Monthly Archives: June 2011
Man is accountable
Man is accountable
Praise be to Allaah.
Each person is a pledge for that which he has earned (cf. al-Toor 52:21, al-Muddaththir 74:38) Whoever believes and does righteous deeds will enter Paradise and whoever disbelieves in Allaah and His Messenger will enter Hell. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Surely, those who disbelieved in Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allaah is Ever Most Powerful, All-Wise.
But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have Azwaajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise)”
[al-Nisaa’ 4:56-57]
Righteous deeds benefit the one who does them, for Allaah has no need of us. And evil deeds only harm the one who does them, for they do not harm Allaah at all, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whosoever does righteous good deed, it is for (the benefit of) his ownself; and whosoever does evil, it is against his ownself. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves”
[Fussilat 41:46]
And He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allaah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:6]
Allaah is Generous and multiplies hasanaat (good deeds) as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whoever brings a good deed (Islamic Monotheism and deeds of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger) shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed (polytheism, disbelief, hypocrisy, and deeds of disobedience to Allaah and His Messenger) shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged”
[al-An’aam 6:160]
Righteous deeds such as prayer, zakaah, fasting, Hajj, enjoining what is good, forbidding what is evil, jihaad, reading Qur’aan, etc., are the symbols of Islam, and the reward for all of them is Paradise, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a (true) believer [in the Oneness of Allaah (Muslim)], such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqeera (speck on the back of a date stone), will be done to them”
[al-Nisaa’ 4:124]
The punishment for all evil deeds and sins such as oppression, shirk (associating others with Allaah), murder, corruption, arrogance, and other sins is Hell, unless one repents. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whosoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment”
[al-Nisaa’ 4:14]
Words and deeds, whether they are good or bad, are all recorded with the Lord of the Worlds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“This Our Record speaks about you with truth. Verily, We were recording what you used to do (i.e. Our angels used to record your deeds)”
[al-Jaathiyah 45:29]
Allaah does not accept any deeds except those which are done purely for Allaah in accordance with the guidance of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord”
[al-Kahf 18:110]
On the Day of Resurrection, each person will see what he did, acts of obedience or disobedience, good or evil, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“That Day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds.
So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it.
And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it”
[al-Zalzalah :6-8]
On the Day of Resurrection, each person will be given his book (record of deeds) and it will be said to him:
“Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day”
[al-Israa’ 17:14 – interpretation of the meaning]
Whoever believed and did righteous deeds will take his book in his right hand in joy, and will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeyed Allaah and His Messenger will take his book in his left hand or from behind his back, and will enter Hell. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand,
He surely, will receive an easy reckoning,
And will return to his family in joy!
But whosoever is given his Record behind his back,
He will invoke (for his) destruction,
And he shall enter a blazing Fire, and made to taste its burning”
[al-Inshiqaaq 84:7-12]
And there is a great difference between faith and disbelief, obedience and disobedience, the people of Paradise and the people of Hell:
“Is then he who is a believer like him who is a Faasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allaah)? Not equal are they.
As for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, for them are Gardens (Paradise) as an entertainment for what they used to do.
And as for those who are Faasiqoon (disbelievers and disobedient to Allaah), their abode will be the Fire, every time they wish to get away therefrom, they will be put back thereto, and it will be said to them: ‘Taste you the torment of the Fire which you used to deny’”
[al-Sajdah 32:18-20 – interpretation of the meaning]
Allaah states that the believers are the ones who will be the victors, and the disbelievers are the ones who will be the losers, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“By Al-‘Asr (the time).
Verily, man is in loss,
Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma‘roof) which Allaah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allaah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihaad)”
[al-‘Asr 103:1-3]
O Allaah, grant us Paradise and save us from Hell. Bestow Your mercy upon us, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri
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Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj | Innovations in Religion and Worship
Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj | Innovations in Religion and Worship
Praise be to Allaah.
