Salamu ‘alaykum Brethren,

It has been a while since the last real post for SeekingIlm.com. Originally we were hacked by some ip addresses that stemmed from evil origins, may Allah guide them amin! So I debated with myself if I should take the site down or revive it.

I had decided to simply let the domain name expire and continue on with other projects that we have been working on, when Allah, the majestic, sent on my way an incident  that made me realize the importance of Seekingilm.com and some of the research done here defending the Sunni stances.

A recent encounter that I had with a pseudo-salafi “Shaykh“, made me realize that the Sunnis are in need of some of the articles on this site. Briefly I shall narrate a bit of the event. A pseudo-salafi Shaykh condemned my “wiping of the face after du’aa”, saying the hadith was “very weak“. He said these words, thinking that no one in the room would be able to counter his claims. It was only by Allah’s immense grace, that I had researched this issue well enough to know that his claims were utterly ridiculous and unfounded. I simply challenged him, ‘What scholar of the salaf ever said these ahadith are ‘Very weak’?” Of course he did not answer, because no scholar from the salaf ever said such a thing. I went home, retrieved my copy of Subul-As-Salam, the Sharh of Bulugh Al-Maram, came back to the masjid and conveyed the view of Hafith Ibn Hajr Al-’Asqalani. Of course, I was yelled at, interrupted, and not allowed to speak. To see the research we have done on this issue, go to the following link:

http://www.seekingilm.com/archives/95

The point that I want to make here brethren is this: even if the hadith is “weak”, this is an issue of ikhtilaf (disagreement). Yes, there are scholars of the past who said the hadith was “weak“, but they did not say the hadith was “very weak“. Such a claim is a lie upon the salaf, unfounded, and only shows ones ignorance of the sciences of Islam. Furthermore, if it is recognized that Mujtahidin of this noble Ummah believed this act to be Sunnah, and that the hadith taken together reach the level of Hasan, then one should have enough respect to accept the fact that there is room to disagree.

Respect for valid ikhtilaf, a principle founded within the schools of law, has been abandoned by the extremist pseudo-salafis. It is because of this fact, that I arrived upon the conclusion that SeekingIlm.com needs to continue on with the research it has done on issues where the pseudo-salafis vehemently oppose the Sunnah of our beloved Sayyid Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

We ask Allah to bless this Ummah with good and revive the Sunni Movement, sending a crushing blow to the bigoted deviant movement of the pseudo-salafis. Amin!

Farhan Memon recently wrote an article arguing that there are three basic reasons there will not be a Muslim Supreme Court Justice “within our lifetime”:

1) He argues that there are no appellate or district court judges thus “Without any players on the Bench, as it were, we cannot expect a Muslim to make it to the Supreme Court. ”

2) “A significant number of Americans have an unfavorable opinion about Islam and Muslims that is growing stronger.” The white majority, in this “sacred democracy”, despise Muslims, so we’re out of luck!

3) Third, the United States is involved in multiple wars around the world, both open and covert, with countries that have Muslim majority populations. Although both Presidents Bush and Obama have repeatedly stated that America is not at war with Islam, the repeated mention on the nightly news of the “Islamic radicals” “Islamic terrorists” and “Islamic militias” who we are fighting makes it hard for the ordinary citizen and politician to discern between the Muslim enemy and the Muslim American. The nomination of a Muslim would be sure to ignite accusations of “putting our enemy on the Supreme Court.”

When I read this article, as a Muslim American, I couldn’t help but feel nauseous! Have Muslims in America forgotten who they are? What does it mean to be a Muslim anyway? I recently heard a speaker representing an organization called “Furqan” at Masjid At-Taqwa giving a khutbah wherein he mentioned that several polls show that out of the approximate 7 million Muslims in America, only 410,000 of them attend Jumu’ah prayer. No surprise there!  What is my point, I’m sure your asking! My point is Muslim Americans want to  be accepted by society, “included”, allowed the same priveleges as say the American Catholics. But at what expense? Is it At the expense of Tawhid?

