O You Who Believe Enter Into Islaam Wholeheartedly
by Shaykh 'Ali Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Hudhayfi حفظه الله
on Sunday, June 25th, 2005
by Shaykh 'Ali Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Hudhayfi حفظه الله
on Sunday, June 25th, 2005
Our Shaykh حفظه الله started by praising Allaah by saying “All Praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the all that exists” and he sent salaat and salaam on our Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, his family and his Companions. He continued: In this blessed night, this good night, from the city of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, it pleases me to meet with my brothers in Islaam, a meeting of faith, and I advise them and my soul with what Allaah has advised us with in His Book and what the Messenger has advised us with, and I greet you with the greeting of Islaam.
HAVING TAQWAA OF ALLAAH
TAWHEED – SINGLING OUT ALLAAH ALONE IN WORSHIP
The advice from Allaah to the first and the last is to command with taqwaa; Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions:وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ اتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ{…And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allâh…} [An Nisaa 4:131]
Likewise, this was the advice of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم to Mu’aadh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه when he صلى الله عليه وسلم sent him to Yemen. He said to him: “Have taqwaa of Allaah wherever you are and follow a bad deed up with a good one and it shall wipe it out and have good character in dealing with the people.”[1] The meaning of taqwaa is carrying out what Allaah commands and staying away from what He forbids. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى promises the Muttaqeen – those who have taqwaa, an abundance of rewards in this world and the hereafter. In one verse of the Qur’aan Allaah says:إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ{Verily, the Muttaqûn (the pious) will be in place of Security (Paradise). Among Gardens and Springs} [ Ad-Dukhan 44:51-52]
Allaah mentions:إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ مَفَازًا حَدَائِقَ وَأَعْنَابًا{Verily, for the Muttaqûn, there will be a success (Paradise); Gardens and vineyards} [ An-Nabaa 78:31-32]
Allaah says:إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَهَرٍ فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ{Verily, the Muttaqûn (the pious. See V.2:2), will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers (Paradise). In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allâh, the One, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour).} [ Al-Qamar 54:54-55]
And Allaah says:وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ{…And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine…} [At-Talaaq 65:2-3]
There are many aayaat and ahaadeeth concerning the reward for taqwaa.
DU’AA - SUPPLICATION
The first affair of taqwaa that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى commanded that we adhere to is the Tawheed of Allaah; Tawheed of Allaah in eebaadaat i.e. to worship Allaah alone, singling Him out in His Names and His Attributes and Tawheed of Allaah in His Actions. What is intended by ‘Tawheed of Allaah in His Actions’ is that we believe, that Allaah alone is the Creator of his slaves and He alone creates the actions of all His slaves, Allaah mentions in the Qur’aan:اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ{…Allâh is the Creator of all things...} [ Ar-Ra’d 13:16]
In another verse:وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ{While Allâh has created you and what you make.} [As-Saaffaat 37:96]
Allaah mentions in a question:يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ هَلْ مِنْ خَالِقٍ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ{O mankind! Remember the Grace of Allâh upon you! Is there any creator other than Allâh who provides for you
from the sky (rain) and the earth?} [Faatir 35:3]
To believe that Allaah is the Provider, no one provides except Him, He is the One who arranges the affairs of all creation, that which is above and that which is below, having no associates along with Him. Allaah mentions:يُدَبِّرُ الأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ الآيَاتِ{…He manages and regulates all affairs; He explains the Ayât
(proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail…} [ Ar-Ra’d 13:2]
Allaah in another verse says:يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ فِي يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ{He manages and regulates (every) affair from the heavens to the earth;
then it (affair) will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thousand years ...} [ As-Sajdah 32:5]
And belief that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is the Ruler; there is no one who rules with Him – no prophet who was sent nor any appointed angel. Indeed the Universe is under His Control from the atoms and less than an atom, to what is bigger than it in this existence.
The first thing that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى commands with regarding taqwaa, is Tawheed in eebaadaat i.e. singling out Allaah سبحانه وتعالى alone in worship. He is the only One to whom all worship is directed according to what He has legislated in His Book, and what the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has legislated in his Sunnah. So, the first act of worship to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is to seek His Face in all our eebaadah i.e. we direct all our worship to Him Alone.
