Asalamu alikum

Still refusing to confirm it before you repeat it?

These days we find that many people are still falling into the same holes that their parents and grandparents fell into. How is this possible? For those of us that were not always Muslim, we knew that if someone sat around repeating all that they heard, then their narrations were not to be trusted. We knew that we could not take what such people had to say and base anything off of it. These tale-carriers were rarely even considered to be respectable people in the eyes of the community. This is what we knew before we were Muslim.

Now, for those that have been guided to Islam, as well as those that were born Muslim and raised as Muslims, we need to figure out how it is that we not only base our understandings and lives off of these people, but as well we have become these people.  Subhanna Allah.

We find ourselves from among the biggest of gossipers and tale-carriers (may Allah rectify our affairs… Allahuma ameen). We hear something, and want to be the first  to let all of our families, friends and associates know the story, as though it makes us look like we are in the loop. Subhanna Allah. When will we learn?

Maybe if we understand it from a religious point of view, things will change.

We are living in a time in which peoples desires, love for popularity and being seen among the community seem to have taken over the hearts of many. (May Allah cure us from this sickness… Allahuma ameen). We always find ourselves walking around not only hearing but also contributing to the “He said, She said” conversations. Many-times we don’t even concern ourselves with finding out if what is being said is true or not.

Allah said in His book,

{وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَـٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا}

{And follow not (O mankind i.e., say not, do not, witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge (e.g. one’s saying: “I have seen,” while in fact he has not seen, or “I have heard,” while he has not heard). Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah).}

[17:36]

We also find that Allah said,

 {مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ}

{Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).}

 [50:18]

So we see here that Allah has not only COMMANDED us to stay away from following behind, aiding in and spreading those things that we do not have knowledge about. He has also warned us about the fact that what we do and say may be recorded and we may be held accountable for it on that day where everyone will be brought before their Lord. Why are we so determined to set ourselves up to earn Allah’s displeasure? This is not something that is hard for people to turn away from. But the desire to be the firs to put the information out there often overtakes us. We find that this desire leads us to doing and saying things that we know we should not have anything to do with.

As well the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,

“كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ كَذِبًا أَنْ يُحَدِّثَ بِكُلِّ مَا سَمِعَ” 

“It is enough to render a man a liar that he relates everything he hears.”

[The Introduction of Sahih Muslim]

Brothers and Sisters, think about this for a second. Generally when we are told information, it is very possible that this information is either true or false. In these days and times we very often come across information that when  actually checked into, it would show that either it is completely incorrect or that it isn’t exactly as it was related to us. Subhanna Allah. We find this often. How many times have you been told something, and then looked into it and found exactly what was described to you in this article?

Can anyone possibly say that there haven’t been many times where we have been told that someone said something that was not actually stated, or that was miss quoted or used out of context? None of us can say that we have not experienced that many times. If we know that this has been the case, how is it that we still find ourselves repeating this information, regardless of how many-times we hear it, or how many people we have heard it from?

The point that I am trying to make here, is that it is an obligation on each and every one of us to begin to make sure that what we are saying is true.  we also,  need to make  sure, that the one(s) that we get our information from are reliable and trustworthy individuals that also got the information from reliable sources. This is in terms of both information dealing with our secular affairs as well as our religious affairs. 

We see the importance of verifying our information in that verse that we all have heard one million times before. Allah said,

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ}

{O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.}

[49:6]

So hopefully we see the harm in what we have been doing, and we will begin to work towards correcting not only our future, but rather the future of the Muslim Ummah. May Allah correct all of our affairs and keep us all firm upon the straight path. Allahuma ameen.

Proofs, Virtues, Fruits for Al-Walaa` wal-Baraa` (Loving and Hating for Allaah’s Sake)

Asalamu alikum

Love For Allaah’s sake Leads to The Sweetness of Eeman

On the authority of Abu Hurrairah: The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Whoever would like to taste the sweetness of Eeman, then let him love a person – not loving him except for Allaah’s sake. [Ahmad (2/298), al-Haakim (1/3 and 4/168); Isnaad is 'hasan']

The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: There are three characteristics that if a person has them, he will taste the sweetness of Eeman: that Allaah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than anything else; to love another only for the sake of Allaah; and that he hates to convert to disbelief after Allaah has rescued him from it as he hates to be thrown into the fire. [Bukhaaree, Muslim] In another version, the above-mentioned hadeeth begins with the words: No one will find the sweetness of Eeman until and unless…

Loving and Hating For Allaah’s Sake is The Strongest Handhold of Eeman

On the authority of al-Baraa ibn ‘Aazib (radiallaahu ‘anhu): The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Awthaq ‘Ural Eeman Al-Hubu fillaah wal-bughdu fillaah (The strongest handhold of Eeman is loving for Allaah’s sake, and hating for Allaah’s sake). [Ahmad (4/286), Ibn Abee Shaybah (no. 110); hasan due to supporting narrations]

Shaikh ‘Abdul-’Aziz ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Baaz (rahimahullaah), in his work The Authentic Creed And The Invalidators of Islaam, said: “Belief in Allaah also necessitates love for His sake, hate for His sake, and making friends and enemies for His sake…”

Loving and Hating is for Allaah’s Sake Leads to Allaah’s Friendship

Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiallaahu ‘anhumma) said: “Whoever loves for the sake of Allaah, and hates for the sake of Allaah, and befriends for the sake of Allaah, and shows enmity for the sake of Allaah, would get Walayatullaah (Allaah’s friendship). Without abiding by this, no one can get the real taste (sweetness) of Eeman though he may have been a frequent offerer of prayer (salat) and fasts. Today, people keep relationship and love only for some wordly reason, but this will not provide them any benefit (on the Day of Judgement).” [Ibn Jarir]

After bringing this hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas in The Chapter “Love for Allaah” in the classical work Kitab at-Tawheed, the author Shaikhul-Islaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhab (rahimahullaah Ta’aala) mentioned among the issues/benefits of the chapter: “No one can get the friendship of Allaah and relish of Eeman until and unless he possesses four ‘actions’ of the heart: (1) Love for the sake of Allaah; (2) Hate for the sake of Allaah; (3) Friendship for the sake of Allaah; (4) Enmity for the sake of Allaah.” [He also mentioned - among other matters/benefits - that Eeman has a sweetness that is sometimes tasted by a person, and sometimes not.]

Some Other of the Many Virtues, Benefits of Loving and Hating for Allaah’s Sake

On the authority of Abu Hurrairah: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Allaah will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Where are those who loved one another for My Glory? Today, I will shade them in My shade on the Day when there is no shade except My Shade…’ [Muslim]

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic, says: ‘Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have pillars of light and will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs.’ [at-Tirmidhee (2390), Ahmad (5/236-237); isnaad is 'saheeh']

Shaikh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhab al-’Aqeel (hafidhahullaah) said: “On the Day of Judgement, Allaah will raise the level of the believers who have loved each other for Allaah’s Pleasure, and shade those who have loved each other for His pleasure, as comes in the hadeeth of the seven whom Allaah will shade.”

Loving and Hating for Allaah’s Sake Is From The Completion of Eeman

On the authority of Abu Umaamah (radiallaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Man AHaba lillaah Wa Abghada lillaah Wa A’ta lillaah Wa Mana’ah lillaah Fa Qad Istakmal Al-Eeman (Whoever loves for the sake of Allaah, hates for the sake of Allaah, gives for the sake of Allaah, and prevents (withholds) for the sake of Allaah, has perfected Eeman.) [Abu Dawud (no. 4681), at-Tirmidhee (no. 2521), Ahmad (3/438, 440); 'Saheeh' due to witnesses, refer to al-Albaani's Al-Saheeha (no. 380)]

Imam As-Sa’dee (rahimahullaah), in his excellent work The Tree of Faith, said about this hadeeth:

“The place for love and hate is the heart, the place for giving and preventing [withholding] is the limbs. The single condition that encompasses all of these is sincerity, which is the spirit and essence of faith.

