The post Necessary Questions for Everyone. Question #2 – Where is Allah? appeared first on Live Islam.
]]>أَيْنَ اللّٰهُ؟
“Where is Allah?”
فِي السَّمَاءِ
The answer to this question: “Allah is above the heavens.”
This is a prophetic question. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked it to his female slave, a bondwoman, a young girl, as is reported in an authentic hadith from Mu’awiyah ibn al-Hakam as-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him). He said:
“I had a slave girl (jariya) who was herding livestock for me. She went with it to the area of Uhud or al-Jawwaniyya (a place in the north of Medina). And one day I went and saw that a wolf had taken one of my sheep. I am just a man from the descendants of Adam, and I get angry like the descendants of Adam get angry. So I hit her and went (regretfully) to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). He pointed out to me that what I had done was a major sin. I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, should I free her?’ He said: ‘Bring her to me.’So I brought her, and he said to her:
«أَيْنَ اللّٰهُ؟» قَالَتْ: فِي السَّمَاءِ
“Where is Allah?”
She replied: “Above the heavens.” Then he said:
قَالَ: «مَنْ أَنَا؟» قَالَتْ: أَنْتَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ
“And who am I?”
She replied: “You are the Messenger of Allah.”
قَالَ: «أَعْتِقْهَا فَإِنَّهَا مُؤْمِنَةٌ»
Then the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
“Set her free, she is a believer.”
(The hadith is narrated by Abu Dawud) (3276). Shaykh al-Albani confirmed the authenticity of the hadith.
Thus, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) testified regarding this girl that she possessed faith (iman). Why? Based on what criterion? Based on the fact that she said: «الله في السماء» (Allah is above the heavens), and because she testified to the prophetic mission of Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), that he is the Messenger of Allah.
So, this question, the question of the exaltedness of Allah (glorified and exalted is He), is a very important issue of aqidah. What shows that this question is very important is the fact that the exaltedness of Allah (uluw Allah الله علو) is confirmed in the Qur’an and the Sunnah by more than a thousand evidences, which proves the importance of this issue. More than a thousand evidences. And these evidences are varied, they are many, meaning that these evidences are of different types.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may the Almighty Allah have mercy on him), when listing the evidences (dalil) of the exaltedness of the Almighty Allah, says: “If we wanted, we could bring a thousand evidences on this issue.” We said that these evidences are varied. So among them are evidences that point to the fact that Allah (glorified and exalted is He) is above (dalil al-fawqiyya).
Then, there are evidences that indicate the exaltedness of Allah (glorified and exalted is He), that He ascended, rose above the Throne. There are evidences of al-uluw, evidences that point to the exaltedness of Allah (glorified and exalted is He). There are evidences that report about the presence of Allah (glorified and exalted is He) above the heavens. There are evidences that indicate that He descends to the nearest heaven. There are evidences that point to the sending down of Revelations from Allah (glorified and exalted is He), and other evidences. That is, all these are evidences, different types of evidences that point from various angles to the exaltedness of Allah (glorified and exalted is He).
So, regarding the types, the first is al-uluw, that is, evidences which indicate the exaltedness of Allah (glorified and exalted is He). An example of this is a verse from Surah “Al-Baqarah”:
وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
“And He is the Most High, the Greatest” (Quran, surah “Al-Baqarah”, 2:255)
“Aliy” from the word “ulu” – exaltation. He is the Exalted, Al-Azim – the Great.
The second type of evidence, in which the word “fawqiya” is given, that is, being, staying above, on top, in the words of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) in Surah “An-Nahl”:
يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ
“They fear their Lord from above them” (Quran, surah “An-Nahl”, 16:50)
The third type of evidence – this is evidence in which istiwa (Al-Istiwa ‘ala al-`Arsh) is mentioned, that is, the rising, the ascension of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) above the Throne. And, in particular, in Surah “Ta Ha”:
الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى
“the Most Compassionate, ˹Who is˺ established on the Throne.” (Quran, surah “Ta Ha”, 20:5)
The fourth type of evidence – evidence in which the descent of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to the nearest heaven is mentioned. In the hadith, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) says:
يَنزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا
“Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven”
(Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Fifth type of evidence – the descent of the Scripture (inzalo l-kitab انزال الكتاب) from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). That is, what descends from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) indicates that He is in His exaltedness, right? Evidence that indicates the descent of the Scripture from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He):
تَنزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ
“The revelation of this Book is from Allah—the Almighty, All-Wise.” (Quran, surah “Sandhills”, 46:2)
Sixth type of evidence – evidence indicating that the good word ascends to Him. If these evidences indicate the ascension of the good word to Him, does this not indicate that He (Glorified and Exalted be He) is above, right? Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says in Surah “Fatir”:
إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ
“To Him ˹alone˺ good words ascend” (Quran, surah “Fatir”, 35:10)
Seventh type of evidence – Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) decreed and wrote this with Him above the Throne. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) says regarding this evidence:
«إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَّا قَضَى الْخَلْقَ كَتَبَ عِنْدَهُ فَوْقَ عَرْشِهِ: إِنَّ رَحْمَتِي سَبَقَتْ غَضَبِي»
“When Allah had finished His creation, He wrote over his Throne: ‘My Mercy preceded My Anger.” (Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Eighth type of evidence – this is that Isa (peace be upon him) was raised to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), ascended above. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
يَا عِيسَى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ
“Thus said Allah: “O Isa, I will take you and raise you to Myself”,” (Quran, surah “Al-Imran”, 3:55)
Ninth type of evidence – the ascension of angels and the Spirit to Him. If it is said “to whom He ascends” – this indicates that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is above, in absolute exaltation. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
تَعْرُجُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ إِلَيْهِ فِي يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ
“the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit will ascend to Him on a Day fifty thousand years in length.” (Quran, surah “Al-Ma’arij”, 70:4)
Tenth type of evidence – this is the name of Allah Az-Zahir (Manifest). The indications contained in the name Az-Zahir – this is an indication of the exaltation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), His being above everything. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) gave exactly this interpretation of the name Az-Zahir. So, the tenth type of evidence – this is the meaning of the name Az-Zahir. Az-Zahir, which indicates the exaltation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) gave exactly this interpretation (tafsir) of the name Az-Zahir:
وَأَنتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَيْءٌ
“You are the Most High (Az-Zahir) and there is nothing above You” (Hadith reported by Ibn Majah (3104). Sheikh Al-Albani confirmed its authenticity.)
What does Az-Zuhur (الظهور) mean? It means being above. This being of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) above comes in three types: Allah’s (Glorified and Exalted be He) being above by His essence, the exaltation of His attributes, and the third type of exaltation – this is Az-Zuhur al-Qahr, that is, being above in terms of power, meaning everything is subservient to Him. This is called fawqiyatul qahr (فوقية القهر).
Eleventh type of evidence – evidence indicating that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is above the heavens (fi s-sama) (في السماء), as in Surah “Al-Mulk”:
أَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِي السَّمَاءِ
“Are you secure from Him who is above the heavens?” (Quran, surah “Al-Mulk”, 67:16)
Let’s analyze the expression “fi s-sama” (في السماء). Does this expression also indicate “where”? In the hadith about the slave girl, correctly. “Fi” is a particle, the main meaning of which is zarfiyah, that is, an indication of being inside something. So, fi s-sama. Does the particle “fi” in this meaning mean zarfiyah, that is, being inside? No. Because the particle “fi” has not only the meaning of being inside (zarfiyah), but it also has another meaning – this is the meaning of “ala” (على). So here “fi” in the words fi s-sama does not mean zarfiyah, that is, being inside, that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is inside the heavens, and His heavens surround Him. In what meaning here? Otherwise, it is like in the meaning “ala”, that is, “above”. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is above the heavens. An example of using the particle “fi” in the meaning of “ala” (على) in Surah “Ta Ha”. Pharaoh says to his servants:
وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ فِي جُذُوعِ النَّخْلِ
“And I will surely crucify you on the trunks of palm trees.” (Quran, surah “Ta Ha”, 20:71)
How to understand this? Crucify inside the trunks of palm trees or “fi” here means “on the trunks of palm trees”? On the trunks of palm trees, right? This is the particle fi, but it is in the meaning “on”, on the palm trunks. Another example:
قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ
“Say: “Travel throughout the land”” (Quran, surah “Al-Ankabut”, 29:20)
Yes, it is said “fi”. Does that mean that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) commands to walk inside the earth, through underground passages like worms travel inside the earth? No, fi here means ‘ala, on, above, ‘ala-l-ard, on the earth, above the earth. So, this is an explanation of fi s-sama. What does fi mean? In heaven? No, it means above the heavens, that is, above all constructions: seven heavens, Throne, above all created by the Almighty Allah.
But there is another explanation for the expression “fi s-sama”, which was given by the predecessors, another meaning. They say that fi s-sama here does not mean heaven, not the heavens, but sama (سماء) means exaltation (ulu), above, because the word “sama” – this is not just heaven. Sama (سماء) – what is it in general? Up. Therefore, in this case, the particle fi in its basic meaning – being inside, and this will be fi s-sama (—), that is, in exaltedness. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is in a high, in a high position. Arabs say “sama” about some high thing. They do not say sama, no, but about a high thing they say “sama”. Therefore, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) calls the cloud in the Quran “sama” because it is above. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً طَهُورًا
“We send down pure rain from the sky” (Quran, surah “Al-Furqan”, 25:48)
Here it is meant, of course, not the first or the second sky, not the third sky, but it means above in the sense of above, that is, from the clouds. That is, everything that is above is called “sama”.
These are two interpretations (tafsirs) of what “fi s-sama” means. The first interpretation of fi s-sama means what? Fi means above, on, above the heavens. The second interpretation of fi s-sama means above. These are two tafsirs, but they are not disagreements, contradicting each other. These are not two opinions that contradict each other, but these are disagreements that are simply reduced to different variants of presenting the same meaning and are different forms of explaining one and the same essence. What to say “above the heavens” – this does not contradict each other, it is just different forms of explaining one and the same essence.
Thus, the meaning of fi s-sama is either above the heavens (ala sama), and then what is meant by “under the heavens”? And then “under” means mighty celestial structures. Or fi s-sama means fi l-ulu, that is, in exaltation, above. And both explanations are correct.
Ibn Abd al-Barr says, concerning Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He):
أَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِي السَّمَاءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ الْأَرْضَ
“Are you secure from Him who is above the heavens, that He will cause the earth to swallow you?” (Quran, surah “Al-Mulk”, 67:16)
What is the meaning of this? Are you secure from Him who is above the heavens, above the Throne? He says, perhaps, fi, because what fi means can be in the meaning of ‘ala, right? Because what he says, fi can be in the meaning of ‘ala, that is, above. Don’t you see, what Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says?
فَسِيحُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ
“Travel through the land for four months” (Quran, surah “At-Tawba”, 9:2)
On the earth, fi l-ard, that is, ala ard, that is, above the earth. Also, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says the words of Pharaoh:
وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ فِي جُذُوعِ النَّخْلِ
“And I will surely crucify you on the trunks of palm trees.” (Quran, surah “Ta Ha”, 20:71)
And Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah says: “The word sama (سماء) in Arabic, and in the Quran – this is a name for everything that is exalted, everything that is above.” That is, it is a generic noun (ism jins) for everything high, exalted. However, specific meaning is determined only by its relation to something. If it is said that rain comes from sama, then what is meant is a cloud. That is, a specific meaning of sama is determined depending on what, in a given context, this word is used for, but in any case, it indicates something exalted. This applies to all words in the Quran.
