Nerd Of Islam

Author: Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Din al-Albānī

Translator : Abu az-Zubayr Harrison – authentic-translations.com

This article was taken from a book called “Faqad Jāa’ Ashrāṭuhā” by a student of the famous scholar of Ḥadīth, Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Din al-Albānī. This article is a collection of some Ḥadīth and narrations from that book considered authentic by al-Albānī in some of his collections

The Dogs of Hell

Imam Aḥmad, Ibn Mājah, and al-Ḥākim recorded a Ḥadīth from Ibn Abī Awfá, and Aḥmad and al-Ḥākim also recorded it from Abū Umāmah that the prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

الخَوَارِجُ كِلابُ النَّارِ “The Khawārij are the dogs of Hell.”

The Khawārij are a sect of people who innovate and follow beliefs and practices foreign to Islam. They are called that (derived from the Arabic root verb: خَرَجَ – meaning to exit or rebel against) for their leaving the religion and for their rebellion against the best Muslims (prophet Muhammad’s companions).

The Khawārij used to renounce ‘Uthmān (the third Caliph of Islam) for several things and they declared themselves free of him announced their disassociation from him. The origin of that was that some of the citizens of Iraq criticized the behavior of some of ‘Uthmān’s relatives, so they blamed ‘Uthmān for that. Those people were known as “Reciters” for their diligence in reciting the Quran and for their worship. Yet, they used to twist and misinterpret the Quran from its intended meanings. They used to persist on their own personal opinions, and they used to appear very strict and devout in their humility, their renouncement of worldly things, and other things.

After ‘Uthmān was killed, they fought alongside ‘Alī. They believed ‘Uthmān was a disbeliever and whoever follows him. They considered ‘Alī’s leadership to be legitimate and considered anyone who fought against him to be disbelievers – those who fought him during the Battle of the Camel when their leaders were Ṭalḥah and al-Zubayr. Yet when ‘Alī made a peace agreement regarding the leadership with Mu’āwiyah, they then declared ‘Alī to be a disbeliever and revolted against him, so he fought them.

They are the Worst of People, the Worst of All Creatures

Aḥmad, Muslim, and Ibn Mājah recorded a Ḥadīth from Abū Dharr who narrated that Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

إِنَّ بَعْدِي مِنْ أُمَّتِي أَوْ سَيَكُونُ بَعْدِي مِنْ أُمَّتِي قَوْمٌ يَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لا يُجَاوِزُ حَلاقِيمَهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ كَمَا يَخْرُجُ السَّهْمُ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ ثُمَّ لا يَعُودُونَ فِيهِ هُمْ شَرُّ الْخَلْقِ وَالْخَلِيقَةِ

“There will definitely be a people after me from my nation who recite the Quran yet it will not even reach beyond their throats. They will pass through the religion as an arrow passes through a target, then they will not return back to it. They are the worst of people, the worst of all creatures.”

Ibn al-Ṣāmit, who narrated the Ḥadīth from Abū Dharr, said, “I met Rāfi’ Ibn ‘Amr al- Ghifārī and asked him about this Ḥadīth of Abū Dharr. He said, “I (too) heard it from Allah’s messenger ( ”.(صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم

The Anti-Christ Will Emerge Among Them

Ibn Mājah recorded a Ḥadīth from Ibn ‘Umar ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا ) that the messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) ) said:

يَنْشَأُ نَشْءٌ يَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لا يُجَاوِزُ تَرَاقِيَهُمْ كُلَّمَا خَرَجَ قَرْنٌ قُطِعَ

“There will arise a group of people who will recite the Quran but it will not reach beyond their throats. Every time a new generation of them rises, they will then disappear.”

Ibn ‘Umar said, “I heard Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) say, ‘Every time a new generation of them rises, they will then disappear,’ more than twenty times and then said:

حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ فِي عِرَاضِهِمْ الدَّجَّالُ “Until the Anti-Christ finally appears among them.”

They are the Worst of People Killed; The Best are Those Whom they Kill

Ibn Mājah recorded a Ḥadīth in which Abū Umāmah said:

شَرُّ قَتْلَى قُتِلُوا تَحْتَ أَدِيمِ السَّمَاءِ وَخَيْرُ قَتِيلٍ مَنْ قَتَلُوا كِلَابُ أَهْلِ النَّارِ قَدْ كَانَ هَؤُلَاءِ مُسْلِمِينَ فَصَارُوا كُفَّارًا

“(They are) the worst people killed under the sky, and the best people killed are those whom they kill. They are the dogs of Hell. These people used to be Muslims but they became disbelievers.”

I (Abū Ghālib, one of the narrators) asked, “Abū Umāmah, is this something only you yourself are saying?” He replied, “No, rather I heard it from the messenger of Allah ( صَلَّى 5 ”.(اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم

Their Distinguishing Signs on the Day of Nahrawān

al-Bukhārī and Muslim both recorded a Ḥadīth from Abū Sa’īd al-Khudrī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) who said, “We were with Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) while he was distributing some wealth. Dhu al-Khuwaṣirah, a man from the Tamīm tribe, came to him and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, be fair!’ The prophet replied:

وَيْلَكَ وَمَنْ يَعْدِلُ إِذَا لَمْ أَعْدِلْ قَدْ خِبْتَ وَخَسِرْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَكُنْ أَعْدِلُ “Beware. And who would be fair if I was not? You would be ruined if I were not just.”

‘Umar said, “Messenger of Allah, allow me to strike his neck.” He replied:

دَعْهُ فَإِنَّ لَهُ أَصْحَابًا يَحْقِرُ أَحَدُكُمْ صَلاتَهُ مَعَ صَلاتِهِمْ وَصِيَامَهُ مَعَ صِيَامِهِمْ يَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لا يُجَاوِزُ تَرَاقِيَهُمْ يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ كَمَا يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى نَصْلِهِ فَلا يُوجَدُ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ ثُمَّ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى رِصَافِهِ فَمَا يُوجَدُ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ ثُمَّ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى نَضِيِّهِ وَهُوَ قِدْحُهُ فَلا يُوجَدُ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ ثُمَّ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى قُذَذِهِ فَلا يُوجَدُ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ قَدْ سَبَقَ الْفَرْثَ وَالدَّمَ آيَتُهُمْ رَجُلٌ أَسْوَدُ إِحْدَى عَضُدَيْهِ مِثْلُ ثَدْيِ الْمَرْأَةِ أَوْ مِثْلُ الْبَضْعَةِ تَدَرْدَرُ وَيَخْرُجُونَ عَلَى حِينِ فُرْقَةٍ مِنْ النَّاسِ

“Leave him. He will certainly have companions (from his progeny) whom one of you would belittle his own prayer when compared to their prayer and his fasting compared to their fasting. They will recite the Quran but it will not go beyond their throats. They will pass through the religion as an arrow passes through a game animal. One could then look at the arrowhead and not see a thing remaining on it. He could look at the binding which attaches the arrowhead to the rod and not see a thing. He could look at the rod and not see a thing. He could look at the feathers and not see a thing. It would go straight through the bowels and blood. Their sign is that of a black man. One of his limbs will appear like a woman’s breast or a disfigured lump of flesh. They will emerge when the people are disunited.”

