Imam Ghazali On Evil of The Tongue from Ihyā’ ‘Ulūm ud-Dīn

by Seeker

An excerpt from al-Ghazālī’s Ihyā’ ‘Ulūm ud-Dīn

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Praise be to Allah Who made good the creation of man, and formed him in due proportion, and inspired him the light of faith with which He has adorned and beautified him, and revealed to him the faculty of speech therewith He gave him superiority over all of His creatures, and overflowed his heart with depositories of knowledge, and sent upon him a curtain from His mercy which He hung on it, and provided him with a tongue therewith to interpret what lies within the heart and mind, disclose what is concealed in him, tell the truth, and send praises and thanks for His favours on him.

I bear witness to the fact that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Almighty, the One and Only, Who has no partner with Him, and that Muhammad sall Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam is His slave and Messenger, whom He honoured and exalted, and sent with a Book He revealed to him, made superior his favour, and clarified his ways.

Coming to the point: verily, tongue is one of the great favours bestowed by Allah on man, and His amazing and fine things. Although it is small in size, its sin and obedience have a great consequence. It is that the faith could be distinguished from disbelief only through the witness of tongue, and they represent the utmost degree of obedience and disobedience. Furthermore, there is neither existing nor non-existing, neither creator nor created, neither imagined or concrete, but that the tongue deals with it and either affirms or denies it. The tongue expresses of all the objects of knowledge whether in truth or in falsehood. This characteristic is lacking in all the other organs of the body. The eye, for instance, perceives only images and colours, the ear sounds, the hand the concrete bodies, etc.

The field of tongue is expansive and limitless, and it applies to both good and evil. If the tongue is released with nothing to rein it or bind its freedom, Satan then takes it to all fields of evil, and drives it to the verge of a bank that is about to collapse, until it leads him to perdition. Of a surety, nothing draws the people prone on their faces into the fire of Hell other than the evil of their tongues. None is saved from the evil of the tongue except he, who reins it with the rein of religious law: he releases it only in what benefits him in the world and the hereafter, and stops it from anything whose evil consequence is feared.

The knowledge of the praiseworthy and blameworthy states in which the tongue should be released and acting upon that accordingly is abstruse and difficult. The tongue is the most disobedient organ upon man. There is no trouble to be exerted to release and move it. The people have indulged in avoiding its evils and vices, and its traps and snares.

Is it Sunnah to perform Miswak in Wudu?

by Seeker

Question:

What do the scholars of the religion say concerning the status of the Miswak in the Wudu, is it Sunnah Mu’akkada or Ghayr Mu’akkada? If it is Sunnah Mu’akkada, then please honour us its explanation with reference from the Qur’an, Hadith and Fiqh. It will be very gracious of you.

Answer: There is a difference of opinion amongst the Jurists concerning the performing of Miswak being Sunnah or Mustahab. In general, there is clear indication from Fiqh texts on it being Sunnah.

‘Allama ‘Ala’ al-Din al-Haskafi (1088 AH) writes in Durr al-Mukhtar:

و السواك سنة مؤكدة كما في الجوهرة

And the Siwak is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah, as is mentioned in al-Jawhara

‘Allama Sayyid Muhammad Amin Ibn ‘Abidin al-Shami (1251 AH) transmits on this the saying of ‘Allama Ibrahim al-‘Alawi:

قد عده القدوري و الاكثرون من السنن و هو الاصح

al-Quduri and most others counted it among the Sunnahs, and this is the most correct position.

On this ‘Allama al-Shami writes:

و عليه المتون

And this is what the texts indicate.

Most people deem the Miswak as Sunnah, and this is the correct position. The author of al-Hidaya, Shaykh al-Islam Burhan al-Din Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali Ibn Abi Bakr al-Farghani al-Murghinani (593 AH) has written that the Miswak isMustahab, and the author of Fath al-Qadir also considered this to be the correct position.

However, principally the rule is that if there is difference of opinion on the authenticity (Tashih) of something, then action is taken on what the texts indicate. Therefore, [when we find] that the texts are in agreement that the Miswakis Sunnah, the best position is this that performing Miswak is Sunnah Mu’akkada.

والله تعالى اعلم

Mufti Waqar al-Din al-Qadiri رحمه الله (Translated from Waqar al-Fatawa Vol:2)

Courtesy of http://www.sunnaforum.com

METHOD OF SALĀT AL-GHAWTHIYYA

by Seeker

METHOD OF SALĀT AL-GHAWTHIYYA

After making complete wudū pray 2 raka’s. In each raka’, after reciting Sūrah al-Fātiha, recite Sūrah al-Ikhlās 11 times. After salām (concluding the prayer) recite Durūd Sharīf 111 times.

Then stand up face towards Iraq, Baghdad [Iraq is slightly left of the Qibla direction] and take 11 steps towards Baghdad.

On each step recite “Yā Sheikh ‘Abd al-Qādir Jīlānī shay-an lillah al-Madad” once. And after the 11 steps perform du’ā.

Please remember me in your prayer too.