Evidence from the Sunnah: all three forms of the Sunnah indicate the exaltation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He): Sunnah qawliyah, fi’liyah, and taqririyah, that is, Sunnah in the form of the Prophet’s words (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), Sunnah in the form of the Prophet’s deeds (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and Sunnah in the form of approval, indicating that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) approved of someone’s words or deeds. Thus, all types of Sunnah, that the words of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and his actions, which confirm his someone’s words and deeds, indicate the exaltation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), confirm it.
First, what type of Sunnah did we mention? This is qawliyah, that is, Sunnah in the form of the Prophet’s words (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Hadith of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), where he says:
الرَّاحِمُونَ يَرْحَمُهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ ، ارحَمُوا أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ ، يَرْحَمْكُمْ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ
“Those who show mercy, the Most Merciful will have mercy on them. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One who is above the heavens or who is above will have mercy on you.” (Hadith reported by At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ahmad. Authentic)
This is evidence from the Sunnah in the form of the Prophet’s words (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
Next, in the form of actions. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), in the presence of many witnesses on the Day of Arafat, delivered a khutba:
أَلَا هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ؟
“Have I not conveyed?”
Companions answered: “Yes.” And then he said:
اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ ثَلَاثًا
“O Allah, bear witness” – and he pointed to the sky and to the people. – “Allah, bear witness. Allah, bear witness. Allah, bear witness.” That is, by this action the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) confirms the exaltation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).
And the third variant of evidence, indicating the exaltation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) – this is taqririyah, that is, the confirmation by the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) of someone’s words. For example, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) confirmed the slave girl’s words when she said that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is above the heavens. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) confirmed her and said: “Let her go, free her, for she is a believer.”
As we have told you, besides these more than a thousand pieces of evidence, there are even more diverse types of evidence. There are many different types, where it is said that the word ascends to Him, that He sends down the Scriptures, and so on.
Ibn al-Qayyim says that “the types of evidence for the exaltation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) are twenty-one.” We have mentioned how many with you? 11, and 21 types, as indicated by Ibn al-Qayyim.
This is regarding today’s lesson.
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]]>In reality, this is not the case.
Allah says in the Quran:
مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَىٰ
We have not revealed the Quran to you ˹O Prophet˺ to cause you distress (20:2)
The thing is, we’re not unhappy because of polygyny, but because we were raised to be unhappy. At the level of neural connections, we’ve learned to react to such a phenomenon (another woman in a husband’s life) with unhappiness. We weren’t taught another reaction. If, from childhood, we saw that all women suffer when they receive flowers as a gift from their husband, including our mothers, then it would become ingrained in our minds that receiving flowers is “BAD.” If all women (in movies and in real life), upon receiving flowers, started crying and throwing tantrums, then girls, growing up, would react exactly the same way! Therefore, seeing from childhood (both in movies and in real life) that women throw tantrums and become deeply unhappy because of a husband’s “infidelity,” they simply can’t react any other way. They weren’t taught to react differently; they never saw another reaction. Even now, sisters often say, “there are no happy women in polygyny; they all suffer.” SubhanAllah!
But Allah said:
مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَىٰ
We have not revealed the Quran to you ˹O Prophet˺ to cause you distress (20:2)
Just as we learn to practice the Sunnah, learn piety towards parents, learn good relations with neighbors, learn to forgive people, learn to be obedient wives, etc., we also need to change our attitude towards polygyny. We need to learn to be happy and react to it not with hysterics and unhappiness, but with calm and happiness. To be happy, it’s important to focus on what YOU receive from your husband. If you receive love, care, attention, and provision, then it’s pointless to look at who else receives these things from him. What difference does it make who else gets the same benefits as you? What difference does it make who else he spends his free time with? For your happiness, specifically, it doesn’t matter! Example: In stores, goods are for everyone; you don’t get angry that another person can also buy goods in the same store. And you don’t get angry at a friend who is friends with ten other sisters. But you get angry at your husband because you consider him your property. Now, imagine your husband is a store that you don’t own, or a friend who owes you nothing. It’s easier to learn to appreciate that way.
Once again: ONLY WHAT YOU RECEIVE FROM YOUR HUSBAND AND FROM THE MARRIAGE AS A WHOLE IS IMPORTANT. And if you are GRATEFUL for what you receive, then you will surely be happy, by the will of Allah.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.(16:97)
A good life in this world!
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Series of Virtual Lectures in Arabic with live English Translation on:
منهج أهل الحديث
The Methodology of the Ahle-Hadith. Part 1
الشيخ الوليد ابن سيف النصر -حفظه الله
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]]>The post 7 acts of worship in the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. Friday Khutbah 09.07.2021. Part 2 appeared first on Live Islam.
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إنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلاَ مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلاَ هَادِىَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
ثما أَمَّا بَعْدُ
عباد الله
O servants of Allah! We are on the threshold of great days, which are among the best days of the year. Moreover, many scholars (‘ulama) say that these days are the best days of the year and that they are better than the last ten days of Ramadan. I am speaking of the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, on whose threshold we now stand. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) swore by these ten days and nights, saying:
Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, the Imam of the Quranic exegetes, says: ‘There is a consensus (Ijma’) among scholars that this refers to the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah.’ And Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ
“…pronounce the Name of Allah on appointed days”
Ibn ‘Abbas says that these well-known days are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. O servants of Allah, Imam al-Bukhari narrates a hadith from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
ما العَمَلُ في أيَّامٍ أفْضَلَ منها في هذه
“No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja).”
Then some companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) said,
He replied,
ولا الجِهادُ، إلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ يُخاطِرُ بنَفْسِه ومالِه، فلَمْ يَرْجِعْ بشَيءٍ
“Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things.”
The hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari (969).
What is this deed that is better than jihad in the way of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), except for a special case?! What an important period this is in our lives! Our predecessors understood this, unlike us. Therefore, as Ad-Darimi narrates, Sa’id ibn Jubayr (may Allah have mercy on him) showed such diligence when these ten days arrived, doing things that were practically impossible.
Therefore, O servants of Allah, let us strive and, first and foremost, put in order the obligatory religious prescriptions (fard): let us perform more voluntary prayers, constantly read the Quran and reflect on the Quran during these days, let us not forget the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) in the morning and evening, and dhikr throughout the day; let us strive by giving charity (sadaqa), fasting, and performing all kinds of righteous deeds.
But know that there are seven deeds specifically intended for these days, and they are gathered within these ten days.
The first deed, which is one of the pillars (rukns) of Islam, is Hajj.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا
Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people
(Quran, Surah Al ‘Imran, 3:97)
Al-Bayhaqi narrates that ‘Umar al-Farooq (the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab) said:
ليمت يهودياً أو نصرانياً رجل مات ولم يحج ووجد لذلك سعة وخليت سبيله
Let a man die a Jew or a Christian if he dies without performing Hajj, even though he had the means and the path was open to him.” This indicates the danger that if a person can perform Hajj, he must do so as soon as he has the opportunity. And Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime, O servants of Allah! And if a person has the opportunity but delays, he may fall under those very words that ‘Umar al-Farooq (may Allah be pleased with him) said.
The second deed is the sacrifice (udhiyah, qurban).
The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not miss this act of worship. As Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
ضَحَّى النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ بكَبْشينِ أمْلَحَيْنِ أقْرَنَيْنِ، ذَبَحَهُما بيَدِهِ، وسَمَّى وكَبَّرَ، ووَضَعَ رِجْلَهُ علَى صِفَاحِهِمَا
The Prophet (ﷺ) offered as sacrifices, two horned rams, black and white in color. He slaughtered them with his own hands and mentioned Allah’s Name over them and said Takbir and put his foot on their sides.
The hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari (5565) and Muslim (1966).
Therefore, a person should strive to acquire an animal for qurban (al-udhiyah). If someone has the opportunity, let him not miss this great act of worship, which the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) never missed. If you have the opportunity to do it at home, in your own yard, then it is better to do it at home, so that your children are present for it, so that this ritual of Islam is practiced and they learn from it.
The third deed is the prohibition of removing hair, nails, and anything from the skin.
It is forbidden to cut nails, or to cut or remove hair, or anything from the skin for a person who intends to slaughter a qurban. As soon as these ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begin (the first night of the month of Dhul-Hijjah arrives) — that’s it, from this moment on, no hair, no nails, nothing from the skin can be touched.
The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said about this:
إذا دخَل العَشرُ فأراد أحدُكم أن يُضَحِّيَ فلا يَمَسَّ من شعَرِه ولا بشَرِه شيئًا
“When the ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah) begin, and one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, let him not remove anything from his hair or skin.”
The hadith was narrated by Muslim (1977), Ibn Majah (3149), and al-Tahawi (5511).
The fourth deed is fasting (siyam). It is desirable to fast the first nine days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. This is narrated from one of the wives of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace):
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَصُومُ تِسْعَ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah
The hadith was narrated by Abu Dawud (2434), Sheikh al-Albani called it authentic.
This is also narrated from the companions, from Abu Hurayrah and others, that they practiced fasting for nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. But not all people can fast all nine days. But at least do this:
The fifth deed is fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah.
This fast is great in reward, because the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
صِيامُ يومِ عَرَفَةَ، أحْتَسِبُ على اللهِ أنْ يُكَفِّرَ السنَةَ التي قَبلَهُ، والسنَةَ التي بَعدَهُ
I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Arafa may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years
The hadith was narrated by Muslim (1162), Abu Dawud (2425), Ahmad (22650), at-Tirmidhi (749, 752), Ibn Majah (1730, 1738), and Ibn Hibban (3632).
Glory be to Allah (SubhanaAllah)! Sins of two years for one day of sincere fasting! O servant of Allah, do not miss this opportunity!
The sixth is the Eid prayer (Salat al-‘Eid).
The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) encouraged and commanded us to perform this prayer – it is very important. He commanded even menstruating women to be present at this prayer. Umm ‘Atiyyah narrates that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
يَخْرُجُ العَوَاتِقُ وَذَوَاتُ الخُدُورِ، أَوِ العَوَاتِقُ ذَوَاتُ الخُدُورِ، وَالحُيَّضُ، وَلْيَشْهَدْنَ الخَيْرَ، وَدَعْوَةَ المُؤْمِنِينَ، وَيَعْتَزِلُ الحُيَّضُ المُصَلَّى
He (the Messenger of Allah) commanded us that we should take out unmarried women and screened away ladies for ‘Id prayers, and he commanded the menstruating women to remain away from the place of worship of the Muslims.
The hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari (980) and Muslim (890).
If a menstruating woman is commanded to go to the Eid prayer, then what about others, O servants of Allah?! The gathering on this day is a great, manifest act of worship in Islam.
The Seventh Deed: Pronouncing Takbir Loudly
The seventh deed is pronouncing takbirs during these ten days and raising one’s voice, pronouncing takbirs loudly. Unfortunately, this is a Sunnah that people neglect: some are shy, some forget.