Abū Sa’īd said, “I testify that I indeed heard this Ḥadīth from Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ), and I testify that ‘Alī Ibn Abī Ṭālib fought them while I was with him. He instructed that we search for that man. He was found and ‘Alee was brought to him. I saw that man exactly as the prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) described him.”

They Murder the People of Islam and Ignore the People of Idol-Worship

al-Bukhārī, Muslim, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Nasā`ī all recorded a Ḥadīth from Abū Sa’īd al- Khudrī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) that he said:

‘Alī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) sent some gold to the prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) so divided and distributed it among four groups: al-Aqra’ Ibn Ḥābis al-Ḥanẓalī, al-Mujāshi’ī, ‘Uyaynah Ibn Badr al-Fazārī, and Zayd al-Ṭā`ī; a man from the Nabhān tribe and ‘Alqamah Ibn ‘Ulāthah al-‘Āmirī; then a man from the Kilāb tribe.

(The Muslims of) Quraysh and the residents of Medina became upset and said, “He gives to the noble one from Najd and leaves us?” The prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

إِنَّمَا أَتَأَلَّفُهُمْ “I am only trying to unite their hearts.”

Then a man with sunken eyes, thick cheeks, a high forehead, a thick beard, and a shaven head came up and said, “Fear Allah, Muhammad!” He replied:

مَنْ يُطِعْ اللَّهَ إِذَا عَصَيْتُ؟ أَيَأْمَنُنِي اللَّهُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الأَرْضِ فَلا تَأْمَنُونِي؟

“Who would obey Allah if I were disobedient (to Him)? Allah trusts me with regards to the people of the earth but you don’t trust me?”

A man then asked to kill him – I think it was Khālid Ibn al-Walīd – but the prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) ) forbade him from doing so. After the man left, he said:

إِنَّ مِنْ ضِئْضِئِ هَذَا أَوْ فِي عَقِبِ هَذَا قَوْمًا يَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لا يُجَاوِزُ حَنَاجِرَهُمْ يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ مُرُوقَ السَّهْمِ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ يَقْتُلُونَ أَهْلَ الإِسْلامِ وَيَدَعُونَ أَهْلَ الأَوْثَانِ لَئِنْ أَنَا أَدْرَكْتُهُمْ لأَقْتُلَنَّهُمْ قَتْلَ عَادٍ

“From the progeny of this man,” or he said, “From the offspring of this man, there will come a people who will recite the Quran but it will not go beyond their throats. They will go through the religion like a arrow going through a target. They will murder the people of Islam while ignoring the people of idol-worship. If I were to reach them (their time), I would destroy them like the people of ‘Ād were destroyed.”

Their Sign is Their Shaven Heads

Imam Aḥmad, al-Bukhārī, and Muslim recorded a Ḥadīth from Sahl Ibn Ḥanīf who narrated that the messenger of Allah ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

يَخْرُجُ مِنَ المَشْرِقِ أَقْوَامٌ مُحَلَّقَةٌ رُءُوسُهُمْ، يَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ لا يَعْدُو تَرَاقِيَهُمْ، يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ كَمَا يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ

“A people will emerge from the East having shaven heads. They will recite the Quran with their tongues but it will not pass beyond their throats. They will pass through the religion just as an arrow passes through a target.”

Aḥmad and al-Bukhārī record a Ḥadīth from Abū Sa’īd al-Khudrī that Allah’s messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) ) said:

يَخْرُجُ نَاسٌ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْمَشْرِقِ وَيَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لا يُجَاوِزُ تَرَاقِيَهُمْ يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ كَمَا يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ ثُمَّ لا يَعُودُونَ فِيهِ حَتَّى يَعُودَ السَّهْمُ إِلَى فُوقِهِ

“People will emerge from the East who will recite the Quran but it will not go beyond their throats. They will pass through the religion as an arrow passes through a target, and they will not return to it until an arrow returns to its bow.” It was asked, “What is their distinguishing sign?” He answered:

سِيمَاهُمْ التَّحْلِيقُ “Their sign is shaven heads.”

They Recite the Quran with Only Their Tongues

al-Ṭabarānī recorded a Ḥadīth from ‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Āmir from Sahl Ibn Ḥanīf who narrated that Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

سَيَخْرُجُ قَوْمٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَشْرَبُوْنَ القُرْآنَ كَشُرْبِهِم اللَّبَن

“There will arise a people from my nation who will drink the Quran just as they drink milk.”

There are many other Ḥadīth to this same effect. Some of them have been mentioned so there is no need to repeat them.

They are Mostly People of Talk, Not Action

Abū Dāwūd, and al-Ḥākim recorded a Ḥadīth narrated by both Abū Sa’īd and Anas in which the messenger of Allah ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

سَيَكُونُ فِي أُمَّتِي اخْتِلافٌ وَفُرْقَةٌ ، قَوْمٌ يُحْسِنُونَ الْقِيلَ وَيُسِيئُونَ الْفِعْلَ ، يَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لا يُجَاوِزُ تَرَاقِيَهُمْ ، يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ مُرُوقَ السَّهْمِ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ لا يَرْجِعُونَ حَتَّى يَرْتَدَّ عَلَى فُوقِهِ ، هُمْ شَرُّ الْخَلْقِ وَالْخَلِيقَةِ ، طُوبَى لِمَنْ قَتَلَهُمْ وَقَتَلُوهُ ، يَدْعُونَ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَلَيْسُوا مِنْهُ فِي شَيْءٍ ، مَنْ قَاتَلَهُمْ كَانَ أَوْلَى بِاللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ

“There will appear within my nation differences and division – people who will perfect their speech and make evil their actions. They will recite the Quran but it will not pass beyond their throats. They will pass through the religion just as an arrow passes through a target and they will not return until it (the arrow) returns back to its bow. They are the worst of people, the worst of all creatures. Tūbá (a tree in paradise, success) is for whoever kills them or they kill him. They will call to the book of Allah yet they have nothing to do with it. Whoever fights against them has more right upon Allah than they do.”

The companions asked, “What is their sign?” He replied:

التَّحْلِيقُ “Shaven heads.”

Their Religious Actions Amaze Some People

al-Bukhārī, Muslim, and Ibn Mājah recorded a Ḥadīth from Abū Sa’īd al-Khudrī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) who said that he heard Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) saying:

يَخْرُجُ فِيكُمْ قَوْمٌ تَحْقِرُونَ صَلاتَكُمْ مَعَ صَلاتِهِمْ وَصِيَامَكُمْ مَعَ صِيَامِهِمْ وَعَمَلَكُمْ مَعَ عَمَلِهِمْ وَيَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لا يُجَاوِزُ حَنَاجِرَهُمْ يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ كَمَا يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ يَنْظُرُ فِي النَّصْلِ فَلا يَرَى شَيْئًا وَيَنْظُرُ فِي الْقِدْحِ فَلا يَرَى شَيْئًا وَيَنْظُرُ فِي الرِّيشِ فَلا يَرَى شَيْئًا وَيَتَمَارَى فِي الْفُوقِ (هَلْ عَلَّقَ بِهِ مِنَ الدَّمِ شَيْء)

“There will emerge among you people whom you would belittle your prayer when compared to their prayer, your fasting compared to their fasting, and your deeds compared to theirs. They will recite the Quran but it will not reach beyond their throats. They will pass right through the religion just as an arrow may pass right through a target (game animal). One may look at such an arrowhead and see nothing remaining. He may look at the arrow rod and see nothing remaining. He may look at the feathers and see nothing. And he may look at the end-notch (to see if anything of blood stuck to it).”