DHABH – TO SACRIFICE
Among these acts is du’aa i.e. supplication, as Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Qur’aan:وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا{And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allâh.} [Al-Jinn 72: 18]
Allaah also mentions:وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ{And your Lord said: "Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything], I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islâmic Monotheism)]
they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!"} [Ghaafir 40:60]
Allaah also mentions:وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ{And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam]) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor).} [Al-Baqarah 2:186]
Also, from the hadeeth of Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: “Du’aa is worship.”[2] In another narration, ”Du’aa is the greater worship.”[/i][3] Du’aa is for Allaah the Lord of all that exists, and no one else. Whoever associates others with Allaah in his supplication by supplicating to one of the creation, or supplicating to a person in his grave, or to a walee – a saint, a jinn, an angel or even a prophet from the prophets عليهم السلام, then verily he has directed this compulsory act of worship which is solely due to Allaah, to other than Him, and has committed shirk with his Rabb in this great act of eebaadah.
The Shaykh mentions that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى informs us about the Mushrikeen – those who associated others along with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and those against whom the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم fought. They supplicate to their Lord and others along with Him سبحانه وتعالى. This is found in the Qur’aan:وَإِذَا غَشِيَهُم مَّوْجٌ كَالظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ فَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌ{And when waves cover them like shades (i.e. like clouds or the mountains of sea water), they invoke Allâh, making their invocations for Him only. But when He brings them safe to land, there are among them those that stop in between (Belief and disbelief)…} [Luqmaan 31:32][4]
In another ayah:فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا فِي الْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ{And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allâh, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others} [Al-‘Ankaboot 29:65]
They called on others besides Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Similar to this, is supplicating to souls, supplicating to spirits, supplicating to jinns, supplicating to angels or supplicating to those dead in their graves. All of this is Shirk that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has made haraam (prohibited). Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions in the Qur’aan:إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاء{Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills…} [An-Nisaa 4:48]
And, ‘Eesa ibn Maryam (عليه السلام) mentioned to the children of Israel:وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّهُ عَلَيهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ{… But the Messiah ['Eesâ (Jesus)] said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode.
And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong doers) there are no helpers.} [al-Maa’idah 5:72]
Allaah سبحانه وتعالى also informs us that those people who supplicate to other than Allaah, the ones they supplicate to shall not answer to them. In the Qur’aan, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says:لَهُ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ لاَ يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَيْءٍ إِلاَّ كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى الْمَاء لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَالِغِهِ وَمَا دُعَاء الْكَافِرِينَ إِلاَّ فِي ضَلاَلٍ{For Him (Allâh, Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke besides Him, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not; and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use).} [ar-Ra’d 13:14]
Allaah سبحانه وتعالى also mentions that those that are called upon do not even own the membrane that covers a date seed, and if you call on them the do not hear your du’aa. He سبحانه وتعالى says:إِن تَدْعُوهُمْ لا يَسْمَعُوا دُعَاءكُمْ وَلَوْ سَمِعُوا مَا اسْتَجَابُوا لَكُمْ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكْفُرُونَ بِشِرْكِكُمْ وَلا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثْلُ خَبِيرٍ{If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call; and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)
like Him Who is Well-Acquainted (with everything).} [Faatir 35:14]
NADHR – TO MAKE A VOW
From the aspects of taqwaa of Allaah is to actualize all types of worship to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى alone. Among these acts of worship is sacrificing with the intent of getting closer to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى with the dhabeehah (ذبيحة) i.e. the sacrificial animal. Also, by drawing closer to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى by giving sadaqah (charity), and the hady (هدي – sacrificial offering) which is done during Hajj, and the sacrificing of the udhiyyah (أضحية – the other sacrifice done during ‘Eedul-Adhah). To get closer to Allaah by these acts of worship (eebaadaat) is a means of showing sincerity in Tawheed. You get closer to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى by doing the sacrifice (dhabeehah) with contentment and kindness and to carry out the commanded of Allaah – this is an act which draws one closer to Him and this is Tawheed of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. All of it should be directed to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى alone.
