Striving is a must in the Last 10 days of Ramadhan - MUST READ

Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan (hafidhahullaah) says in Lesson 26 “The Virtue of Laylatul Qadr and the importance of striving for it” from “Ittihaaf Ahlil-Eemaan bi Duroos Shahri Ramdhan,”  pages 63-65:

الحمد لله فضّل شهر رمضان على غيره من الشهور، وخصه بليلة القدر، التي هي خير من ألف شهر، والصلاة والسلام على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه، أما بعد:

All praise is due to Allaah, He gave preference to the month of Ramadhan over other than it from the (other) months, and may blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions. Allaah the Most High said:

‘We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night in the month of Ramadhan. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.’

 [Ad-Dukhaan (44):4]

And the Most High said:

‘Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr, And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months [i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months.] Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.’

[Al-Qadr (97)]

And it is in the blessed month of Ramadhan, due to the saying of the Most High:

‘The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between Truth and falsehood).’ [al-Baqarah (2):185]

Obligation of Repentance (Tawbah)

Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzaan (حفظها الله)

Belief that repentance is an obligation is obligatory, repentance from sins is an obligation. Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى said:

وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

'And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.'

(An-Nur 24:31)  

And He سُبحانه وتعالى said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًاعَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ

"O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins.."

(At-Tahrim 66:8)

And He سُبحانه وتعالى said:

وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ

"And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.)."

(Al-Hujurat 49:11)

Therefore it is obligatory for the Muslim to repent from his sins and from his evil deeds and it is obligatory that he does not continue upon them or commence upon them or that he is negligent with regards to sins, and he says; ‘this is easy.' Do not be negligent with it for it is from the sins, rather hasten with repentance.

Two ways to Deal with Mental Illness

By Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzaan (حفظها الله)

Question: The questioner asks: What is the treatment for a person afflicted with anxiety, sorrow, grief, and physical diseases and a cure for restlessness, whispers, the evil eye and magic? May Allaah preserve you.

Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan: This will fall into one of two categories. This can be caused by mental illness and in this case the person should consult a psychiatrist. Perhaps they can find a treatment for him. Or his illness can be the result of whispers, stress, and sadness caused by Shaitân. The treatment for this is by the remembrance of Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى and the authentic supplications, taken from the Qur'aan and Sunnah, likewise the {adkhaar} supplications of the morning and evening. And before all of this, the person should preserve and maintain the five daily prayers for surely they assist the person in all of his affairs.

Be in this world as if you are a stranger....

The Two Deviated Paths of Learning

 

The Noble Scholar Sheikh Saalih al-Fawzaan (حفظه الله) stated:

There are now (in this day and time) two deviated paths regarding learning:

1) Learning (only) from books without (learning from) the ‘Ulamaa. This is a deviated path and many have gone astray because of it. This is due to the person not understanding what is in the books or he understands in a manner that is not intended because the books have not been explained and clarified to him. Or it is possible that the author is a deviant in his understanding or in his knowledge, so he fills his books with the mistakes in the matter of the knowledge.

 
So, this ignorant youth reads them and embraces them. Therefore the books are not to be depended upon. This is even if they are authentic books. You will not understand them upon that which is required (for one to understand them). The Khawaarij did not go astray or lead others astray along with their intelligence and piety except due to them keeping away from the ‘Ulamaa, depending upon their understanding and those (who don’t have understanding) like them. So they received (knowledge) from one another and as a result they became a harm upon themselves and a harm upon the Ummah.

 
This is the result of keeping away from the ‘Ulamaa.  I advise you that you busy (yourselves) with seeking the beneficial knowledge at the hands of the Scholars and keep away from vain speech regarding the people. Keep away from the affairs of backbiting, tale-carrying, criticizing (without right), and defamation (of the people without right). Indeed this is a widespread evil that has separated the youth of the Ummah and made them into different sects and parties due to speaking ill of the people (without right).

2) There are those who don’t have any concern except for “so and so said this, so and so said that, and what’s with you and so and so.” 

You (yourself) seek the knowledge in order that you know the truth.  As for you declaring the people to be wrong before you learn and you say, “so and so said this and so and so said that and be aware of so and so…”

This is not a sound methodology.

Religion is in the heart????

At least complete the recitation of the Qur'aan every month… !

Explained by Sheikh Saleh al Fawzaan  حفظه الله

If a month passes by and the Qur’aan has not been completed, then this is neglect!! 

 

Allaah سبحانه و تعالى sent down this Qur’aan to be recited and implemented. He did not send it down for it to be placed in books and Mushafs and  for it to be preserved on shelves and cupboards. Rather, it is to be recited night and day. A Muslim recites it in every available situation and the Scholars have stated….

The Companions, (may Allaah be pleased with them), used to portion out the Qur’aan. They used to set a portion (to recite) during the night and during the night prayer. Some of them would complete reciting it in three nights, others in seven and ten nights.