Ibn Abī ‘Āṣim recorded in “Kitāb al-Sunnah” a Ḥadīth narrated by Anas Ibn Mālik ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) in which he said: It was narrated to me that Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

يَخْرُجُ فِيْكُمْ – أَوْ يَكُوْنُ فِيْكُمْ – قَوْمٌ يَتَعَبَّدُوْنَ وَيَتَدَيَّنُوْنَ حَتَّى يُعْجِبُوْكُمْ وَتُعْجِبُهُمْ أًنْفُسُهُمْ يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْ الدِّينِ كَمَا يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنْ الرَّمِيَّةِ

“There will emerge among you – or (he said) there will be among you – a people who will worship and be religious so much that they will amaze you and amaze themselves. They will pass right through the religion just as an arrow may pass right through a target.”

They are the Māriqūn (They Pass Right through the Religion)

al-Bazzār recorded, as did Ibn Abī ‘Āṣim in “Kitāb al-Sunnah,” a narration that ‘Alī Ibn Abī Ṭālib ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) said on the Day of al-Nahrawān:

أُمِرْتُ بِقِتَالِ المَارِقِيْنَ، وَهَؤُلاءِ المَارِقُوْنَ

“I have been ordered to fight the Māriqūn, and these people are the Māriqūn.”

The Closer of the Two Parties to the Truth Will Defeat Them

Muslim and Abū Dāwūd recorded a Ḥadīth from Abū Sa’īd al-Khudrī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) who said that the messenger of Allah ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

تَمْرُقُ مَارِقَةٌ عِنْدَ فِرْقَةٍ مِنَ المُسْلِمِيْنَ، يَقْتُلُهَا أَوْلَى الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ بِالْحَقِّ

“A group of Māriqah will renegade when the Muslims will split (the party of ‘Alī and that of Muā’wiyah); the closer of the two parties to the truth will kill them (the Māriqah).”

And in a narration recorded by Muslim:

تَكُوْنَ فِي أُمَّتِي فِرْقَتَانِ، فَتَخْرُجٌ مِنْ بَيْنِهِمَا مَارِقَةٌ، يَلِي قَتْلَهُمْ أَوْلاهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ

“There will be in my nation two parties. Between them, a group of Māriqah will emerge. The closer of the two parties to the truth will kill them.”

al-Nawawī said in his explanation of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:

“These narrations are explicit in that ‘Alī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) was correct, and the other party, the companions of Muā’wiyah ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ), were mistaken in their interpretations. And in these narrations, it is clear that both parties still remained believers; they did not, because of their fighting one another, leave their faith nor are they considered wicked.”

Ibn Tamiyyah said:

“And we know that ‘Alī Ibn Abī Ṭālib ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) was better and closer to the truth than Muā’wiyah and those who fought against him with Muā’wiyah. This is confirmed by the narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim that Abū Sa’īd al-Khudrī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) said that the prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said:

تَمْرُقُ مَارِقَةٌ عِنْدَ فِرْقَةٍ مِنَ المُسْلِمِيْنَ، يَقْتُلُهَا أَوْلَى الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ بِالْحَقِّ

“A group of Māriqah will renegade when the Muslims will split; the closer of the two parties to the truth will kill them (the Māriqah).”

“And in this Ḥadīth, there is evidence that both parties had something of truth with it, but that ‘Alī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) was closer to the truth.”

The Encouragement of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم to Defeat them & the Reward for Doing So

al-Bukhārī, Muslim, and Abū Dāwūd recorded a narration in which ‘Alī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) said:

“When I speak to you, narrating to you something that Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said, I would rather fall from the sky than to lie upon him. And if speak to you about what is happening between you and I, then surely in war there may be misleading strategy. Yet, I heard the messenger of Allah ( (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم saying:

يَأْتِي فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ قَوْمٌ حُدَثَاءُ الأَسْنَانِ، سُفَهَاءُ الأَحْلامِ، يَقُوْلُوْنَ مِنْ قَوْلِ خَيْرِ البَرِيَّةِ، يَمْرُقُوْنَ مِنَ الإِسْلامِ كَمَا يَمْرُق السَّهْمُ مِنَ الرَّمِيَّةِ، لا يُجَاوِزُ إِيْمَانُهُم حَنَاجِرَهُم، فَأَيْنَمَا لَقِيْتُمُوْهُم فَاقْتُلُوْهُم، فَإِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ لِمَنْ قَتَلَهُم يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ

“There will come towards the end of time a people who will be young in age, having reckless and deficient intellects. They will speak with the statements of the best of creation, yet they will pass through Islam just as an arrow passes through a target. Their faith will not even reach beyond their throats. Wherever you find them, kill them, for whoever kills them will have a reward on the Day of Resurrection.

And Muslim also narrated that Salamah Ibn Kuhīl said: Zayd Ibn Wahb al-Juhanī told me that he was among the army under the command of ‘Alī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) that went out to fight the Khawārij. ‘Alī ( رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ) said:

Oh people, indeed I heard Allah’s messenger ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) saying:

يَخْرُجُ قَوْمٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَقْرَءُوْنَ القُرْآنَ، لَيْسَ قِرَاءَتُكُم إِلَى قِرَاءَتِهِم بِشَيْءٍ، وَلا صَلاتُكُم إِلَى صَلاتِهِم بِشَيْءٍ، وَلاصِيَامُكُم إِلَى صِيَامِهِم بِشَيْءٍ، يَقْرَءُوْنَ القَرْآنَ، يَحْسِبُوْنَ أَنَّهُ لَهُم وَهُوَ عَلَيْهٍم، لاتُجَاوِزُ صَلاتُهُم تَرَاقِيَهُم، يَمْرُقُوْنَ مِنَ الإِسْلامِ كَمَا يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنَ الرَّمِيَّةِ

by Shaylhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) Ibn Taymiyah on Seeking Laylatul-Qadr A fatwa from Ibn Taymiyah on Why we should seek Laylatul-Qadr on all of the last ten nights of Ramadan. Translated by Owais al Hashimi hafidhahullaah

When To Seek Out Laylatul-Qadr (The Night Of Decree)

Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah -rahimahullaah Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank rahimahullaah Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah -rahimahullaah- was asked about LaylatulQadr, whilst imprisoned in the mountain citadel (in Cairo) in the year 706 H. So he responded: “All praise is for Allaah. Laylatul-Qadr is in the last ten (nights) of the month of Ramadaan. This is what is authentic from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) , that he said: , and it is within the odd nights from them However the odd nights may be counted with reference to what has already passed by, such that it should be sought on the night of the twenty first, the night of the twenty third, the night of the twenty fifth, the night of the twenty seventh, and the night of the twenty ninth; and they may otherwise be counted with reference to what remains, just as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said:

Related: The Best Deeds in the Last 10 of Ramadan – Sheikh Abdulsalam Al Shuway’ir So based upon this, if the month is of thirty days, then that will be one of the even nights. So the twenty second will be (the night) when nine remain, the twenty fourth will be when seven remain; and this is how Aboo Sa`eed al-Khudree explained it in the authentic hadeeth; and this is how the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) established it in the month. If, however, the month is of twenty nine days, then counting in accordance with what remains will then be just the same as counting in accordance with what has passed. So, this being the case, it is befitting that the Believer seeks it out in all of the last ten, just as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: And it occurs more frequently in the last seven; and it occurs most frequently on the twenty seventh, just as Ubayy ibn Ka`b used to swear an oath that it was the twenty seventh night. So it was said to him: “How have you come to know that?” So he replied: “On account of the sign which Allaah”s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) informed us of. He informed us that the sun rises on the morning following it being like a brass dish, having no rays.”

Ramadhan represents a time where the benefits are so vast, collecting all the bounty Allah has for you this Blessed Month takes a little 'know-how'. Here is a list, from various AUTHENTIC SOURCES I have collected over the years. This represents a VAST amount of information - enjoy & and please ask Allah to forgive the one who posted this (me). Ramadan Facts & Questions. Ramadhan & Fasting - Ramadan Facts & Questions Sha’ban – The month before Ramadhan - The Prohibition of Observing Saum (Fasting) after the Middle of Sha’ban – Dawud Burbank  - Last part and 15th of Shaban (Shab-e-Barat) – Dr. Saleh As-Saleh  - Do not anticipate Ramadan by fasting one or two days before it – Permanent Committee - Other Posts related to the The Month of Shaban Ramadhan & Fasting Audio Series - Majaalis Ramadan (Sittings in Ramadan) – Shaykh Uthaymeen | Abu Muhamamd al Maghribee - Majalis Sharh ar-Ramadhan – Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan / Mustafa George  - Book Of Fasting – Sharh al-Mumti alaa Zaad al-Mustaqni – Shaykh Uthaymeen – Abu Muhammad al Maghribee  - Chapter of Fasting – Umdat Al-Ahkaam – Abu Muhammad al-Maghribee  - 48 Questions and Answers on Fasting (سؤالاً في الصيام) by Shaykh al-Uthaymeen – Abu Muhammad al-Maghribee  - Pillar4 – Fasting – Buloughul Maraam – Dr. Saleh as Saleh - Pillar4 – Fasting – Issues FAQ – Dr. Saleh as Saleh - Pillar4 – Fasting – Ramadhan – Dr. Saleh as Saleh - Pillar4 – Fasting – Umdatul ah-Kaam – Dr. Saleh as Saleh - Pillar4 – Fasting – Women Issues FAQ – Dr. Saleh as Saleh Significance & Virtues of Ramadhan  - Did he not reach Ramadan, fast and pray with such and such number of prostrations in the year?’ - Prophet (Peace be upon him) said Ameen thrice when Jibreel come and said.. – Good Reminder from Hadith - Fasting the month of Ramadan with Eeman and Ihtisaaban – Riyad-us-Saliheen | Dawud Burbank  - Benefits of Ramadhaan (we need Ramadhaan) – by Abu Uwais Abdullah Alee – Must Read !! - The Virtues Of The Month Of Ramadhaan – Ibn Baaz – By Abu Uwais  - Fruits of Ramadaan – From ad-Dawal ila-Allah - Fasting – Goals and Virtues  – Dr. Saleh as Saleh  - Fasting – Its Merits  – Dr. Saleh as Saleh  - The Punishment for One who Intentionally Breaks His Fast! – Sahih Hadith

Majmoo' Al Fatawa of Imaam bin Baaz (rahimahullah) - All praise be to Allah, the Lord of Existence, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, Companions, and those who follow their way and guidance until the Day of Resurrection! His Eminence Shaykh `Abdul `Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz gave permission to collect his Fatwas, articles and lectures in one volume divided into different parts. This permission was granted in response to the requests of many people, hoping that Allah (Exalted be He) extends its great academic benefit to all. We implore Allah (Exalted be He) to add it to the record of his good deeds and make it a disperser of doubts. Many Muslims inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attempted to collect and distribute the works of his Eminence driven by their love and trust in his knowledge. It gives me great pleasure that his Eminence entrusted to me the task of supervising the process of collecting and publishing his abundant works spread everywhere. Ibn Baz (may Allah protect him and bless his life) devoted himself to good works and was accessible to people, extending his knowledge to seekers of knowledge and questioners and sparing no effort to make contributions to every field in Da`wah (calling to Islam) and teaching since he assumed the judiciary in Al Kharj until 1357 A.H. Shaykh Ibn Baz did not keep any of his works in his office, with the exception of things he produced in the period of his work at the Islamic University in Al Madinah Al Munawarrah, and after moving to his last job in Riyadh. Therefore, a large collection of his works has not been preserved, such as his lectures, sessions held in the Masjid (mosque) of Riyadh and other Masjids and his Fatwas and many talks to the papers and radio. Being so large, it is a duty to collect the available works of the Shaykh to review them before committing them to writing and compiling them into books. Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah protect him) refused to publish anything before reading and approving it as a sort of taking precautions in giving Fatwa and to avoid any mistakes or distortion Ibn Baz (may Allah forgive him and his parents) suggested to start with the part pertaining to `Aqidah (creed) and categorize its relevant topics. Nonetheless, topics related to Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) may come up in the middle, but he requested to transfer them along with Fiqh based topics in general to their proper places, since they were mentioned as replies to questions in the papers or the like. Ibn Baz did not approve of dividing them. His Eminence wishes that any person who has Fatwas, articles or talks recorded in the past or recently, delivers them to us so that they will be published after he reviews them. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet Muhammad, the guide and bringer of glad tidings, his family and Companions! Muhammad ibn Sad Al Shuway'ir

Majmoo' Al Fatawa of Imaam bin Baaz (rahimahullah)

A history of Hajj - Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, a duty upon all Muslims and a tremendous blessing from Allah. We all must try our very best to make Hajj, if we are able. Many who undertake the journey spend weeks or months preparing for it. Studying the different rites, obligations and sunnah that make up the entirety of Hajj. But, in a more practical sense, what do we know of Hajj and it's history? Was Hajj only instituted after the advent of Islam? Apparently not, as Hajj has been a part of Makkah and it's people for quite a long time.