To love for the sake of Allaah means to love Allaah – to love what He loves of things such as actions, times, periods and circumstances, and to love those He loves such as the Prophets and their followers.

To hate for the sake of Allaah means to hate everything that Allaah hates of things such as disbelief, sin and transgression. It also means to hate those who commit these or call to these.

Giving includes the servant performing all that he has been enjoined to as mentioned in His saying [what means]: As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allaah and fears Him. And believes in Al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). (Al-Layl, ayat 5-7)

This verse refers to the servant giving everything he has been ordered with, not just property and wealth for this is but a portion of giving. The same applies to its opposite – preventing [withholding].

Through these four matters does the servant perfect his faith and religion.”

In the footnote related to this hadeeth is the following benefit relayed from Al-Manaawee’s work Faydul-Qadeer (6/38): “Some said that the reason that these matters perfect Eeman is that the religion revolves around four principles – two of which are internal, and two which are external.

The internal are love and hate, and the external are performing and abstaining. Hence, whoever’s intention becomes steadfast and firm, such that he loves, hates, performs and abstains for the sake of Allaah, has perfected the different stations of Eeman.”

Loving and Hating is for Allaah’s Sake, So Love In Moderation For a Day May Come that you Must Hate the one you Love, or Love the one you Hate

The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Love the one whom you love in moderation. Perhaps one day, he will be one whom you hate. And hate the one whom you hate in moderation. Perhaps one day, he will be one whom you love. [at-Tirmidhee and others; 'Saheeh,' Saheehul-Jaami' (no. 176)]

So if your classmate or your own relative or your imam or a scholar that you benefited from or even the person Allaah used to guide you to Islaam or specifically Salafiyyah deviates, then from that moment on you must free yourself from him, break off your loyalty, for loyalty to him at that point becomes blameworthy and plunges you into what you have been running away from all these years – hizbiyyah. Remember, Hizbiyyah is: having loyalty or allegiance to an individual or group in opposition to the Qur`an and Sunnah, and having al-walaa` wal-baraa` for them.

Allaah said (what means): You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred. For such He has written faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him. They are the party of Allah. Verily, the party of Allah will be the successful. (Al-Mujadilah, ayah 22)

This ayah was revealed concerning the sahaabah, who either killed a relative in the Battle of Badr, or intended to. Abu Bakr had a disbelieving son (‘Abdur-Rahman) who afterward told his father, “I saw you but I avoided you (meaning because you are my father).” Abu Bakr said to him: “Had I seen you, I would not have avoided you.”

This, ya ikhwaan, is an example of loving and hating for Allaah’s sake – not in accordance with your desires. [For more on this matter click here and here]

Shirk, Bid’ah – and even Sins – Are Obstacles To Loving for Allaah’s Sake

The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: There are no two persons who have mutual love for the sake of Allaah – the Mighty and Majestic – or for Islaam, and then separation is caused between them except by a sin committed by one of them. [Recorded by Bukhaaree in al-Adaabul-Mufrad (no. 401); authenticated by al-Albaanee]

Al-Manaawee said in Faydul-Qadeer (3/69): “From hating for Allaah’s sake is to hate many of those who (falsely) ascribe themselves to knowledge in our time, due to the clear signs of hypocrisy visible upon them, and their hatred of the good people. So whoever has a heart free from sickness must hate them [Ahlul-Bid'ah] for the sake of Allaah for their arrogance, their evil manners and the harm they cause to the people.”

Allaah said about the hypocrites (what means): They are the enemies, so beware of them. May Allaah curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path. (Al-Munafiqun, ayah 4) The hypocrites are those who claim Islaam but conceal their kufr, so of course they are from Ahlul-Bid’ah.

Imaam Fudayl Ibn ‘Iyaad (rahimahullaah): If I see a man of innovation, it is as if I have seen a man from the hypocrites, Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) commented, saying: “If you see a man from the people of innovations and desires – those in opposition to Ahlus Sunnah, it as if you have seen a man from the hypocrites – those who claim an apparent Islaam whilst they are disbelievers in secret, wishing to be deceitful. So the people of desires and bidah have a resemblance to the hypocrites, because they show an apparent Islaam, however they innovate and do not follow the Sunnah. This is a characteristic of the hypocrites.”

This is why Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said: “Most of Ahlul Bid’ah are Munaffiqoon (hypocrites) with Nifaaq al-akbar (major hypocrisy in belief)!“ [Of course, this is general, and not be applied to a specific person!] [For more on this matter of lies, false claims, plots, deceptions of People of Bid'ah and Desires, click here]

Al-Walaa` wal-Baraa` (Amity and Enmity), by Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah)

One’s loving and hating should be for the sake of Allaah. One’s association and disassociation should be for the sake of Allaah. This principle is one of the fundamentals of the religion, one that Allaah commands us to enjoin:

Proofs for Baraa` (Enmity)

Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: “Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever, until you believe in Allaah Alone,” except the saying of Ibrahim (Abraham) to his father: “Verily, I will ask for forgiveness (from Allaah) for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allaah.” Our Lord! In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return, (Al-Mumtahinah, ayah 4)

O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, this Qur`an, and Muhammad), and have driven out the Messenger (Muhammad) and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allaah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, (then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, etc., as your friends). You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you (Muslims) does that, then indeed he has gone (far) astray, (away) from the Straight Path. (Al-Mumtahinah, ayah 1)

The Christians and Jews are allies to one another, so do not take either of them as allies:

O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya’ (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Auliya’ to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Auliya’, then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Dhalimun (polytheists and wrong­doers and unjust). (Al-Ma`idah, ayah 51)

Even if they be your family:

O you who believe! Take not for Auliya’ (supporters and helpers) your fathers and your brothers if they prefer disbelief to Belief. And whoever of you does so, then he is one of the Dhalimun (wrong-doers, etc.). (At-Tawbah, ayah 23)

People of Bid’ah also fall into this

You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allaah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allaah. Verily, it is the Party of Allaah that will be the successful. (Al-Mujadilah, ayah 22)

Proof for Al-Walaa` (Amity)

Allaah said the believers are but brothers:

The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allaah, that you may receive mercy. (Al-Hujurat, ayah 10)

The believers are caring brethren, the Salaf are taken as good examples for those later, ask Allaah’s forgiveness and blessings on behalf of each other:

And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful. (Al-Hashr, ayah 10)

Amity and love for believers:

Verily, your Wali (Protector or Helper) is Allaah, His Messenger, and the believers, – those who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and they bow down (submit themselves with obedience to Allaah in prayer). And whosoever takes Allaah, His Messenger, and those who have believed, as Protectors, then the party of Allaah will be the victorious. (Al-Ma`idah, ayat 55-56)

The believers are merciful among themselves and forceful (severe) against the disbelievers:

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allaah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allaah has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise). (Al-Fat-H, ayah 29)

Ways Muslims show love for the kufaar [aoodhoobillaah!]

Today, many Muslims sadly show love for the kufaar by:

1- Imitating their dress, speech (including jargons, except if necessary), manners, customs, shaving beards, growing mustaches, eating and drinking.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever imitates the manners of a people is one of them.”

2- Residing in non-Muslim territories permanently without making Hijrah.

