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=2388
05) He is Shaykh Al ‘Allamah Salih bin Mohammad Al Luhaydan. The former Chief Justice of Saudi Arabia.
06) Brief Biography (English): http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=9412&CFID=14606094&CFTOKEN=49798867
07) Brief Biography (English): http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=14&Topic=5571&CFID=14606094&CFTOKEN=49798867
08) This is in reference to the so called “Golden Advice” which was spread by Qutubis and their ilk from the Hizbis. Shaykh Rabee’ has a knowledge based refutation
of this “Golden Advice" called ‘Hadd Al Faasil Bayn Al Haqq Wal Baatil’. So refer to it.
09) A brief account of his: http://www.spubs.com/sps/ (punch in Article ID: NDV020002)
10) http://www.sahihalbukhari.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ18&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm
11) He is Shaykh ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz bin Yahya Al Bura’ee. One amongst many brilliant students of Imam Muqbil and from the ‘Ulama of Yemen; teaching
at Dar Al Hadeeth in Mafraq Al Habeesh.
12) A brief account of his: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=2984
13) A brief glimpse: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=8251
14) Bin Baaz d.1420H, Al Albani d.1420H, Bin Uthaymeen d.1421H and Muqbil 1422H. Between Muharram 1420H to Jumada Al Oula 1422H. Rahimahum Allah.
15) Brief Biography (English): http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=11&Topic=6716
16) Refer to Hadeeth no: 86, Chapter no: 24, the Book of Knowledge, Sahih Al Bukhari. Also refer to narration 121 in ‘The Book of Knowledge’ by Imam Nasaa’I verified by Al Albani.
Taken from : http://islaam.ae/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53:mountains-of-knowledge&catid=41:frontpage
Thereafter we got the ‘khabar’ (news) and.. keep in mind.. when Shaykh Ahmed An-Najmi was in the hospital.. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan was hit by a car. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Ghudayan after Salat Al Maghrib, on a Friday, after Salat Al Maghrib or after Salat Al ‘Isha on a Friday was on his way to teach the English speaking community and that particular day his son.. one of his sons did not pick him up..and there is only one street between the Shaykh’s house and the masjid that we have our lesson.. and AlhamduliLLAH that lesson is continuous.. there’s only one street in between.
And the Shaykh said; he looked, he came outside, he did not see his son, he said; ‘let me cross the street’. He tried to cross the street and he was hit by a car. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan is a very fragile man. He is a very soft, small fragile man. Stitches in his head..stitches.. jawbone broken.. visited him in the hospital..we were.. we weren’t allowed to attend classes… the normal classes with Ghudayan for the rest of the year… for the rest of the year. But Allah brought him back to good health.. Allah brought him back to good health. And it was mentioned by some of the ‘Salaf’. One of the ‘Salaf’ fell into a hole… fell into a hole, he wasn’t harmed, except a scratch or two.. and it was a deep hole..and the people approached him and said, ‘subhan Allah.. Allah preserved you, Allah protected you’. He said, ‘yes because I used to protect Allah.. I used to protect the orders of Allah when I was young.. when I was younger so Allah protected me when I am older’. Wallahi! I say that with Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan. A car hitting him and the Shaykh recovered in a few months. And he is in his 70s.. in his late 70s.. mid to late 70s.. and he recovered ‘wa li-llahi al hamd’(and the praise is for Allah), not a broken arm, not a broken leg, not a broken tooth and now the Shaykh is teaching us once again. But he was in the hospital the same time Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi was in the hospital.
Then a few months later we got the ‘khabar’(news) of the death of Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd. And although Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala) later on.. there were some issues with regards to manhaj and the likes of that (8), there is no doubt that Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd was considered from people of Ahlul ‘Ilm. Specially with regards to his old books… specially with regards to his old books. Specially in issues of manhaj and issues of Salafiyyah and Ahl As-Sunnah and the likes of that. Although later on he changed in some issues but before we benefited from him greatly. And he was also from the original members of the ‘Lajnah’ or the ‘hay’atu kibar al ‘Ulama’(The Committee of the Major Scholars), if you look at the old ‘Fataawah’ (verdicts) you see Shaykh bin Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Manee’, Shaykh ‘Abd Ar-Razzaq Al ‘Afifi, Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan and Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd. Five.. before Fawzan.. before ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz Aal Ash-Shaykh, before all of them was Bin Baaz, ‘Abd Allah Al Manee’, ‘Abd Ar-Razzaq Al ‘Afifi, ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan, Bakr Abu Zayd. Bakr Abu Zayd, dead (rahimahu Allah). Bin Baaz, dead (rahimahu Allah). ‘Abd Ar-Razzaq Al ‘Afifi, dead (rahimahu Allah). ‘Abd Allah Al Manee’, dead (rahimahu Allah). The only standing person from the original group: Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al Ghudayan.