When I read this article I was hoping that maybe, just maybe, the author would care enough to mention the  fact that the Qur’an clearly stipulates that Muslims are to judge by what Allah revealed, not the whims of men; in this case congress or the Supreme Court of the USA. In fact, the very underlying premise of the article, that “Muslims” should be “Justices” is so unIslamic that I honestly wonder if Muslims even care to read the Qur’an anymore!

To justify my point, simply open the Qur’an to Surat Al-Ma’idah wherein Allah ta’ala states:

“It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah’s will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers. We ordained therein for them: “Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.” But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (No better than) wrong-doers. And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel. To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute; And this (He commands): Judge thou between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah hath sent down to thee. And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crime it is Allah’s purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious. Do they then seek after a judgment of (the days of) ignorance? But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah?” ((Ma’idah 5:44-51 http://quran.islamicnetwork.com/quran.php?q=5:44-51 ))

So recall my first question, “Have Muslims forgotten who they are?” Well the Qur’an definitely defines a Muslim as one who judges by what Allah ta’ala has revealed, and not one that “follows their vain desires”. Our identity as Muslims, the flagbearers of true Islamic Monotheism, is on the verge of being lost simply because we prefer to “fit in”, “be accepted”, and “join the crowds” of disbelieving pagans and man worshippers in their desire to ignore Allah’s commandments!

I understand that some are uncomfortable discussing this issue due to some sects that make this the SOLE issue of Islam. It is true that there are groups of Muslims who brand anyone who judges by other than the shari’ah a disbelieving pagan who is judged an apostate and etc … I am not, within this article, claiming such, nor do I subscribe to such general accusations of takfir without further delving into the matter. Rather, the point that I am trying to make is that our Majestic Lord has warned us of the blunders of the nations that came before us in abandoning Providencial law! Allah describes them as “disbelievers”, “rebels”, “wrong-doers”, and even warns of eternal damnation. Yet, some ‘Muslims’ simply turn their faces away from the Divine command!

Imam At-Tabari in his Tafsir mentions from some of the tabi’in, such as Ash-Sha’bi, that an argument broke out amongst a Jew and a “muslim” (another report says Munafiq – or hypocrite) and the jew demanded that they take the case to the Prophet Muhammad because:

لأنه قد علم أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يأخذ الرشوة في الحكم

“He knew that the Messenger of Allah would not take a bribe regarding judgement.”

So they disagreed regarding this issue,  ( فاتفقا على أن يأتيا كاهناً في جهينة) and eventually agreed on seeking judgement from a Kaahin (soothsayer)  in Juhaynah. So Allah, the Majestic, revealed:

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُواْ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُواْ إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُواْ أَن يَكْفُرُواْ بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلاَلاً بَعِيداً

“Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to Taghut, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray.”

[Taken from Tafsir At-Tabari a.ka.:  تفسير جامع البيان في تفسير القرآن beneath this verse. Also see Fakhr-Ud-Din Ar-Raazi's  تفسير مفاتيح الغيب where he states "and many of the exegetes hold this view". Imam Al-Baydawi, the Shafi'i exegete and jurist also quotes this explanation though he ascribes it to the companion Abdullah ibn 'Abbas. See  تفسير انوار التنزيل واسرار التأويل . As-Suyuti in his Tafsir Al-Jalalayn states that the Taghut was actually the disbeliever Ka'ab ibn Al-Ashraf]

So there are several issues that can be extracted from this verse that pertain to the issue at hand.

1) A jew and a “Muslim” decide to seek judgement from other than Allah, specifically a soothsayer.

Allah ta’ala calls the one who is judging by other than the Book of Allah and the verdict of His Messenger (‘alayhis salam) a “Taghut“. This Kaahin, according to Imam As-Suddi was named Abu Burdah Al-Aslami who ended up accepting Islam after this verse was revealed ((see Fakhr-Ud-Din Ar-Raazi’s  تفسير مفاتيح الغيب )).

According to Fakhru-Din Ar-Razi, the word “At-Taghut” means “a devil”.