Allaah says: Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): “In what (condition) were you?” They reply: “We were weak and oppressed on earth.” They (angels) say: “Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?” Such men will find their abode in Hell – What an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way. For these there is hope that Allaah will forgive them, and Allaah is Ever Oft Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. (An-Nisa`, ayat 97-99)

Excused are those who are weak and those in charge of da’wah

3- Travelling to non-Muslim countries for pleasure.

4- Supporting kufaar against Muslims, which is a prelude to apostasy.

5- Relying on them, trusting them, taking them as advisors. They are allies to one another and seek to harm Islam. It is haram to employ them in jobs, through which they may reveal secrets.

O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand. Lo! You are the ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e. you believe in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), while they disbelieve in your Book, the Qur`an]. And when they meet you, they say, “We believe”. But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: “Perish in your rage. Certainly, Allaah knows what is in the breasts (all the secrets).” If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun, not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allaah surrounds all that they do. (Aali ‘Imran, ayah 118-120)

O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya’ (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Auliya’ to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Auliya’, then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Dhalimun (polytheists and wrong­doers and unjust). (Al-Ma`idah, ayah 51)

6- Adopting their calendar, which is innovated and has matters of kufr. [Note: their months are named after false Greek "gods".]

7- Participating in or congratulating them on their celebrations.

And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity. (Al-Furqan, ayah 72)

8- Applauding kufaar, highly estimating their civilization, proud of them, overlooking their false conviction.

Do not long for splendor of dunya:

And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting. (Ta-Ha, ayah 131)

Muslims should compete in extracting benefits of nature, and Muslims should retain all natural sources of power:

And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war (tanks, planes, missiles, artillery, etc.) to threaten the enemy of Allaah and your enemy, and others besides whom, you may not know but whom Allaah does know. And whatever you shall spend in the Cause of Allaah shall be repaid unto you, and you shall not be treated unjustly. (Al-Anfal, ayah 60)

Say (O Muhammad): “Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allaah, which He has produced for his slaves, and At-Taiyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) things] of food?” Say: “They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them (believers) on the Day of Resurrection (the disbelievers will not share them).” Thus We explain the Ayat (Islamic laws) in detail for people who have knowledge. (Al-A’raf, ayah 32)

Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is (only) Allaah,” and thereafter Istaqamu (i.e. stood firm and straight on the Islamic Faith of Monotheism by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allaah has forbidden and by performing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained), on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Al-Ahqaf, ayah 13)

He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. Then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven and made them seven heavens and He is the All-Knower of everything. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 29)

9- Adopting names of kufaar.

10- Seeking mercy and forgiveness for kufaar (this shows love for them). [Note: the only du'aa a Muslim can make for kufaar is du'aa for guidance.]

It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s Forgiveness for the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah) even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief). (At-Tawbah, ayah 113)

Ways Muslims show love for the believers

Here are ways Muslims can show love for the believers:

1- Hijrah to Muslim territories, and leaving non-Muslim countries.

Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): “In what (condition) were you?” They reply: “We were weak and oppressed on earth.” They (angels) say: “Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?” Such men will find their abode in Hell – What an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way. For these there is hope that Allaah will forgive them, and Allaah is Ever Oft Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. (An-Nisa`, ayat 97-99)

2- Supporting Muslims and aiding them with one’s soul, wealth and tongue in whatever they need.

The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give the Zakat, and obey Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (At-Tawbah, ayah 71)

Verily, those who believed, and emigrated and strove hard and fought with their property and their lives in the Cause of Allaah as well as those who gave (them) asylum and help, – these are (all) allies to one another. And as to those who believed but did not emigrate (to you O Muhammad), you owe no duty of protection to them until they emigrate, but if they seek your help in religion, it is your duty to help them except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, and Allaah is the All-Seer of what you do. (Al-Anfal, ayah 72)

3- Sharing Muslims’ delight and distress.

Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “The similitude of the believers…is the same as one body…if any part feels pain, then the whole body…” and “A believer to one another is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.” (Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then clasped his hands [in demonstration].)

4- Being sincere to the believers and wishing all good for them.

A Muslim must not swindle or cheat his Muslim brothers. Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “None of you will have complete faith until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.” Also other hadith show that a Muslim should not despise his brother (serious evil), desert him (in time of need), hand him over to an oppressor, turn away from him, evil transactions.

5- Respecting them and regarding them in high esteem.

O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one’s brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked", etc.]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Dhalimun (wrong-doers, etc.). (Al-Hujurat, ayah 11) O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (Al-Hujurat, ayah 12)

6- A Muslim must aid his Muslim brothers at the time of affluence and distress. Hypocrites only show sympathy in times of ease.

And that Allaah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers. (Aali ‘Imran, ayah 141)

7- Frequently visiting the believers and meeting them. Allaah loves those who visit only for Allaah’s sake.

8- A Muslim should fulfill his obligations toward his Muslim brothers. A Muslim should not enter into a transaction already agreed upon by others.

9- A Muslim must treat his weak brothers with kindness.

And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost. (Al-Kahf, ayah 28)

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) commanded us to show mercy to [the] weak. Prophet: “You gain no victory or livelihood except through (the blessings and du’aa of poor and weak) amongst you.”

10- Making du’aa for believers and asking forgiveness for them.

So know (O Muhammad) that La ilaaha ill-Allaah (none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allaah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes). (Muhammad, ayah 19)

And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful. (Al-Hashr, ayah 10)

[Shaikh Fawzaan added as a note that although we do not befriend kufaar, we do indeed maintain relations, do justice, do business with them in a just and kind way. We do not take them as allies, otherwise dissension will result.]

Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity. (Al-Mumtahinah, ayah 8)

But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. (Luqman, ayah 15)

Verily, those who believed, and emigrated and strove hard and fought with their property and their lives in the Cause of Allaah as well as those who gave (them) asylum and help, – these are (all) allies to one another. And as to those who believed but did not emigrate (to you O Muhammad), you owe no duty of protection to them until they emigrate, but if they seek your help in religion, it is your duty to help them except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, and Allaah is the All-Seer of what you do. (Al-Anfal, ayah 72)

And those who disbelieve are allies to one another, (and) if you (Muslims of the whole world collectively) do not do so (protect one another), there will be Fitnah (wars, battles, polytheism, etc.) and oppression on earth, and a great mischief and corruption (appearance of polytheism). (Al-Anfal, ayah 73)

Rectifying The Hearts

Asalamu alikum

Rectifying The Hearts
by Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdillaah al-Imaam (hafidhahullaah)

After khutbat al-hajjah, the shaikh said:

O Muslims, this khutbah is about the circumstances of mankind, the circumstances of the hearts of mankind in front of the Lord of all that exists, [on] a Day when mankind will meet Allaah. And He is the One Who called and invited us to all warn and admonish ourselves from that which we are about to hear of matters of the utmost importance.

The first matter is that the righteous actions of the limbs will not be sufficient – and [will be] of no use – unless the actions are flowing from a righteous heart. So whenever, the heart is unrighteous, then there is neither reliance nor any consideration of the actions of the limbs, whose exterior appears to be righteous.

Imams Bukhari and Muslim recorded from the hadeeth of Nu’man ibn Basheer that the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

Verily within the body is a morsel of flesh. Whenever it is sound, the whole body will be righteous and sound. And whenever it becomes corrupted, then the whole body will become corrupted. It is the heart.