Then later on we got news of the death.. recently.. the death of Ibn Jibreen (9) (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala). And although we know Jibreen was.. you know.. had issues with regards to manhaj and was an Ikwanee and he praised Ikhwaan Al Muslimeen (10) and the likes of that but in terms of knowledge.. in terms of knowledge and understand I am not saying that this is just the case of Ibn Jibreen, but understand you have from amongst the ‘Ulama that said you might have and individual who is considered an ‘Alim but he is from Ahl Al Bid’ah. And this was mentioned to me by Shaykh Abdul ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee (11). Shaykh Abdul ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee, from the students of Shaykh Muqbil (Rahimahu Allahu Ta’ala).. when he visited us in Madeenah a few years ago and he said ya shaykh, he said.. ‘afwan’ (excuse me)..Shaykh ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee said: I said to Shaykh… I said to Shaykh Muqbil: “do you have a person from Ahl Al Bid’ah (Innovators) and he is an ‘Alim?” Shaykh Muqbil said: “yes. Abu Ghuddah” (12). There is an individual by the name of Abu Ghuddah, he has many books in Hadeeth. And the reason why Shaykh ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz Al Bur’ee was mentioning that to us is because he was encouraging us to read a book called ‘Qeematu Az-Zamn ‘Ind Al ‘Ulama’, ‘The worth of time with the scholars’. And it was a book written by Abu Ghuddah. And Shaykh Muqbil considered him to be an ‘Alim from amongst the Ahl Al Bid’ah. So we got the news of the death of Ibn Jibreen. And now we get the news of the death of Shaykh Mohammad Al Banna (rahimahu Allahu ta’ala).
So the reality, four ‘Ulama in two years..four from amongst the ‘Ulama in two years. I say that to say Ya Ikhwaan!...that which is happening of the scholars passing away is happening in front of our eyes. Bin Baaz..then Al Albani (13)..then ibn ‘Uthaymeen then Shaykh Muqbil (rahimahum Allahu ta’ala) in a period of two years.. or three years (14). Mountains of knowledge removed from the face of the earth in terms of benefits… removed from the face of the earth… was in a period of two and a half years. And now once again.. mountains of knowledge.. ‘yani’ .. with regards to.. Shaykh Ahmad An-Najmi.. with regard to Shaykh Mohammad Al Banna.. with regards to the old books of Bakr Abu Zayd and the likes removed from the earth. And Shaykh Salih Al Fawzan last year.. last year.. six months.. Shaykh Salih Al Fawan was sick. We could not benefit from him anymore. He was in a hospital, we don’t know was it diabetes.. was it.. because Shaykh Salih Al Fawzan is very private. Six months.. not able to benefit from the Shaykh. The year before.. like we mentioned.. six months not able to benefit from Ghudayan. And it should also be known that ..many people don’t know .. that Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al ‘Aqeel.. Shaykh ‘Abd Allah Al ‘Aqeel (15); the last living student of Shaykh ‘Abd Ar-Rahman As-Sa’di.. last year was sick for four or five months..in the hospital. We could not benefit from him. He is.. this year he turns 98.
So the reality is Ya Ikhwaan! The reality is; knowledge being removed. And we have to make a sacrifice in terms of learning Arabic, in terms of traveling to meet the ‘Ulama, in terms of… sitting with them, in terms of.. we have to make a sacrifice because we cannot guarantee that Shaykh Salih Al Fawzan will live for another ten years nor another five years. We cannot guarantee that Shaykh ‘Abd Al Muhsin Al ‘Abbad will live for another ten years nor another five years. Shaykh ‘Ubayd Al Jabiree (hafidhahu Allahu ta’ala) now he is sick, he had an accident and he really hurt himself. And the people of Madeenah cannot benefit from him presently. So reality is Ya Ikhwaan! Do you think that the ‘Ulama will live for another ten years? Do you think that the ‘Ulama will live for another five years? These individuals are old. And the promise of Allah is true. The Prophet (salla Allahu wa salam) said it. Allah is going to remove them (16). What makes you think you have another five years to learn Arabic? And I say what makes you think you have another five or ten years before you travel and sit with the ‘Ulama? There is no guarantee. So there is no doubt you want to benefit from them while they are still alive. If you have to make a sacrifice, you make it. If you have to do… that what you have to do, you make that sacrifice because they will not be present for eternity.
This is some advice we have for the believers and now time is short, Insha Allah ta’ala next week we will do Sharh As-Sunnah and after that we will do some Ahadeeth on acting upon knowledge and the likes, we will also try and read from Riyaad As-Saliheen. May be not because Hajj is coming. We will see. Allah knows best. Wa salla Allahu wa sallama wa barak ‘Ala Nabiyyinaa Mohammad was ‘Ala Aalihee wa Sahbihee wa Sallam tasleeman katheera.
Download the audio version of this article from here or visit islaam.ae audio recordings section to listen it online.
Taken from the Friday lesson on Paltalk.
‘Sharh As-Sunnah’ of Imam Barbaharee.
Explanation of various scholars.
By Mustafa George.
24th Dhul Qa’dah 1430H 6th November 2009.
Transcription and footnotes by Zubayr Abbasi.
01) Biography by ‘Abd Al illah Lahmami: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlIcP7VAHfc (Audio)
02) Biography: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=6340&CFID=14606094&CFTOKEN=49798867
03) Biography By ‘Abul-Hasan Maalik Aadam al-Akhdar: http://www.troid.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=206&Itemid=415 (Audio)
04) Biography by ‘Abd Al illah Lahmami: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=2388
05) He is Shaykh Al ‘Allamah Salih bin Mohammad Al Luhaydan. The former Chief Justice of Saudi Arabia.