قال عمر ومجاهد وقتادة هو الشيطان

He said, “Umar, Mujahid and Qatadah said that [Taghut] means Ash-Shayton [the devil, or satan].”

In other words, the one who is judging by other than what Allah has revealed is no less than a devil, satanic, and the extreme opposite of the one who is righteous-seeking.

2) In the tafsir of this verse, Imam Fakhr-Ar-Razi quotes the verse:

فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىَ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجاً مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً

“But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.” [4:65]

and states:

وهذا نص في تكفير من لم يرض بحكم الرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام

“And this verse is a clear proof (nass) regarding the ruling of disbelief for whomever is displeased with the ruling of the Messenger ‘alayhis salat wa salam.”

He then quotes the verse:

فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

“then let those beware who withstand the Messenger’s order, lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.”

He comments saying:

وهذا يدل على أن مخالفته معصية عظيمة، وفي هذه الآيات دلائل على أن من رد شيئا من أوامر الله أو أوامر الرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام فهو خارج عن الاسلام

“And this proves that whomever contradicts (or turns away from the orders of the Messenger) is in a horrible sin! And in these verses is proof that whoever rejects a thing from the commands of Allah or a Command of the Messenger (‘alayhis salat wa salam) then he has left the fold of Islam.” ((http://altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=1&tTafsirNo=4&tSoraNo=4&tAyahNo=60&tDisplay=yes&Page=2&Size=1&LanguageId=1 ))

This is a Divine warning against seeking judgement from other than Allah, as well as Judging by other than what Allah has revealed. Yet will the Muslims take heed? To be a Muslim is to submit completely with one’s heart to the commands of Allah ta’ala. How then is it possible for a “Muslim” to judge by other than the Divine law? It is impossible for such to exist according the scholars of Sunni law.

So to the Farhan Memons and those of his kind we say that your way is not the way of the Qur’an or the way of our beloved Messenger Muhammad ‘alayhis salam. You do not represent the heart of Islam’s message, and we encourage you and all those who hold your views to read the Qur’an and its exegesis thoroughly. Know as well, that the Jews and Christians will never be pleased with you until you accept their dogmatic views. Allah says in the Qur’an,

وَلَن تَرْضَى عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلاَ النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ

“Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: “The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance.” Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah.” [2:120]

“Democracy”, the supposed will of the people, is in fact their “desires” that directly contradict the law of our Lord ta’ala.

Muslims who seek their Lord’s pleasure do not seek “inclusion”, they seek Allah’s pleasure and his reward!

May Allah send His infinite Blessings upon the beloved Messenger Muhammad, his followers, companions, and his family! Amin!

An interesting read from Newsweek on a former MP at Gitmo who accepted Islam:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/190357

Of course, the site has supporters and the site has many enemies, especially the pseudo-salafi anthropomorphists who we expose with our articles. Some traditionalists find fault in the “harsh” means and the “negative” articles we produce, and my answer to them is that we think such a method must be utilized when dealing with a rabid cult that preaches contempt for the Salaf us-Salih and disregard for life and honor (ex. Nasir Al-Fahd and the Takfiri fringe of the pseudo-salafi movement, and the pseudo-salafis of the UK who disregard the rights of Muslims under the guise of tabdi‘). As the arabs say ‘be a wolf or be eaten by the wolves’. The wolves of pseudo-salafism have killed, murdered, tortured, destroyed and poisoned the works of the Muslims for nearly 100 years now. I believe some from their movement have realized the “old” pseudo-salafi ways will no longer work. The ways of boycotting (hijrah), tabdi‘, takfir, honor attacks, murder etc turned many Muslims off. I have seen within the past 5 years many former pseudo-salafis finding peace in Sunni Islam, the Islam of the Imams of old! Many Muslims, especially converts, are realizing the spiritual emptiness in a “do it yourself” style of Islam, a “neo-Islam” that ignores the Sufic tradition of 1300 years.