Related: Hajj and Tawheed

Hajj literally means ‘to set out for a place‘. Islamically however it refers to the annual pilgrimage that Muslims make to Makkah with the intention of performing certain religious rites in accordance with the method prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam). Hajj and its rites were first ordained by Allah in the time of the Prophet lbraaheem and he was the one who was entrusted by Allah to build the Ka’ba – the House of Allah – along with his son Ismaa’eel at Makkah. Allah described the Ka’ba and its building as follows: “And remember when We showed Ibraaheem the site of the House : Associate not anything with Me and purify My House for those who circumnavigate it and those who stand up for prayer and those who bow down and make prostration .”  After building the Ka’ba, Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam) would come to Makkah to perform Hajj every year, and after his death, this practice was continued by his son. However, gradually with the passage of time, both the form and the goal of the Hajj rites were changed. As idolatry spread throughout Arabia, the Ka’ba lost its purity and idols were placed inside it. Its walls became covered with poems and paintings, including one of Jesus and his mother Maryam and eventually over 360 idols came to be placed around the Ka’ba. During the Hajj period itself, the atmosphere around the sacred precincts of the Ka’ba was like a circus. - Men and women would go round the Ka’ba naked, arguing that they should present themselves before Allah in the same condition they were born. - Their prayer became devoid of all sincere remembrance of Allah and was instead reduced to a series of hand clapping, whistling and the blowing of horns. - Even the talbeeyah was distorted by them with the following additions: ‘No one is Your partner except one who is permitted by you. You are his Master and the Master of what he possesses’. Sacrifices were also made in the name of God. However, the blood of the sacrificed animals was poured onto the walls of the Ka’ba and the flesh was hung from pillars around the Ka’ba, in the belief that Allah demanded the flesh and blood of these animals. Singing, drinking, adultery and other acts of immorality was rife amongst the pilgrims and the poetry competitions, which were held, were a major part of the whole Hajj event. In these competitions, poets would praise the bravery and splendor of their own tribesmen and tell exaggerated tales of the cowardice and miserliness of other tribes. Competitions in generosity were also staged where the chief of each tribe would set up huge cauldrons and feed the pilgrims, only so that they could become well-known for their extreme generosity. Thus the people had totally abandoned the teachings of their forefather and leader Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam). The House that he had made pure for the worship of Allah alone, had been totally desecrated by the pagans and the rites which he had established were completely distorted by them. This sad state of affairs continued for nearly two and a half thousand years. But then after this long period, the time came for the supplication of Ibraaheem to be answered: “Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them your aayaat (verses) and instruct them in the book and the Wisdom and sanctify them. Verily you are the ‘Azeezul-Hakeem .”  Sure enough, a man by the name of Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullaah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was born in the very city that Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam) had made this supplication centuries earlier. For twenty-three years, the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) spread the message of Tawheed – the same message that Ibraaheem and all the other Prophets came with – and established the law of Allah upon the land. He expended every effort into making the word of Allah supreme and his victory over falsehood culminated in the smashing of the idols inside the Ka’ba which once again became the universal center for the worshipers of the one True God. Not only did the Prophet rid the Ka’ba of all its impurities, but he also reinstated all the rites of Hajj which were established by Allah’s Permission, in the time of Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam). Specific injunctions in the Qur’aan were revealed in order to eliminate all the false rites which had become rampant in the pre-Islamic period. All indecent and shameful acts were strictly banned in Allah’s statement: “There is to be no lewdness nor wrangles during Hajj.”  Competitions among poets in the exaltations of their forefathers and their tribesmens’ achievements were all stopped. Instead, Allah told them: “And when you have completed your rites then remember Allah as you remember your forefathers; nay with a more vigorous remembrance.” 

"And By The Ten Nights" – Compiled by Dawud Burbank (rahimahullah) With the Hajj season coming upon us soon, we thought it would be beneficial to remind ourselves and you all about the tremendous virtues of the first 10 nights of Dhul Hijjah. This particular piece was compiled by our brother, Dawud Burbank (rahimahullah):

“And By the Ten Nights”

وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ AND BY THE TEN NIGHTS ] Sooratul-Fajr (89):2

AS-SA’DEE:

“He swore an oath after it by the ten nights; and they are, upon the correct saying, the ten nights of Ramadaan, or the ten of Dhul-Hijjah, since they are nights which comprise virtuous days; and such acts of worship and devotion occur in them as do not occur in other than them. So in the ten nights of Ramadaan Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) occurs, which is better than a thousand months; and in their days the fasting at the end of Ramadaan occurs, which is one of the pillars of Islam. And in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah there occurs the standing in ‘Arafah, wherein Allah forgives His servants with forgiveness that causes Satan to grieve. So Satan is never seen to be more humiliated and rejected then he is on the day ‘Arafah, because of what he sees from the descending of the Angels and mercy from Allah upon His servants; and many of the actions of the Hajj, and the ‘Umrah occur in them, and these are matters greatly honoured, and are deserving that Allah should swear an oath by them.” *

AT-TABAREE:

“The people of explanation disagree about which ten nights these are. So some of them said: They are the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah: … Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The ten nights which Allah swore an oath by are the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah.” … ‘Ikrimah said: “The ten of Dhul-Hijjah.” … Mujaahid said regarding the saying of Allah-the Mighty and Majestic: وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ : “The ten of Dhul-Hijjah.” … Qataadah said: “It used to be narrated to us that they are the ten of al-Adhaa.” … Ibn Zayd said: “The first ones of Dhul-Hijjah.” Whereas others said: They are the ten (nights) at the beginning of Ramadaan. However what is the correct saying in that regard in our view is that they are the ten of al-Adhaa, because of the consensus of the evidence from the people of explanation upon it…” * ‘ABDUR-RAZZAAQ said in his ‘Tafseer’: “From Ma’mar: from Qataadah, regarding His Saying: وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ : “The first ten of Dhul-Hijjah: (Allah made them the completion for Moosaa)’” … Masrooq said: “They are the best of the days of the year.” *

IBN KATHEER

“What is meant by the ten nights is the ten of Dhul-Hijjah, as was said by Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn az-Zubayr, Mujaahid, and a number of the Salaf and the later people; and it is established in the ‘Saheeh’ of al-Bukharee traced back to the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم: – meaning the ten of Dhul-Hijjah. They said: “Not even Jihaad in Allah’s cause?” He said: And it is said: what is meant by that is the first ten of Muharram. Aboo Ja’far ibn Jareer quoted it, but he did not ascribe it to anyone. And Aboo Kudaymah narrated from Qaaboos ibn Abee Zabyaan: from his father: from Ibn ‘Abbaas that he said concerning وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ : It is the first ten of Ramadaan”, but what is correct is the first saying…” *

ASH-SHAWKAANEE:

Hajj and Tawheed - Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and an act of worship that must be devoted only to Allah. It is a declaration and a manifestation of the belief in the Oneness (tawheed) of Allah. It is a time to call upon Allah to purify the self from any worship to other than Him. The Muslim who declares the talbiyah: (Labbaika allaahumma labbaik. labbaika laa shareeka laka labbaik; innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal mulk, laa shareeka lak) understands that it is a du’aa that means: “Here I am O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Surely all praise is due to You, and every bounty is from You, and all dominion is Yours, and You have no partner.” The Muslim, therefore, should submit himself completely (mentally, spiritually, and physically) to Allah Alone. No worship should be devoted to statues, tombs, religious leaders, righteous men (dead or alive) or any part of the creation! The tawheed of Allah requires the Muslim to follow the perfect way of worship. This is the way (sunnah) of Muhammad sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam as understood by the sahaabah (the companions of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), who were the best of mankind. With 'Eid Al Adh'ha being the next holiday for the Muslim ummah and arriving within the next few months. We thought it important to share the importance Hajj has in regards to Tawheed and Islam in general. Our Shaykh, Dr. Saleh' As Saleh' (rahimahullah) shared important information about Hajj in this lecture below. Please study it and share as much as possible. Remember to donate to Nerd of Islam, as we need your generosity to continue to provide free and authentic Islamic knowledge online.