06) Brief Biography (English): http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=9412&CFID=14606094&CFTOKEN=49798867
07) Brief Biography (English): http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=14&Topic=5571&CFID=14606094&CFTOKEN=49798867
08) This is in reference to the so called “Golden Advice” which was spread by Qutubis and their ilk from the Hizbis. Shaykh Rabee’ has a knowledge based refutation
of this “Golden Advice" called ‘Hadd Al Faasil Bayn Al Haqq Wal Baatil’. So refer to it.
09) A brief account of his: http://www.spubs.com/sps/ (punch in Article ID: NDV020002)
10) http://www.sahihalbukhari.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ18&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm
11) He is Shaykh ‘Abd Al ‘Aziz bin Yahya Al Bura’ee. One amongst many brilliant students of Imam Muqbil and from the ‘Ulama of Yemen; teaching
at Dar Al Hadeeth in Mafraq Al Habeesh.
12) A brief account of his: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=2984
13) A brief glimpse: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=8251
14) Bin Baaz d.1420H, Al Albani d.1420H, Bin Uthaymeen d.1421H and Muqbil 1422H. Between Muharram 1420H to Jumada Al Oula 1422H. Rahimahum Allah.
15) Brief Biography (English): http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=11&Topic=6716
16) Refer to Hadeeth no: 86, Chapter no: 24, the Book of Knowledge, Sahih Al Bukhari. Also refer to narration 121 in ‘The Book of Knowledge’ by Imam Nasaa’I verified by Al Albani.
Taken from : http://islaam.ae/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53:mountains-of-knowledge&catid=41:frontpage
30 November 2010
Scholars and Islamic Teachers Act Upon Their Knowledge
This is an extremely important characteristic which should be found in the individual who is in a position to teach the religion. He should be mindful that he has become an example for others to follow. With this being the case his statements and actions must be in accordance with what Islam legislates and encourages. This also demands that the teacher displays exemplary character, especially when in the presence of others. Allah - The Most High - mentioned in the Glorious Quran concerning Prophet Shua'ib:
وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ
{I do not wish to oppose that which I call you to} Surah Hud:88
The famous companion Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
إن أخوف ما أخاف إذا وقفت على الحساب أن يقال لي: قد علمت، فماذا عملت فيما علمت
Indeed my greatest fear concerning standing on the Day of Judgment is that it will be said to me: You have learned, hence what have you done with your knowledge?!
(Jam'e Bayaan al 'Elm wa Fadlihee #647)
Imam al Thahabee mentioned on the authority of Abu 'Umraan who said that Hiram bin Hayaan said:
إِيَّاكُم وَالعَالِمَ الفَاسِقَ.
Beware of the sinful scholar.
When this statement reached 'Umar ibn al Khattaab (ra) he wrote to Hiram inquiring about it. Hiram replied:
مَا أَرَدْتُ إِلاَّ الخَيْرَ، يَكُوْنُ إِمَامٌ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِالعِلْمِ، وَيَعْمَلُ بِالفِسْقِ، وَيُشَبِّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ، فَيَضِلُّوا
I only intended good oh Leader of the believers! If the scholar speaks with knowledge and then acts with sin, this will confuse the people and they will be led astray. (Tareekh al Islam 5/534)
Sheikh 'Abdul 'Azeez bin Baaz said:
Another matter which relates to the student of knowledge with regards to his position with Allah firstly, and secondly with regards to his brothers and the society, is that he should fear Allah within himself. When he learns something, he is diligent in performing it without delay and procrastination. He learns and he acts upon it. It is incumbent that actions accompany knowledge. The student should constantly bring himself to account. (The Obligation of a Student of Knowledge pg.15)
Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh al 'Uthaymeen mentioned:
It is incumbent upon the student of knowledge to act upon his knowledge. This includes belief, worship, manners, character and dealings with others. This is the fruit and result of knowledge. The carrier of knowledge is similar to the carrier of a weapon. This weapon could either defend him or harm him. It is because of this that the Prophet (may the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
وَالْقُرْآنُ حُجَّةٌ لَكَ أَوْ عَلَيْكَ
The Quran is a proof for you or against you. (Sahih Muslim)
(Mejmoo' Fatawaa 26/80)
It is vital that those who are in positions to teach the Muslim communities realize that they must set a good example and display fear of Allah in private and in open. It is due to this that Imam al 'Awzai'ee mentioned:
كنا نضحك ونمزح ، فلما صرنا يقتدى بنا خشيت أن لا يسعنا التبسم
We used to laugh, but when we became individuals who others followed, I feared that it was no longer befitting for us to smile.
(Al Madkal ila Sunan al Kubraa 1/448)
Although no Muslim would deny the permissibility of laughing, the above narration displays for us the great importance the Salaf gave to being cautious of one's character, especially for those who are looked at as examples in the Muslim communities.