And the second matter is that the wicked actions of the heart, and those hearts that oppose the legislation of Allaah are greater (and worse) than the actions of the limbs that oppose the legislation of Allaah. Our Lord says, informing us of the hearts of the disbelievers and the munafiqeen (hypocrites):

O you who believe! Do not take as advisors and consultants (and friends) those outside your religion (disbelievers and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse… (Aali ‘Imran, ayah 118)

And Allaah ‘azza wa jall’s statement that was mentioned – but what their breasts conceal is far worse – means that it is (worse) than their outward actions of disbelief (polytheism, associating partners with Allaah ‘azza wa jall) and all types of treachery. And in spite of this, their evil and disbelieving and polytheistic actions of the heart are greater than that which they manifest on their limbs. And like this, as well as anyone who conceals in his heart evil, so his evil which lies within his heart is (far) greater than the evil which he manifests on his limbs.

And the third matter, and it is an important and great matter, which is necessary for every Muslim – male and female – to learn, indeed it is that Allaah will make apparent the actions of the heart concerning good and evil deeds on the Day of Judgement.

Then the person who has a wicked heart will be disgraced in front of all of humanity, all of creation! Hence, the actions of the heart – that which angers Allaah and wages war against Allaah, and no one is able to be aware of that except for Allaah ‘azza wa jall – will be present on the Day of Resurrection.

That person will be disgraced.

How many people in the dunya think it will be easier (more likely) to have the earth swallow him up than people becoming aware of his evil intentions, his corrupted goals. And suddenly, on the Day of Resurrection, he will be disgraced before all of creation.

Hence, from here o Muslims, we are in an urgent and desperate need to know the circumstances of the one who will meet Allaah ‘azza wa jall and (that person’s) heart had already been corrupted. And some of the diseases which penetrated his heart from that which entered upon it.

The Lord of all that exists said in His Noble Book:

And does he not know that when the contents of the graves are brought out and poured forth (all mankind is resurrected). And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known. Verily, that Day (Day of Resurrection) their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them. (Al-’Adiyat, ayat 9-11)

The shahid (reference point) is the statement of Allaah ‘azza wa jall: And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known. And the meaning of that is: it will be made apparent, and will be gathered – whatever is in the breast of mankind, pertaining to what it concealed and kept secret. Afterwards, those things will become apparent on the Day of Resurrection. On the person’s pages. On the pages on his neck (with) which he will carry his sins and crimes on the Last Day.

The Lord of all that exists said in His Noble Book:

The Day when all the secrets will be examined, then man will have no power, nor any helper. (At-Tariq, ayat 9-10)

The meaning of examining the secrets (ikhtibaar a saraair) is that Allaah will inspect and scrutinize the hearts. The inspection of the hearts on the Day of Resurrection is not the inspection of the eyes, nor is it the inspection of the ears, nor the limbs. It is only an inspection of the hearts, which was a vessel for many deeds – either good or bad.

Therefore – there on the Day of Resurrection – the hearts will be scrutinized. Allaah will inspect them, and He will make manifest what lies therein of what was concealed in this dunya.

Woe to whosoever’s heart will be examined on the Day of Resurrection, and his heart had embraced evil and immoralities and corruptions that Allaah subhanahu wa ta’aala has knowledge of. This examining will be crucial on the Day of Resurrection, when the person will be disgraced, and his secrets will be exposed. So that it will become disgraceful, bare and apparent for all of creation to see.

The Lord of all that exists said in His Noble Book:

That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden. (Al-Haqqah, ayah 18)

Who will the deeds be displayed before? They will be displayed before The Knower of the undisclosed and secret conversations, The One Who has knowledge of whatever is throughout the heavens and the earth. [They will be displayed] before The One Who not a single secret is concealed from Him. [They will be displayed] before The One Who knows what the souls whisper. The display of deeds will be before Him on that Day. The apparent and secret deeds will be made laid open to Him.

Likewise, the Lord of all that exists said in His Noble Book:

And warn them (O Muhammad) of the Day that is drawing near (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), when the hearts will be choking the throats, and they can neither return them (hearts) to their chests nor can they throw them out. There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Dhalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), who could be given concern to. Allaah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal. And Allaah judges with truth… (Ghafir, ayat 18-20)

Meaning, He will judge the eye of what it betrayed. He will judge the heart, the breast, which concealed that which angered Allaah, the Lord of all that exists. He will judge with truth.

So look at the circumstances of those individual’s hearts, which were filled with diseases and illnesses and sicknesses, hence the state of these hearts on the Day of Resurrection is that of discomfort, alarm, dread… It’s better that the heart will tear out of its place, due to the severity of the horror on the Day of Resurrection. Hence, the Noble Verse says:

And warn them (O Muhammad) of the Day that is drawing near (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), when the hearts will be choking the throats, meaning the hearts had reached their throats. What made the hearts reach their throats? Dread on the Day. [Dread] of what? Dread of the circumstances from that Day. Dread of its severities. Dread of the humiliations of shameful things, and dread of the deeds, which these wicked hearts had done. And suddenly, the heart’s circumstances will change to become what you have just heard.

And Allaah subhanahu wa ta’aala says:

There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Dhalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), who could be given concern to. Allaah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal.

The meaning of the verse is that anything that the hearts have concealed, it will become apparent on that Day. And the person will be disgraced on that day. And he will be called to account on that day, if he meets Allaah with that.

The Lord of all that exists said in His Noble Book, informing us about His righteous servants:

Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the Remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing As-Salat, nor from giving the Zakat. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection). (An-Nur, ayah 37)

The hearts will toss and turn from the intensity of the horrors. There is no safety on that Day, for the hearts which did not ensure the future, that they did not ensure safety for themselves on that tremendous Day. Hence, the pious believer will never be content [in this world, fearing] that he will be from those who will be disgraced. Among those whose circumstances will be exposed, and his evil made apparent to the cration and humanity.

How many people had good opinion of the dunya, and had confidence in the dunya…and did not notice what was in their soul, what was in their hearts from that which will anger Allaah, the Lord of all that exists. Hence, they will see it on the Day of Resurrection. Perhaps, many of them will be disgraced. Many of them will be pushed away and made distant from Allaah.

Therefore, these are the circumstances of the hearts on that Day, (hearts) which will be resurrected and will meet the Lord of all that exists with that which angers Him subhanahu wa ta’aala. How numerous are the corruptions and diseases which creep into our hearts? Moreover, diseases of the heart are very dangerous upon the person. Therefore, whoever does not hasten to rectify his heart, then he will meet Allaah ‘azza wa jall with a heart that has been filled with illnesses and diseases, which Allaah subhanahu wa ta’aala has made unlawful.

For this reason, o brothers in Islam, I will mention to you all some examples of the one whose heart has embraced some evil. And no one knows except for Allaah subhanahu wa ta’aala.

The deceitful person who intends treachery toward someone by killing him or by snatching his wealth, or hitting him, or double-crossing him in his religion. What is important is how numerous or what some people will aspire to evil, by way of deceit. Its origin is an action of the heart, and it is that the person intends and makes up in his mind to do some evil act in secret and concealed manner so that he will not be humiliated or his matter will not be made public to the people.

Let us listen to one example from the circumstances of these individuals. Imams Bukhari and Muslim recorded from the hadeeth of Abu Bakrata that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, When two Muslims encounter each other with swords, the murderer and the slain one are both in the hellfire. So I said, o Messenger of Allaah. This murderer (he entered the hellfire properly so). So what is the matter with the one who was slain? What is his case? His soul was snatched, and because of this he was wronged. So how will he enter the hellfire? He (the Prophet) said, “Because he was eager to kill his companion.”

He was eager, his eagerness was in his heart. He was waiting for an opportunity to double-cross his brother. Hence, that brother carried out and killed him, therefore that eagerness which was in his heart tested him and it was the reason for him entering the hellfire.