There is no doubt that the Isra’ and Mi’raaj (the Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascent into heaven) are two great signs of Allaah which point to the truthfulness of the His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the greatness of his status before Allaah. They are also signs of the great power of Allaah, and of His exalted position above His creation. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allaah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him]
Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Al‑Masjid Al‑Haraam (at Makkah) to Al‑Masjid Al‑Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All‑Hearer, the All‑Seer”
[al-Isra’ 17:1]
There are mutawaatir reports from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he was taken up into the heavens, and their gates were opened for him, until he passed beyond the seventh heaven, where his Lord spoke to him as He willed, and enjoined the five daily prayers upon him. At first Allaah, may He be exalted, enjoined fifty prayers, but our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) kept going back and asking Him to reduce it, until He made them five, so they are five obligatory prayers but fifty in reward, because each good deed is rewarded tenfold. To Allaah be praise and thanks for all His blessings.
With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) according to the scholars of hadeeth. Allaah has wise reasons for causing the people to forget it. Even if the date were proven, it would not be permissible for the Muslims to single it out for particular acts of worship, and it is not permissible for them to celebrate it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did not celebrate it and they did not single it out in any way. If celebrating it was something that is prescribed in Islam, the Messenger would have told his ummah about that, either in word or in deed. If any such thing had happened, it would have been well known, and his companions would have transmitted the information to us. They narrated from their Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) everything that his ummah needs to know, and they did not neglect any aspect of the religion, rather they were the first ones to do anything good. If celebrating this night had been prescribed in Islam, they would have been the first people to do so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the most sincere of people, and he conveyed the message to the people in full, and he fulfilled the trust. If venerating and celebrating this night were part of the religion of Allaah, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have done that and would not have concealed it. Since no such thing happened, it is known that celebrating it and venerating it is not part of Islam at all. Allaah has perfected this ummah’s religion for it and has completed His favour upon them, and He condemns those who introduce things into the religion which Allaah has not ordained. Allaah says in His holy Book, in Soorat al-Maa’idah (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
And Allaah says in Soorat al-Shoora (interpretation of the meaning):
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not ordained?”
[al-Shoora 42:21]
In the saheeh ahaadeeth it is proven that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against bid’ah (innovation) and stated clearly that it is misguidance, so as to show the ummah how serious the matter is and put them off it.
For example, it is narrated in al-Saheehayn from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” In a report narrated by Muslim it says: “Whoever does any action that is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”
In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his khutbah on Friday: “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The worst of matters are those which are newly-invented, and every innovation is a going astray.” Al-Nasaa’i added with a jayyid isnaad: “and every going astray will be in the Fire.”
In al-Sunan it is narrated that al-‘Irbaad ibn Saariyah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) delivered an eloquent speech to us which melted our hearts and caused our eyes to flow with tears. We said: O Messenger of Allaah, it is as if it is a farewell address, so advise us. He said: “I advise you to fear Allaah, and to listen and obey, even if a slave is appointed over you. Whoever among you lives will see many differences, so I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided caliphs who will come after me, and cling firmly to it. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray. And there are many ahaadeeth with a similar meaning.
Warnings against bid’ah (innovation) have been narrated from the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and from the righteous salaf after them, because this is no more than adding things to the religion and instituting a religion that Allaah has not ordained, and it is an imitation of the enemies of Allaah, the Jews and the Christians, in their additions to their religions and introducing into them things that Allaah had not ordained. It also implies that there is something lacking in Islam, and that it is not complete, and it is well known that this leads to great mischief and evil, and goes against the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
It also goes against the ahaadeeth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which warn against innovation (bid’ah).
I hope that the evidence we have quoted will be sufficient to convince the seeker of truth that this bid’ah is wrong, i.e., the innovation of celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj, and that it is not part of the religion of Islam at all.
Because Allaah has enjoined being sincere towards the Muslims and explaining what Allaah has prescribed for them in their religion, and because it is haraam to conceal knowledge, I thought that I should point out this innovation, which is so widespread in many regions that people think it is part of the religion, to my Muslim brothers. Allaah is the One Whom we ask to set the affairs of all the Muslims straight, and to bless them with knowledge of Islam, and to help us and them to adhere steadfastly to the truth, and to forsake everything that goes against it, for He is able to do that. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon His slave and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him).
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Meeting Allaah on the Day of Judgement
Meeting Allaah on the Day of Judgement
Praise be to Allaah.
Evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah points to the fact that Allaah is above the heavens, seated on the Throne in a manner that befits His Majesty and Greatness. Allaah says in the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning):
“The Most Beneficent istawaa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His majesty).”
[Ta-Ha 20:5]
As for meeting Allaah and seeing Him: meeting Him occurs after death and on the Day of Judgement; seeing Him will occur only on the Day of Judgement. Concerning the meeting with Allaah after death, Imaam al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) reported in his Saheeh, in the chapter on “whoever loves to meet Allaah, Allaah loves to meet him”:
From ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit, from the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) who said: “Whoever loves to meet Allaah, Allaah will love to meet him, and whoever hates to meet Allaah, Allaah will hate to meet him.” ‘Aa’ishah or one of his wives said: “But we all dislike the idea of death.” He said, “It is not what you are thinking. When death approaches the believer and he is given the news of Allaah’s pleasure and honour, nothing will be more dear to him than what lies ahead of him, so he will love to meet Allaah and Allaah will love to meet him. But when death approaches the disbeliever and he is given the news of Allaah’s wrath and punishment, nothing will be more disliked by him that what lies ahead of him, so he will hate to meet Allaah and Allaah will hate to meet him.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 6026).
The words “nothing will be more dear to him than what lies ahead of him” refer to what he will go through after death. Muslim and al-Nisaa’i report that Shurayh ibn Haani’ said: “I said to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) : ‘I have heard a hadeeth which, if it is as I heard it, means that we are doomed. The hadeeth says: “There is not one of us who does not dislike death.”’ She said: ‘It is not what you think. What it means is when a person’s eyes stare without blinking, when the death rattle is in his chest and his skin and muscles contract.’ This is the state of one who is dying.
“Al-Khattaabi said: “There are different types of meeting: it may mean seeing with one’s own eyes, or it may mean resurrection, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
‘They indeed are losers who denied their meeting with Allaah…’ [al-An’aam 6:31]; or it may mean death, as Allaah says: (interpretation of the meaning):
‘Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allaah, then Allaah’s term is surely coming…’ [al-‘Ankaboot 29:5] and
‘Say (to them): Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you…’ [al-Jumu’ah 62:8]”
The meeting with Allaah (mentioned in the hadeeth quoted above) refers to something other than death, because in another hadeeth the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said, “Death is a barrier between us and the meeting with Allaah.” But when death is the means of meeting Allaah, it is described as the meeting with Allaah. Imaam Abu ‘Ubayd al-Qaasim ibn Salaam said: “The hadeeth does not refer to a dislike of death and the suffering involved, because everybody feels this way. What is being criticized here is a love and preference for this world and a dislike of the idea of moving on to Allaah and the Hereafter. This is explained by the fact that Allaah condemned people who love this life, and said (interpretation of the meaning):
‘… those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world…’ [Yoonus 10:7].”
Al-Nawawi said: “The meaning of the hadeeth is that the like and dislike referred to are those that occur at the time of death, at the stage when repentance is no longer acceptable, when the dying person is shown where he is headed. There is also some discussion in the hadeeth about the dislike of death. Whoever dislikes death because he prefers this life to the blessings of the Hereafter is condemned. Whoever dislikes death because he fears being brought to account for his shortcomings, lack of preparation and failure to carry out the commands of Allah properly, is not to blame in this case. The one who feels this way should hasten to prepare himself so that when death comes to him he will not dislike it but will love it because of the meeting with Allaah which he is hoping for after death.
The hadeeth quoted above also indicates that no living person will see Allaah in this life, but that the believers will see Him after death, as the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: “Death is a barrier between us and the meeting with Allaah.” This fact is stated even more clearly in another hadeeth narrated by Muslim from Abu Umaamah, in which the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) says: “Know that you will not see your Lord until you die.” The meeting with Allaah and seeing Him on the Day of Judgement is proven in many texts, such as the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
“Some faces that Day will be naadirah (shining and radiant), looking at their Lord.” [al-Qiyaamah 75:22-23]
Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the people said, “O Messenger of Allaah, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He said, “Do you have any doubts about seeing the full moon on a cloudless night?” They said, “No.” He said, “Do you have any doubts about seeing the sun on a cloudless day?” They said, “No.” He said, “Then you will see your Lord in the same way.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 764). We ask Allaah to let us meet Him when He is pleased with us. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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The people of Paradise will remember the life of this world
The people of Paradise will remember the life of this world
Praise be to Allaah.