It is for them that we keep this site running. It is for the born-Muslims who see their fathers and grandfathers attacked in Masjids for sitting in groups of dhikr, by these rabid wolves who run around calling themselves “salafis”. It is for the Maliki Ivorian man I saw physically attacked for putting his hands at his side in prayer that we will continue in this struggle insha’allah. It is for the young student at the university who is bombarded by the pseudo-salafi propoganda, while finding no literature to respond to the claims therein, that we will continue on insha’allah. It is also for the sister who is criticized for wearing Niqab by claimant pseudo-Sufis, modernist wackos, or fringe Al-Albanite pseudo-salafis that we will continue on, with Allah’s permission. It is for the common simple Muslim who knows that the spiritual litany (wird) his forefathers passed down to him is correct, even though the pseudo-salafis attack him for reciting it in the masjid, that we will continue on.

The goals for the upcoming Islamic & Gregorian year for Seekingilm.com are as follows:

1) Continue the Shafi’i Salah Fiqh Series

2) Expanding our Research on Issues of Tawassul

3) Possibly starting a Tafsir series in collaboration with brothers who are interested

4) Continue to forward knowledge found in the books of the Sunni Imams for English-speaking readers

5) Increase our tasawwuf research and articles

6) Expand our downloadables section to nashids, qasaa’id, lectures etc. bi’ithnillah…

We ask our loyal readers, some of whom are very demanding when they have questions, to be patient with us as we respond to your deen concerns. We have a small team and most of us hold full time jobs while being full time students at the same time. We also request your sincere prayers, that this site benefits the Muslims and continues to be a tool for the Sunnis. We ask that you make du’aa for the oppressed Muslims, especially those in Gaza, who have been slain in the recent genocide by  the Israeli thugs. May Allah destroy the oppressors Amin!

Jazakum Allahu Khairan,

Abul Layth

Monthly Reflection for May 2008: Thoughts by Abul Layth

As I was looking through Al-Hafith Ibn Hajr Al-’Asqalani’s Talkhis Al-Habir I came acrossed a hadith that struck my soul. The author writes as the section heading,

“. It is recommended (mustahabb) for the one placing the deceased into the grave to say,

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ

“Bismillahi, wa ‘Alaa Millati Rasulullah”

“With Allah’s name, and upon the Religion of the Messenger of Allah.”

As that is reported by Ibn ‘Umar from the Messenger of Allah. When one places the deceased in the grave, place them in the lahd ((A niche that is dug on the side of the grave where the body is placed, so that the dirt does not actually fall on the body ))upon their right side, facing the qiblah, as that was done with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).” ((Talkhis Al-Habir, page 1231 Adwa’us-Salaf Edition ))

If you do not care for the details of the authenticity, just skip this part and move down to “So now…” If you do, continue…

Al-Hafith Ibn Hajr gives a discussion regarding the different forms it was narrated in, both marfu’ and mawquf. The hadith is reported by Tirmidhi (1046) though with minor differences in wording:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَبِاللَّهِ وَعَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَقَالَ مَرَّةً بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَبِاللَّهِ وَعَلَى سُنَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

“With Allah’s name, and with Allah, and upon the Messenger of Allah’s religion – and he also said, ‘With Allah’s name, and with Allah, and upon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah.”

Tirmidhi stated that this particular narration is Hasan Gharib from this [reported] direction. An Nasa’i (10927), Ibn Majah (1550), Al-Hakim in his Mustadarak (1/366), Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (3110,3109), Al-Bazzar and At-Tabarani through different chains. The hadith is Sahih as even mentioned by Al-Albani in his Ahkam Al-Janaa’iz.