Al-Bukhari narrates that Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah would go out to the markets during these ten days and loudly proclaim the takbir, and people, hearing them, would also begin to say the takbir. Therefore, it is desirable during these ten days to say the takbir loudly wherever possible: at home, on the road, when walking, when returning – wherever you can do it, do it!
And how is the takbir pronounced? There are different forms, but the most well-known, which you probably know, is:
اللهُ أكبر اللهُ أكبر، لا إلهَ إلَّا الله، اللهُ أكبر اللهُ أكبر، ولله الحَمْد /Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa li-Allahi al-hamd/ (Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.)
Some people make a mistake, thinking that if they have already cut their nails or some hair, they can no longer make a sacrifice. This is a mistake! If, when these ten days began, you intended to make a sacrifice but cut some hair or nails, then you made a mistake, you acted incorrectly. But this does not mean that you cannot make a sacrifice now. You can, just return to refraining from cutting your nails and hair, and then, on the day of qurban, slaughter the sacrificial animal.
Furthermore, O servants of Allah, another question. Some say: “I did not intend to make a sacrifice, and only on the fifth or sixth day of Dhul-Hijjah, or two days before the qurban, did the intention to make it ripen for me. What should I do?” From the day your intention forms, begin to refrain from removing hair and nails.
A Final Admonition
And in conclusion, O servants of Allah, remember how you exerted yourselves in the last ten days of Ramadan, how you strove, how you stood in night prayers, tried to give sadaqa, remember Allah, and read the Quran! It is surprising why we are so sluggish and lazy during these days. Why do we neglect worship during these days? For these days are even better than the last ten days of Ramadan.
Therefore, let us not neglect, O servants of Allah, let us fear Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), remind ourselves, our brothers, our relatives, remind our wives, our children, so that we spend these days in the best worship of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). For how many of these opportunities have we missed during these ten days of the past years! Let us not miss this opportunity now! Allah has allowed you to live, Allah has extended your life until this moment – do not neglect, O servant of Allah!
We ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) by His mercy to grant us the opportunity to worship in the best way and to accept it from us.
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In the preface to this book, the author (may Almighty Allah have mercy on him) begins by praising Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He):
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ
“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.”
He then invokes blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), his family, and all his companions.
The author emphasizes that one of the greatest blessings from Allah for His servant is the blessing of Islam and the Sunnah, as people have a vital need to know their religion. This is because Almighty Allah created His servants so that they worship Him alone, without associating any partners with Him. Allah sent His messengers to them, revealed scriptures to them, and sent His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) with true guidance (الهُدًى, al-hudaa) and the religion of truth (دِينُ الحَقِّ, deenul-haqq), meaning with knowledge and righteous deeds.
There is no act that brings one closer to Allah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not clarify and guide the Ummah toward. Similarly, there is no act that distances one from Allah that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not warn his Ummah against.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not leave this world, did not pass away until he had fully conveyed the Message (رِسَالَةٌ, risalah), fulfilled the duty entrusted to him, demonstrated sincerity toward the Ummah, and lifted the veil of darkness (كَشَفَ الغُمَّةَ, kashafa al-ghummah)—referring here to various forms of misguidance. He strove earnestly and performed jihad in the path of Allah with true dedication.
And Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He) said:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way.
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread), 5:3
What does this verse, one of the last revealed in the Qur’an, signify? It indicates that this religion is complete and perfect, and Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He) states that His mercy has been perfected through the revelation of this religion. Islam does not require any additions, which is why every innovation—anything introduced into the religion—will not be part of it.
It is reported from ابْنُ مَاجِشُون (Ibn Majishun) that he said:
“I heard Malik say: مَنْ ابْتَدَعَ فِى الإِسْلَامِ بِدْعَةً يَرَاهَا حَسَنَةً, فَقَدْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ خَانَ الرِّسَالَةَ
“Whoever introduces an innovation into this religion and considers that innovation to be good is, in fact, claiming that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) betrayed the mission entrusted to him—that is, he did not fully convey it. This is because Allah says:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ
‘Today I have perfected your religion…’
فَمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَوْمَإِذٍ دِينًا, فَلَا يَكُونُ اليَوْمَ دِينًا
‘And whatever was not considered part of the religion on that day cannot be considered part of the religion today.’“
Refer to “Al-I’tisam” by Imam Ash-Shatibi, 1/25.
This book consists of questions and answers for children. The author titled it “Questions and Answers for Children” (أَسْئِلَةٌ وَأَجْوِبَةٌ لِلصِّغَارِ, As’ilatun wa Ajwibatun lis-Sighar), but at the same time, he stated: وَلَا يَسْتَغْنِي عَنْهَا الكِبَارُ (“And adults cannot do without them either.”). Essentially, it is a small treatise in which the author not only provided questions and answers but also added explanations to each, resulting in this book. Today, we will examine the first question.
The First Question:
مَنْ رَبُّكَ “Who is your Lord?”
Answer:
رَبِّيَ اللهُ “My Lord is Allah.”
When a person is placed in their grave, they will be asked three things (three questions will be posed to them). The first of these questions is a great and significant one. Evidence for this is found in the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who said:
فَيَأْتِيهِ مَلَكَانِ, فَيُجْلِسَانِهِ فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ : مَنْ رَبُّكَ ؟ فَيَقُولُ : رَبِّيَ اللهُ
“Two angels will come to him, make him sit up, and ask him who his Lord is, to which he will reply that his Lord is Allah” This hadith was transmitted by Imam Ahmad (18534), and its authenticity was confirmed by Sheikh Al-Albani in “Sahih al-Jami’” (1676).
Due to the significance of this question, it is the duty of a servant to know their Lord. Allah created jinn and humans, sent messengers to them, and revealed scriptures to acquaint His servants with Himself so that they may know Him. The knowledge of Allah (مَعْرِفَةُ اللهِ, ma’rifatu-llah) is one of the wise purposes and objectives for which Allah created His creations, including humans.
Some may say that Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He) created humans to worship Him. This is true, but Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He) also points to another purpose. In general, Allah created humans with three wise purposes or goals, which are interconnected and flow from one another.
The First Purpose: To know their Lord.
The evidence for this is the statement of Almighty Allah:
اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَمِنَ الْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا
Allah is the One Who created seven heavens ˹in layers˺, and likewise for the earth. The ˹divine˺ command descends between them so you may know that Allah is Most Capable of everything and that Allah certainly encompasses all things in ˹His˺ knowledge. Qur’an, Surah At-Talaq (Divorce), 65:12
In this verse, Allah says that He created the heavens and the earth so that we may know that Allah is All-Powerful and that He encompasses everything with His knowledge. In other words, this was done so that we may come to know Him. This is the first wise purpose behind the creation of humans.
The Second Wise Purpose:
The testing (الابْتِلَاءُ, al-ibtila’), the examination (الاخْتِبَارُ, al-ikhtibar).
The evidence for this is found in a verse from Surah Al-Mulk:
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
˹He is the One˺ Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds.
Qur’an, Surah Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty), 67:2
What are these good deeds (العَمَلُ الحَسَنُ, al-‘amalul-hasan)? A good deed meets two criteria: it must be sincerely dedicated to Allah (خَالِصًا للهِ, khalisan li-Allah) and it must be correct, in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (صَوَابًا عَلَى سُنَّةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ, sawaaban ‘ala sunnati rasuli-llah).
Thus, this was the second purpose of creation.
The third purpose of creating humans and jinn is worship of Allah alone, without associating any partners with Him. The evidence for this is a verse from Surah Az-Zariyat:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me.
Qur’an, Surah Az-Zariyat (The Winnowing Winds), 51:56
These words: لِيَعْبُدُونِ (“that they may worship Me”) mean لِيُوَحِّدُونِي (“that they may declare My Oneness”), that is, to profess the Tawhid of Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He), to worship Him alone and to know Him.
So, what does “He created humans and jinn to worship Me” mean? It means to profess Tawhid, the Oneness of Allah, and to know Allah, because it is known that when a servant knows Allah, they will worship Him alone, not associating anything with Him. These are very important words.
Why does shirk (associating partners with Allah) arise, and why do people worship someone besides Allah or alongside Allah? The reason for this is ignorance of the Lord in the proper way. If a servant knows Allah, they will worship Him alone, not associating anything with Him. But if they are unaware of Allah’s rights, they will commit shirk, associating partners with Allah in worship and showing disbelief. Therefore, the more knowledge a person has about Allah, the more they know Allah, the greater their worship of Allah, reverence and fear of Him, hope in Him, and proper adherence to His commands.
The messengers (الرُّسُلُ, ar-rusul) of all people had the most perfect worship of Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He) and feared Him more than anyone else. Why did the messengers fear Allah more than others, and why was their worship the most perfect? It was because of the completeness of their knowledge about Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He). Therefore, Allah says:
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ
Of all of Allah’s servants, only the knowledgeable ˹of His might˺ are ˹truly˺ in awe of Him.
Qur’an, Surah Fatir (The Originator), 35:28
That is, the more one knows Allah, the more they fear Him and worship Him better. The messengers (الرُّسُلُ, ar-rusul) know Allah more than anyone else, and after them, the scholars (العُلَمَاءُ, al-‘ulama). Therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says:
إِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ ، وَأَعْلَمَكُمْ بِمَا أَتَّقِي
By Allah, I hope I am the most God-fearirg of you, and possess the best knowledge among you of those (things) against which I should guard. This hadith was transmitted by Imam Al-Bukhari (20) and Muslim (1110). Sheikh Al-Albani classified this hadith as authentic. Refer to “Sahih al-Jami’ as-Saghir” (1533).
Among the things that highlight the importance of knowing Allah is when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Mu’adh ibn Jabal to Yemen and said to him:
إِنَّكَ تَقْدَمُ عَلَى قَوْمٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الكِتَابِ
You will soon find yourself in a community one among the people of the Book, so first call them to testify that
أَنْ يُوَحِّدُواْ اللهَ تَعَالَى
there is no god but Allah
فَإِذَا عَرَفُواْ ذَلِكَ
and if they accept this
فَأَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ اللهَ قَدْ فَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي يَوْمِهِمْ وَلَيْلَتِهِمْ
then tell them Allah has enjoined upon them five prayers during the day and the night. The hadith was transmitted by Al-Bukhari (7372) and Muslim (19).
Note here that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mu’adh: “You will come to a people from the People of the Book,” meaning he sent him to Yemen to a people who had certain knowledge, who had scripture, not just any people. “The first thing you will call them to is Tawhid of Allah,” meaning that they worship only Allah. “If they know this…”
Pay attention, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded Mu’adh to call them to the Tawhid of Allah, to worship Allah alone, حَتَّى يَعْرِفُواْ اللهَ (hatta ya‘rifu-llah), until they know Allah and worship Him alone without associating any partners with Him.
Therefore, a Muslim is obligated to know Allah by becoming acquainted with His most beautiful Names, His exalted Attributes, His commands and prohibitions, His rulings (ahkam), and by understanding what Allah loves and what He hates — all of this falls under the concept of “knowing Allah” (مَعْرِفَةُ اللهِ, ma‘rifatu-llah).
Whoever knows Allah will then worship Him properly, professing Tawhid, avoiding shirk and kufr. They will fulfill the third purpose: passing the trials properly, performing the best deeds sincerely for Allah and in accordance with the Sunnah.