The student of knowledge constantly monitors his intention in all his actions

With regards to the student of knowledge never ceasing to watch carefully over his niyyah when doing good deeds, the Sheikh Saalih al Fawzaan  حفظه الله mentions after quoting the hadeeth of the first people to be judged on the Day of Resurrection and that they will be cast into the Hell-Fire due to the corrupt intention behind their good deeds^{: 1}

So this (hadeeth) is from that which emphasizes to the Muslim that he must make his intention purely and sincerely for Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, whenever he establishes any act from the good deeds, such as prayer and fasting and the Hajj and ‘Umrah, and giving charity, and the seeking of knowledge and teaching it, and enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, and calling to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic – and other than that.

Therefore, it is befitting that he constantly watch over his intention and that he try to remember his intention in every action he does, in that he makes it purely and sincerely for Allaah and that he drives away ar Riyaa - (doing good deeds for show) from himself. (This is) because the person is a human being, and there occurs to him (the temptations of) showing off and love of being acclaimed and love of being praised.

Matrimony At An Early Age And Its Benefits – By Sheikh Saleh al Fawzaan

As for the saying that, getting married at an early age diverts from gaining knowledge and from studying, this is not the case. Rather, the opposite of this is correct because tranquility, peace of mind, and pleasure never cease to be obtained through marriage. These things help the student to reach his goal because, he has peace of mind, and his thoughts are not cluttered due to discomfort and this helps him study.

Now on the other hand abstaining from marriage in reality blocks whatever knowledge he wants to attain, because it is not possible to acquire knowledge in a state of confusion and anxiety. However, if he gets married, his mind is at rest and his soul is at ease. He gets a house to take as a shelter and a wife who relaxes and helps him. These things help him to attain knowledge.

The Dangers of Smart Phones & Social Networking

By: Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله

O mankind… Know that from the greatest of hindrances preventing you from being upright are trials and tribulations that block you from the path of Allaah and cause you to fall into misguidance.

How great in number they are in this time, and how numerous are the callers calling to them through their writings, through their tweets on Twitter and those things like it – through the various means of communication that are widespread among the people and have filled their homes.

How numerous are those that go astray because of these evil channels.

So be weary of them, O slaves of Allaah.

Be cautious of them and don’t look into them.  Don’t bring them into your homes.  Don’t leave them with your children and your wives because they are what hinder from the religion and from the path of Allaah, and divert them from being upright and cause them to fall into deviation and misguidance.

The Ruling on taking Photographs Using Mobile Phones..

 

By: Sheikh Saalih al-Fawzaan حفظه الله

Question: What is the ruling concerning taking pictures using a mobile phone considering some people say that it is just capturing a shadow and there is no prohibition in that, so what is the ruling concerning that?

Answer: For HIM there is no prohibition in that, as for the Sunnah and the evidences then picture taking/making in general is Haraam (prohibited) and the picture maker is cursed. And he will receive from the most severest of punishments on the Day of Judgment.

So, what is it that takes the mobile phone out from this generality?

The Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم made picture making Haraam without exception by any means; (whether that be by way of) a mobile phone, a camera, by hand (sculpting) or by drawing, he made it absolutely Haraam. So who is he that makes an exception from what the Messenger  صلى الله عليه وسم said and attempts to redress the Messenger.

Apart from that the Muhaqqiqeen  (verifiers) from the Scholars make an exception in the case of necessity, if a person is in need of taking a picture for a necessity then it is allowed due to this necessity due to His saying - the Most High:

(وقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إلاَّ مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إلَيْهِ )

while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity? [Surah al-'An'aam:119]

The Trials are Similar to the Flood...

 

The Noble Sheikh Sâlih al-Fawzaan (حفظه الله) stated: 

 “Whoever leaves off the Sunnah during the time of trials & tribulations is destroyed along with those who are destroyed. The trials & tribulations are similar to the flood water & nothing saves from it except holding onto the Sunnah.”

Sharh Risaalah al-‘Uboodiyyah

The Truth Seeker

The Noble Sheikh Sâleh al-Fawzaan (حفظه الله) stated: 

‘The one who is seeking the Truth is happy with the advice (he receives) and also being alerted about the mistake (he makes).’

Sharh Kitaab al-‘Uboodiyyah, pg. 252

“Choose the one that possesses the religion and may you prosper.”

 On the authority of Abu Hurairah رضي اللّه عنـه, that the Messenger of Allaah صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

“The woman is married for four reasons: For her wealth, status, beauty & religion. Choose the one that possesses the religion & may you prosper.”

[Bukhari & Muslim]

This prophetic narration clarifies some of the characteristics that motivate a man to marry a woman. It also specifies the preferred trait one should look for in a spouse which is marrying a religious one. So it is befitting when an individual intends to marry, that he chooses a woman who is religious. He should not choose a woman that is negligent regarding her religion due to the Prophet’s, peace be upon him, statement:

“Choose the one that possesses the religion & may you prosper.”

“For her wealth”: If the woman is wealthy, men will be attracted to her because of it. However, this could be harmful to the man and as well as her, in that she could become arrogant and/or oppressive to him and mention (all) her favours that she has done for him spitefully. So as a result the wealth would be the cause for adversity in their marriage.