However, if this is changed, and instead a person sacrifices to other than Allaah سبحانه وتعالى, for example to the jinn or to the grave or to a specific Shaykh who has passed away, or he tries to get closer to some star as some of the Mushrikoon do, or to get close to a king or other than that, then all of these are acts of shirk. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى commands that all sacrifice - dhabeehah and hady, and all acts of charity should be directed to Him سبحانه وتعالى meaning that a person should have sincerity towards Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. He says:فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ{Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).} [al-Kawthar 108:2]
And He سبحانه وتعالى said:قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {162} لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the 'Aalamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). "He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims."} [al-An’aam 6:162-163]
So whoever sacrifices to other than Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has committed an act of shirk. In a hadeeth on the authority of ‘Ali ibn abi Taalib رضى الله عنه, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah has cursed the one who sacrifices to other than Allaah, and Allaah has cursed the one who curses his parents and Allaah has cursed the one who changes the boundaries of the earth.”[5]
AL-ISTI’AANAH – TO SEEK ASSISTANCE
From the acts of worship is to make a vow to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.************ Break in Audio ***********
So, to make a vow to build a dome upon the grave is a vow of disobedience and is a vow which is haraam (forbidden). What do you think then about an individual who tries to get closer to a person in the grave or one of the creation by making these pledges so that he can benefit him or prevent harm from befalling him? This is committing shirk with the Rabb of all that exists. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says:أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ {60} وَأَنِ اعْبُدُونِي هَذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ{Did I not command you, O Children of Adam, that you should not worship Shaitân (Satan)? Verily, he is a plain enemy to you. And that you should worship Me [Alone – Islâmic Monotheism, and set up not rivals, associate-gods with Me]. That is a Straight Path.} [YaaSeen 36:60-61]
In the hadeeth of Mu’adh رضي الله عنه, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked him, “O Mu’adh, do you know what the right of the servant is on Allaah and what Allaah’s right is over His servant? Muadh (رضي الله عنه) said Allaah and his Messenger know best. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘the right of Allaah over His servant is that they should worship nothing along with Him; and the right of the servant on Allaah is that He will not punish one who does not associate anything with Him.”[7] This is collected by al-Bukhaaree.
AL-ISTI’AADHAH – TO SEEK REFUGE
From the other acts of worship is al-Isti’aanah (الاستعانة) which it is to request assistance. Seeking help must be from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى – it is to seek assistance in all our affairs and in all conditions – in our acts of eebaadah, in our religious affairs as well as our worldly affairs – whether big, small or that which may seem insignificant. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says:اسْتَعِينُوا بِاللَّهِ وَاصْبِرُواْ{… "Seek help in Allâh and be patient…} [al-A’raaf 7:128]
In the hadeeth of Ibn Abbaas رضي الله عنه the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Guard the limits of Allaah and Allaah shall protect you. If you ask, ask of Allaah, and if you seek help, seek help with Allaah.”[8] So seeking help is an act of worship, and it actually precedes the acts of worship which we do because by the Muslim asking Allaah سبحانه وتعالى to assist him, he is recognizing that he cannot really carry out any act of worship except with Allaah’s assistance, nor leave alone any sinful act except with aid from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. It is for this reason they say that this ayah is the essence of al-Faatihah:إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ{You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).} [al-Faatihah 1:5]
If we understand this, then we need to recognize that seeking help is of different types. If a created being has the ability to assist i.e. if it is something that he can do then there is no harm in asking. For example, asking a person to perform an act in this world which he is able to do, or to help in some type of profession. This is something in which there is nothing wrong. For example a person who is drowning turning to someone who is there and able to assist him and saying “save me” or “help me”. There is no wrong in this because it is something that the individual being asked has the ability to do.
However, if it is something which is beyond his control and it is something that only Allaah سبحانه وتعالى can do, then to seek help from someone other than Allaah will be shirk. For example, a person seeking help from someone other than Allaah سبحانه وتعالى regarding forgiveness of sins, or success in religious matters or obtaining guidance or removing some harm which may only be removed by Allaah سبحانه وتعالى; these are aspects of shirk.