Sheikh Abdul 'Azeez bin Baaz said while discussing the great status that Allah has given to the people of knowledge, he said:
The scholars are on a higher level than the layman. This is due to the enormous effect they have on the people, and the tremendous benefit they disperse to the masses. (Knowledge and the Character of its People pg.7)
It is due to this fact that the Salaf were very keen to monitor the teacher's character before taking knowledge from him. Ibraheem al Nakha'ee said:
كانوا إذا أتوا الرجل ليأخذوا عنه نظروا إلى هديه وسمته وصلاته ثم أخذوا عنه
If they (students of knowledge) approached an individual for the purpose of study, they would first examine his guidance, character and prayer. Then they would take knowledge from him. (At Temheed 1/48)
In light of this information, it is befitting that the Muslim communities are cautious who they take their knowledge from. They should not lend their ears to any and every individual, even if those individuals claim to have a level of knowledge and are able to benefit others. Rather, the Muslim communities seek to benefit from those who to the best of their ability display exemplified Islamic character. By doing so, these individuals (teachers) have truly helped their Muslim brothers and sisters by first saving themselves, and then trying their level best to save others from a blazing Hell-fire.
The above information is a summarized excerpt of an article soon to be available titled:
The Characteristics of Those Who Knowledge is Taken From
http://salafee.multiply.com/journal
وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ
{I do not wish to oppose that which I call you to} Surah Hud:88
The famous companion Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
إن أخوف ما أخاف إذا وقفت على الحساب أن يقال لي: قد علمت، فماذا عملت فيما علمت
Indeed my greatest fear concerning standing on the Day of Judgment is that it will be said to me: You have learned, hence what have you done with your knowledge?!
(Jam'e Bayaan al 'Elm wa Fadlihee #647)
Imam al Thahabee mentioned on the authority of Abu 'Umraan who said that Hiram bin Hayaan said:
إِيَّاكُم وَالعَالِمَ الفَاسِقَ.
Beware of the sinful scholar.
When this statement reached 'Umar ibn al Khattaab (ra) he wrote to Hiram inquiring about it. Hiram replied:
مَا أَرَدْتُ إِلاَّ الخَيْرَ، يَكُوْنُ إِمَامٌ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِالعِلْمِ، وَيَعْمَلُ بِالفِسْقِ، وَيُشَبِّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ، فَيَضِلُّوا
I only intended good oh Leader of the believers! If the scholar speaks with knowledge and then acts with sin, this will confuse the people and they will be led astray. (Tareekh al Islam 5/534)
Sheikh 'Abdul 'Azeez bin Baaz said:
Another matter which relates to the student of knowledge with regards to his position with Allah firstly, and secondly with regards to his brothers and the society, is that he should fear Allah within himself. When he learns something, he is diligent in performing it without delay and procrastination. He learns and he acts upon it. It is incumbent that actions accompany knowledge. The student should constantly bring himself to account. (The Obligation of a Student of Knowledge pg.15)
Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh al 'Uthaymeen mentioned:
It is incumbent upon the student of knowledge to act upon his knowledge. This includes belief, worship, manners, character and dealings with others. This is the fruit and result of knowledge. The carrier of knowledge is similar to the carrier of a weapon. This weapon could either defend him or harm him. It is because of this that the Prophet (may the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
وَالْقُرْآنُ حُجَّةٌ لَكَ أَوْ عَلَيْكَ
The Quran is a proof for you or against you. (Sahih Muslim)
(Mejmoo' Fatawaa 26/80)
It is vital that those who are in positions to teach the Muslim communities realize that they must set a good example and display fear of Allah in private and in open. It is due to this that Imam al 'Awzai'ee mentioned:
كنا نضحك ونمزح ، فلما صرنا يقتدى بنا خشيت أن لا يسعنا التبسم
We used to laugh, but when we became individuals who others followed, I feared that it was no longer befitting for us to smile.
(Al Madkal ila Sunan al Kubraa 1/448)
Although no Muslim would deny the permissibility of laughing, the above narration displays for us the great importance the Salaf gave to being cautious of one's character, especially for those who are looked at as examples in the Muslim communities.
Sheikh Abdul 'Azeez bin Baaz said while discussing the great status that Allah has given to the people of knowledge, he said:
The scholars are on a higher level than the layman. This is due to the enormous effect they have on the people, and the tremendous benefit they disperse to the masses. (Knowledge and the Character of its People pg.7)
It is due to this fact that the Salaf were very keen to monitor the teacher's character before taking knowledge from him. Ibraheem al Nakha'ee said:
كانوا إذا أتوا الرجل ليأخذوا عنه نظروا إلى هديه وسمته وصلاته ثم أخذوا عنه
If they (students of knowledge) approached an individual for the purpose of study, they would first examine his guidance, character and prayer. Then they would take knowledge from him. (At Temheed 1/48)
In light of this information, it is befitting that the Muslim communities are cautious who they take their knowledge from. They should not lend their ears to any and every individual, even if those individuals claim to have a level of knowledge and are able to benefit others. Rather, the Muslim communities seek to benefit from those who to the best of their ability display exemplified Islamic character. By doing so, these individuals (teachers) have truly helped their Muslim brothers and sisters by first saving themselves, and then trying their level best to save others from a blazing Hell-fire.
The above information is a summarized excerpt of an article soon to be available titled:
The Characteristics of Those Who Knowledge is Taken From
http://salafee.multiply.com/journal
28 November 2010
Change
Shaykh Muhammad Naasiruddin al-Albani
The best way to change the evil is for Muslims to repent to their Lord, correct their beliefs, and nurture themselves and their families according to the correct Islam, as Allaah says 'Verily, Allaah does not change: people's condition unless they change what is in themselves.' (Soorah ar-Ra'd 13:11). And the way to salvation is not, as some people imagine, to rise up with arms against the rulers, and to conduct military coups. In addition to being among the contemporary bid'ahs (innovations), such actions disregard the texts of Islam, among which is the command to change ourselves. Furthermore, it is imperative to establish the foundation upon which the building will stand: 'Verily, Allaah will Most certainly support him who supports His cause; verily, Allaah is Most Powerful and Almighty.' (surah al-Hajj 22:40). This is the methodical and orderly approach, and the correct practice based upon the Qur'aan and Sunnah that the Ummah must agree upon, enjoin and call to.