O servants of Allaah, how numerous is what some of the people strive to do in these ways that have evil consequences upon the people who do this whether they realize it or not, in the dunya as well as the hereafter.

So how many individuals tread on this path of deceit and trickery while thinking that he will not be disgraced in the dunya, hence he will be humiliated in the dunya – even after some time passes. Then, he will be disgraced on the Day of the meeting with Allaah, Lord of all that exists, subhanahu wa ta’aala.

So o Muslim, cleanse your heart. Do not intend anything except for good. Do not love or like or incline toward anything except that which is good. And do not reply with anything except for good. And do not seek for anything except for the good.

And whenever you argue and dispute with the people, then do not ever be content that you tread [transgress] to obtain your haqq (your right), or that you aid yourself to enter a path that Allaah made unlawful for you from outrage, oppression, deceit and destruction.

It comes from the hadeeth narrated by ‘A`ishah and ‘Abdullaah ibn Zubair (radiallaahu ‘anhum) and others that the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Al-Eeman binds destruction. Meaning whosever’s Eeman is strengthened, then he will not kill the people, nor will he mislead them or act dishonest toward them, or act immoral to them, or steal their wealth in a cunning way, or other than that, because he fears Allaah (Who is) observing him.

Therefore, look at the one who will meet Allaah and he only has this action among the actions of the heart. How would the case be? If his heart was filled with wicked deeds, evil intentions, destructive goals.. How will be his circumstances?

Another example about this matter.

Our Lord says in His Noble Book:

Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allaah knows and you know not.
(An-Nur, ayah 19)

He – Allaah – has knowledge of the hearts that like abominations and evil deeds, although the hearts do not show it and although they did not show these abominations. Except that He – Allaah – has knowledge of what is within the hearts of having love and liking abominations and evil.

Therefore, whoever meets Allaah while liking some abominations and some detestable things, then he will be punished in the hereafter. You have [just] heard the verse, what Allaah subhanahu wa ta’aala said:

They will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter.

Thus, it should be dreaded for you that He subhanahu wa ta’aala will punish and humiliate you on that Day. Thus, o slaves of Allaah, supplicate to Allaah ‘azza wa jall that He mends your heart for you.

So you do not be content that you like corruption or wickedness. Yes, this is an enormous evil and a deficiency within you and in your heart when what is requested is that your heart is filled with love of Allaah, glorifying Him, fearing Him, [knowing] He is observing you.

Therefore, how will this heart become? What you have heard is a resting place and a vessel for liking detestable things and abominations. So cleanse your hearts from these plagues and diseases, and many abominations which those individuals will fall into, having love for it, or having love for some of it. This also, just as you have heard, is from that which will humiliate the slave on the Day of Resurrection. And that will appear on his heart.

As for whoever calls to abominations, fornication, intoxications, stealing, homosexuality and so forth, then his action is more atrocious than that individual who conceals that in his heart and does not act according to that on his limbs.

Likewise, also from the dangerous actions of the heart upon the person on the Day of Resurrection is what comes in the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood in Sahih Muslim that the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: No one will enter Paradise who has within his heart an atom’s weight of arrogance.

An atom’s weight of arrogance.

So how is the case if the heart is filled with arrogance? If an atom’s weight of arrogance is a cause for being deprived from Paradise and a cause for entering the hellfire, then how much for the one whose heart is filled and overwhelming with arrogance? Refuge in Allaah is sought! Until you can smell the scent of arrogance from his speech, his actions and spending. Therefore, this matter is more dangerous on the Day of Resurrection. And atom’s weight of arrogance will cause his entering the hellfire.

How enormous of what has slipped out of our minds, and caused us to be heedless of mending our hearts. Then it is possible that this chronic disease – arrogance – is within us, and refuge in Allaah is sought from that. Or a portion of arrogance, and refuge in Allaah is sought. So cleanse your heart, if you want to know that Allaah has assisted you against your heart.

So because of that, you cleansed it – your heart – of arrogance. Hence, you will know that from the way that you accept the truth, the lack of your opposition against the truth, the absence of annoyance in your heart from the truth. Your heart is open toward the truth. It desires the truth, loves to aspire to and attain the truth.

Hence when the heart becomes just as you have heard, then your heart is upon good. For this reason, the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

Arrogance is to reject the truth and to belittle the people.

Therefore, when you do not look down on the people, you don’t mock them, nor establish yourself to be exalted over them and superior over them, you only have compassion for the people, to be friendly toward them, to be kind to the people, and that you stay clear of the evil of the people, and the fitan, the trials accompanied by the people. So, if you are like this – you are friendly to them – then you are upon good.

And how abundant are the diseases of the hearts, the diseases that we fear we may meet Allaah with? If that is the case, then we will not have success on that Day. [End of first khutbah]

As to proceed: o believers in Islam, from the principles of mending the hearts and meeting Allaah – the Lord of all that exists – with it is what comes in al-Bazaar and others that the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

Allaah said: I swear by My Might and My Majesty that I will not gather for My slave two securities and two fears. Hence, if he feels safe from Me in the dunya, then I will fill him with fear on the Day that I will gather My slaves. And if he fears Me in the dunya, then I will grant him safety and security on a Day that I will gather My slaves.

Therefore, fearing Allaah (Who is) observing you and fearing Allaah by way of having knowledge of Him, these are a basis towards all good. And for this reason, the ‘ulemma (scholars) said in an explanation of a person fearing (having khawf for) Allaah and in an explanation of the word khawf: it is he who has made up his mind to do an act of disobedience and then afterwards, he remembers Allaah, he then refrains from disobedience.

The one who fears Allaah is the one who remembers Allaah, then hastens to leave off acts of disobedience. He avoids it. He stands distant from it. He responds to the call of Allaah tabarak wa ta’aala. He fulfills the religious duties that Allaah, the Lord of all that exists, has placed upon him. Therefore, the person who lives in the dunya, fearing Allaah, knowing that Allaah is always observing him, fearing the chastisement of Allaah, hoping for Allaah’s mercy and compassion. It is hoped on that Day that (this slave’s) heart will be amongst those hearts that will be saved and rescued, because of Allaah’s mercy.

For this reason, Allaah says in His Noble Book:

But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise). (Ar-Rahman, ayah 46) Meaning the one who fears the standing before Allaah, (fearing) the hisab (the accounting) on the Day of Reckoning. The one who fears this meeting and remains consistently fearing that his reckoning will be bad – that Allaah will hold him to account severely and intensly. And by the Permission of Allaah subhanahu wa ta’aala, he will be rescued on that day, a Day when the liars will be ruined, a Day when the oppressors will bite their hands, a Day when the excuses of the oppressors will not be of any use to them; they will have a curse placed upon them, and they will have an abode of evil and wickedness.

quote:

The Lord of all that exists said in His Noble Book, informing what Ibrahim (‘alaihi salaam) said to Allaah Subhanahu wa ta’aala:

And disgrace me not on the Day when (all the creatures) will be resurrected. The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, Except him who brings to Allaah a clean (undamaged) heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifaaq (hypocrisy)]. (Ash-Shu’ara, ayat 87-89)

Except him who brings to Allaah a clean (undamaged) heart.

We beg Allaah that He mends and rectifies our hearts.

The scholars have said concerning the words a clean (undamaged) heart in the tafseer:

quote:

It is a heart which is devoid and protected from diseases and illnesses.

The Lord of all that exists said in His Noble Book:

And Paradise will be brought near to the Muttaqun, not far off. (Qaf 50, ayah 31)

This is what has been promised to everyone who returns to Allaah and repents, and preserves the rights of Allaah.

quote:

So look at your hearts. Is it returning to Allaah in repentance and (returning to) the truth? Is it devoted to Allaah, hoping for the mercy and compassion of Allaah? Is it fearing the punishment of Allaah?