AL-ISTIGAATHAH – TO SEEK DELIVERANCE
From taqwaa of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and worshipping Him is istiaadhah (استعاذة) i.e. seeking refuge with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى against the things that a person fears or is cautious of. Allaah mentions in the Qur’aan:قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ{Say: "I seek refuge with (Allâh), the Lord of the daybreak} [al-Falaq 113:1]
… until the end of the soorah; and Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said:قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ{Say: "I seek refuge with (Allâh) the Lord of mankind} [an-Naas 114:1]
Also, Musa عليه السلام said:وَقَالَ مُوسَى إِنِّي عُذْتُ بِرَبِّي وَرَبِّكُم مِّن كُلِّ مُتَكَبِّرٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ{Mûsâ (Moses) said: "Verily, I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant who believes not in the Day of Reckoning!"} [Ghaafir 40:27]
Also, in the hadeeth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: “Whoever comes to rest at a place and he says this supplication ‘I seek protection in Allaah’s complete words from the evil that He has created’; nothing shall harm him until he moves from that place where he is.”[9] Allaah سبحانه وتعالى also informs us, that the Mushrikeen (polytheist) who the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم struggled against, used to seek refuge in other than Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Whoever seeks refuge in the Jinn, the occupants of the graves, the dead, or an angel so that they may avert some harm from him or bring some benefit, then seeking refuge in the creation in this way is something which is not permissible because istiaadhah is an act of worship and should be directed only to Allaah alone; and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم struggled against those who sought refuge in other than Allaah سبحانه وتعالى as He سبحانه وتعالى said:وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقاً{'And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the males among the jinn,
but they (jinn) increased them (mankind) in sin and transgression.} [al-Jinn 72:6]
KHAWF - FEAR
From the acts of eebaadah is al-istighaathah (استغاثة) with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Istighaathah is more specific than du’aa. It means to request deliverance and safety in times of severity, calamities and misfortunes, as Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions:إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ{(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you…} [al-Anfaal 8:9]
And, from the hadeeth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم reported in the Saheehayn (Bukaaree and Muslim) where he supplicated: “O Allaah give us assistance, O Allaah give us assistance, O Allaah give us assistance”[10] He صلى الله عليه وسلم used the word :aghithnaa” (أغثنا) – in times of difficulty, this expression is used. So whoever seeks this type of assistance from the creation when these difficulties befall him, whether from a grave, a Jinn, an angel or like that, he is similar to one who is drowning seeking help from someone who is drowning as he cannot respond and answer his request. In so doing he has committed shirk by directing this act of worship to other than the Lord of all creations. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says as mentioned above: {(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you…} (al-Anfaal 8:9), referring to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he supplicated to Allaah for deliverance and safety at the Battle of Badr, and Allaah سبحانه وتعالى granted him safety. So when some difficulty, misfortune or calamity befalls an individual, it is upon him to seek help with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and to ask Him to remove it. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said:أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَاء الْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَّعَ اللَّهِ قَلِيلاً مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ{Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Little is that you remember!} [an-Naml 27:62]
RAJAA’ - HOPE
From the acts of eebaadah is khawf (خوف) i.e. fear. This has a tremendous position and lofty station in the areas of worship. It is to be directed only to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. It is categorized into one of two categories:
- Fear which is considered shirk and this is what is called secret fear. It is to fear someone in affairs over which only Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has power. For example, to fear that one of the creation would prevent him from completing his lifespan, or to fear that he would remove his sustenance, or to fear that he will not enter him into paradise. This is the type of fear which an individual directs to a created being, believing that he has the ability to do these things when only Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has the power and ability to do them. It is secret fearand it is considered shirk.
- There is another type of fear which is an act of disobedience. For example, a person fears another individual and because of his fear of him, he refrains from speaking the truth, or enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong. His fear of him is an act of disobedience.
Fear then, is an act of worship and it should only be directed to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Allaah says in the Qur’aan:فَلاَ تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ{…so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.} [aal-Imraan 3:175]
Allaah سبحانه وتعالى also mentions in another verse:فَلاَ تَخْشَوُاْ النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلاَ تَشْتَرُواْ بِآيَاتِي ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً{…Therefore fear not men but fear Me (O Jews) and sell not My Verses for a miserable price…} [al-Maa’idah 5:44]
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Seven people shall receive shade from Allaah when there is no shade except His shade…(one of them is) a man who is called by a charming lady of noble birth and he says ‘I fear Allaah’.”[11]
TAWAKKUL – TO RELY ON AND TRUST IN
Of the aspects of Eebaadaat is rajaa’ (رجاء) i.e. hope. This is a person having hope regarding Allaah’s Pleasure and His rewards along with having eemaan and righteous deeds. It is waiting for Allaah’s reward and seeking His Pleasure. Hope is the opposite of despair; a person despairing of Allaah’s Mercy is one of the major sins. However, hope is an act of worship which is beloved to Allaah. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions in the Qur’aan:إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ وَجَاهَدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ أُوْلَـئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ{Verily, those who have believed, and those who have emigrated (for Allâh's religion) and have striven hard in the way of Allâh, all these hope for Allâh's Mercy...} [al-Baqarah 2:218]
The opposite of hope is despair and hopelessness in the Mercy of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. He said:إِنَّهُ لاَ يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللّهِ إِلاَّ الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ{…Certainly no one despairs of Allâh's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.} [Yoosuf 12:87]
And in another verse:وَمَن يَقْنَطُ مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلاَّ الضَّآلُّونَ{…"And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?"} [al-Hijr 15:56]
So hope is a quality or an aspect of tawheed whereas despair, its opposite, is not. It is an act of disobedience. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentioned in the above verses, that despair is a characteristic of those who are astray and who disbelieve.