The best way to change the evil is for Muslims to repent to their Lord, correct their beliefs, and nurture themselves and their families according to the correct Islam, as Allaah says 'Verily, Allaah does not change: people's condition unless they change what is in themselves.' (Soorah ar-Ra'd 13:11). And the way to salvation is not, as some people imagine, to rise up with arms against the rulers, and to conduct military coups. In addition to being among the contemporary bid'ahs (innovations), such actions disregard the texts of Islam, among which is the command to change ourselves. Furthermore, it is imperative to establish the foundation upon which the building will stand: 'Verily, Allaah will Most certainly support him who supports His cause; verily, Allaah is Most Powerful and Almighty.' (surah al-Hajj 22:40). This is the methodical and orderly approach, and the correct practice based upon the Qur'aan and Sunnah that the Ummah must agree upon, enjoin and call to.
09 August 2010
O Seekers of Knowledge
Indeed all praise is for We praise Him, seek His aid and seek His forgiveness. We seek refuge in from the evils of our own souls and from our evil actions. He whom Allâh guides, then none can misguide him; and he whom Allâh misguides, then none can guide him. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allâh alone, having no partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallâm is His Slave and Messenger.
“O you who believe! Have taqwâ (fear) of Allâh as you should have of Him and do not die except as Muslims.” [1]
“O mankind! Have (fear) of your Lord, who created you from a single person and from him, He created his wife and from them both He created many men and women; and have taqwâ of Allâh through whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut relations of the wombs. Indeed, Allâh is ever an AllWatcher over you.” [2]
“O you who believe! Have taqwâ of Allâh and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous and correct actions and forgive you your sins. Whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger has indeed attained a great achievement.” [3]
To proceed:
The tâbi’î, Talq ibn Habîb - rahimahullâh - said: “Taqwâ is acting in obedience to Allâh hoping in His mercy, upon a light from Him; and taqwâ is leaving acts of disobedience to Allâh out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him.”
Characteristics of the Seekers
Imâm alÂjurrî (d.360H) [5] - rahimahullâh - said:
“The seeker of knowledge should know that - the Mighty and Majestic - has made the worship of obligatory upon Him; and that this worship is not possible except with knowledge, the seeking has also been made obligatory upon him. He should also realise that ignorance is not befitting for a Believer. He should seek knowledge in order to dispel ignorance from himself, and to worship - the Mighty and Majestic - as Allâh has commanded; not as he desires to worship Him. So the seeker of knowledge should strive hard in this quest, be sincere in this striving and should not become amazed with himself. Rather, he should that this is a favour from Allâh upon him, since it was Allâh who gave him the ability to acquire such knowledge, by which he is able to fulfil his obligations and keep away from that which is forbidden.” [6]
Knowledge with Action
AlKhatîb al-Baghdâdî [7] - rahimahullâh- said:
“I advise you - O seeker of knowledge - to make the intention pure and sincere and strive to make the soul act upon what this knowledge demands. Since knowledge is a tree and actions are its fruits and the one who does not act upon his knowledge is not counted as being a Scholar. It has been said: Knowledge is the father and actions are the offspring. Indeed, knowledge comes with actions; and riwâyah (narrating) comes with a dirâyah (investigating).
So do not feel satisfied with action as long as you are lacking in knowledge; and do not feel satisfied with knowledge when you falling short in action. Rather, combine them both - even if your share of the two is small. There is nothing worse than a Scholar whose knowledge the people abandon, due to the corruption of his ways, nor an ignorant person whose ignorance the people accept, because they look at his worship. So a little knowledge, along with a little action, will more likely save you in the end - when grants His Mercy bounteously and completely. However, as regards laziness, love of ease and leisure, preferring lowliness and repose, leaning towards relaxation - then the results of these traits are blameworthy and hateful.
And knowledge leads to action, just as action leads to being saved. So if the action is lesser than the knowledge, then knowledge is a burden upon the Scholar and we seek Allâh’s protection from knowledge which becomes a burden and produces lowliness, becoming a yoke on the neck of its owner.
Sahl ibn Muzâhim said:
The matter is tighter upon the Scholar than clenching the fist tightly, even though the ignorant one is not excused due to his ignorance. However, the Scholar receives a greater punishment if he abandons what he knows and does not act upon it.
So did the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors) of the past reach the high levels which they reached, except through sincerity of ’aqîdah (beliefs), righteous and correct actions and overpowering zuhd (abstinence) in all the attracting things of this world. And did the wise ones reach the great satisfaction, except by avoiding hastening to worldly things and being pleased with what was easy, and giving what was surplus from their needs to the poor and those who asked.
Is not the one who gathers books of knowledge just like the one
who gathers gold and silver? Is not the one who has an insatiable greed for them just like the one who is greedy about gold and silver? Is not the one who is a prisoner of the love of the former like the one who hoards the latter?