So now that I have went over the takhreej, I would like to mention a few thoughts. “And upon the Millah of the Messenger of Allah”. What a blessing it would be to die as a Muslim, upon the way and Sunnah of the chosen of God, ‘alayhis salam. That one completed his short life dedicated to the divine Abrahamic principles so many devoted individuals sacrificed themselves for is something we all hope for, and hopefully, work for. The real issue though is if we are LIVING the Millah of the Messenger of Allah! We all know that just because one dies a Muslim, does not guarantee him immediate heaven. So the question we should be asking ourselves is if we are living according to the Millah, the divine chosen way, Allah’s illuminated path for mankind. Salah? Zakah? Working to draw one’s self nearer to the Beloved. We all, or atleast most of us interested in eternal bliss, struggle with our spirituality, our religiousity, our inner drive to want and be near to Allah. It is what makes us Muslim, those who completely submit to Allah’s commands with mind and heart. We have our highs and our lows, our shortcomings, our sins, and no doubt are severe transgressions that only you and Allah know of. But when it really comes down to it, we are really hoping that our last moments, our last gasp of air, our last blink of the eye, will be with the testimony that we struggle to live for now – No deity save Allah! An ayah from the Qur’an comes to mind:

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

Say: “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.”
 

So now ask yourself with sincerity and serious self-introspection, is your Salah, sacrifice, life and death for Allah and no other? If not, at the least, make your intention now that it is, and always will be. For death is as near to you as your sandal-strap. It may be soon that someone will say the words

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ

“Bismillahi, wa ‘Alaa Millati Rasulullah”

“With Allah’s name, and upon the Religion of the Messenger of Allah.”

As they place you in your grave! Oh Allah, make establish our feet upon your deen, bless our beloved Sayyid Muhammad, his family, and his followers.

Written By ‘Ammar Diwan as a Monthly Reflection for March 2008

As human beings, we all experience periods of depression in our lives. Whether it be poor grades in school or disagreements with one’s friends, several challenges come our way that cause us to feel helpless and depressed. Several moments in my life have made me reflect on what the best method to cure depression is. I know a few of my fellow students at school who are using anti-depressants attempting to “cure the disease”. I even met someone who felt that alcohol was the best way to get rid of depression.

My firm conviction is that the above methods are not only temporary, but severely weak. The fact is anti-depressants treat the effects of a truly chronic disorder; spiritual weakness. Treating the result of weak spiritual drive will not cure the cause.

Allah (swt) tells us:

“Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” [Qur'an, 13.28]

Ultimately, the ruh (soul) is where depression stems from. Our spiritual condition has a direct impact on our mental and physical health.

Therefore, it is only natural that the best method to cure depression will be through the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah.

Many of us have heard time and time again that dhikr will cure all our problems and yet, have reacted without enthusiasm and without trust that this is in fact true. We should be weary of such a negative attitude, for Allah says:

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أُوْلَئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ

“Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah . Such are in plain error.”

We should all ask ourselves if we really have been implementing dhikr as we should?

As Shaykh Faraz Rabbani put beautifully:

“In general, the remembrance of Allah drowns sorrows: when the light of the Infinite shines on our hearts, the shadows of finite concerns scatter.”

Scholars have recommended a number of things in order to solve the issue of depression:

• Reading and reciting the Qur’an regularly. The optimal amount is close to a juz (one thirtieth). However, scholars say that even a page or two recited regularly will have a significant impact against depression. If one doesn’t understand Arabic, it is also beneficial to read the translation of what one is reading.
• Surat Ya-Sin in particular is beneficial against depression. It should be recited as regularly as possible.
• Sending blessings upon the Prophet (pbuh). There are a number of different ways to do this. One of them is saying: Allahumma Salli `ala Muhammadin wa`ala Ali Muhammadin wa Sallim. One can say this as many times as one wants, preferably more than 100 times each day, although one does what one can sustain.
• One particularly effective method for curing depression is the famous Salat al-Tibbiyya:

اللهُمّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍطِبِّ القُلُوبِ وَدَوائِهاوَنُورِ الأَبْصَارِ وَضِيَائِهَاوَعَافِيَةِ الأَبْدَانِ وَ شِفَائِهَاوَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلِّمْ

Allahumma Salli `ala Sayyidina Muhammadin

Tibbil qulubi wa dawaa’iha

Wa nuril absari wa diya’iha

Wa `afiyatil abdaani wa shifaa’ha

Wa `ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Sallim.