RAGHBAH – TO DESIRE
Of the aspects of worship is at-tawakkul (التوكل) i.e. depending on Allaah سبحانه وتعالى with ones heart concerning all affairs, and entrusting all affairs to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Allaah mentions in the Qur’aan:وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ{…and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed.} [al-Maa’idah 5:23]
And Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said:وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ{…and my affair I leave it to Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the All-Seer of (His) slaves.} [Ghaafir 40:44]
So tawakkul is an act of worship and an expression of tawheed directed to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.
AVOID SHIRK WITH ALLAAH
Also from the aspects of eebaadaat is raghbah (رغبة) i.e. having desire towards Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says:إِنَّا إِلَى اللّهِ رَاغِبُونَ{…We implore Allâh (to enrich us).} [at-Tawbah 9:59]
Having raghbah towards Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is to desire what Allaah has of rewards, and it is also a form of fearing Allaah.
Eebaadaat, acts of worship are numerous but they all come together under the following definition. Whatever Allaah سبحانه وتعالى commands – whether open or hidden, they are all regarded as worship.
From of the acts of worship is staying away from that which is forbidden, fearing Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and hoping for His reward. It is a tremendous act of worship as Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions:وَلِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ جَنَّتَانِ{But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).} [Ar-Rahmaan 55:46]
THE CONDITION FOR ACCEPTANCE OF ACTIONS
Of the things that causes or is an aspect of corruption in existence is shirk with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى as mentioned in some of the soorahs. From the aspects of shirk with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى are:
- Sihr – Magic which is more dangerous than shirk as it is oppression, transgression and shirk and it is destruction for the one performing the magic as well as the one affected by it.
- Belief in fortune tellers and soothsayers – they are those who claim to have knowledge of the unseen.
- Belief that the stars have the ability to affect what happens on this earth, and that whatever occurs is related to the stars. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is the only One who arranges all the affairs of the creation.
- Obedience to Allaah’s creation in disobedience to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.
AVOID FOLLOWING ONES FORBIDDEN DESIRES
Eebaadaat has two conditions. The first condition is sincerity to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Allaah mentioned that:وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ{And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)…} [al-Bayyinah 98:5]
And Allaah سبحانه وتعالى said:فَاعْبُدِ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصاً لَّهُ الدِّينَ{…So, worship Allâh (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh's sake only.} [az-Zumar 39:2]
The second condition is following the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions:وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ{…And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam]) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allâh; verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.} [al-Hashr 59:7]
From the hadeeth of ‘Aaishah رضي الله عنها the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever does a deed which is not in accordance with this affair of ours, it shall be rejected.”[12] In another expression, “Whoever introduces in this Deen of ours, that which is not of it will have it rejected.”[13]
AVOID HARAAM EARNINGS
From the most severe dangers to the Muslims male and female concerning their Deen is following forbidden desires and earning haraam wealth. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says:فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيّاً{Then, there has succeeded them posterity who have given up As-Salât (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salât (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts.
So, they will be thrown in Hell.} [Maryam 19:59]
The desires of the stomach: eating and consuming that which is haraam, drinking alcoholic beverages, using (addictive) drugs in all its forms, smoking cigarettes likewise, this is not insignificant nor is it simple.