So just as wealth does not benefit except by spending it, then
likewise, knowledge does not benefit except by acting upon it and carrying out its obligations. So let a person examine himself and take advantage of his time, because the stopping is little, the riding beast near, the road is fearful; and going astray upon it is what is usual, the danger is great, the one who discerns has insight, - the Most High - is watching over and to Him is the return. “And whoever does an atoms weight of good shall see it, and whoever does an atoms weight of evil shall see it.” [8] ” [9]
Words of Wisdom
Ibn Masûd - radiallâhu ’anhu - said:
“Learn, learn! So when you learn, then act.” [10]
AzZuhrî (d.124H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The people will not trust the actions of a person who acts without knowledge. And they will not be pleased with the saying of a Scholar who does not.” [11]
Sahl ibn ’Abdullâh (d.283) - rahimahullâh - said:
“All of mankind are drunk, except the Scholars. And all the Scholars are confused, except whoever acts according to his knowledge.”[12]
He - rahimahullâh - also said:
“Knowledge is one of the delights and pleasures of the world. So when it is acted upon, it becomes for the Hereafter.”[13]
Abû ’Abdullâh arRûdhabârî said:
“Knowledge rests upon actions and actions rest upon sincerity, and sincerity for Allâh inherits understanding about Allâh - the Mighty and Majestic.”[14]
Habîb ibn ’Ubayd - rahimahullâh - said:
“Learn knowledge and understand and be benefited by it. Do not learn it for beautifying yourselves by it. Then it may happen - if you live long - that a person beautifies himself with knowledge, just as a man beautifies himself with clothes.”[15]
AlHasan alBasrî (d.110H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The concern of the Scholar is tending to the flock, whilst the concern of the foolish one is just to narrate.”[16]
Fudayl ibn ’Iyyad (d.187H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The Scholar continues to be ignorant of what he has learnt, until he acts upon it. So when he acts upon it, he becomes knowledgeable.” [17]
AlHasan alBasrî - rahimahullâh - said:
“Îmân (faith) is not outer decoration, nor mere hope. Rather it is what settles in the heart and what is affirmed by actions. Whoever spoke good, but did not act righteously, then Allâh throws it back upon his saying. Whoever spoke good and acted righteously, Allâh raises up the actions. This is because Allâh - the Most High - says:
“To Him ascend all goodly words, and righteous actions raise it.” ”[18]
References
1. Sûrah Âl-’Imrân 3:102
2. Sûrah anNisâ 4:1
3. Sûrah alAhzâb 33:70-71
4. Related by Ibn Abî Shaybah in KitâbulÎmân (no.99) and it was
declared Sahîh by Shaykh alAlbânî.
5. He is: the Scholar, the Imâm, the muhaddith, Muhammad ibn Husayn al-Âjurrî. Imâm adhDhahabî said: “He was one Scholars who firmly followed the Sunnah.’’ He died in the year 360H. For his biography refer to Târîkh Baghdâd (2/243) of al-Khatîb, Tadhkiratul-Huffâdh (3/936) of adh-Dhahabî and Tabaqâtush-Shâfi’iyyah (3/149) of asSubki.
6. Akhlâqul-’Ulemma (p.43) of Imâm Al-Âjurrî
7. He is the Imâm, the Hâfidh, the Scholar of hadîth, fiqh and history, Abû Bakr ibn ’Alî ibn Thâbit better known as alKhatîb al-Baghdâdî. Ibn Mâkawlâ said about him: “After adDâraqutnî, no one entered Baghdâd the like of him.’’ For his biography refer to: Siyâr A’lâmun-Nubalâ (18/270) of adh-Dhahabî and Al-Bidâyah wanNihâyah (12/101-103) of Ibn Kathîr. He died in the year 463H may Allah have mercy upon him.
8. Sûrah azZalzalah 99:7-8
9. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (pp. 1316) of alKhatîb alBaghdâdî.
10. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.10)
11. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.13)
12. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.21)
13. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.23)
14. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.30)
15. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.35)
16. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.39)
17. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.43)
18. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.56)
Al-Ibaanah Issue No.2
Rabî’ul-Awwal 1416H / August 1995
Al-Ibaanah Online Index
“O you who believe! Have taqwâ (fear) of Allâh as you should have of Him and do not die except as Muslims.” [1]
“O mankind! Have (fear) of your Lord, who created you from a single person and from him, He created his wife and from them both He created many men and women; and have taqwâ of Allâh through whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut relations of the wombs. Indeed, Allâh is ever an AllWatcher over you.” [2]
“O you who believe! Have taqwâ of Allâh and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous and correct actions and forgive you your sins. Whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger has indeed attained a great achievement.” [3]
To proceed:
The tâbi’î, Talq ibn Habîb - rahimahullâh - said: “Taqwâ is acting in obedience to Allâh hoping in His mercy, upon a light from Him; and taqwâ is leaving acts of disobedience to Allâh out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him.”