Hajj and Tawheed

Skip To Audio Lecture 1. This is a journey that was taken by Prophets and Messengers before you. Those who take the path of the Prophets magnify the tawheed of Allah and His House. There are those, however, who come to perform hajj and their hearts are attached to other than Allaah. They invoke the dead and the righteous, whether present or absent. This is the opposite of tawheed, it is shirk no matter what they call it because it is setting up rivals besides Allaah. So, free your intention from any kind of devotion to other than Allaah. Repent and come with a sincere heart submitting to Allaah remembering what Ibraheem and his son Ismaa’eel said when they were raising the foundations of Allah’s House, the ka’bah: “Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.” (Baqarah 2:128) 2. You are set to depart and you may or may not return to your home. Make this journey to Allaah’s House as Allaah wants it. Think of the next journey that is surely coming, the one that leads to the meeting of Allaah, Most High. This raises questions like: What did I prepare for that Day? Am I following Allaah’s Commands? Am I a follower of the sunnah of Muhammad salAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam? Do I really know of Allaah? Am I a believer that Allaah is above the seven heavens over his ‘arsh as He has stated in His Book and as His Messengers have asserted? Am I a believer that believes Allah has a true Face that suits His Majesty as He has affirmed in the Qur’aan and as has been affirmed by His Prophet Muhammad salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam? Am I a believer in all of Allaah’s Names, Attributes and Actions which He has affirmed in His Book and by His Messengers? Or do I just take and accept by my doubt, rejecting, or distorting the meanings of Allaah’s Attributes and Actions? And invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned. (Al-Qasas 28:88)

Hajj and Tawheed

3. Know, may Allaah’s Mercy be upon you, that when you reach the meeqaat there is another meeqaat that is still to come. It is the meeqaat (appointed meeting) on the Day of Ressurection: Say (O Muhammad salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasalaam): “(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for appointed Meeting of a known Day. (Al-Waqi’ah 56:49-50) 4. When you start the talbiyah remember the Command of Allaah ‘azza wa jall to the Prophet Ibraaheem ‘alayhi salaam: And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). (Al-Hajj 22:27) The talbiyah you make is in response to the Prophet Ibraaheem’s proclamation to visit Allaah’s house of worship. Allaah is Most Great. 5. Upon entering Makkah remember that you are in the Secure Sanctuary: Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of them know not. (Al-Qasas 28:57) Let one commit himself to repentance, having a good opinion of Allaah, hoping that Allaah will grant him security from His Punishment. 6. You will enter one of the gates of al-Masjid al-Haraam. Then there you are before the magnificent House of Allaah, Most High, the ka’bah. Now you see what you hoped to see for a long time. Thank Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala for making this possible and hope that He ‘azza wa jall will grant you the greatest reward of seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of Resurrection. This thankfulness is not just in saying “alhamdu-lillaah,” but also by obeying Allaah while on hajj and for the rest of your life. 7. You start your tawaaf knowing that it is a great time for magnifying Allaah the Exalted. Remember Him ‘azza wa jall by His Names, Attributes and Actions. Also while in tawaaf try to reflect upon the time when Prophet Muhammad salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam was prevented from doing the same thing you are doing today. Then think about what he did in clearing out the site from the symbols signifying worship to other than Allaah! All idols were demolished. Busy yourself with du’aa. Ask Allaah, the Most Great, to make you hold to the correct belief and Path of the salaf and make you die on it. Ask Allaah to save you from all forms of shirk and bid’ah.

Hajj and Tawheed

8. While in sa’yi, contemplate on Haajar, the mother of Ismaa’eel, when she asked her husband Ibraaheem ‘alayhi salaam: “Did Allah order you to do this (leaving her and her baby Ismaa’eel in Makkah)? He said: “Yes.” Her great response was: “Then He (Allaah) will not neglect us!” Think about this great dependence upon Allaah when you are in the sa’yi walking the same path which Haajar took in search for water and for means of life around the mounts of Safa and Marwah.Think about her endurance, perseverance and trust in Allaah. The sa’yi exemplifies the strong belief that we are in need of One Who Sustains and Provides – Allaah, the Exalted. Think about Ibraaheem’s invocation on his way homeward to Palestine: O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka’bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks. (Ibrahim 14:37) Men and fruits came to Makkah from many places. Ibraaheem ‘alayhi salaam returned to visit and later to share with his son Ismaa’eel the noble task of raising the foundations of the ka’bah. 9. The standing on ‘Arafaat is the hajj. The crowds should remind you of the Day of Resurrection. Humble yourself to Allaah, manifest your ‘uboodiyyah to Him Alone through du’aa, sincere intention and strong determination to free yourself from the sins of the past and to build up a commitment to rush for doing what is good. Think of becoming a better person when you return. Rid yourself of false pride and showing off because it may ruin what you gain on this day. 10. You gathered the pebbles and you are about to embark on stoning the jamaraat. This is an act of obedience and remembrance of Allaah, Most Magnificent. The Prophet salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “When you cast the small pebbles (i.e. at the jamaraat), it will be a light for you on the Day of Resurrection.” (1) 11. When performing the sacrifice remember the saying oh Allaah, the Most High: It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. (Al-Hajj 22:37) 12. When you have completed your hajj, do not think that the remembrance of Allaah has ended. Listen to what Allah ‘azza wa jall says: So when you have accomplished your Manasik remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. (Al-Baqarah 2:200) Special note: If you go to Madeenah then the objective of your visit should be according to the sunnah and not bid’ah. Your intention is to set on a journey to visit the Prophet’s mosque and not his grave. When you reach the mosque and you pray upon entering then you may go to the grave and say, “Assalamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyy.” (2) The same salaam is also mentioned when you pass by Abu Bakr and ‘Umar without innovations like: a. Visiting the grave of the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam before praying in the mosque. b. Making du’aa facing the grave. c. Seeking nearness to Allaah by means of the Prophet salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam. This is a prohibited form of tawassul. d. Seeking intercession from the Prophet salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam. e. Placing the hands upon the grills around the room containing the Prophet’s grave to seek blessings, etc. (3) Remember the Prophet’s salAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam sayings: “Do not make my grave an ‘eed (place of celebration)…” (4) “May Allaah’s curse be on the Jews and Christians for taking the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.” (5) “Those before you took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship. Do not take graves as places of worship for verily I forbid you to do so.” (6) 13. The journey is not meant to gain any material reward. It is a selfless sacrifice solely for Allaah, Most Majestic. It demands true love and fear of Him. It should be performed with full consciousness of one’s heart, with full humility and submission to Allaah. It should not be thought of as a tourist-type excursion or be performed as mere physical rites. It develops sincerity, piety, humility, self-control, sacrifice, and true knowledge of the meaning of submission and obedience to Allaah, Most High. It helps the pilgrim to be a better person who is devoted to Allaah in every aspect of his life.