Also, desires of the private areas like committing adultery and fornication, and doing the acts of the people of Lūt like homosexuality and lesbianism are all extremely dangerous to the Muslim, his Deen, his worldly affairs, his future, the community and its people. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions:وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ {5} إِلَّا عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ{And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts). Except from their wives or (the slaves) that their right hands possess, – for then, they are free from blame} [al-Mu’minoon 23:5-6; al-Ma’aarij 70:29-30]
All that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has made haraam, He has also made whatever leads to those things haraam. He has forbidden zinaa i.e. adultery and fornication and He has made haraam those things which will lead to adultery and fornication. From the things which lead to this, is the woman going out displaying her adornments – showing her hair, her face, her calves, going out with tight-fitting clothing; showing her adornments so that people may look at her and pay attention to her; and going out of her home perfumed. Also among these things is being in seclusion with a strange lady (non-mahram). This is also forbidden because as a result of being in seclusion, it may lead to that which is evil and sinful such as adultery and fornication. Additionally, Allaah has forbidden looking at women who are not lawful to you and men who have feminine features. All of these things, Islaam has forbidden because Islaam is a Deen of purity, cleanliness, uprightness, modesty and goodness. If we understand that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has made those filthy things haraam, we need to know that He has made lawful what is better than those things. They have more reward and benefit and it has an effect on our Deen, our health, our bodies, and it gives us that which is better for us than all those sinful things that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has forbidden and made haraam.
CONCLUSION
Of the things that Allaah has made prohibited is haraam earnings. It has an effect on the heart and corrupts worship like ribaa. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has made it haraam in all the Books which were revealed; and stealing, cheating in business affairs, selling that which is haraam like selling alcoholic beverages, renting out places that are for corruption and sinful things. These are also some of the things that corrupts the heart and cause the supplication to be rejected and corrupts the eebaadah. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentions:فَابْتَغُوا عِندَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوهُ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ{…so seek your provision from Allâh (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him...} [al-‘Ankaboot 29:17]
In the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Verily Allaah is pure and He only accepts that which is pure.”[14] Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has commanded the Believers the same thing which He has commanded the Messengers when He said:يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحاً{O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibât [all kinds of Halâl foods which Allâh has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.)] and do righteous deeds… } [al-Mu’minoon 23:51]
And He said:يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ{O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with…} [al-Baqarah 2:172]
(continuing the hadeeth from above …) “and then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned a man who was on a journey. He is dusty, his hair is unkempt and he raises his hands to the sky saying ‘My Lord, My Lord’, his food is haraam, his dress is haraam he is nourished with haraam. So how can he be answered?”[15] How can he be answered when he is nourished with something that is haraam?
With these words I advise myself and my brothers, and I follow it up by advising them to exert themselves. That is, in those countries in which the Muslims are few, they should establish the salaah, give the zakaat and display the rites of their Deen by acting in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and fearing Allaah as much as they are able to. They should invite the people wherever they are, by calling them with wisdom and goodly exhortation and proclaim the excellence of Islaam. They should gain an understanding of the Deen; and concerning the affairs they do not know, they should ask those in their own localities who might have more knowledge than them regarding the Deen. Should a problem arise they should consult the scholars of Islaam in countries other than theirs.
I also encourage them to collect the books of Hadeeth and Tafseer especially Tafseer ibn Katheer, Ibn Jareer at-Tabari, Tafseer as-Sa’dee, Tafseer al-Baghawee and Fathul Baaree the explanation of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Sharh Subulus-Salaam (The Explanation of Subulus-Salaam) and the other books of Fiqh (Islaamic Jurisprudence) which provide the evidences along with the statements. They should read the books of Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah رحمه الله and his student Ibn Al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah رحمه الله, and the books of Imaam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab رحمه الله and the letters and discourses of the ‘Aimmah – the leaders of Islaam, from the time when the different groups appeared, and their refutations of them because the ‘Aimmah have refuted the people of innovations, so read their books (of refutation). I ask Allaah to give me success to do the things that are pleasing to Him and give me the ability to attain His Pleasure. I also thank the brothers who sought my permission to give this address to them and all those who are listening, and I send my salutations and peace on the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and on his family and all his Companions.
Translator: Abu Mujaahid
References and Notes
[1] Reported in Jaami’ at-Tirmidhee 4/355, Hadeeth (#1987). Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله says with a Hasan sanad.
اتق الله حيثما كنت، و أتبع السيئة الحسنة تمحها، وخالق الناس بخلق حسن
[2] Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله says with a Saheeh sanad in Saheeh al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer, Hadeeth (#3407).
الدعاء هو العبادة
[3] Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله says Da’eef in Da’eef al-Jaami’, Hadeeth (#3003).
الدعاء مخ العبادة
[4] This seems to be the ayah that the Shaykh حفظه الله made reference to and Allaah knows best.