Characteristics of the Seekers
Imâm alÂjurrî (d.360H) [5] - rahimahullâh - said:
“The seeker of knowledge should know that - the Mighty and Majestic - has made the worship of obligatory upon Him; and that this worship is not possible except with knowledge, the seeking has also been made obligatory upon him. He should also realise that ignorance is not befitting for a Believer. He should seek knowledge in order to dispel ignorance from himself, and to worship - the Mighty and Majestic - as Allâh has commanded; not as he desires to worship Him. So the seeker of knowledge should strive hard in this quest, be sincere in this striving and should not become amazed with himself. Rather, he should that this is a favour from Allâh upon him, since it was Allâh who gave him the ability to acquire such knowledge, by which he is able to fulfil his obligations and keep away from that which is forbidden.” [6]
Knowledge with Action
AlKhatîb al-Baghdâdî [7] - rahimahullâh- said:
“I advise you - O seeker of knowledge - to make the intention pure and sincere and strive to make the soul act upon what this knowledge demands. Since knowledge is a tree and actions are its fruits and the one who does not act upon his knowledge is not counted as being a Scholar. It has been said: Knowledge is the father and actions are the offspring. Indeed, knowledge comes with actions; and riwâyah (narrating) comes with a dirâyah (investigating).
So do not feel satisfied with action as long as you are lacking in knowledge; and do not feel satisfied with knowledge when you falling short in action. Rather, combine them both - even if your share of the two is small. There is nothing worse than a Scholar whose knowledge the people abandon, due to the corruption of his ways, nor an ignorant person whose ignorance the people accept, because they look at his worship. So a little knowledge, along with a little action, will more likely save you in the end - when grants His Mercy bounteously and completely. However, as regards laziness, love of ease and leisure, preferring lowliness and repose, leaning towards relaxation - then the results of these traits are blameworthy and hateful.
And knowledge leads to action, just as action leads to being saved. So if the action is lesser than the knowledge, then knowledge is a burden upon the Scholar and we seek Allâh’s protection from knowledge which becomes a burden and produces lowliness, becoming a yoke on the neck of its owner.
Sahl ibn Muzâhim said:
The matter is tighter upon the Scholar than clenching the fist tightly, even though the ignorant one is not excused due to his ignorance. However, the Scholar receives a greater punishment if he abandons what he knows and does not act upon it.
So did the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors) of the past reach the high levels which they reached, except through sincerity of ’aqîdah (beliefs), righteous and correct actions and overpowering zuhd (abstinence) in all the attracting things of this world. And did the wise ones reach the great satisfaction, except by avoiding hastening to worldly things and being pleased with what was easy, and giving what was surplus from their needs to the poor and those who asked.
Is not the one who gathers books of knowledge just like the one
who gathers gold and silver? Is not the one who has an insatiable greed for them just like the one who is greedy about gold and silver? Is not the one who is a prisoner of the love of the former like the one who hoards the latter?
So just as wealth does not benefit except by spending it, then
likewise, knowledge does not benefit except by acting upon it and carrying out its obligations. So let a person examine himself and take advantage of his time, because the stopping is little, the riding beast near, the road is fearful; and going astray upon it is what is usual, the danger is great, the one who discerns has insight, - the Most High - is watching over and to Him is the return. “And whoever does an atoms weight of good shall see it, and whoever does an atoms weight of evil shall see it.” [8] ” [9]
Words of Wisdom
Ibn Masûd - radiallâhu ’anhu - said:
“Learn, learn! So when you learn, then act.” [10]
AzZuhrî (d.124H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The people will not trust the actions of a person who acts without knowledge. And they will not be pleased with the saying of a Scholar who does not.” [11]
Sahl ibn ’Abdullâh (d.283) - rahimahullâh - said:
“All of mankind are drunk, except the Scholars. And all the Scholars are confused, except whoever acts according to his knowledge.”[12]
He - rahimahullâh - also said:
“Knowledge is one of the delights and pleasures of the world. So when it is acted upon, it becomes for the Hereafter.”[13]
Abû ’Abdullâh arRûdhabârî said:
“Knowledge rests upon actions and actions rest upon sincerity, and sincerity for Allâh inherits understanding about Allâh - the Mighty and Majestic.”[14]
Habîb ibn ’Ubayd - rahimahullâh - said:
“Learn knowledge and understand and be benefited by it. Do not learn it for beautifying yourselves by it. Then it may happen - if you live long - that a person beautifies himself with knowledge, just as a man beautifies himself with clothes.”[15]
AlHasan alBasrî (d.110H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The concern of the Scholar is tending to the flock, whilst the concern of the foolish one is just to narrate.”[16]
Fudayl ibn ’Iyyad (d.187H) - rahimahullâh - said:
“The Scholar continues to be ignorant of what he has learnt, until he acts upon it. So when he acts upon it, he becomes knowledgeable.” [17]
AlHasan alBasrî - rahimahullâh - said:
“Îmân (faith) is not outer decoration, nor mere hope. Rather it is what settles in the heart and what is affirmed by actions. Whoever spoke good, but did not act righteously, then Allâh throws it back upon his saying. Whoever spoke good and acted righteously, Allâh raises up the actions. This is because Allâh - the Most High - says:
“To Him ascend all goodly words, and righteous actions raise it.” ”[18]
References
1. Sûrah Âl-’Imrân 3:102
2. Sûrah anNisâ 4:1
3. Sûrah alAhzâb 33:70-71
4. Related by Ibn Abî Shaybah in KitâbulÎmân (no.99) and it was
declared Sahîh by Shaykh alAlbânî.