Hajj and Tawheed

Audio Lecture

In this age of 'Social Awareness' people often feel the need to accept (or pretend to accept) the evils and deviance's of others. We fear being 'cancelled', ostracized, fired from their jobs or even physically threatened and attacked. They are no longer allowed to hold their beliefs and announce them in a public place. The biggest bullies in this scenario are, of course, the LGBTQ community. Not long ago a question was asked to the 'Ulema, regarding the truth about homosexuals and their kind (transgendered, non-binary, etc). Below is the query and the truthful answer from the 'Ulema:

Question

Salaam. I'm not gay but I'm just wondering from a moral standpoint that since homosexuality is forbidden under Islam, what would happen to gay or lesbian individuals? A lot of gay and lesbians say that their sexual orientation is natural and they are born gay. Assuming that they are correct since straight people don't know, if homosexuality is outlawed in Islam then why would Allah make them that way so that their existence is a tortured and sexually frustrated way?

Answer

Praise be to Allah. We do not agree with their claim that their sexual orientation is natural; rather it is a distortion of nature. Allah counted their deed as wrongdoing and immoral, and He sent upon the people of Lut a punishment the like of which no other nation had seen. He also tells us that this punishment is not ever far from the wrongdoers. Their claim that their orientation is natural serves only to propagate and spread immorality, and it is just an excuse for them. Many of them change their appearance so as to look odd, so how can we say that this is how they were created? Allah does not create anyone just to punish or torture them. He created mankind to worship Him, but He may try His slaves with hardship as a test of their faith, to expiate for their sins and to raise their status. Allah is too Just to force a person to commit sin and then punish him. On the contrary, people commit sins by their own free choice like these perverted people and it is for this that they deserve to be punished. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): and your Lord treats no one with injustice And Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): Nay, Allah never commands Fahshaa (evil deeds, unlawful sexual intercourse). Do you say of Allah what you know not? And Allah knows best.

More Ahadith Regarding This:

The Beauty Of Islam - Go Straight To Audio Lecture

The Beauty of Islām by Shaykh Muḥammad Ghālib al-ʿUmarī is a series of points briefly summarizing the beauty and merits of Islām. The lecture took place in July of 2018 at Masjid al-Furqān (TROID) in Toronto, Canada.

From the points discussed:

- Islām unifies all good and beneficial guidance for mankind - Islām recognizes and requires Muslims to believe in all the Prophets and Messengers sent - As the final revelation, Islām abrogates all which came before it (the Psalms, the Torah, the Gospel) - Islām is balanced and palatable, moderate, not extreme - Islam rejects all forms of extremist behavior - Islam disallows following superstitions - Islam prohibits magic and sorcery - Islām is built around truthfulness and uprightness - Worship in Islām is easy, simplified, and provides an intimate connection between the created and the Creator - Islām is established upon the shahādatayn (the two testimonies) - Islām is built upon five pillars: testimony of faith (shaḥadatayn), prayer (ṣalāh), charity (zakāh), fasting (sawm), pilgrimage (ḥajj) - From the examples of the simplicity of Islām: prayer is made standing but can be performed sitting (for the one unable to stand) or lying down (for the one unable to sit), all premised upon established texts (evidences) from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah - Islām address social behavior and interactions addressing rights in a detailed manner from those closest (relatives) to those in society at large - Islāmic rights are not simply premised on reciprocity, they are built upon justice and seeking the approval of the Lord and creator (Allāh) - Islām preserves life and and provides safety and security in society - Islām governs the articles of legislated warfare with rules, justice and morality (behind legislated governments) - Islām requires Muslims to call others to Islām with good manners and intelligent dialogue - Islām requires those who are able, to give yearly charity (2.5%) to the needy (zakāh), this is a requirement of those who are able and a right of those who are entitled (to the charity) - Islām emphasizes strongly the rights of parents, in speech, in action, in obedience, whether they are Muslim or not - Islām preserves the rights of the neighbors, honoring them, speaking to them kindly, assisting them (financially or with food for example) and respecting their privacy - Islām encourages sincerity and helpfulness, helping one another as brothers and sisters - Islām respects elders, revering them through kindness and servitude  

The Lecture

The Greatest Matter Commanded by Allaah is Tawheed. Imaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) said: وأعظمُ ما أَمرَ اللهُ به التوحيدَ وهو إفرادُ اللهِ بالعبادة And the greatest of all that Allaah has commanded is Tawheed, and it is to single out Allaah with all worship. 17 - Go Straight To Audio Lecture

The Greatest Matter

: Shaykh Fawzan’s Explanation His saying rahimahullaah, “The greatest of all that Allaah has commanded is Tawheed”: this is very important, that tawheed is the greatest thing that Allaah has commanded. All the commands that Allaah has commanded, all of them, come after tawheed. And the proof that the greatest thing that Allaah has commanded is tawheed is His saying, He the Most High: وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا And worship Allaah alone, and do not associate anything with Him , To the end of the aayah. This aayah contains ten rights, and therefore it is called the aayah of the ten rights. The first of these rights is the right of Allaah the Perfect: وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا And worship Allaah alone, and do not associate anything with Him وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا And treat the parents well This is the second right. وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ And the close relatives