O slaves of Allaah! The hearts are blazing with envy, blazing with hatred, hypocrisy, Ar-riyaa` (showing off), amazement with oneself, arrogance, being delusional, and having a liking or love for forbidden desires and detestable deeds. The hearts are burning with desires for the dunya, desiring for angering The Creator – Allaah!

It comes in the hadeeth narrated by ‘A`ishah (radiallaahu ‘anha) in at-Tirmidhee and Abu Na’eem that the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever seeks to please Allaah by displeasing the people, Allaah will be pleased with him and cause the people to be pleased with him. And whoever seeks to please the people by displeasing Allaah, Allaah will be displeased with him and cause the people to be displeased with him.

Wanting to please the people – this is among the actions of the heart. So you will see your Muslim brother doing an act of good, similar to that which you were doing; however if there lies in his heart to do some harm to such and such person by way of this good deed, then that person will be amongst the losers on the Last Day.

Some of the people are pleased with the people who do evil. Their desire is to harm the people. This sin of his is greater than the one who falls into evil while not desiring the people’s contentment. Yes, his soul is inclined toward evil in inviting him to it until he fell into that. Therefore, be cautious of these diseases and trials.

Allaah says regarding a people who neglect their hearts, people whom Allaah did not want their hearts to be cleansed:

Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allaah is not unaware of what you do. (Al-Baqarah, ayah 85)

Therefore, we should hasten to rectify and mend our hearts, and we have discovered a path towards that. And we should not delay. If this is the circumstance of the one who meets Allaah with some of the diseases within his heart, so how then is the case of the one who meets Allaah and his heart has already become sick and ill from shirk, liking acts of shirk, superstition, magic, those who predict the future by using the stars. In addition, they like them and their actions, or he likes the atheist who curses the Deen of Islam, who curses Allaah, who curses the Messenger of Allaah. They speak evil about the legislation of Islam. Yes, how will his circumstance be if he loves the Jews and the Christians? Aoodhubillaah!

How numerous and abundant are the corruptions within the hearts of some of the Muslims? Therefore, I call myself and my believing brothers to hasten to rectify our hearts.

The hearts are corrupted by many things. And among them are the mixing of evil deeds with good deeds, and among them are listening to the speech of the wicked and evil people on television (and satelite), reading newspapers which pollute, sicken and destroy what you have kept safe and maintained in your hearts.

O slave of Allaah! You have one heart. It can only contain good or evil. You are not able to gather within your heart good and evil at the same time. The heart cannot bear this. And He, The Most High, said in His Noble Book:

Allaah has not put for any man two hearts inside his body. (Al-Ahzab, ayah 4)

Hence, some of the people think that they can take from the good and evil like this. They think that this is smart. They think that this is understanding of the matters related to good and evil. And they think that this way has superceeded those who want to rectify their hearts, and those individuals who stay away from those things that will ruin his heart.

Allaahumma nas`aluka huda wa tuqqa wal ‘afaafa wal ghina (O Allaah, we ask you for guidance and piety and well-being and sifficiency.)

From The Virtues of Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq (radiallaahu Ta’aala ‘anhu)

Asalamu alikum

From The Virtues of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radiallaahu Ta’aala ‘anhu)
Jumu’ah khutbah given by Shaikh Muhammad ibn Salih al-’Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah)

All Praise is for Allaah. All Praise is for Allaah. All Praise is for Allaah, The One Who sent His Messenger Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to the best of generations, and chose for him companions – the most whole and complete in intellect, the most upright in religion, the most abundant in knowledge, and the bravest hearts – a people who truly strove in the way of Allaah, Who established the Religion with them, and made them triumphant over all the world as they wished to make His Word the most high and victorious.

And I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, Who is Alone and has no partner, Illaahul Awaleen wal Akhireen (The True God of the first and the last), and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, the seal of the Prophets and leader of the righteous. May Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, companions and followers in perfection til the Day of Judgement. As to what proceeds:

Oh slaves of Allaah! Know that Allaah chose Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) from the children of Adam to send to all of mankind after him. Allaah, The Most High, chose to send him with the most perfect, sound and suitable Religion for the creation with regards to both their faith and wordly affairs. So for certain, his companions – whom he was sent – are the best of generations, as has been firmly and authentically reported that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: The best of people are my generation, then those that follow them, then those that follow them.Oh slaves of Allaah! Beware of what this generation of the companions possessed of virtue, struggled in the way of Allaah, inviting to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and supported the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Beware that they possessed numerous virtues and many great characteristics. By way of them, Allaah supported the religion of Islaam, and with it, made them victorious. And from them were the rightly-guided Caliphs and leaders, those who established the rule after the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in the best way, thus preserving the Religion, and governing the people with justice and wisdom.

Their rule was the best of the past and the best of the future. And we don’t say this haphazardly or blindly, and we don’t say this as a mere unsupported claim. But we say this, as their actions bear witness to it, and speak for what they did.

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The most lofty of them in ability and highest in honor was Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Uthman (radiallaahu Ta’aala ‘anhu). The sun neither rose nor set above anyone – after the Prophets – better than Abu Bakr. The sun neither rose nor set – since Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) created it until the Last Day – over anyone, after the Prophets (‘alayhimi salaam), better than Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (radiallaahu Ta’aala ‘anhu).

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) left him behind for his nation, appointing him the first ruler, after its Prophet. From a signal from him (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), which is very close to being clearly explicit, as it has been authentically reported in al-Bukhaaree that : a woman came to the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) for a need. And he (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered her to return to him later, meaning that he did not take care of her need at that time, but rather he ordered her to return to him later. And she said, “What if I don’t find you?” And he (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Go to Abu Bakr.

This is an explicit quote, showing that Abu Bakr was to be the ruler after the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Likewise, he (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) intended to [command someone to write] in words that the rule was to pass to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, and said: Allaah and the Muslims refuse except for Abu Bakr. And in another narration: Allaah forbid that the believers should differ regarding Abu Bakr.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) appointed him in a lesser position of leadership when he (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered him [Abu Bakr] to lead the people in salat, so he [Abu Bakr] would lead them in salat during the sickness of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also appointed him to a position greater than that when he appointed him the leader of the people for the Hajj in the ninth year [after Hijra].

All of this is an indication that he [Abu Bakr] (radiallaahu ‘anhu) is the successor of him [the Prophet] (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). And if there was anyone worthy of this position other than Abu Bakr, then the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would have appointed him to lead the people in the salat and during the Hajj.

When he (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) addressed the people at the end of his life, he ordered the people to seal the branching doors to the masjid, except for the door of Abu Bakr.

Abu Bakr was from the leading wealthy nobles of Quraish. Aimm Daghila witnessed for Abu Bakr, in front of the nobles of Quraish, that which is similar to what Khadijah witnessed for the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) when she said, “Verily you gain that which is lost, join the family ties, endure fatigue and weariness, host guests and aid those who represent the truth.” This is what Khadijah said to the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) when he informed her of what came to him of revelation.

And when the Prophet was sent on his mission of calling to Allaah, Abu Bakr rushed to Eeman (faith), and quickly believed in him, and did not hesitate when he (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) called him to Islaam.

Abu Bakr remained with him (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in times of travel, residence and settlement. He (radiallaahu ‘anhu) did not leave the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) the entire period of his stay in Makkah. He accompanied him (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in his Hijra (migration), and remained with him in Madeenah. Likewise, he [Abu Bakr] fought all of the battles, and five of the ten who were given glad tidings of Paradise accepted Islaam from him: ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affaan, Zubair ibn al-Awwam, Sa’d ibn Abee Waqqas, Talha ibn ‘Ubaidullah, and ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn ‘Awf (radiallaahu ‘anhum ajma’een).