[5] Reported with the following wording in Saheeh Muslim, The Book of Sacrifices - كتاب الأضاحي, Hadeeth (#1978).
لعن الله من لعن والده. ولعن الله من ذبح لغير الله. ولعن الله من آوى محدثا. ولعن الله من غير منار الأرض
[6] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, The Book of Oaths and Vows - كتاب الأيمان والنذور, Hadeeth (#6318, 6322).
من نذر أن يطيع الله فليطعه، ومن نذر أن يعصيه فلا يعصه
[7] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, The Book of Dress (كتاب اللباس), Hadeeth (#5622); and with similar wordings in The Book of Heart-Softening Narrations (كتاب الرقاق), Hadeeth (#6135); and The Book of Asking Permission (كتاب الاستئذان), Hadeeth (#5912).
بينا أنا رديف النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، ليس بيني وبينه إلا آخرة الرحل، فقال: (يا معاذ). قلت: لبيك رسول الله وسعديك، ثم سار ساعة ثم قال: (يا معاذ). قلت: لبيك رسول الله وسعديك، ثم سار ساعة ثم قال: (يا معاذ). قلت: لبيك رسول الله وسعديك، قال: (هل تدري ما حق الله على عباده). قلت: الله ورسوله أعلم، قال: (حق الله على عباده أن يعبدوه ولا يشركوا به شيئاً). ثم سار ساعة، ثم قال: (يا معاذ بن جبل). قلت: لبيك رسول الله وسعديك، فقال: (هل تدري ما حق العباد على الله إذا فعلوه). قلت: الله ورسوله أعلم، قال: (حق العباد على الله أن لا يعذبهم)
[8] As part of a longer hadeeth Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله says Saheeh in Dilaal al-Jannah (ظلال الجنة) Vol. 1, Hadeeth (#315).
احفظ الله يحفظك احفظ الله تجده أمامك وإذا سألت فاسأل الله وإذا استعنت فاستعن بالله
[9] Reported in Saheeh Muslim, The Book of Remembrances, Supplications, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (كتاب الذكر والدعاء والتوبة والاستغفار), Hadeeth (#2708).
من نزل منزلا ثم قال: أعوذ بكلمات الله التامات من شر ما خلق، لم يضره شئ، حتى يرتحل من منزله ذلك
[10] Reported as part of a longer hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, The Book of Prayer for Rain (كتاب الاستسقاء), Hadeeth (#968) and also in Saheeh Muslim, The Book of Prayer for Rain (كتاب صلاة الاستسقاء), Hadeeth (#897).
اللهم أغثنا، اللهم أغثنا، اللهم أغثنا
[11] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree with the following wording in The Book of Zakaat (كتاب الزكاة), Hadeeth (#1357).
سبعة يظلهم الله تعالى في ظله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله: إمام عدل، وشاب نشأ في عبادة الله، ورجل قلبه معلق في المساجد، ورجلان تحابا في الله، اجتمعا عليه وتفرقا عليه، ورجل دعته امرأة ذات منصب وجمال، فقال: إني أخاف الله، ورجل تصدق بصدقة، فأخفاها حتى لا تعلم شماله ما تنفق يمينه، ورجل ذكر الله خاليا ففاضت عيناه
[12] Reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, The Book of Holding Fast to the Book and the Sunnah (كتاب الإعتصام بالكتاب والسنَّة), Hadeeth (#2550) and in Saheeh Muslim, The Book Pertaining to Judicial Decisions (كتاب الأقضية), Hadeeth (#1718). Also found in An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth, (#5).
من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو ردٌّ
[13] Reported in Saheeh Muslim, The Book Pertaining to Judicial Decisions (كتاب الأقضية), Hadeeth (#1718). Also found in An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth, (#5).
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد
[14] Reported as part of a longer hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim, The Book of Zakaat (كتاب الزكاة), Hadeeth (#1015).
إن الله طيب لا يقبل إلا طيبا
[15] Reported as part of a longer hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim, The Book of Zakaat (كتاب الزكاة), Hadeeth (#1015).
ثم ذكر الرجل يطيل السفر. أشعث أغبر. يمد يديه إلى السماء. يا رب ! يا رب ! ومطعمة حرام، ومشربه حرام، وملبسه حرام، وغذي بالحرام. فأنى يستجاب لذلك ؟