5. He is: the Scholar, the Imâm, the muhaddith, Muhammad ibn Husayn al-Âjurrî. Imâm adhDhahabî said: “He was one Scholars who firmly followed the Sunnah.’’ He died in the year 360H. For his biography refer to Târîkh Baghdâd (2/243) of al-Khatîb, Tadhkiratul-Huffâdh (3/936) of adh-Dhahabî and Tabaqâtush-Shâfi’iyyah (3/149) of asSubki.
6. Akhlâqul-’Ulemma (p.43) of Imâm Al-Âjurrî
7. He is the Imâm, the Hâfidh, the Scholar of hadîth, fiqh and history, Abû Bakr ibn ’Alî ibn Thâbit better known as alKhatîb al-Baghdâdî. Ibn Mâkawlâ said about him: “After adDâraqutnî, no one entered Baghdâd the like of him.’’ For his biography refer to: Siyâr A’lâmun-Nubalâ (18/270) of adh-Dhahabî and Al-Bidâyah wanNihâyah (12/101-103) of Ibn Kathîr. He died in the year 463H may Allah have mercy upon him.
8. Sûrah azZalzalah 99:7-8
9. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (pp. 1316) of alKhatîb alBaghdâdî.
10. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.10)
11. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.13)
12. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.21)
13. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.23)
14. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.30)
15. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.35)
16. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.39)
17. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.43)
18. Iqtidâ’ul’Ilmil’Aml (no.56)
Al-Ibaanah Issue No.2
Rabî’ul-Awwal 1416H / August 1995
Al-Ibaanah Online Index
21 July 2010
Seeking Knowledge Until Death
From a lecture by Shaykh Salih aalish-Shaykh
Imâm Ahmad had two sons, 'Abdullâh and Sâlih, whom were half-brothers. Sâlih relates that "A man saw my father carrying a mihbarah (a wooden inkwell that students used to carry along with their pens) and said, 'O Abâ 'Abdillâh! You are the Imâm of the Muslims!' "
This man spoke like this since he was surprised to see Imâm Ahmad carrying his mihbarah as the young students would carry it, or indeed that he would still read books, or shoulder the same responsibilities that the youth did. Note also how all the people were fascinated by him (by Imâm Ahmad), even the elders of the people!
Imâm Ahmad replied with a statement that nullified this man's whole understanding. He said: "I will be with the mihbarah all the way to the maqbarah (graveyard)."
What did he mean? He meant, "I will be busy with knowledge until I die."
Another narration mentions that he said this same statement on a separate occasion to another group of people: "As for me, I will seek knowledge until I am placed in the grave."
When the time of his death came near, he said to those around him:
"Relate to me the statement of Hushaym." (Hushaym was Hushaym ibn Bashîr, Imâm Ahmad's first teacher. He met him in the year 179AH, when he began seeking knowledge at the age of 16) So they read to him what he had requested. This narrated tradition mentioned that Ibn Sîrîn used to dislike a person groaning from pain. At that time, Imâm Ahmad had became very ill and he used to groan due to the pain yet when they informed him that Ibn Sîrîn used to dislike groaning at such a time, he did not groan again until he died.
This is the reality of his statement, "I will seek knowledge until I am placed in the grave," meaning, "I must continue benefiting from knowledge."
So if you have left your youth behind and become a teacher or an educator, or a lecturer or professor in the university, or an author, and you say, "I have finished seeking knowledge," know that this is the situation of someone who does not know the reality of his affairs.
Al-'Ilm is knowledge of what? It is knowledge of the Speech of Allah and the speech of His Messenger, peace be upon him. Has anyone reached a level of awareness of the meanings of the Speech of Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him, and also the statements of the scholars explaining the Book and the sunnah, a level of awareness that is sufficient?
No one has reached that level. No one who has the right intention and a proper heart has reached that level. Regarding this, Imâm Ahmad said, "With the mihbarah all the way to the maqbarah." He was addressing everyone, advising us to continue seeking knowledge and not to give it up for any petty reason.
In the study circles of our mosques we have seen a great number of students who are eager to learn for two months, and then they abandon it. Three months or so only. What is this?! Some of them seek knowledge for 3, 4, 5, or 7 years and then they abandon it. Why is that? Is it because the lure of the world has come to you, so you are finished and now you head off into the world? Is it because a position was offered to you and you took it? Is it because you have reached a certain status, you have become a school director or professor in the university? For this you reason you have stopped seeking knowledge? No! You must continue seeking knowledge until you die. This is what will correct the society's problems, if their scholars take this advice. As for the students of knowledge, then they must hold fast to this advice, "With the mihbarah all the way to the maqbarah."
He must stay with his book until he dies - reading, learning, memorizing, reviewing, teaching, until his end.
What are the people saying these days? "The rulings related to prayer, we know them, no problem." If you asked them about many of the rulings, you will find that they do not know them. Why is that? It is because they have become satisfied with the knowledge they have, even delighted that they have the knowledge they have. We ask Allah that He excuses us and that He is pleased with us.
If you asked them about affairs even greater than the prayer, issues of creed, issues of tawhîd, you will find that they have not fully grasped the issues, and they used to be students of knowledge! Why is that? Because they were negligent, and thus abandoned it.
Knowledge is honor, if you abandon it, it will abandon you. If you take the task seriously, you will be given some of it, from what Allah has decreed for you.
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