I ask Allaah to join me and you with them in Paradise.

He (radiallaahu ‘anhu) also bought seven Muslim slaves – who were being tortured by the kufaar due to their acceptance of Islaam – and freed them. From them was Bilal, the Mu`adhdhin (caller to prayer) of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Thus, he [Abu Bakr] is ‘Ateeq, the one who frees. Abu Bakr also freed ‘Amr ibn Fuhaira, who accompanied both the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr during the Hijra to serve them.

He (radiallaahu ‘anhu) was the most knowledgeable [from this Ummah] of the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and his speech was both significant and meaningful, for the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) addressed the people at the end of his life and said: Verily, Allaah has chosen a servant between the world and between what is with Him (meaning what is with Allaah), and he has chosen what is with Him. This is what he said, and none from the companions understood from it what Abu Bakr understood. As he understood that the chosen was the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and he cried. And the people were astonished from his tears, as they didn’t understand what the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said as Abu Bakr understood it.

It’s not strange. It’s not strange at all that Abu Bakr would be the most understanding of the speech of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), for he remained with him the most. And it is something known that whoever increases in the company of someone, then he will be the most knowledgeable regarding their speech and meaning.

Likewise, Abu Bakr (radiallaahu ‘anhu) was the most beloved of people to the Messenger, as he was asked about the most beloved of people to him, and he said: Abu Bakr. Thusly, he was the most beloved to him, even more than ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiallaahu ‘anhu), who was his nephew and who married [the Prophet's] daughter [Fatimah].

Abu Bakr (radiallaahu ‘anhu) has many virtues and characteristics that many from the companions did not possess. The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) addressed the people and said: Truly, he who gives the most to me from his wealth [in the sake of Allaah] and companionship is Abu Bakr. Pay attention to this. He (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: he who gives the most, and he did not say “from the people who give the most.” Meaning he did not use that which refers to some, but rather that which refers to the best or most, and refers to unrestricted virtue. As he said: Truly, he who gives the most to me from his wealth and companionship is Abu Bakr. And if I were to take a Khaleel (a close friend) from my nation, I would have taken Abu Bakr.

So who is a close friend or Khaleel? He is the one whose love spreads through the soul. As was mentioned by a poet about his sweetheart: you have spread through a path to my soul. And for that reason, they have named a close friend a Khaleel. The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): If I were to take a khaleel from my nation, then indeed, I would have taken Abu Bakr. But between us is the brotherhood of Islaam and friendship.

One time, Abu Bakr came to the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: Something has come between me and Ibnul-Khattab. So I quickly went to him and was regretful, and asked him to forgive me, which he refused to do, so I came to you. The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): Oh Abu Bakr: may Allaah forgive you. Oh Abu Bakr: may Allaah forgive you. Oh Abu Bakr: may Allaah forgive you.

Thus the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) seeking forgiveness for Abu Bakr was better than ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab seeking forgiveness for Abu Bakr. Then ‘Umar regretted what happened between him and Abu Bakr, and went to Abu Bakr’s home, and asked if he was there. And they replied in the negative. So he went to the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and gave salaam, and made the face of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) change into anger. So much so that Abu Bakr feared that the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would say something which he… So Abu Bakr touched his (the Prophet’s) knees, and said, “Oh Messenger of Allaah. By Allaah, I was being oppressive. By Allaah, I was being oppressive.”

How good were the companions? The individual who tells the truth explicitly – even if it is against him – even in the situation such as this when the face of the Prophet changed and showed anger due to what was mentioned.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) – while ‘Umar was listening – said: Allaah sent me (as a Prophet) to you (people) but you said (to me), ‘You are telling a lie,’ while Abu Bakr said, ‘He has said the truth,’ and consoled me with himself and his money. He then said twice: Won’t you then give up harming my companion? [Won't you then give up harming my companion?] After that, Abu Bakr was never harmed again.

And with his soft and kind heart, Abu Bakr was the firmest of the companions with calamities and trials. For in the pact of al-Hudaybia, many of the companions could not handle all of the conditions which were agreed upon by the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Quraish, which included:

- The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) returning from Hudaybia without completing his ‘Umrah, even though he came to perform ‘Umrah with a camel to sacrifice. The ignorant zeal of the Quraish prevented them from letting him (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) enter Makkah, even though they would have welcomed someone else of the most severe disbelief and sinfulness to perform ‘Umrah. That Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his companions, who have more right to the ka’bah, were stopped by Quraish and prevented from the house of Allaah. In this, there was wisdom, which Allaah later revealed.

As for the conditions that were agreed upon by the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Quraish, they included:

• 1- The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would return to Madeenah without completing the ‘Umrah.
• 2- Whoever came from Quraish to the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would be returned to them – be he Muslim or not.
• 3- And whoever went to Quraish would not be returned to the Muslims.

They were all very heavy conditions, and difficult for the Muslims, but they were for the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The conditions were so difficult that the people began to talk about it, and ‘Umar even went to consult with the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) about them.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to him: Verily, I am the Messenger of Allaah, and I will not disobey Him while He is The One Who grants me victory.

And when ‘Umar saw that he did not get from the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he went to Abu Bakr to seek his aid in the affair. And Abu Bakr said to him: “Oh man, he is the Messenger of Allaah, and will not disobey his Lord, while He is The One Who grants him victory.” And he grabbed his leather stir and said: “By Allaah, he (the Prophet) is upon the truth.”

So Abu Bakr’s answer to ‘Umar was like the Prophet’s answer to ‘Umar.

This was a situation in which Abu Bakr (radiallaahu ‘anhu) was firm, and showed his strength and determination.

Another situation was the death of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and the bewilderment of the Muslims, as they had a right to be bewildered since they had just lost the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and everything in Madeenah went dark just as his arrival enlightened everything. The Muslims were bewildered and astonished, so much so that ‘Umar stood and denied the death of the Prophet, and said that he did not die, and swore and said, “by Allaah, the Messenger of Allaah did not die, and will send him and he will cut some of your arms and legs off.” This is what he said to some of the people in the masjid while the people were gathered with ‘Umar due to his strength and solidity. But the calamity was great.

As for Abu Bakr, he came from a place of his outside of Madeenah, as it was [decreed] by the wisdom of Allaah that the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was in better health on Monday – the day he died – than he was before. So Abu Bakr felt okay to leave to his place outside of Madeenah. And then the news of the Messenger’s passing reached him. He went to the Messenger’s house, uncovered him, and kissed him. And from this, the scholars hold that it is permissible to kiss the dead after their death. So he kissed him and said: “May my mother and father be sacrificed for you. You were good alive and dead.”

Then he went out to the place, climbed the minbar, and addressed them with a firm heart and a mighty statement that deserves to be written in golden ink, saying: Alaa man kanna ya’budu Muhammad fa inna Muhammadan qad mat; wa man kanna ya’bud Allaah, fa inna Allaaha Hayun La ya mut (As for he who used to worship Muhammad, then know that Muhammad has died. And as for he who used to worship Allaah, then Allaah is living and never dies.)

What a great and powerful statement!

Everything which is connected to the creation – to the human being – and for sure, the human will pass on. And nothing will benefit him except what Allaah has ordained for him of benefit. And as for all that is connected to Allaah, such as worship, fear, hope, desire and awe, then it is success which occurs seeking Him.

[Abu Bakr] said: As for he who used to worship Muhammad, then know that Muhammad has died. And as for he who used to worship Allaah, then Allaah is living and never dies.