There is evidence in the Qur’aan that the people of Paradise will remember the life of this world. For example, in Soorat al-Toor, Allaah tells us (interpretation of the meaning):
“And some of them draw near to others, questioning, saying: ‘Aforetime, we were afraid with out families (of the punishment of Allaah). But Allaah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily, we used to invoke Him (Alone) before. Verily, He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.”
[al-Toor 52:25-28]
They will also remember the evil people who tried to make the people of faith have doubts and called them to kufr. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then they will turn to one another, mutually questioning. A speaker of them will say, ‘Verily, I had a companion (in the world), who used to say, “Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death), (that) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?”
[al-Saffaat 37:50-53]
They will remember the trials and tribulations they went though in this world, with regard to themselves, their children, their families and their wealth, and they will say joyfully:
“… ‘All praise and thanks be to Allaah, Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense).’”
[Faatir 35:34]
They will also be reminded of this life when they see the fruits which will resemble those which they used to eat in this world, but whose size and taste are different. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“… Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say: ‘This is what we were provided with before,’ and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e., in the same form but different in taste)…”
[al-Baqarah 2:25]
They will also recall their du’aa’s in times of hardship, when they raised their hands to heaven asking for their deeds to be accepted and for help to do righteous deeds and to be included among those who would inherit blessings. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And some of them draw near to others, questioning, saying: ‘Aforetime, we were afraid with out families (of the punishment of Allaah). But Allaah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily, we used to invoke Him (Alone) before. Verily, He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.”
[al-Toor 52:25-28]
As regards the matter of them desiring something like the blessings of this world, they will in fact desire something better than that, because even the person who is the lowest in status in Paradise will enjoy something like ten times the joys of this world.
‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood said: “The Messenger of Allaah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: ‘I know who will be the last person to be brought out of Hell and the last person to enter Paradise. It will be a man who will come out of Hell crawling. Allaah will say to him, “Go and enter Paradise.” So he will go there and think that it is full, so he will come back and say, “O Lord, I found it full.” Allaah will say to him a second time, “Go and enter Paradise.” So he will go there and think that it is full, so he will come back and say, “O Lord, I found it full.” Allaah will say to him, “Go and enter Paradise, for there you will have something like the world and ten times more.” The man will say, “Are You making fun of me (or are You laughing at me), and You are the King of all?”’ – and I saw the Messenger of Allaah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) smiling so broadly that his back teeth could be seen. He used to say, ‘That is the person who is lowest in status in Paradise.’”
[Agreed upon; this version is reported by Muslim, no. 272]
Everything that the people of Paradise desire will be theirs, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“… (there will be) therein all that one’s inner-self could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.”
[al-Zukhruf 43:71]
A number of ahaadeeth state that the people of Paradise will have their desires for children or to grow things fulfilled, without having to wait for them.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) was speaking about the people of Paradise one day when a Bedouin was present. He described how a man of the people of Paradise will ask his Lord’s permission to grow some plants. (In Arabic, the past tense is used here to show that this will undoubtedly happen). Allaah will ask him, “Do you not already have all that you want?” He will say, “Yes, but I like to grow things.” So he will go and plant his seeds, and within the blinking of an eye they will grow, ripen, be harvested and piled up like mountains. Allaah will say, “Here you are, O son of Adam, nothing makes you satisfied!” The Bedouin said, “O Messenger of Allaah, you will find that he is either from Quraysh or the Ansaar, for they are the ones who like to grow things; we don’t like to grow anything!” The Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) smiled broadly.
(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 6965).
Ibn Hijr reported the following hadeeth in Fath al-Baari; from it we learn that whatever worldly desires one wishes for in Paradise can be fulfilled.
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: “If the believer in Paradise wishes for a child, it will be conceived and delivered, and will grow to the desired age in an instant.”
(Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 2487. Abu ‘Eesaa said: This is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6649)
We ask Allaah to make us among the people of Paradise by His Grace and Mercy. And Allaah knows best.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