This is how these three purposes are interconnected: the first is the knowledge of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), so that we may know Him; if you know Allah, the second purpose follows — proper worship of Him, professing Tawhid; and the third purpose is to pass the test by performing the best deeds that are pleasing to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). These are the deeds that are done sincerely for Him alone and in accordance with the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Someone might say that the question in the grave: مَنْ رَبُّكَ (Man Rabbuka, “Who is your Lord?”) — is a very simple question. The question is simple, and the answer is simple: “The Lord is Allah.” But the correct answer to this is that a servant will not be able to remain steadfast there, in the grave, and give the correct answer unless he showed steadfastness in this world. If he was not steadfast in this world, then during the questioning in the grave, he will also not be steadfast and will not be able to give the correct answer with understanding and knowledge that his Lord is Allah.
And if a person considers and analyzes what will happen in the grave — such things as the questioning by the two angels, مُنْكَرٌ (Munkar) and نَكِيرٌ (Nakir) (an authentic hadith indicates that these angels are named مُنْكَرٌ Munkar and نَكِيرٌ Nakir), along with other significant and great events that will occur in the grave — then he will realize and understand how immense the need is to ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to make him steadfast with a firm word.
فَيَأْتِيهِ مَلَكَانِ, فَيُجْلِسَانِهِ
Two angels will come to him, make him sit up
فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ : مَنْ رَبُّكَ ؟
and ask him who his Lord is, to which he will reply
هاه هاه ! لا أدري …
“Haah-haah, I do no know”
The hadith was transmitted by Imam Ahmad (18534), and its authenticity was confirmed by Sheikh Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Jami’ (1676).
In this hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us about the one who doubts and hesitates, indicating that such a person will not be granted assistance in the grave to answer this question. Who will be granted assistance? The one who was steadfast in this world, who knew who his Lord was, and who worshiped Allah. But the one who wavered in this world will not receive Tawfiq (divine assistance) from Allah. The Almighty will not support him, and he will be unable to answer what seems to be a simple question.
Here, the insightful words of Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah be pleased with him) are mentioned:
“Reflect on these words: ‘Haah-haah.’ Why does a person say this? It is as though they are struggling to recall something they once knew. It is as if they forgot something that was once in their memory, and now they desperately want to remember it. When it feels like you know the answer but cannot recall it, your sorrow, grief, and regret will only intensify. It will feel as though the answer is within reach, but there is a barrier preventing it, and all you can say is: ‘Haah-haah.’
Then they will add: ‘I heard people saying something, so I repeated it.’ (SubhanAllah! This person also said these words in this world, but only with their tongue. These words were not in their heart, nor reflected in their actions.) Such a person will not be able to answer in the grave: ‘My Lord is Allah,’ or say: ‘My religion is Islam,’ or say: ‘My Prophet is Muhammad.’ This is because they were hesitant and doubtful in this worldly life.”
See the commentary on Sharh Al-‘Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah 2/117.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) will strengthen and support those who were firm in Islam during their worldly life when answering this question. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) mentions this in Surah Ibrahim.
يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ
Allah makes the believers steadfast with the firm Word ˹of faith˺1 in this worldly life and the Hereafter. And Allah leaves the wrongdoers to stray. The Quran, Surah “Ibrahim” (14:27):
Similar to this is crossing the bridge of Sirat, which will be laid over the back of Hell, leading to Paradise. No one will be exempt from this necessity; everyone will have to cross the Sirat. The crossing will depend on how firm and steadfast people were on the Sirat, the path Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) established in this world—the path of religion. If a person was firm and straight on this path in this world, then they will easily cross the Sirat there.
In other words, the speed with which a person crosses the Sirat in the eternal life will correspond to their steadfastness on the religious path in this world. If a person was steadfast on the Straight Path (As-Sirat Al-Mustaqeem), which is Islam, then they will cross the Sirat on the Day of Judgment. However, the one who was not steadfast in Islam in this world will not be able to cross the Sirat laid over the back of Hell.
Some people express doubt and ask, “What is the need to talk about Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah?”
What is Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah? Tawhid (Islamic monotheism) is divided into three categories:
- Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah (The Oneness of Lordship): Belief that Allah is the only Lord and Creator.
- Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah (The Oneness of Worship): Belief that Allah is the only One worthy of worship.
- Tawhid Al-Asma wa As-Sifat (The Oneness of Divine Names and Attributes): Belief in the unique Names and Attributes of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), which are exclusive to Him.
Some people say that there is no need to talk about Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (the Oneness of Worship), and it is sufficient to only explain Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (the Oneness of Lordship), meaning that Allah is the only Lord. Why talk about Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah, which means worshiping Allah alone (Exalted and Glorified is He)? What do they rely on? They argue that in the grave, the question will be: “Who is your Lord?”—and this means that it is enough to study Allah’s Lordship: that He is the only Lord, Creator, Sustainer, Disposer, and Manager. What is the need, then, to discuss that Allah is the only One worthy of worship when in the grave the question will not be, “Who is your Ma’bud (the One you worshiped)?” Thus, they claim there is no question about this matter.
What is the response to this? The point is that the word “Lord” (Rabb) and the word “God” (Ilah, meaning the One worshiped, Ma’bud)—when used together in one context, they indicate different meanings. However, if they are mentioned separately, each word includes the meaning of the other.
For example, Allah Rabbi wa Ilahi (“Allah is my Lord and my God”) means: He is my Lord, Who created, sustained, and manages all, and He is my Ilah, my Ma’bud—the One I worship. When these words are in one context, they have distinct meanings: Rabb points to creation, management of affairs, and provision, while Ilah points to worship—that He is the Ma’bud (the One worshiped).
If the word Rabb is used independently of Ilah, or the word Ilah is used independently of Rabb, then they carry the same meaning and encompass the meaning of both terms.
The word Rabb refers to the Creator, Sustainer, and also the One worshiped. The word Ilah refers to the One worshiped but also includes the Creator and Sustainer.
Evidence that the word Rabb is used in the sense of Ilah (the One worshiped) is found in the words of Allah (Exalted and Glorified is He) in Surah Yusuf:
يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَأَرْبَابٌ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ
O my fellow-prisoners! Which is far better: many different lords or Allah—the One, the Supreme?
The Quran, Surah Yusuf, 12:39:
Here, the word Arbab (lords) does not mean creators but refers to gods who are worshiped. Yusuf (peace be upon him), addressing his fellow prisoners, says:
“Is it better to worship many lords (arbaab) or Allah, the One, the Subjugator?”
This is evidence that Rabb (Lord) is used in the meaning of Ilah (God), because he is speaking to them about worship.
Another example is found in Surah At-Tawbah:
اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ الله
They have taken their rabbis and monks as well as the Messiah, son of Mary, as lords besides Allah
The Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:31
In what sense is the word “lords” used here? They did not think that the scholars and monks created them. No, of course not. It is used in the sense of objects of worship, gods. And evidence of this interpretation is the hadith of Adi ibn Hatim, who was previously a Christian and had just accepted Islam. He heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) reciting these words:
اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ الله
They took their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah
He said, “We do not worship them.” This means he understood that by the word “lords,” it refers to “objects of worship.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Do they not declare halal as haram, or conversely, haram as halal, and you follow them? This is worshiping them.”
This hadith is narrated by Imam at-Tirmidhi (3095), al-Bayhaqi (10/116), at-Tabarani in “al-Kabir” (17/92), and others. The authenticity of this hadith was confirmed by imams at-Tirmidhi, Abu Muzafar as-Sam’ani, Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Alusi, al-Albani, ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Arnaut, and others. See “Tahrij Ahadith al-Kashaf” (2/66), “Tafseer as-Sam’ani” (2/303), “Majmu’ul-Fatawa” (7/67), “Ruh al-Ma’ani” (5/365), “Umdat al-Tafseer” (2/160), “As-Silsilah As-Sahihah” (3293), “Tahrij Fath al-Majid” (464), “Tahrij Ahadith Mundak’ada fi Kitab at-Tawhid” (91-94).
Thus, the companions Salaf understood that by the word “lords” (in the verse under the word أَرْبَابًا (arbaaban)), it refers to Ilah (آلِهَةٌ “Aalihah”) — the one who is worshiped.
Further evidence:
وَلَا يَأْمُرَكُمْ أَن تَتَّخِذُوا الْمَلَائِكَةَ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ أَرْبَابًا
And he would never ask you to take angels and prophets as lords. Quran, Surah “Aali Imran”, 3:80
That is, the objects of worship ma’budan (worshiped ones).
Allah (Glorified and Exalted) – He is ar-Rabb (The Lord), and ar-Rabb is Allah. The Lord is Allah, and Allah is The Lord. Therefore, in the grave, when you are asked: Man rabbuka (Who is your Lord?), it does not refer to “Who is your Creator?” but it refers to “Who is the One you worshiped, knowing Him as the Lord?” That is, Ilahuka allathee ta’buduhu (Who is your God that you worship?). This is the answer to the first question, “Who is your Lord?”
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O servants of Allah, Surah Al-Fatihah is the greatest surah in the Qur’an. This was affirmed by the prominent scholar from the early generations, Ibn Jarir al-Tabari. All Islamic scholars unanimously agree that this surah consists of seven verses. Therefore, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in the Qur’an refers to this surah as the “seven oft-repeated” verses (sab‘ al-mathani), because we repeat it in every rak‘ah of prayer.
O servants of Allah, the word “Ameen” is not a verse of Surah Al-Fatihah. Many people mistakenly believe it is part of Al-Fatihah, and thus when teaching their children to recite this surah, they teach them to say “Ameen” at the end. However, the word “Ameen” is a separate supplication (du‘a) that means “O Allah, respond” (Allahumma istajib). A person recites Surah Al-Fatihah, which is the best supplication (du‘a), and then says “Ameen,” meaning “O Allah, respond.” Yet, children grow up believing that “Ameen” is part of Surah Al-Fatihah, even though it is not.
Many people make mistakes in pronouncing the word “Ameen.” There are two acceptable pronunciations:
- Aaaaamiiin – prolonged;
- Ameen – short.
Both are permissible. However, some say Ammiin, which is incorrect as it conveys a completely different meaning.
O servants of Allah, here is another mistake! Many people, when reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, make errors that distort its meaning. For example:
- Incorrect: Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqiim, siraatal-latheena an‘amtU (instead of an‘amtA) ‘alayhim, which means, “Guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those whom I (instead of You) have blessed.”
- A very common mistake occurs when a person fails to double the letter ya in the phrase:
Iyaka na‘budu wa iyaka nasta‘een. They might say, “to the Sun we worship and from the Sun we seek help from” (changing the meaning to “sun”). Therefore, one must double the ya in the middle:
Iy-yaka na‘budu wa iy-yaka nasta‘een, meaning “YOU alone we worship, and YOU alone we seek help from.”
I urge all Muslims, as it is an obligation for every Muslim, male or female, to seek knowledge. Among the essential knowledge required of every one of us without exception are:
- First, learning to recite Surah Al-Fatihah correctly, as we must recite this surah at least 17 times a day during prayer, and it must be recited correctly. It is a pillar of Salah, and Salah is a pillar of Islam.
- Secondly, it is equally important to study the meaning of what we recite. The Qur’an was revealed not merely to be recited without understanding, but to be comprehended. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ
˹This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.