Oh Allaah, grant us sincerity in your worship.

Then [Abu Bakr] recited the statement of Allaah, The Most High: Verily, you (Oh Muhammad) will die and verily, they (too) will die. (Az-Zumar, ayah 30) and Allaah’s statement: Muhammad is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allaah, and Allaah will give reward to those who are grateful. (Aali ‘Imran, ayah 144)

This is the second situation which demonstrated Abu Bakr’s strength when faced with difficulty and firmness in worrisome situations.

As for the third situation, then it is when he [Abu Bakr] wanted to send the army of Usamah after the death of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), who had already sent the army in which they prepared for battle and took out posts at the outskirts of Madeenah, due to his falling ill. So when the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) died, Abu Bakr was determined to send the army. So ‘Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhu) and others consulted with him regarding the affair, and said: “Oh Abu Bakr, do not let the army go. We need them to fight the apostates.” But Abu Bakr had made up his mind to send the army, and said: “By Allaah, I will not stop an army which the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has prepared to send.”

This is what he said, and this is the third situation.

The fourth situation is when the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) died, and a group of people from the Arabs left Islaam, and denied the obligation of the zakat, for which Abu Bakr determined to fight them, due to their denial of the zakat. Some of the companions consulted with him, but he was set on fighting them and said: “By Allaah, even if they denied me the tie of the camel which they gave to the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), then I would fight them for it.” And in another narration: “Even if they were to deny me a baby goat, then I would fight them over it.”‘ Umar (radiallaahu ‘anhu) said that he knew that [Abu Bakr's statement] was the truth.’Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiallaahu ‘anhu) described Abu Bakr (radiallaahu ‘anhu) when he told him:

“You were the first of the people to accept Islaam, and the most sincere of them in Eeman (faith). You were the best of them as a companion, and the most like the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in both guidance and humility, and the most generous of them to him. You succeeded him in the Religion well when the people left Islaam, and you held firm to the methodology of the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). You were like a mountain that was not moved by the storm nor crushed by the quake. You are modest with yourself, and great with Allaah. And the closest people to you are the most obedient to Allaah, and the most pious.”

This is how ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib described him (radiallaahu ‘anhum).

Abu Bakr succeeded the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and this was before he was buried, as the companions delayed his burial in order to establish the rule before the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was put into the ground.

Thus, Abu Bakr proceeded to rule the people in a very good manner. And Allaah blessed his succession, which was a short term of two years, three months, and nine nights. He (radiallaahu ‘anhu) died between the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers on Tuesday, the evening of the 23rd of Jumad ath-Thani, 13 Hijra.

From his great blessings upon this nation (which Allaah bestowed upon him) is his appointing ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiallaahu ‘anhu) as the leader of the believers with a clear, undeniable decision. And all of you know the biography of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab. This affair is considered from his good actions, and may Allaah be pleased with both of them, the rightly-guided Caliphs and all the companions.

I ask Allaah to join me and you with them in Paradise, with those whom Allaah has favored from the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.

Listen to Allaah’s statement (which means): And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allaah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. (At-Tawbah, ayah 100)

Oh Allaah, make us of those who follow them in perfection. Oh Allaah, make us of those who follow them in perfection. Oh Allaah, make us of those who follow them in perfection! And let us part from this life upon complete Tawheed and Eeman. You are The Greatest, The Most Noble and Benevolent. All Praise is for Allaah, The Lord of all of creation, and may the salutations of peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family, and all of his companions.

[Second Khutbah:]

All Praise is for Allaah, just as He likes and is pleased with. I bear witness that there is no deity worshipped in truth except Allaah, Who is Alone and has no partner. For Him is all praise. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, His Khaleel, and chosen one, may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, companions and whoever is guided with his guidance.

Oh slaves of Allaah! It is a must that we know one thing in this situation, which is that it is an obligation upon us to love the companions of Allaah’s Messenger, and that we order and arrange our love for them according to their rank and virtue.

The scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have said that the best of the companions after their Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is Abu Bakr (radiallaahu ‘anhu). The most virtuous of them is Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, then ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, then ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiallaahu ‘anhum ajma’een). This is how the affair has been decided by Ahlus-Sunnah in accordance to their virtue and like their arrangement in leadership. [1]

So it is a must that we love all of the companions of the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and that we know all of their virtues – both general and specific – so that our love for them will increase. And our love for them obtains for us many benefits, such as their aiding our Prophet, and our love for them due to aiding him (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Likewise, our love for them requires that we magnify their opinions and what they came with of statement and action that does not oppose the legislation.

Thus we imitate them and, in regards to this, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (radiallaahu ‘anhu wa rahimahullaah) used to say: “The statement of the companions is taken before juristic reasoning and rather taken over a weak narration, which has not been authentically linked to the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).”

This requires that their statements be put before those who came after them, from their followers. All of which must be understood and applied by someone who has a knowledge of Fiqh (jurisprudence) and Islamic knowledge. As the one who possesses this is closer to being correct after them.

May Allaah be pleased with them.

Also, from the benefits of us loving the companions and knowing their virtues is knowing that cursing them and slandering them – even in a round-about way – is a great wrong! Whoever does so must change his methodology, so that he will be from the followers of Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), rather than following his desires after guidance has been made clear to him.

For Allaah, Ta’aala, said in His Book (what means): And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad, (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination. (An-Nisa, ayah 115)

All of this with the fact that they actualized and realized worship and sincerity to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. So there is no one like them in this Religion, in this Ummah in regards to worship and glorifying Allaah, The Most High, and there is no one like them in this Ummah with regards to sincerity and following the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

As for what has been reported of some of them opposing the text, then this is excused without a doubt, for I am absolutely certain that it is not possible for any of them to oppose the statement of Allaah and His Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) on purpose! Also, what has been reported of some regarding incorrect actions, then they possess such great deeds that it demands forgiveness of what appeared.

Likewise, the companions are the most deserving of the Prophet’s intercession, as they were the closest to sincerity. And the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said the closest people to his intercession is he who says, ‘La illaaha il-Allaah,’ sincerely from his heart.

La illaaha il-Allaahu WaHdahu la Sharika Lahu LaHul-Mulku wa LaHul-Hamdu wa Huwa ‘ala kulli Shay`in Qadeer (There is no deity worshipped in truth except Allaah, Who is Alone without partner. For Him is the Dominion, and All Praise, and He is over all things capable).

Oh brothers, I invite you and myself to read that which is authentic regarding the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the companions, so that our hearts be filled with love for them, so that we know their virtues. May Allaah give us success in that. [2]

Know that the best speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The worst of affairs are the newly invented matters, and every new matter in the Religion is a bid’ah (innovation), and every bid’ah (innovation) is a going astray.

Upon you is the Jama’ah (the main body of the Muslims who are upon the truth). Stick to it – joining upon the way of the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), sincerely for Allaah. For Allaah’s hand is over that group, and know that whoever strays, strays into the fire. For the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Every bid’ah (innovation) is in the fire.

Increase in sending salutations of peace and blessings upon your Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), especially on Friday, for your salutations are conveyed to him. Increase in sending salutations in compliance with the command of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic, as He said (what means): Allaah sends His Salaat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad) and also His angels too (ask Allaah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salaat on (ask Allaah to bless) him (Muhammad)… (Al-Ahzab, ayah 56) [3]

Oh Allaah, send Your peace and blessings upon Your slave and Messenger Muhammad. Oh Allaah, send Your peace and blessings upon Your slave and Messenger Muhammad. Oh Allaah, send Your peace and blessings upon Your slave and Messenger Muhammad.