As-Sarf Lesson 11

الصَّرْفُ

Taught by: Umm Hyatt al-Ameriki  

Important Advice for a Student of Knowledge !

Umm Hyattحفظها الله  stressed that 'Talabul-ilm is REVIEW!!' She advised all the sisters to consider themselves as students of knowledge. The angels descend upon the gathering where the students are sitting to seek ilm. 

Talabul ilm consists of:

'Understanding, revising & perfecting what we study to the best of our ability.'

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EVERYONE has to be upon their adkhār!!

The adkhār of Salaah, Morning and Evening etc. are a protection for a Muslim. It aids a person in bringing barakah and also to increase his Eemaan. When we are consistent with our adkhār we know that we are sticking closely to the Sunnah of our Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم. It is something that our Messenger صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم did and encouraged us to do. The different supplications we recite also protects us from Shaitaan.

The adkhār of morning should be recited specifically after fajr (before sunrise) and the adkhār of the evening should be recited after Asr (before sunset). If for any reason we miss doing them at the proper time, then we MUST still do it as soon as we are able to. In fact, no matter what, one MUST stay upon the adkhār.

(Extract from Kanzul Athfaal - Children's Treasure / Lesson #5)

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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;

The Relief of the Heart & Body Lies in the Obedience to Allaah

by Imâm Ibnul Qayyim al-Jawziyyah رحمه الله

In this lies a great secret from the secrets of Tawheed. This is that the heart cannot become firm, it cannot find satisfaction and it cannot find tranquility except by reaching out to Him. Everything that is loved and desired besides Him then it must be desired for other than His sake. The One Who is desired, the One Who is beloved in and of Himself, with Whom all matters find their final goal is only one. It is impossible that the final goal be to two destinations just as it is impossible that the beginning of the creation be from two sources.

Marks of Hypocrisy in Prayer..!

Ibnul Qayyim رحمه الله writes:

“Six matters that are linked to the prayer have been indicated as marks of hypocrisy:

1. Laziness when one stands up to pray;


2. Intending to show off with one’s prayer;


3. Delaying the prayer;


4. Praying in an extremely hasty manner;


Do Not Let Grief & Worry Make Your Short Life Shorter

The intelligent person knows that his real life is the life he lives in happiness and tranquility, and that it is very short indeed. Therefore, he should not make it shorter by allowing grief and moaning over troubles to get the better of him, because that is

How to attain 'Husnul Khuluq' - (Good Morals, Manners & character)?

Know, certainly that having good morals have always been connected to the descriptions of the Prophets and righteous people in general. This should be an encouragement for us to follow them.

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى has described Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم in His Noble Book:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

'And verily, you (O Muhammad صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) are on an exalted standard of character.'

(Al-Qalam 68:4)

إِنَّك  - shows emphasis i.e. emphasizing that Prophet Muhammad's character was extremely great. Here, Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى is speaking about Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم. 

He رحمه الله mentions in his book "Madarij As-Salikeen" that for a person to be blessed with a good heart, he should first make dua. It is not possible for a person to be described as having 'Husnul Khuluq' (having good character & morals), unless the following FOUR characteristics (pillars) are present:

 

1   ** صَبر (Sabr - being patient): This aids a person to control his anger, tongue and control himself physically. The definition of patience is 'to control oneself.' It is difficult for some to control their emotions in certain situations. It can be overwhelming for them;

(Extract from Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasiden by Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi)

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That which describes a woman when she is ALIVE is Worse & Worse!

 

                                                      

Sheikh Al-Albâni رحمه الله

‘… Transmitted by Umm Ja’far bint Muhammad bin Ja’far that Faatimah رضي الله عنها, the daughter of the Messenger of Allaah صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said: ‘O Asmaa’, I am repulsed by what is done to the women – at the time of death – when they lay a piece of cloth over the woman that describes her shape.”

Asmaa’ responded: “O daughter of the Messenger of Allaah صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم should I not show you something that I saw done in Abyssinia?”

Why worry when Allaah has undertaken our RIZQ !!

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ
'Verily, Allâh is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong.'

(Adh-Dhariyat 51:58)

Allaah  says that He is الرَّزَّاقُ, the One Who Provides, and الرَّزَّاقُ shows emphasis that He is the ONLY Provider and that everything turns to Him for their provision. When Allaah has undertaken to provide us our rizq, then it is upon us to busy ourselves with worshiping Him as worshiping and fulfilling the purpose for that which we were created brings immense benefit to us.

Allaah is stressing that He is  الرَّزَّاقُ and our provision is already written for us. Why busy ourselves with that which is already written for us? What we find is that mankind in general is busy with that which Allaah has given them and that which He سُبحانه وتعالى is responsible for. 

(Extract from: Kanzul Athfaa (Children's Treasure) - Lesson 4)

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Faa'ida regarding Ibaadah

Sharing what I benefited from Umm Hyatt حفظه الله's last Dars....

Ibnul Qayyim رحمه الله mentioned that there are two conditions that must be present in order for a particular action to be considered ibādah.

1.     The first is 'Muhabbah' -- love for Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى;

2.     Second is 'Humility' (humble yourself before the Lord of the 'Aalameen.)

Note:

If one of these conditions are missing, then that action is NOT considered ibādah. We cannot worship Allaahسُبحانه وتعالى  if we don't have love for him and have kibr (pride).

                                                  

How many of us have been praying, fasting and doing various ibaadah without knowing the conditions of ibaadah?? Alhamdulillaah seeking ilm is the first step to erase ignorance from oneself bi'idnillaahi ta'ala.
Indeed knowledge is praiseworthy and ignorance is blameworthy!! Alhamduillaah, All the Praise is due to the Rabbil Aa'lameen for giving us the opportunity to continue our journey of seeking ilm even if we had to leave Dammaj. Qadr Allaah! There is indeed khair in everything that Allaah has decreed for a believer!