(Qur’an, Surah “Sad,” 38:29)
How can you reflect if you do not understand what you are reading?! Therefore, O servants of Allah, study the meanings of the Qur’an, particularly the meaning of Surah Al-Fatihah. Use reliable Qur’anic tafsir sources for this purpose—not the tafsir of misguided groups, grave worshippers, or Mu‘tazilites. Follow the tafsir of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah, such as the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir. Among the best, simplest, and most concise tafsirs available in Russian is the Tafsir of Shaykh Abdurrahman as-Sa‘di (may Allah have mercy on him). I advise myself and you to study it.
O servants of Allah, we ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), besides whom there is no true deity, to guide us all and set all our affairs in order. We ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to allow us to live as monotheists and die as monotheists, so that our final words may be:
“La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah” (“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and [I testify that] Muhammad is His Messenger”).
May Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) enable us to live in Islam and die in faith. May Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) grant Muslims knowledge of their religion and steadfast adherence to it, for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
﴿مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْراً يُفَقِّهْهُ في الدِّينِ﴾
“When God wishes good for anyone He instructs him in the religion.
And if this Ummah lacks understanding of its religion, one should reflect: have we reached such a state that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) does not will good for us? May Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) protect us from this.
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O servants of Allah, O Muslims! Returning to the path of the predecessors (as-salaf) is our happiness, our strength, our salvation, and our victory. But know this: the enemies of our religion understood before many Muslims did that our salvation lies in returning to the way of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. They realized this long ago. That is why they have been striving, from ancient times until today, to distance Muslims from their predecessors (salaf), to sow hatred for the Companions in people’s hearts, to distort descriptions of their lives, their history, and the understanding of the path of the Companions and the righteous predecessors (as-salaf as-salih).
SubhanAllah, every community and group suffers due to its ignorant members, due to the ignorance of its representatives. Muslims, do not be ignorant! Due to their ignorance, some Muslims have unwittingly aided the enemies in their efforts to tarnish the path of the righteous predecessors. These ignorant Muslims, unknowingly manipulated and guided by various hostile agents, called themselves followers of the righteous predecessors (Salafis), created various groups and organizations under this noble name, and then began committing crimes incompatible with the principles of the predecessors (salaf). Through their actions, they cast a shadow on the true path of the Companions and the predecessors, tainting the moderation of the predecessors with their extremism.
As a result, the enemy has achieved its goal, gaining the ability to fight against true Islam by labeling it a fight against “Salafi radicalism.” In the media, all kinds of terrorists and radicals are referred to as “Salafis,” confusing people and equating various extreme radical groups with the followers of the pure path of the righteous predecessors (as-salaf as-salih), who, of course, have nothing to do with these groups’ extremism, brutality, and savagery. This has no connection to the path of the righteous predecessors. However, because of these ignorant groups, the enemy succeeded in making the term “Salafism” and association with the path of the righteous predecessors (as-salaf as-salih) synonymous with extremism or terrorism.
This is how adversaries implement their plan to divert Muslims from the path of the righteous predecessors, leading them astray. They create radical groups under the name “Salafism,” incite followers of the righteous predecessors to commit heinous crimes out of ignorance, and then label these crimes as “Salafism.” Using this as a pretext, they fight against the true followers of the righteous predecessors, hindering and obstructing Muslims’ return to the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions.
Unfortunately, many Muslims, who know nothing about the true path of the predecessors and the correct Islam, fall into this trap. Why is it so important to follow the path of the predecessors? Reflect on this! Revelations were sent down, Quranic verses exist, but the role and significance of the Companions lie in the fact that they embodied these teachings in practice. This was the first practical implementation of Islam, under the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Then came the generation of followers (Tabi’un), who continued this path, practicing Islam under the guidance and mentorship of the Companions. Following them came another generation, learning from the Tabi’un under their guidance.
Who can add anything to this path? Who dares claim there is a better way than this and that the truth can lie elsewhere? Did your Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), his Companions, or the first generations of this Ummah do what many who call themselves Muslims do today? Did they invoke the dead or ask for favors from them? Did they visit graves and worship the righteous? Did they seek blessings (barakah) at these graves? Did they kill Muslims? Did they kill innocent people? Did they harm non-Muslims who had been given a guarantee of safety, pretending they would cause them no harm? Did they break their agreements?
This list could go on and on. Think of all the ways Muslims today have diverged from the righteous predecessors’ path.
O Muslims, we grow weaker as our adherence to the path of the righteous predecessors weakens, and as various religious innovations infiltrate our midst—whether in beliefs (‘aqidah), acts of worship, or methods of dawah. The further we deviate from the path of the righteous predecessors, the more distant we become from the Quran and Sunnah, and the weaker and more humiliated we will be. If you Muslims seek a way out of this humiliation and weakness and desire revival, there is only one way—the way of the righteous predecessors (as-salaf as-salih). You must return to the correct Islam, which is the original Islam of Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, ‘Ali, and the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Return to this pure source! Do not seek other paths or muddy waters! Live with this path to the end and bequeath to your children to live and die upon it. Do not let desires mislead you, do not fear the abundance of adversaries, and do not be afraid of the pressures of the misguided.
We ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to show us the truth as truth and enable us to follow it, and to show us falsehood as falsehood and enable us to avoid it.
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O servants of Allah! O Muslims! Indeed, the greatest commandment of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) is to fear Allah (taqwa of Allah). The Most High Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
O believers! Be mindful of Allah in the way He deserves,1 and do not die except in a state of full submission to Him. (Qur’an, Surah Al-Imran, 3:102)
Whoever fears Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) will be with them. Whoever fears Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) will take them under His protection and make them among His close ones. If Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) makes you one of His close ones and is with you, then what is difficult will become easy, what is far will become near, and fears will turn into peace and security. Whoever has Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) with them will be relieved of sadness, sorrow, worries, and burdens. If Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) is with you, whom should you fear? If Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) protects you, why would you need to rely on anyone else?
O Muslims! Material civilization, along with its discoveries and inventions, generally moves from what is worse to what is better. That is, in the realm of material civilization, what follows is usually better than what preceded, the latter is often an improvement over the former. However, an entirely different law applies when it comes to people’s religion. In every community (ummah) that follows the true religion (creed), the first believers are always better than those who follow later; the earlier generations are superior to the later ones, and the predecessors are better than the successors.
Why is there such a distinction between material civilization and religion? Because material civilization starts by crawling on all fours and gradually stands on its feet. But as for the religion of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), it is born firmly standing on its feet. Material civilization involves the accumulation of various forms of knowledge and experiences. In contrast, religion is what is revealed by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), a perfect gift from Him, His divine revelation (teachings).
Have you ever observed a flowing stream? A stream begins as a spring, clear and pure at its source. But the farther it flows towards its mouth, the more impurities mix with the water, making it increasingly murky. Similarly, there is a difference between the early generations of those who follow the true creed (true religion) and the later generations. Thus, the best among the Jews were their prophets and the companions of their prophets, their early scribes and scholars. The best among the Christian community (ummah) were ‘Isa (peace be upon him) and his apostles. The best among the Muslims were Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions (Sahabah), followed by those who came after them, and then those who came after them. With the passing of each generation of predecessors, a portion of knowledge, understanding, virtue, and excellence was lost. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) warned about this shortly before his departure from this world. He said to his companions:
فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَعِشْ مِنْكُمْ بَعْدِي فَسَيَرَى اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا، فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِسُنَّتِي وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ مِن بَعدي، تَمَسَّكُوا بِهَا وَعَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ، وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُورِ، فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ، وَكُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ
I enjoin you to fear Allah, and to hear and obey even if it be an Abyssinian slave, for those of you who live after me will see great disagreement. You must then follow my sunnah and that of the rightly-guided caliphs. Hold to it and stick fast to it. Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error. (Abu Dawood (4607), At-Tirmidhi (2676), Ibn Majah (44), and Ahmad (17144))
If you want to know how close people are to their religion, observe how closely they adhere to the way of the predecessors of this community (ummah), that is, the righteous predecessors (as-Salaf as-Salih). The closer people are to the righteous predecessors, the more correct their path. The more they neglect the path of the righteous predecessors, the more misguided they become. And if any group curses the predecessors or curses the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), there is no good in such a group at all! That is why Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “If you see someone speaking ill of any of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), question their Islam.”
Question whether this person is even a Muslim. This is why, if you look at the books of the early Imams, they are filled with advice to adhere to the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and to cling to the Qur’an and Sunnah as understood by the righteous predecessors (as-Salaf as-Salih). The righteous predecessors (as-Salaf as-Salih) are a guarantee of correct guidance. They are a safeguard against misguidance. The path of the predecessors (Salaf) is the most accurate and trustworthy. They understood the Revelations from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) — the Qur’an and Sunnah — better than anyone else. They followed them more closely than anyone else. They were true and authentic Muslims in the fullest sense of the word. And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) confirms this in the Qur’an. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
As for the foremost—the first of the Emigrants1 and the Helpers2—and those who follow them in goodness, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. And He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. That is the ultimate triumph. (Qur’an, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:100)
Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
خَيْرُ النَّاسِ قَرْنِي ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘The best of you (people) are my generation, and the second best will be those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the second generation.” (Al-Bukhari (6695))
O Muslim, listen! This is very important! Only those who board the ship of the predecessors will be saved. Board this ship yourself, stay on its deck until the very end, until you reach your destination port, which is your death. No matter how enticing other ships may seem, O Muslim, be a follower of the righteous predecessors (as-Salaf as-Salih) — a Salafi. This is not a movement, party, or sect, nor is it any divisive group. It is a term that essentially denotes the original, ancient Islam in its entirety.
Salafiyyah is the early Islam (al-Islam al-‘Atiq), the Islam known to Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. It is the same path for which Khalid and Sa’d fought. It is the path on which Hamzah and Mus‘ab were martyred. It is the path upheld by Ibn Mas‘ud, Ibn ‘Abbas, and other companions. It is the path walked by Hasan al-Basri, Ibrahim an-Nakha‘i, and ash-Sha‘bi. This is the path of Abu Hanifa, Malik, ash-Shafi‘i, and Ahmad. It is the path followed by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, and At-Tirmidhi.
The biographies of all these individuals and many others are well-documented, their traditions preserved, and their books safeguarded. Indeed, blessed and fortunate is the one who adheres to what the predecessors were upon and avoids any innovations introduced into the religion later. By Allah, how easy and secure it is to follow the predecessors, and how heavy and empty it is to follow various innovations. May Allah, the Most High, protect us and you from misguidance.
Some might say: “Why do we need these terms? Isn’t the name ‘Muslim’ that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) gave us sufficient?” Yes, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) called us Muslims (Muslimoon), and we are proud of this name. But note that during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), there were no movements or parties; there was only one party — the Party of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Everyone who called themselves Muslims (Muslimoon) followed one path and one set of principles — they followed the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
This unity continued during the times of Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman. However, later, some groups emerged claiming to be Muslims but deviating from the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) informed us about this and said in a hadith:
” لَيَأْتِيَنَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي مَا أَتَى عَلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ حَذْوَ النَّعْلِ بِالنَّعْلِ، حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَتَى أمَّه علانيةً كان من أُمَّتِي مَنْ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ، وَإِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ تفرَّقوا على اثنين وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً، وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً
“What befell the children of Isra’il will befall my Ummah, step by step, such that if there was one who had intercourse with his mother in the open, then there would be someone from my Ummah who would do that. Indeed the children of Isra’il split into seventy-two sects, and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects.
كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً
All of them are in the Fire Except one sect.”
When asked:
مَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟
“And which is it, O Messenger of Allah?”
He said:
مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي
“What I am upon and my Companions.”(At-Tirmidhi (2641), At-Tabarani (14646), and Al-Hakim (444)) Observe here that a warning of Hellfire is mentioned for all groups that do not follow the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions. However, this does not mean that all these groups are disbelievers or that they have left Islam entirely. They remain Muslims but are misguided Muslims. They are threatened with punishment in Hell but will not remain there eternally due to their belief in Tawheed and the faith (Iman) they possess.
These groups, though they do not adhere to true Islam, still belong to the fold of Islam and are called Muslims. How, then, can these groups be distinguished from those who remain on the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? For this reason, the followers of the Sunnah, the group that adheres to the way of the companions, have been referred to by different names.
They are called the Followers of the Sunnah (Ahl as-Sunnah) in contrast to the Followers of Innovations (Ahl al-Bid’ah). They are called the United Community (Al-Jama’ah), which remains united around the Qur’an and Sunnah without allowing for religious division. They are referred to as the Saved Sect (Al-Firqah An-Najiyah). They are called the Victorious Group (At-Ta’ifah Al-Mansurah). They are known as the Followers of Hadith (Ahl al-Hadith). They are also called the Followers of Traditions, meaning the Qur’an, Sunnah, and what was transmitted from the companions (Ahl al-Athar). They are known as the Followers of the Predecessors (Salafiyyun or Atba’ as-Salaf).
Every Muslim is obliged to be part of this group! It is not a party or a movement. It is Islam itself. If you seek salvation, you must belong to this group. Do you belong to it or not? Check yourself! To evaluate, there are essential criteria. Let us briefly mention them so that each of us can see whether they adhere to this or only claim the name.
The first quality: They call to Tawheed — worshiping Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) alone without associating partners with Him and rejecting all forms of polytheism. They fight against shirk (associating partners with Allah) in all its manifestations. Worshiping Allah alone and rejecting false gods is the cornerstone of their call. The most important aspect of their message is Tawheed because it is for this purpose that Allah created us.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me. (Qur’an, Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56)
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) sent all the prophets with only one main purpose – for people to worship Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and no one else.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ
We never sent a messenger before you ˹O Prophet˺ without revealing to him: “There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Me, so worship Me ˹alone˺.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:25)
And they pay great attention to other aspects of this belief system (Aqeedah) – it is Tawheed, the oneness of Allah, as the Lord and Creator, and the belief in the names and attributes (Al-Asma’ wa as-Sifat) of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). That is, Aqeedah is the core focus for the followers of the righteous predecessors.
Second quality: Unquestionable obedience to the Qur’an and Sunnah and acting upon them according to the command of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). He says:
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ
It is not for a believing man or woman—when Allah and His Messenger decree a matter—to have any other choice in that matter. (Qur’an, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:36)
They unquestioningly submit to the texts of the Shariah, regardless of whether it aligns with their personal desires, preferences, or habits, whether they understand the wisdom behind the command or not. They simply follow and implement it. They never oppose the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah with their own opinions, nor do they say: “I think this,” or give the opinion of anyone, no matter who they are.
Third quality: They adhere to the unanimous opinions of the companions. That is, if the companions (Sahabah) had a unanimous opinion (Ijma’) on a particular issue, the followers of the righteous predecessors do not deviate from it. They show great respect for the words of the companions and follow them, unless they contradict the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), especially the words of the four righteous caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them).
Why do we follow the companions in their understanding? Because they knew better than anyone else what Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) meant when He revealed the verses, and what the Prophet (peace be upon him) meant when he spoke his hadiths.
Fourth quality: The followers of the righteous predecessors (As-Salaf As-Salih) do not compromise or make concessions in matters of Tawheed and Aqeedah. They do not accept differences in issues related to Aqeedah and Tawheed. When the polytheists (Mushrikun) told the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Let’s compromise a little in religion, abandon your principle, and we will also compromise, and we’ll meet halfway,” Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
They wish you would compromise so they would yield ˹to you˺. (Qur’an, Surah Al-Qalam, 68:9)
The followers of the righteous predecessors (Salaf as-Salih) do not compromise in these matters. Due to their uncompromising stance, misguided groups often dislike them, accuse them of various faults to turn people away from them, persecute them, rally against them, and wage an information war against them, just as the polytheists and hypocrites (Munafiqun) did against the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions.
Fifth quality: Ahlu Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah, the followers of the righteous predecessors (Salaf as-Salih), fight against innovations (bid’ahs) and disassociate themselves from the followers of innovations to the extent that their misguidance contradicts the truth. Whether these innovations concern Aqeedah, actions, the methodology of calling to the faith (Manhaj), or other areas. When Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) was told: “There are people in Basra who deny predestination (Qadr),” he said: “If you meet them, tell them that I have no connection with them, and they have no connection with me.”
Sixth quality: The followers of the righteous predecessors (Salaf as-Salih) love the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Despite the time gap between them and the companions, they love them as though they knew them personally. They love the companions (Sahabah) and those who follow their path until the Day of Judgment more than their own relatives. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) says: A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying,
مَتَى السَّاعَةُ ؟“When will the Hour be?”
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
وَمَاذَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا؟
“What have you prepared for it?”
So you’re asking when it will happen, but what have you prepared for the Day of Judgment?
He said:
The man said,
لاَ شَيْءَ، إِلَّا أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
“Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Apostle.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ
“You will be with those whom you love.”
An Anas said:
فَمَا فَرِحْنَا بِشَيْءٍ، فَرَحَنَا بِقَوْلِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ» قَالَ أَنَسٌ: فَأَنَا أُحِبُّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ، وَعُمَرَ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ مَعَهُمْ بِحُبِّي إِيَّاهُمْ، وَإِنْ لَمْ أَعْمَلْ بِمِثْلِ أَعْمَالِهِمْ
We had never been so glad as we were on hearing that saying of the Prophet (i.e., “You will be with those whom you love.”) Therefore, I love the Prophet, Abu Bakr and `Umar, and I hope that I will be with them because of my love for them though my deeds are not similar to theirs. (Al-Bukhari (3688), Muslim (2639))
Anas said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
آيَةُ الإِيمَانِ حُبُّ الأَنْصَارِ وَآيَةُ النِّفَاقِ بُغْضُ الأَنْصَارِ
“Love for the Ansar is a sign of faith and hatred for the Ansar is a sign of hypocrisy.” (Al-Bukhari (17))
We testify that we love Abu Bakr, we love ‘Umar, we love ‘Uthman, we love ‘Ali—all the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and all those who followed them. We hope to meet Allah (Exalted and Glorified) with this love in our hearts.
Seventh Quality
The followers of the righteous predecessors (Salafus-Salih), Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, are not fanatically attached to any particular place, nation, skin color, or race. Their attitude, love, and inclination toward a person depend solely on how close that person is to the truth. Our allegiance is only to Allah (Exalted and Glorified), His Messenger, and the believers. Salafiyyah has no geographical boundaries. It is a path that encompasses the entire world. Look at the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah; they come from different places and represent various nations.
Eighth Quality
Salafiyyah is about knowledge (ilm) and action (amal). Their path is based on knowledge—this is a distinguishing feature. They love knowledge. The foundation of their call is true knowledge (ilm) of the Qur’an and Sunnah. They study, preserve, and disseminate the knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Look at the misguided groups: they often neglect knowledge and disregard the study of Shari’ah texts from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah have inherited this knowledge from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and they carry it forward. But they do not stop at knowledge (ilm); they implement it, and it is reflected in their actions and behavior.
Ninth Quality
Another important characteristic is that the call of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah (Salafiyyah) is clear and comprehensible. There is no distortion, incomprehensible complexity, ambiguity, confusion, or obscurity, as is often the case with misguided groups.
Tenth Quality
Listen closely; this is very important! They do not divide the religion into parts. They take the religion in its entirety, not selectively, choosing what suits their preferences while leaving out other parts. This is because Allah (Exalted and Glorified) said:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً
O believers! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly (Qur’an, Surah “The Cow,” 2:208)
“There should not be factions that extract only certain aspects of Islam that appeal to them while neglecting and discarding the rest. Look at many groups that take a part of the religion and then say, ‘Come to us; we are people of prayer.’ Others say, ‘Come to us; we are people of jihad.’ Others say, ‘Come to us; we are people of dawah (tabligh).’ Still others say, ‘Come to us; we are people of the caliphate.’ Thus, one of the main characteristics of misguided groups is that they call to only one aspect of the religion while ignoring the others.”
Eleventh Quality
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah call for unity and warn against division. The Muslim community (Ummah) must not be fragmented! However, there is a key condition: we do not call for unity merely for the sake of coming together on unclear or compromised principles. Some say, “It doesn’t matter who you are—whether you insult Abu Bakr or Aisha, worship graves, or do other such things—let’s unite and overlook our differences. Let’s agree on what we have in common and forgive each other for the rest.” This is the wrong principle of the misguided!
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah say: “Yes, we must unite, but all Muslims must unite around the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). We align ourselves with others and join a banner only based on this principle.”
Twelfth Quality
O servants of Allah, Salafiyyah, Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, is the true path—it is the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions (Sahabah). A very important characteristic of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah is that Salafiyyah has no founder. Their only founder is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), unlike misguided groups.
For example:
- The Jahmites follow Jahm ibn Safwan,
- The Ash’arites follow Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari,
- The Tabligh group follows Muhammad Ilyas al-Kandahlawi, etc.
Each group has a specific founder. But Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah have only one: the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
At the same time, Salafiyyah must not be turned into a form of partisanship or factionalism. It is not a party! Unfortunately, some people call themselves Salafis or Salafi groups and then look down on others, isolating themselves. This is incorrect. You should care for all Muslims and the entire Ummah, calling them to the truth and striving to save as many as possible. They are your Muslim brothers, and between you and them are the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Do not divide people into “insiders” and “outsiders” based on personal circles or who interacts with you or not. No—your task is to save everyone around you.
May Allah (Exalted and Glorified) adorn all of us with the qualities listed above.
The post What is Salafiyyah? Part 1 appeared first on Live Islam.
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O servants of Allah! Believers, Muslims, if they deviate from the true path, from the path of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), from the path of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), they become captives of their desires and passions, which begin to control them and drive them wherever they please. And so you see that this person is no longer on the straight path; this person is already on the path of misguidance. And who does this person blindly follow? Such a person blindly follows the one in whom they see strength and dominance—not the one (!) who has the truth, but the one in whom they perceive strength and dominance. Look at the condition of Muslims today. Is this not the reality today?
Some Muslims blindly imitate the so-called “powerful” West. They imitate them in all unworthy things, in words and actions. They do not imitate them in sciences, in inventions, in production, in industry, or in anything truly beneficial. No, they imitate their moral qualities, the way they eat, drink, speak, their customs, and their lifestyle.
One of the things some Muslims blindly imitate is this calamity, this disaster, called New Year’s celebration. This reprehensible, vile practice has spread among Muslims, and many have become infatuated with it, paying great attention to it and preparing for it. They turn New Year’s time into a time of vacations, rest, and celebrations.
Why does all this happen? Of course, it stems from weak faith (iman), primarily caused by a lack of knowledge about their Lord and their religion. Weak faith in the heart drives people to blindly follow the misguided, to walk their path, and to love worldly life (dunya). Thus, when they see this dazzling material civilization, based on materialism—a false civilization of the West—they admire it, become enchanted by it, and captivated by its brilliance. Another reason is the powerful propaganda and ideological pressure that encourages these errors.
As the New Year approaches, we see some Muslims preparing for it as if it were part of their religion or principles. Some even regard New Year’s celebrations as more important than their own Muslim holidays or historical Islamic events. Look, many have even based their calendar on this date, not on the Hijri calendar. They no longer use the Hijri calendar established by the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). If Muslims adhered to the Hijri calendar, it would, of course, connect them with their glorious past, with their history full of glory, heroism, and valor.
Why? The reason for all this, O servants of Allah, is that Muslims today suffer from a significant lack of knowledge about their religion, as their religious knowledge is very weak. As a result, people today cannot distinguish between what is permissible (halal) and what is forbidden (haram), between what is truly part of their religion and what has been introduced into it. O Muslims, reflect: Allah (Glorified and Exalted) has, by His mercy, guided us to the straight path (Sirat al-Mustaqim). What is this Sirat al-Mustaqim?
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
the Path of those You have blessed (The Qur’an, Surah “The Opening,” 1:7).
This is the path of the best, the chosen, the purest of His servants—the path of the prophets, the path of the truthful ones, the path of the martyrs (shuhada), and the righteous. This Islamic Shariah, this religion, came to guide us to this straight path and to lead us away from the path of misguidance, from the path of disbelief.
This Shariah, this religion—it must be followed. It is the one that is followed (matbu’), not the one that follows someone else (tabi’a). This Shariah is to be followed, not to follow. It abrogates and annuls (nasikha) all previous religions; nothing can abrogate or annul it (it is not mansukh).
And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) speaks about this:
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَى شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Now We have set you ˹O Prophet˺ on the ˹clear˺ Way of faith. So follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know ˹the truth˺.
(Qur’an, Surah “Kneeling” [45:18]):
It is astonishing: a Muslim who performs salah, prays to their Lord, recites Surah “Al-Fatihah” in every rak’ah… And Surah “Al-Fatihah” is a supplication (du’a), where you ask for something. And the very first supplication (du’a) in the Qur’an is:
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Guide us along the Straight Path,
(Surah “The Opening,” 1:6):
And here the Muslim stands and says:
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
“Guide us to the straight path.”
…the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the path of his companions. Strengthen me on this path! Yet suddenly, we see this same Muslim participating alongside the misguided in their celebrations, customs, and rituals, the origins of which are in polytheism and paganism.
These actions, first of all, contradict the verse from Surah “Al-Fatihah” that he recites. Secondly, this is a clear contradiction between his words and actions. What is this if not hypocrisy? What is this if not some kind of disorder in the reasoning and thinking of a person?! How can you pray, fast, and then, when this time—New Year’s—comes, you rejoice and celebrate with the misguided?!
What are you celebrating and rejoicing over? Polytheism (shirk)? Paganism? Something that has nothing to do with the religion of the prophets, nothing to do with the religion of Jesus (‘Isa) (peace be upon him), nothing to do with the religion of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)?!
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
إنَّ شَرَّ النَّاسِ ذُو الوَجْهَيْنِ، الذي يَأْتي هَؤُلَاءِ بوَجْهٍ، وهَؤُلَاءِ بوَجْهٍ
You will find the worst amongst persons one who has double face. He comes with one face to them and with the other face to the others.
The hadith was narrated by Al-Bukhari (7179) and Muslim (2526).
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) warns us in the Qur’an not to incline toward the misguided, those who have deviated from His straight path. Why? So that we are not afflicted with what will befall them.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said:
وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ
And do not be inclined to the wrongdoers or you will be touched by the Fire. For then you would have no protectors other than Allah, nor would you be helped.
(Qur’an, Surah “Hud,” 11:113):
O Muslims, as New Year’s approaches, we see people beginning to prepare: buying gifts, food, and drinks. They often don’t consider whether something is halal or haram. They purchase clothes and toys for their children. We observe crowds of people gathering at store entrances. Everyone is waiting, everyone is preparing, caught up in this pre-New Year’s frenzy.
And when this night begins, some are out on the streets, while others are at home, celebrating, rejoicing, staying awake, forsaking sleep, drinking alcohol, dancing, singing, and engaging in various disgraceful acts. These things are haram at any time. But if they are done as imitation (taqlid) of the misguided, they become even more vile.
O servants of Allah, we see many people, unfortunately, who call themselves Muslims, spending this night feasting and exchanging congratulations. We see homes decorated with various electric lights and adorned with congratulatory images. Some watch television or engage in similar activities. And television, of course, facilitates these amusements throughout the night.
But reflect, Muslim: what kind of delusion must you be in not to understand that such things are unacceptable to a pure heart?! And how many calamities and tragedies occur on this night—how much harm is caused when drunken people fight, blood is shed, honor is violated, and property is damaged!
O Muslims, O believers! This pure Shariah, the Shariah of Tawheed (monotheism), has strictly forbidden such practices. Scholars of Islam from all madhabs unanimously issue a fatwa that celebrating New Year’s is haram! Why? Because it is an imitation of disbelievers and the misguided ((التشبه بالكفار)).
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
He who copies any people is one of them.
The hadith was narrated by Abu Dawood (4031) and Ibn Abi Shaybah in “Al-Musannaf” (6/471), and Shaykh Al-Albani classified it as good and authentic.
Our Most Merciful Lord says to us:
وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا أَهْوَاءَ قَوْمٍ قَدْ ضَلُّوا مِن قَبْلُ وَأَضَلُّوا كَثِيرًا وَضَلُّوا عَن سَوَاءِ السَّبِيلِ
Do not follow the vain desires of those who went astray before ˹you˺. They misled many and strayed from the Right Way.” (Qur’an, Surah “The Table Spread,” 5:77):
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
لَتَتَّبِعُنَّ سَنَنَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ شِبْرًا بِشِبْرٍ وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ حَتَّى لَوْ دَخَلُوا فِي جُحْرِ ضَبٍّ لاَتَّبَعْتُمُوهُمْ
You would tread the same path as was trodden by those before you inch by inch and step by step so much so that if they had entered into the hole of the lizard, you would follow them in this also.
The companions were astonished:
آلْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى؟
Allah’s Messenger, do you mean Jews and Christians (by your words)” those before you”?
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied:
فَمَنْ؟
Who else (than those two religious groups)?
The hadith was narrated by Al-Bukhari (3456) and Muslim (2669).
Therefore, Muslims are obligated to distance themselves from these reprehensible actions and should never celebrate New Year’s. They must consider this day, the New Year according to this calendar, as just a regular day—a day from the days of Allah. Not like some say: “On this day, we must gather in mosques, perform additional prayers together.” No, nothing of the sort. It is just an ordinary day from the days of Allah. Misguidance is not cured by more misguidance, O servants of Allah. Innovation is not corrected by another innovation.
And we must, O servants of Allah, encourage our children, our families, and our neighbors to distance themselves from this. We must show people how vile this is, explain to them that it is unacceptable, and how much harm it brings to morals, religion, and our lives.
Muslims, there is a good Arabic word, imma’ah (إِمَّعٌ). What does imma’ah mean? It refers to a person who is a follower, one who has no will of their own. Such a person, when others do wrong, does wrong too; when others do good, they follow suit. They have no inner resolve, they do not stick to the straight path, and they are constantly swayed by others—when people deviate, they follow them in deviation.
From the predecessors, this warning has been transmitted:
لَا تَكُونُوا إِمَّعَةً، تَقُولُونَ: إِنْ أَحْسَنَ النَّاسُ أَحْسَنَّا، وَإِنْ ظَلَمُوا ظَلَمْنَا، وَلَكِنْ وَطِّنُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ، إِنْ أَحْسَنَ النَّاسُ أَنْ تُحْسِنُوا، وَإِنْ أَسَاءُوا فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا
Do not be followers (imma’ah), saying, ‘If people do good, we will do good, and if they commit injustice, we will commit injustice.’ Rather, train yourselves: if people do good, you do good with them, but if they do wrong, do not commit injustice (do not sin).”
Yes, we Muslims must be a model for all society, including non-Muslims — a model of honesty, integrity, and reliability, so that no harm comes from our hands or tongues. We should cooperate with others, yes, but cooperate in what? In good deeds. We should help others, whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim, in matters that are pleasing to Almighty Allah. We must spread light, reliability, and goodness. But we must not, and we have no right to, follow people in their sins. We must not be followers (imma’ah).
O Muslims, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out an important principle of our religion. Many people are unaware of this principle. What is this principle? He strove diligently for his community to be distinct from others. That is why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Do not resemble the Jews; they do not clean their courtyards. You should clean your courtyards.” (Transmitted by at-Tirmidhi (4057), Sheikh al-Albani in “Silsilat al-Sahihah”, 236)
“Do not resemble the Jews; they do not dye their beards. You should dye them, but do not use black.” ((Bukhari (3462), (5899), Muslim (2103))
The Jews even said in Medina: “This man (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) wants to oppose us in everything. There is nothing left in which he does not contradict us.”
O servants of Allah, to summarize, I will tell you that this holiday is forbidden; it is one of the holidays of the misguided. Therefore, Muslims should not attend or participate in these celebrations. Participation in these celebrations is prohibited (haram). Allah (Exalted and Glorified) says in the Qur’an about the believers:
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ
[Believers], when they come across falsehood, they pass ˹it˺ by with dignity.
“The Qur’an, Surah ‘The Criterion’, 25:72
Ad-Dahhak, Mujahid, and other exegists (mufassirun) among the predecessors said that ‘not being present at falsehood’ refers to ‘not participating in the celebrations of the disbelievers and the misguided.’
You are aware of the concept of consensus (ijma’), meaning that all the scholars of this Ummah are unanimous that Muslims are not allowed to participate in these celebrations. Moreover, it is not permissible to even congratulate others on these holidays. This is the consensus (ijma’) of all the scholars of this Ummah, from all four madhhabs. The Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali scholars all unanimously agree: “It is forbidden (haram)!” The Hanafi scholars are even stricter on this issue, stating that to congratulate someone on this holiday is, in essence, congratulating them on shirk (polytheism), congratulating them on disbelief. They say that this is actually disbelief — congratulating someone for their disbelief. We should not congratulate people on polytheism and sin; we should prevent them from this if we are sincere towards them.
Therefore, O brothers in faith, let us take pride in our religion. Allah (Exalted and Glorified) has bestowed upon us this religion, His religion, the religion of Islam. We should not participate in these celebrations, and we should warn people against this, as all scholars of Islam are unanimous in their position that celebrating it or congratulating on it is forbidden.”)
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O servants of Allah, as we have already mentioned, in our time, a widespread problem is the celebration of pagan holidays—holidays not established by Allah, which He is not pleased with, for which He becomes angry, and for which He punishes. It is surprising that many Muslims do not pay attention to this. They do not hesitate to participate in these holidays, help organize them, exchange gifts, and share greetings, not realizing that by doing so, they approve of disbelief in Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and approve of rituals hated by their Creator.
A Muslim has no right to treat such things lightly. O servants of Allah, every person who believes in Allah, who respects His religion, is obligated to avoid participating in idolatrous celebrations, to avoid assisting in their organization, and to avoid selling or renting out anything that is an attribute of these celebrations.
You are a Muslim, and as a Muslim, you must be compassionate and merciful to people. But what kind of compassion is it if you see people in dangerous misguidance, wandering in error, and you approve of their actions, do not warn them, and do not wish for them guidance to the straight path? No. Be merciful to people, kind to people, wish for them to follow the straight path, and praise Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for guiding you to the straight path.
All the companions, O servants of Allah, all the companions of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), all the imams of the straight path, and all the scholars of Islam unanimously (ijma’) condemned and prohibited the celebration of any holidays not established by Allah through His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
In Medina, there lived several Jewish communities. Not a single companion ever participated in any of their celebrations, helped them with their holidays, gave them gifts on those days, or offered them congratulations on such occasions. When Muslim lands expanded and Muslims conquered Sham and Egypt, where many non-Muslims lived—Christians and others—there is not a single report of any companion or tabi’ (the generation following the companions) participating in the celebration of non-Muslim holidays.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), in Surah Al-Furqan, describes the qualities of believing people. And do you know what one of these qualities mentioned by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) is?
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ
when they come across falsehood, they pass ˹it˺ by with dignity. (Qur’an, Surah Al-Furqan, 25:72):
“And [they are] those who do not witness falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.”
Believers do not participate in falsehood, including various polytheistic celebrations.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has forbidden us from imitating the People of the Book (Christians and Jews).
وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ
not be like those given the Scripture before (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hadid, 57:16):
“Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?”
And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
من تشبَّهَ بقومٍ فَهوَ منْهم
He who copies any people is one of them. [Abu Dawood, Sunan, Hadith No. 4031; Sheikh al-Albani confirmed the authenticity of this hadith in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (Vol. 5, p. 109)].
Allahu Akbar! All four imams of the well-known madhhabs, as well as all other jurists, unanimously agree (ijma’) with the companions that it is obligatory to avoid holidays not established by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Some people are surprised by this strictness.
They say: “But it’s not something serious. What’s wrong with it? Why are you so strict and harsh on such matters?”
Such words can only come from ignorant people who understand nothing about religion. But those who understand the religion of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) know that it is impossible to preserve the religion, to keep it in its original, pure state as it was revealed by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), without blocking the way for innovations, extraneous rituals, and new additions. The religion must remain pure, without alien impurities, without anything foreign entering it or removing anything that belongs to it.
We have already explained how the pagan rituals of Ancient Rome and Greece were introduced into Christianity, how church leaders added innovations to please people, resulting in their religion deviating from what Jesus (peace be upon him and his mother) brought, to the point where almost nothing of his teachings remained.
“Why do you forbid congratulating others on these holidays?” they ask.
The ignorant object to why we forbid congratulations. We answer: “Do you think it is an act of goodness and tolerance? Is it good to congratulate people on their misguidance, on rituals that actually originate from Satan, on celebrations that displease Allah the Almighty? Is this goodness? What are you congratulating people on—on polytheism, on sins, on falling into the abyss?”
These are strange notions of goodness and mercy. And my words are not an attempt to divide society.
If someone thinks: “He is dividing society,” they are mistaken.
No! On the contrary, this is mercy toward my fellow citizens and those around me. If you see someone walking on a road, knowing that at the end of this road there is a cliff, an abyss, and they are about to fall into it—while they walk along it cheerfully and joyfully—what would be merciful on your part, O servant of Allah? To say: “I won’t interfere, let them enjoy themselves; why should I ruin their happiness?” Or would it be merciful to shout: “Stop! Stop, where are you going?”
You see people walking the path of sin, of polytheism (shirk), of paganism, heading toward the abyss of Hell, where they will fall forever and never escape, and you congratulate them on this, rejoice with them, and don’t want to ruin their joy. Is that sincerity and goodness, O servants of Allah?
“Do not sow division in society,” they say.
But wasn’t Jesus (peace be upon him) persecuted for allegedly sowing division in society? And wasn’t Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) persecuted for the same reason?
If you want good for people, if you call them to the truth, you should not be stopped by the fear of being accused of causing division. Moreover, if you are accused of this, and you are sincere, it is inevitable. There is no protector but Allah.
If you see someone prostrating, making sujood before an idol, and a Muslim approaches them and says, “Congratulations,” wouldn’t you be outraged? You would rebuke that Muslim for congratulating someone on bowing to idols. Why, then, are you surprised when we refuse to congratulate people on something potentially far worse—not just an individual bowing to an idol but entire masses falling into polytheism, sin, invoking Saint Nicholas [or Santa Claus or Father Frost], believing in New Year’s trees, making New Year’s wishes, reading astrological predictions, and New Year’s horoscopes?
Paganism, polytheism, sins… This madness engulfs entire masses, including Muslims. And it is absorbed by your children. Allahu Akbar! And you say, “What’s wrong with this?”
I will tell you why you are surprised. It’s simply because when people bow to an idol, and someone congratulates them, you rarely see it. But this idolatry associated with New Year’s, you’ve seen it since childhood; you’ve just gotten used to it, so you no longer notice it.
That’s why the Arabs say:
كثرة المِساس تقلل الإحساس
“Frequent contact dulls the senses.” When we often see sin, we simply get used to it and eventually stop paying attention to it.
What could be more heinous, what could be more unjust than polytheism (shirk)? If someone were to kill your father, your mother, or your child and then celebrate that day, rejoicing and throwing a party, would you also celebrate with them, congratulate them, and approve of it? Allahu Akbar! Yet here you are dealing with shirk. If you were to congratulate someone on the day they killed your father, they would diagnose you as insane.
What is wrong with you, Muslims?! Disbelief in the Creator, associating partners with Him, worshiping anyone besides Him, and disbelieving in the prophets—these crimes are far more monstrous than even murder. Have you not understood this yet, O you who say, La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah?
The greatest injustice is shirk. The Most High, Allah, says:
إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
associating ˹others with Him˺ is truly the worst of all wrongs. “(Qur’an, Surah Luqman, 31:13)”
And you rejoice in this! An attack is made on the rights of your Creator, and yet you celebrate and congratulate one another. People are lost in misguidance, and instead of warning them, you wish to join them in heading towards destruction. Whoever looks calmly and approvingly at these pagan rituals—among which these celebrations are a clear manifestation—cannot revere the rituals of Allah.
Allah, the Most High, says:
ذَلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ
And whoever honours the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of the heart. “(Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, 22:32)”
Therefore, if you treat the transgression of Allah’s religion lightly, and if you are pleased with the rituals of disbelief, it means you do not honor the rituals established by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). This puts your piety (taqwa) and your faith (iman) in doubt.
And, O servant of Allah, do not be deceived by the fact that most people are involved in this. When you see that everyone is doing it, do not be misled by this, for the majority of people are in error. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said:
وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ
If you were to obey most of those on earth, they would lead you away from Allah’s Way. They follow nothing but assumptions and do nothing but lie. “(Qur’an, Surah Al-An’am, 6:116)”
The inhabitants of Hell are more numerous than the inhabitants of Paradise. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
لَأَمۡلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجۡمَعِینَ
I will surely fill up Hell with jinn and humans all together. “(Qur’an, Surah As-Sajda, 32:13)”
And do not look at the many who are misguided. Every person will face punishment and answer before Allah individually. Allah said:
وَلَقَدۡ جِئۡتُمُونَا فُرَ ٰدَىٰ كَمَا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةࣲ وَتَرَكۡتُم مَّا خَوَّلۡنَـٰكُمۡ وَرَاۤءَ ظُهُورِكُمۡۖ
you have come back to Us all alone as We created you the first time—leaving behind everything We have provided you with. (Qur’an, Surah Al-An’am, 6:94)
From worldly blessings, from relatives, and from everything else — you will leave it all behind. Everything will remain on Earth; you will come to Allah alone to account for yourself, and no one will help you. Therefore, beware, O believers, of any involvement in these revelries, because a believer cannot be pleased with the manifestation of disbelief or any sin.
Protect yourselves, protect your families, and especially protect your children, because children are the category most susceptible and vulnerable to any propaganda, any ideology, and are easily deceived.
Remember yourselves, those of you who grew up perhaps in the Soviet era, when you were young, how your understanding of reality was distorted, how lies were instilled in you, and how false notions about the meaning of life and happiness were imposed. Allah (Glorified and Exalted) has shown mercy upon you, He guided you to the True Path, while most of humanity remains in misguidance. Will you allow your children to be taught these lies from childhood, growing up as misguided fantasizers living in absurd superstitions, believing that Santa Claus will bring a gift, “ask Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas,” “let’s set up a Christmas tree — it will bring good luck”? Will you allow distorted perceptions of reality and the meaning of life to form in your children’s minds? And in the best case (this is in the best case!), when the 31st of December comes, your child will spend their whole life battling these feelings! People fall into such nostalgic feelings about childhood when they hear the sound of bells, see the Christmas tree, or hear the ringing of the New Year’s clock or the fireworks. Would you want that to become ingrained in your child’s heart? This is in the best case, if they remain believers and understand that it is wrong, and struggle with it each time.
Protect your children, protect your children. Allah (Glorified and Exalted) says:
قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا
Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire Surah At-Tahrim (The Prohibition, 66:6) If they instill incorrect views of life and reality in him now, he will carry them for his entire life. Explain to the child that true joy can only be found in serving Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and in submission to Him, that true happiness is the happiness of the eternal world, and that everything else is fleeting and deceptive.
Some say: “But this is not a religious holiday.” How can it not be a religious holiday?! It is a religious holiday! Those who say it is not a religious holiday are lying. The proof of this, and admit it, is that a person who celebrates the New Year inevitably feels something special about this holiday, this day, as if it were something holy and dear. They associate their hopes with this day, thinking that the New Year will bring happiness. Moreover, there are strict religious rituals. Just like in religion, yes. The New Year is a strict, prescribed holiday with unchangeable rituals. It has its obligations (fard), its recommended actions (mustahabb). The fard is the Christmas tree and something else. The mustahab for them is the family celebration at home. On this day, there are certain things they should not do, like sweeping. There are prohibitions (haram) on this day. You must make a wish. There is so much paganism! These horoscopes… the year of the donkey (!), the year of the rooster, the year of the goat, what will happen this year! And you say it is not a religious holiday. It is a religious holiday! It is a religion, but not the religion of Allah. It is the religion of the devil: a complete accumulation of lies, paganism, shirk, superstitions, and sin. And anyone who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment, anyone who follows the prophets of Allah, cannot have anything to do with this ancient pagan holiday.
May Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) protect us all and our descendants from all forms of polytheism. And we call upon Our Creator with the same supplication that was made by our forefather Musa, Isa, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all and blessings of Allah): “My Lord, make me and my descendants a refuge from polytheism” (Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim, 14:40).
وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ الْأَصْنَامَ
keep me and my children away from the worship of idols. (Quran, Surah “Ibrahim”, 14: 35)
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