The Greatest Matter

This is the third right, and the close relatives, they are those people to whom you are closely related through your father or mother, such as fathers and grandfathers, and paternal uncles and paternal aunts, maternal uncles and maternal aunts, and brothers and sisters, and children of brothers and sisters, and children of paternal uncles and paternal aunts, those people are the close relatives, they have the right of al-Qaraabah (of being your close relative). “Wal-yataamaa” (and the orphans), – the orphans from the Muslims, and they are everyone whose father has died whilst he was young and he had not attained the age of puberty, and therefore he needs someone to take the place of his father in taking care of this child, bringing him up, spending upon him and seeing to his welfare, and removing whatever will harm him, because he has no father to protect him and spend upon him and defend him, so he has a need of someone to help him because he has lost his father and his family, and he has a right in Islaam. What is important is that Allaah began it with His right, He the Perfect and Most High. His saying: وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا And do not associate anything along with Him He did not restrict Himself to saying: وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ And worship Allaah Because worship will not be correct along with shirk and it will not benefit, and it will not be called worship unless it is made purely and sincerely for Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. If it has shirk along with it, then it will not be worship, no matter how much the person exerts himself in its performance. So He joined the matter of worship with the prohibition of shirk, since worship will not be correct with the presence of shirk at all. This is a proof for the saying of the Shaikh, “The greatest thing that Allaah commanded is tawheed”, since Allaah began many aayahs with it, from them is this aayah, and from them is His saying He the Most High: وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ And your Lord has commanded that you should not worship except Him So He the Perfect and Most High began with tawheed, and this proves that it is the greatest thing that Allaah has commanded. قُلْ تَعَالَوْا أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُم مِّنْ إِمْلَاقٍ Say: Come I will recite to you that which your Lord has truly forbidden for you: do not associate anything in worship with Him, and treat the parents well, and do not kill your children on account of poverty This is a proof for what will follow, that the greatest thing that Allaah has forbidden is shirk. So since the greatest thing that Allaah has commanded is tawheed, then it is obligatory that the person begins by learning ‘aqeedah (correct belief) before everything. Correct creed and belief is the foundation, so it is obligatory that the person begins with it in learning and teaching and that he is constant upon teaching it and explaining it to the people, because it is the greatest thing that Allaah has commanded, so it is not befitting that you make it the last of all things or give no great attention to it, because now there are actually callers who renounce the teaching of tawheed and ‘aqeedah, there are people who are afflicted with this. And because any deficiencies with regard to it will be a deficiency in the whole of the religion so it is obligatory to give careful attention to it. The Greatest Matter And what is tawheed ? Is it that you affirm that Allaah is the Creator, the Provider, the Giver of life, the Giver of death? No. Tawheed is: to single out Allaah with worship, because Allaah said: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. And the people of tafseer said: Worship Me – meaning single Me out (with all worship). So they explained tawheed as ‘ibaadah (worship). Therefore, tawheed is to single out Allaah with worship and it is not to affirm that Allaah is the Creator, the Provider, the Giver of life, the Giver of death, the One in control of affairs because this is present in people’s fitrah (inborn nature). It is present in the intellects of those who possess intellect. There is not a person of intellect in the world who truly believes that anyone created the Heavens and the Earth besides Allaah, the Perfect and Most High. There is not in the whole world anyone – and that includes the unbelievers and the atheists – who truly believes that there is anyone from mankind who created mankind. وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ And if you were to ask them (the people of shirk) who created them, they would certainly say, “Allaah!” There is not a person with intellect in the whole world who believes truly that a human can create a human being who walks upon the Earth and speaks and eats and drinks. Is there a person with intellect who believes this? أَمْ خُلِقُوا مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ الْخَالِقُونَ أَمْ خَلَقُوا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۚ بَل لَّا يُوقِنُونَ Were they created without any Creator having brought them into existence? Or are they the creators? Or did they create the Heavens and the Earth? Rather they do not have certainty. Tawheed-ur-ruboobiyyah (tawheed of Allaah’s Lordship) is something found in the inborn natures and in their intellects; however it will not suffice without tawheed-ul-‘ibaadah (tawheed of worship) – and it is to single out Allaah with all worship. And therefore the Shaykh said: Tawheed is to single out Allaah with worship and it is not to single out Allaah with respect to creating and providing and giving life and giving death because this is something which is known and tawheed-ur-ruboobiyyah (tawheed of Allaah’s Lordship) will not suffice with regard to the definition of tawheed. —

Audio Lecture

Debunking info about Palestine is easy. Getting the public to care is what is hard. Palestine has endured decades of settler colonialism and ethnic cleansing at the hands of the invading Israeli government. Mentioning this on Facebook will get your account restricted for 30 days, ridiculed & laughed at on Imgur and banned on Twitter. Here are some Myths & Facts about the dire situation of the men, women & children of Palestine that Israel keeps under wraps...

Myth: Israel’s military assault is self-defensive in nature. No other country in the world would tolerate “rockets.” Reality: No other country has to tolerate rockets because no other country has maintained a long military occupation coupled with siege. Israel’s military assault was not and is not self-defensive. Israel launched air strikes against the Gaza Strip before and after the kidnap of three Israelis in mid-June. It must be noted that Israel initially, and without evidence, blamed Hamas for this kidnap incident, thereby attempting to justify its ransacking and invasion of more than 2,000 homes, its kidnap and arrest of more than 500 Palestinians, including members of Parliament, its killing of 11 Palestinians in the West Bank, and its military assault on the Gaza Strip, killing 2. All this happened before a single rocket was fired from Gaza. Moreover, given that Israel maintains its military occupation over the Gaza Strip, it cannot claim self-defence. Israel has a choice: either maintain its military occupation and accept the consequences or end its military occupation, declare its borders, and claim it is acting in “self-defence.”

Myth: Israel targets only “combatants” and avoids civilian casualties. Reality: Israel has adopted a loose definition of “combatant” to include any person who is affiliated in any way with Hamas. This runs contrary to international law, which requires that military operations be confined to those who are actually fighting. For example, Israel deliberately targeted Gaza police chief Taysir al-Batsh, killing 18 members of his family. Police are civilians according to international law. Israel has also attacked hospitals, mosques, water treatment facilities, sewer lines, the Gaza Strip’s sole power plant, and other civilian infrastructure that has nothing to do with Hamas. According to UN estimates, 80 percent of those killed are civilians, including 448 children and even medical personnel. Using Israel’s logic, this also means that any home of any past or present Israeli soldier or police officer is a legitimate target as is any civilian area where military is present (such as the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv). The “knock on the roof” procedure – dropping a missile on a house in advance of its bombing – has resulted in deaths. According to Philip Luther of Amnesty International, “There is no way that firing a missile at a civilian home can constitute an effective “warning.” Amnesty International has documented cases of civilians killed or injured by such missiles in previous Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip,” he said. In addition, while Israel claims that it distributes leaflets, these leaflets do not tell people where they are to go to be safe. As noted by Israeli human rights organizations, “Dispersal of leaflets does not grant the military permission to consider the area “sterile”, assume that no civilians were left in the area and then proceed to attack civilian sites. The military must not assume that all residents have indeed left their homes.” (http://adalah.org/eng/Articles/2307/ Joint-letter:-Grave-concern-regarding-Israeli-to) Moreover, weaponry currently being used – such as fléchettes – is designed to increase casualties in densely populated areas.

Myth: Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields. Reality: This is an effective mechanism to deprive Palestinians of their humanity by blaming Palestinian deaths on Palestinians. While the resistance movements fight from within the small area of the Gaza Strip, they do not use Palestinian civilians as cover. To date, international investigations have concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate these long-standing Israeli claims and yet the claims continue to be accepted by many, unchallenged. Ironically, the converse has been well established: Israel has used Palestinian civilians as human shields when carrying out its military operations.

Myth: This is about Hamas/Gaza. Hamas seeks the destruction of Israel. Reality: This is not about Hamas; this is about Palestine. Israel conveniently ignores the Likud party platform, the Yisreal Beitenu platform, and the Jewish Home platform (all members of the current Israeli governing coalition) that call for either no Palestinian state or the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. This attack on Gaza has little to do with Hamas but more to do with breaking up Palestinian unity and dividing Palestinians. Israel routinely kills and imprisons non-Hamas members. We recall, all too well, the bombing campaigns in the West Bank as well as the isolation of President Arafat. Israel seeks the destruction of Palestine – as evidenced by the Nakba, the Naksa, its on-going colonization, its policy of demolishing homes, and its policy of expelling Palestinians (or revoking their residency). In Israel’s eyes we are an inconvenient “demographic threat” – irrespective of who we vote for.

These talking points were not new to this latest attack. One can only hope that the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization will learn the value of media, as the Israelis have, and will put into place an effective media strategy to counter these myths before the next attack takes place.