O Lord! Send blessings on our master Muhammad,

The medicine of hearts and their cure,

The light of eyes and their illumination,

The health of bodies and their healing,

And upon his family, companions, and send peace.

This is said regularly and with as much presence of heart as possible. It is also very essential to be consistent in reading one’s daily prayers. Consistently praying 5 times a day on time with presence of heart is one of the best medicines against depression. The most important thing is to be consistent and take on what one can sustain.

And Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, who has given us the means to reach Him, and to find satisfaction therein.

    A good friend of mine who has quite a few kafir friends(jews, christians as well as atheists etc.) recently mentioned to me that has been getting tired of all the “jokes” an d “humour” that they make around in him in regards to Islam. This leads me to mention the question: is it permissible to take jews and Christians and other kuffar as friends? Is it permissible to eat and drink with them casually without any benefit?

There is a common perception amongst some of the Muslims in Western nations that taking Jews and Christians as friends is permitted. Often bombarded by radical kaafir propaganda against the Qur’an, I often hear some Muslims try to defend such ayaat as

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى أَوْلِيَا

“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya” [5:51]‘

By stating that the correct translation of auliya isn’t “friends” but rather “protectors”/ “Gaurdians” and the like.

However, if one takes a deeper look into such ayaat, ahadeeth regarding the subject, as well the linguistics behind them, one will note that most certainly the meaning of “friends” falls in the category of the prohibition.

Enmity and Hatred towards mushrikun is from the best example set forth by Ibrahim

Allah ta’ala says in Surah Al-Mumtahinah:

قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ إِذْ قَالُوا لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَاء مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةُ وَالْبَغْضَاء أَبَداً حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ

Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: “Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever, until you believe in Allah Alone,” [60:4]

From the excellent example sort forth by Ibrahim, and others of the prophets of Allah, according to this aayah, is their rejection of their people, and the enmity and hatred between them, until they believe in Allah alone. = Unless one implements this, he would not be following the excellent example of Ibrahim alayhe salam.

A person is on the religion of his khalil

الرجل على دين خليله فلينظر أحدكم من يخالل

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man will follow the religion of his close friend, so let each of you look to who he takes a close friend.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2378. This is a proof that its haraam to take kuffar as a close friend, and observe who he will take as a close friend.

Another hadeeth

لا تصاحب إلا مؤمنا ولا يأكل طعامك

إلا تقي

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You should not make friends with anyone but a believer and no one should eat your food but one who is pious.”

Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4832. Here is proof that being a companion with a kaafir is haraam, for the meaning of “tusaahib” means to become a companion of.

The Meaning of Auliya Linguistically

Ibn Taymiyyah said in his book “Al-Furqaan bayn auliya ar-Rahman wa auliya ash-shayatan” mentioned in the meaning of walaya:

“And walaya: the opposite of enmity(3adawah), and the foundation of it is love and closeness, and the foundation of enmity(is) : hatred and distance ”

then he mentions:

“and the waliy(plural: auliya): the one who is close or near(al-qareeb)”

so the meaning of auliya are those that are close, near, and in which there is love between (them). Friends may be included in this definition.

Other Proof that “friends” may be included in the term auliya

196. Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The first failing to enter the Children of Isra’il was that a man would meet another man and say, ‘O so and so! Fear Allah and stop what you are doing. It is not lawful for you,’ Then he would meet him again the following day and find him still doing the same thing but that would not prevent him from eating, drinking and sitting with him. When they did this, Allah caused the hearts of some of them to be tainted by others. Then He said, “Those among the Tribe of Israel who rejected were cursed on the tongue of Dawud and that of ‘Isa, son of Maryam. That is because they rebelled and overstepped the limits. They would not restrain one another from any of the wrong things that they did. How evil were the things they used to do! You see many of them taking the unbelievers as their( auliya) friends. What their lower selves have advanced for them is evil indeed” to “deviators” (5:78-81) Then he said, “No, by Allah, you should command the right and forbid the wrong and you should restrain the unjust and bend them to the truth and confine them to the truth or Allah will cause the hearts of some of you to be tainted by others. And then He will curse you as He cursed them.’” (Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

These are the words in Abu Dawud, and the words in at-Tirmidhi are: “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘When the Children of Israel fell into acts of disobedience, their men of knowledge forbade them, but they did not stop. Then they sat with them in their assemblies and ate and drank with them, so Allah caused the hearts of some of them to be tainted by others. Allah cursed them on the tongue of Da’ud and ‘Isa ibn Maryam. That was for their disobedience and overstepping the limits.” The Messenger of Allah, who had been reclining, sat up. Then he said, “No, by the One who has my soul in His hand, until they bend them to the truth completely!”

The Prophet sws mentions in this hadeeth that Allah cursed this particular group when they continued eating, drinking and sitting with those who continued upon their path of evil. Then he recited the aayah which includes the statement: “You see many of them taking the unbelievers as their auliya.” One could conclude that the prophet was implying that the eating, drinking, and sitting with the kuffar was a type of taking the kuffar as auliya, which is similar to friendship.

Monthly Reflection for Jan. 2008 Written by Abul Layth

 In 1965, Al-Muslimoon, a journal published by the Muslims of Geneva Switzerland, sent questions regarding Islam to Br. Malcolm  X ((Note: This is after his conversion to orthodox Islam )). This was to be his last interview before his death. In it I saw a sincere cry to the Muslims to become active, to concentrate their efforts on Islamic ideals. The entire interview is of great worth and an entire Islamic sharh(gloss) could be written just on a couple of his statements. However, there is one question and answer that I felt was very pertinent in our times. It is the question of Muslim Women and their ignorance of Islam as well as general ‘knowledge’ from the arts and sciences. I remind you to read this while keeping in mind that Malcolm (Rahimahullah) is in an era of pure racism, where both the minority man and the disenfranchised woman were fighting for education.

Q: Now that you have visited and revisited many Muslim countries, what are your major impressions regarding Islam and Muslim both in the present and in the future?

A: [...I am leaving out two previous paragraphs so we can get to the fruit...] In every Middle East or African country I have visited, I noticed the country is as “advanced” as its women are, or as backward as its women. By this I mean, in areas where the women have been pushed into the background and kept without education, the whole area or country is just as backward, uneducated, and “underdeveloped.” Where the women are encouraged to get education and play a more active role in the all- around affairs of the community and the country, the entire people are more active, more enlightened, and more progressive. Thus, in my opinion, the Muslim religious leaders of today must reevaluate and spell out with clarity the Muslim position on education in general and education in the Muslim world. An old African proverb states: “Educate a man and you educate an individual; educate a woman and you educate an entire family.”

The observation of Malcolm in 1965 is relevant hitherto. Notice Malcolm’s ‘putting the ball in the court’ of the “Muslim Religious Leaders”. He did not pass the buck to the governments, to the secularists, to the ‘modern muslims’. He chose those endowed with “religious” knowledge to take upon their shoulders this immense task.

It is obvious that sacred knowledge has been forgotten in these dark times. In a time when religiosity is seen as backward by the “intellegentsia” of Westerndom, Muslims know the reality of the era. Islam has been replaced with “cultural Islam”. Women are still forbidden by some ignorant individuals from sitting in the gatherings of the Masaajid (or sitting there at all). Ibn ‘Umar (radhiya Allahu ‘Anhu) reports from our beloved Sayyid Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “Do not forbid the hand-maidens of Allah from the Masjids (mosques) of Allah!” ((Bukhari and Others )). In fact, the son of Ibn ‘Umar said that he would forbid them, for he felt the need to. Upon hearing that from his son, Ibn Umar never spoke to his son even until his death!

I would like to remind the reader of the great woman scholars of Islam; our mother ‘Aa’ishah – the wife of the Prophet Muhammad as well as all of His wives. The Ansaari women of Medinah who demanded from the Prophet Muhammad one dedicated day to teach them the sacred knowledge sent by Providence ((Bukhari )). The students of the Mother of the Believers, a fine example being Hafsa bint Sireen (radhiya Allahu ‘anhaa) who memorized the entire Qur’an and released legal verdicts to the Muslims, who the great jurists of the four schools have direct knowledge-based chains to. Indeed, books upon books have been written on the female jurists, Quranic commentators, and scholars of the Muslim Ummah. Recently published in English is Imam As-Sulami’s work on Sufi Women in Muslim History, a fantastic work giving a brief glimpse into the world of the Female Muslim scholar.

Let us not be distracted, however, by simply making “scholars”. For how many scholars have we seen become absolute societal failures. Sure, they help outside of the home, but what of within it? How many scholars’ children end up on drugs, materialists, unaware of Allah ta’alaa? I personally have a dear friend whose father is a prominent scholar in Jordan. He once told me that he and his family hardly ever saw his ‘busy’ father. Rare were the days his father sat with him, encouraged him in working for the true reality – Allah. The result of such spiritual incompetence is immorality and spiritually deprived children. Allah ta’alaa tells us,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

“Believers, guard yourselves and your families against a Fire fuelled by people and stones, over which stand angels, stern and strong; angels who never disobey Allah’s commands to them, but do as they are ordered!”

In the famous tafsir, Ruh Al-Ma’ani, The Nabi Muhammad (‘alayhis salaam) is recorded to have been asked by the companions as to how one saves their families from the fire of hell. To this the beloved Nabi (‘alayhis salaam) responded, “Instruct them to refrain from deeds that Allah has prohibited, and ask them to carry out deeds that Allah has enjoined. This is what will save them from the fire of hell!” Imam At-Tabari and Ibn Kathir report from Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (‘alayhis salaam) that he said that the command ‘guard yourselves and your families against a Fire’ means, “Teach them [sacred knowledge] and cultivate them with good ettiquette.” The great Mufassir and disciple of the Prophet Muhammad, Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (‘alayhis salaam) commented on this part of the verse,

وَمُرُوا أَهْلِيكُمْ بِالذِّكْرِ يُنْجِيكُمْ اللَّه مِنَ النَّار  

“[...] And order your families with the dhikr of Allah, [for certainly] Allah will save them from the fire.”

Allah’s message, then, is that we save our families – wives and children – from Hell by education and encouraging spiritual well being by intense remembrance of Allah ta’alaa. The western message is that our wives, daughters, sisters, aunts and mothers need to step out of their homes to enter the capitalist workplace, leaving the children in the care of  others, a disastrous da’wah. It is a da’wah anyone with insight and foresight can easily see stems from an attack upon the family-core. An evil attempt to strip our children of their right to good parenting and Islamic cultivation.

What this Ummah needs is not scholars, but female saints (awliyaa’), beacons of light so bright that the darknesses of westernization/materialism are depleted from the homes of the believers. Women with enough spiritual strength to change the decrepit state of the “Sick Man”. To reform our homes, to foster the next generation with love of the ancient forefathers, not love of the materialists and illegitimate “leaders” of the Muslims.

 The dream of the Muslims is not to have the black man sitting next to the white without racial tension; the days of racism has long been damned by the teachings of the beloved Sayyid Muhammad (‘alayhis salaam). Rather, the dream of the Muslims is to illuminate the world and humanity with spirituality, awareness of Allah, deep-rooted in the fabric of our families. The condemnation of the material world, and the hope for the life to come, once ran through the homes of the believers. To make our homes bastions of Pax Islamica, abodes of love and joy, as well as education and prosperity is the Muslim dream. Let us listen to our Nabi (‘alayhis salaam) when he ordered, “Do not make your homes into graves!” The graves being a place of spiritual death ((save for the Prophets etc )), a place of no spiritual effort, no Islamic cultivation, no light. Make our homes into masjids, a sanctuary of peace and learning for our wives and daughters. An Islamic home! 

“Educate a man and you educate an individual; educate a woman and you educate an entire family.”