The Ruling on Protesting against the insults on the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم

Question: May Allaah be good to you! The insults against the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم have repeated itself in different forms from films, newspapers, and others in recent times. The question is, 'what is the legislate stance on these insults and also what is the ruling on expressing anger with regards to insults to the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم by means of protesting ?

Answer by Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله:

“O' my brothers, this is not new. During the time of the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم they used to say he was a magician, a liar, soothsayer, poet and other than that. The Messenger صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم was patient and not hasty. Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى ordered him with patience:

TEN ways of obtaining the Love of Allaah, as mentioned by Ibnul Qayyim

Sheikh Saleh al Fawzaanحفظه الله  explains:

1. Reading the Qur'aan, pondering over it and understanding it with its intended meanings;

2. Drawing closer to Allaah with the Nawaafil (supererogatory acts of worship) after the [fulfillment of the] obligatory acts;

3. Constant remembrance of Allaah in all situations with the tongue, the heart and the action [of the limbs];

4. Preferring that which Allaah loves over what the servant loves when the fulfillment of the two conflict;

Examine carefully the speech of everyone you hear from (particularly) in your time particularly

Imaam Abu Muhammadal Barbahaaree (d. 329 H رحمه الله), said in 
his Sharh Us-Sunnah:

May Allaah have mercy upon you! Examine carefully the speech of everyone you hear from in your time particularly. So do not act in haste and do not enter in anything from it until you ask and see: Did any of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allaah’s praise and salutations be upon him, speak about it, or did any of the scholars? So if you find a narration from them about it, cling to it, do not go beyond it for anything and do not give precedence to anything over it and thus fall into the Fire.

In Explanation to the above Sheikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan (حفظه الله) mentioned :

Do not be hasty in accepting as correct what you may hear from the people especially in these later times. As now there are many who speak about so many various matters, issue rulings and ascribing to themselves both knowledge and the right to speak. This is especially the case after the emergence and spread of new modern day media technologies. Such that everyone now can speak and bring forth that which is in truth worthless; by this meaning words of no true value – speaking about whatever they wish in the name of knowledge and in the name of the religion of Islaam.

It has even reached the point that you find the people of misguidance and the members of the various groups of misguidance and deviance from the religion speaking as well. Such individuals have now become those who speak in the name of the religion of Islaam through means such as the various satellite television channels. Therefore be very cautious!

It is upon you O Muslim, and upon you O student of knowledge individually, to verify matters and not rush to embrace everything and anything you hear.

It is upon you to verify the truth of what you hear, asking, ‘Who else makes this same statement or claim?’, ‘Where did this thought or concept originate or come from?’, ‘Who is its reference or source authority?’

Nurturing children upon CARTOONS

Sheikh Saleh Al Fawzaan حفظه الله was asked:

What is the ruling on nurturing children upon Cartoons of which the goal is to benefit them and teach them good manners?

The Sheikh حفظه الله said:

Allaah made pictures Haraam, and it is Haraam to acquire them so how can we nurture our children upon them?? How can we nurture them upon something that is Haraam, upon pictures that are Haraam and drawings that move and speak and are similar to human beings? This is an evil picture and it is unlawful to nurture children upon it.

This is what the Kuffar want. They want us to oppose what the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم prohibited us from. And the Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم prohibited us from pictures, and using them, and acquiring them. And those who spread it (cartoons) between the youth and the Muslims, claiming that it is from nurturing (the children) then this is immoral nurturing. And the correct nurturing is to teach them what will benefit them in their religion and worldly affairs.

Q: What is the ruling on watching and buying Islaamic animated-cartoon movies, given that these movies present purposeful and beneficial stories for children which promote good character, dutifulness to parents, honesty, offering Salah (Prayer) regularly and the like. 

The Effect of Shyness upon Finding a Good Husband

 

O Muslim Sister !

In an effort to find a suitable spouse some of our Muslim sisters often resort to impermissible, demeaning methods such as free-mixing with men via the internet, chat rooms, marriage websites, social networks, sending pictures and the like. 

Unfortunately some of our sisters have been deceived into believing this to be the more effective technique for obtaining a spouse, removing from themselves the veil of shyness, modesty and dignity. 

O my sister in Islaam! Trust in Allaah and follow the blessed methodology of Islaam when choosing a mate.

Sheikh Saleh al Fawzaan explains how Allaahسُبحانه وتعالى  rewards the shy and modest woman with a good husband. The Sheikhحفظه الله  said:

Allaahسُبحانه وتعالى  said concerning the story of Musa:

وَلَمَّا وَرَدَ مَاء مَدْيَنَ وَجَدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ يَسْقُونَ وَوَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمُ امْرَأتَيْنِ تَذُودَانِ قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُمَا قَالَتَا لَا نَسْقِي حَتَّى يُصْدِرَ الرِّعَاء وَأَبُونَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ

'And when he arrived at the water of Madyan he found there a group of men watering (their flocks), and besides them he found two women who were keeping back (their flocks). He said: "What is the matter with you?" They said: "We cannot water (our flocks) until the shepherds take (their flocks). And our father is a very old man."'

(Al-Qasas 28:23)