The benefit of Saints

by Seeker

The benefit of Saints – A new release by Ihsanica Media

Taken from the three volume work Salwat al-anfās wa muhādathat al-akyās bi man uqbira min al-‘Ulamā’ wa al-Sulahā’ bi Fās (Solace of the breaths and discourse with the intelligent in mention of the scholars and righteous buried in the city of Fes) (Casablanca: Dar al-Thiqāfa 2004), by the Hadith scholar and scion of the Prophet’s family sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: Sayyid Abu ‘Abdullāh Muhammad b. Ja’far b. Idrīs al-Kattānī.

Benefits Of Saints (click to download or view).

http://www.Ihsanica.com

Mawlid Gift: Glimpse into Prophetic Beauty

by Seeker

as-Salam ‘alaykum,

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate the Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May prayers and salutations be upon the master of the two worlds, our liege lord Muhammad, and upon his pure family, noble Companions, and all who follow his exemplary way.

Here is another beautiful piece by Sheikh Muhammad Khalid Thabit.

“The Prophet’s (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) complete beauty has not been fully manifested, for if it was disclosed to us in full, our eyes would be unable to behold him (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The similes, therefore, that are used to describe him (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are only for the sake of approximating and drawing similitudes, for the Prophet’s essence (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is far too exquisite and his honor is far loftier.” [Imam al-Qurtubi]

Download:

http://www.ihsanica.com/inspiration/GlimpseintoPropheticBeauty.pdf

Junayd Yasin [Khadim, Ihsanica Media]

www.ihsanica.com | publishing@ihsanica.com

Ibn Kathīr Praises the Night of Mawlid

by Seeker

Imam Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalani, in his book al-Durar al-kamina fi `ayn al-Mi’at al-thamina, mentions that Ibn Kathir, among the followers of Ibn Taymiyya, “in the last days of his life wrote a book entitled Mawlid Rasul Allah which was spread far and wide. That book mentioned the permissibility and recommendability of celebrating the Mawlid.”

Ibn Kathir’s book was published in 1961 (Ibn Kathir, Mawlid Rasul Allah, ed. Salah al-Din Munajjad (Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Jadid, 1961). In it he says, pp. 19:

“The Night of the Prophet’s birth is a magnificent, noble, blessed and holy night, a night of bliss for the believers, pure, radiant with lights, and of immeasurable price.”

Manners of Visiting the beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

by Seeker

Manners of Visiting the beloved Messenger sall Allahu alayhi wa sallam

This is from ‘alaHazrat’s monograph Anwāru’l Bishārah fī Masāyil al-Hajji wa’z Ziyārah.

Book Release: The Companions are the Stars of Guidance by Sheikh Muhammad Akhtar Rida Khan al-Azhari

by Seeker

Download –http://www.ihsanica.com/publications/TheCompanionsAreTheStarsOfGuidance_V1.pdf

—

Al-Salamu ‘alaykum,

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate the Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May prayers and salutations be upon the master of the two worlds, our liege lord Muhammad, and upon his pure family, noble Companions, and all who follow his exemplary way.

Our (Ihsanica Media) first publication, The Companions are the Stars of Guidance by Sheikh Muhammad Akhtar Rida Khan al-Azhari:

—

* Publisher’s foreword:
This treatise written by the scholar and sage, Sheikh Muhammad Akhtar Rida Khan, discusses the famous hadith ascribed to the Prophet -may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: “My Companions are like the stars; whomever of them you follow you will be guided.” This hadith was declared weak by many scholars; however, the author explains that if a weak hadith gains fame and general acceptance it can be judged as authentic. Imam al-Suyuti said in Tadrib al-rawi:“Some of them have said that a hadith is judged authentic if it is met with general acceptance among the people, even if it does not possess an authentic chain.”

The tribulation of our time is that there are those who, in their misplaced zeal, claim that this hadith is forged. That is a baseless view first propagated by the literalist scholar Ibn Hazm, and followed by the late Sheikh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, the self-taught Salafi “revivalist.”

Sheikh Muhammad Akhtar Rida Khan does not seek to authenticate this hadith; his goal is to respond to the claims that it is forged [mawdu’] and prove that [1] it has a basis [2] that there are similar reports that are sound [3] the Gnostics and saints accepted the soundness of this hadith through their spiritual unveiling [kashf]. This treatise is also a brilliant defense of the Companions’ preeminence in jurisprudence and reflects the author’s mastery of the hadith sciences and legal theory.

– Dr. Najah ‘Awad Siyam
Muqattam Publishers, Cairo, Egypt

* Paraphrased and condensed from the original Arabic text. The work was first published by Muqattam Publishers in Cairo, Egypt.

http://www.ihsanica.com/
Junayd Yasin [Ihsanica Media]

A few Hadith on the Greatness of the Master of Creation, Sayyiduna RasūlAllah sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

by Seeker

Mawla Álī raĎīyAllāhu ánhu narrated,

The beloved Prophet sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “I was a noor (light) in front of Allah subḥānahu wa ta’ala 14000 years prior to the creation of Sayyiduna Adam álayhis salam.”[1]

Abu Hurayra raĎīyAllāhu ánhu said,

The blessed companions raĎīyAllāhu ánhum said, “Ya RasūlAllah sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, when did nabuwwa (prophet hood) become compulsory for you?” The beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “When Adam was between rūh (soul) and jism (body).”[2]

Maysarah radiyAllahu ánhu narrates that he said,

“Ya RasulAllah sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, from when were you a Nabi?” The beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “I was a Nabi even then, when Adam was betweenrūh and jism.”[3]

Ibn Abī Asim has stated that the sanad is Ṣaḥīḥ, and all the narrators are Sahih and thiqqa (trustworthy).

The beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“O Abu Bakr! I swear by the Lord who sent me with the truth, no one knows my ḥaqīqa, aside from my Lord.”[4]

The beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

Every Nabi was sent to a specific nation, whilst I have been sent to all nations.[5]

The beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

I have been sent as a Rasul to the entire creation.[6]

Írbād bin Sāriya raĎīyAllāhu ánhu narrates that the beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

I am the supplication of my father Ibrahim, and the glad tidings of Isa.[7]

Thawbān raĎīyAllāhu ánhu narrates that the Master of Creation sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

There shall be thirty imposters in my Ummah, each one of them shall claim himself to be a Nabi, however I am the Khātim an-Nabiyyīn (the Seal of Prophets) and there shall be no Nabi after me.[8]

Abu Imamah raĎīyAllāhu ánhu narrates that the beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

I am the last of the Prophets and you are the last Ummah.[9]

Upon the occasion of Ḥajjat al-Wada’ the blessed Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

There shall be no Prophet after me, and there will be no Ummah after you.[10]

Another narration states,

There is no Nabi after me, and there is no Ummah after my Ummah.[11]

Amir Muáwiya raĎīyAllāhu ánhu narrates that the beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

Indeed, I am the one who distributes, and Allah bestows to me.[12]

Jabir bin Ábdullah raĎīyAllāhu ánhu narrates that the Master of Creation sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

I have been made the distributor; I am the one who distributes amongst you.[13]

The beloved Messenger sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

I am al-Qasim, I am the one who distributes amongst you.[14]

Úqba raĎīyAllāhu ánhu narrates that the beloved Messenger śallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam said,

Indeed, I have been given the keys to the treasures of the world.[15]

—–

[1] Ahmad al-Qastalānī, al-Mawāhib Ladunniya, vol. 1

Ábd al-Bāqī al-Zurqānī, Sharh al-Mawāhib Ladunniya, vol. 1

Halabī, Sīrah, vol. 1

[2] Tirmidhī, Jāmí as-Ṣaḥīḥ, vol. 5

Bayhaqī, Dalāýil al-Nabuwwa, vol. 2

[3] Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 5

Ibn Abī Shayba, al-Musannaf, vol. 7

Maqdisī, al-Hadith al-Mukhtara, vol. 9

[4] Mahdī al-Fāsī, Mutālé al-Musarrāt, pp. 129

[5] Bukhari, Sahih, vol. 1

Nisā’i, Sunan, vol. 1

[6] Muslim, Sahih, vol. 1

Tirmidhī, Sunan, vol. 4

Ibn Ḥibbān, Sahih, vol. 6

Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 2

[7] Hākim, al-Mustadrak, vol. 2

Bukhari, Tārīkh al-Kabīr, vol. 6

Abu Nuáym, Hilya al-Awliya, vol. 6

[8] Tirmidhī, Jāmí as-Sahih, vol. 4

Abu Dāwud, Sunan, vol. 4

Hakim, al-Mustadrak, vol. 4

[9] Ibn Majah, Sunan, vol. 2

Hākim, al-Mustadrak, vol. 4

Tabarānī, Mújam al-Kabīr, vol. 8

[10] Tabarānī, Mújam al-Kabīr, vol. 8

Ibn Hibbān, Sahih, vol. 15

Haythamī, Majmá az-Zawāíd, vol. 3

[11] Tabarānī, Mújam al-Kabīr, vol. 8

Haythamī, Majmá az-Zawā’íd, vol. 7

[12] Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab al-‘Ilm, vol. 1

Muslim, Sahih, Kitab al-Zakah, vol. 2

Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 2

Tabarānī, Mújam al-Kabīr, vol. 19

[13] Bukhari, Ṣaḥīḥ, vol. 3

Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 3

Tahāwī, Sharh Maánī al-Athār, vol. 4

[14] Muslim, Sahih, vol. 3

Bayhaqī, Sunan al-Kubra, vol. 9

[15] Bukhari, Sahih, vol. 5

Ibn Hibbān, Sahih, vol. 7

Biography on Mufassir al-Aazam Hind (scan of front cover and lineage)

by Seeker

The best biography written on Hudur Mufassir al-Aazam Hind ash-Shaykh Ibrahim Rida rahimahullah (the father of Taaj al-Islam Imam Akhtar Rida Azhari hafidhullah ta’ala) was authored by Mufti ‘Abd al-Wajid al-Qadri hafidhullah ta’ala entitled, Hayat e Mufassir e Aazam (the Life of the Great Mufassir).

A scan of the front cover in Urdu has been attached as well as the blessed lineage of Mufassir al-Aazam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lineage: