Shaykh ibn Uthaymin رحمه الله said
"Ask yourself about salah in its proper time and your observance of it, specifically Salat-ul-Fajr.
If you are from those who pray it on time consistently, then know that you are a believer and there is nothing between you and Paradise except you dying.
And if you have neglected it then rush to rescue yourself."
📖Ash-Sharh-ul-Mumti
"Ask yourself about salah in its proper time and your observance of it, specifically Salat-ul-Fajr.
If you are from those who pray it on time consistently, then know that you are a believer and there is nothing between you and Paradise except you dying.
And if you have neglected it then rush to rescue yourself."
📖Ash-Sharh-ul-Mumti
Why are our Du’ā's not answered?
It was said to Ibrāḥim ibn Adhām: “What is wrong with us that we supplicate and we receive no answer?”
Ibrāḥim said: “It is because you know Allāh and you do not obey him, and you know the Messenger and you do not follow his Sunnāh, and you know the Qur`ān and you do not act according to it, and you eat from the blessings of Allāh and you are not thankful for it, and you know Paradise and you do not seek it, and you know Hellfire and you do not flee from it, and you know Iblīs and you do not fight him but rather you agree with him, and you know death and you do not prepare for it, and you bury the dead and you do not learn from it, and you ignore your own faults and you are concerned with the faults of others.”
[تفسير القرطبي ٢:١٨٦]
It was said to Ibrāḥim ibn Adhām: “What is wrong with us that we supplicate and we receive no answer?”
Ibrāḥim said: “It is because you know Allāh and you do not obey him, and you know the Messenger and you do not follow his Sunnāh, and you know the Qur`ān and you do not act according to it, and you eat from the blessings of Allāh and you are not thankful for it, and you know Paradise and you do not seek it, and you know Hellfire and you do not flee from it, and you know Iblīs and you do not fight him but rather you agree with him, and you know death and you do not prepare for it, and you bury the dead and you do not learn from it, and you ignore your own faults and you are concerned with the faults of others.”
[تفسير القرطبي ٢:١٨٦]
Imām Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal:
“Forgive your brother, what do you benefit from Allāh punishing your muslim brother because of you."
[سير أعلام النبلاء (٢٦٢/١١)]
“Forgive your brother, what do you benefit from Allāh punishing your muslim brother because of you."
[سير أعلام النبلاء (٢٦٢/١١)]
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said,
If Allaah puts a person under certain tests and trials and the person recognizes that he must resort to Allaah alone seeking His help, then this is a good sign for him; the trials turn to purification and mercy.
If on the other hand, he rejects, complains, and turns away from Allaah and seeks help from human beings like himself, then this is a bad sign for him; the trials turn to punishment and misery for him.
[Tareequl Hijratayn, 103, pg. 259]
If Allaah puts a person under certain tests and trials and the person recognizes that he must resort to Allaah alone seeking His help, then this is a good sign for him; the trials turn to purification and mercy.
If on the other hand, he rejects, complains, and turns away from Allaah and seeks help from human beings like himself, then this is a bad sign for him; the trials turn to punishment and misery for him.
[Tareequl Hijratayn, 103, pg. 259]
Beware Of Belittling Sins
Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) said:
“Beware of (underestimating) minor sins for indeed they gather upon a man until (they) DESTROY him.”
[صحيح الترغيب والترهيب رقم الحديث ٢٤٧٠]
Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) said:
“Beware of (underestimating) minor sins for indeed they gather upon a man until (they) DESTROY him.”
[صحيح الترغيب والترهيب رقم الحديث ٢٤٧٠]
Ibn Taymiyyah said: "If one persists in a minor sin, it becomes a major sin."
[ابن تيمية فتاوى حجم ١٩، صحفة ٣٩]
[ابن تيمية فتاوى حجم ١٩، صحفة ٣٩]
The Mercy of Allah
A man was with Yaḥya bin Muadh رحمه الله and recited in his presence the ayaah: "And speak to him (Firawn) with gentle speech." [Surah Ṭaḥa, 44]
Yaḥya began to weep. He then said.
“My Lord, if this is Your mercy and gentleness with the one who says, ‘I am your God’ (i.e Fir'awn claimed lordship for himself), then how will it be with the one who says that You are God?
[تفسير البغوي ٢٧/١]
A man was with Yaḥya bin Muadh رحمه الله and recited in his presence the ayaah: "And speak to him (Firawn) with gentle speech." [Surah Ṭaḥa, 44]
Yaḥya began to weep. He then said.
“My Lord, if this is Your mercy and gentleness with the one who says, ‘I am your God’ (i.e Fir'awn claimed lordship for himself), then how will it be with the one who says that You are God?
[تفسير البغوي ٢٧/١]
Prophet Moosa said to Allaah: Oh Allaah, I ask that people only say good things about me.
So Allaah revealed to him: I haven’t even done this for Myself!
Source: Siyar a’lam an-Nubala (v. 6, p. 264)
So Allaah revealed to him: I haven’t even done this for Myself!
Source: Siyar a’lam an-Nubala (v. 6, p. 264)
Shaykh Ibn al-'Uthaymeen رحمه الله: “Brothers, don't be surprised that the people of Khayr are given evil nicknames. Are you not aware that the Prophets were described as magicians and madmen?"
[لقاء الباب المفتوح ٢٣٥]
[لقاء الباب المفتوح ٢٣٥]
Seeking refuge from sexual desires:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي
O Allaah, I seek refuge in you from the evil of what I hear, from the evil of what I see, from the evil of what I speak, from the evil of what I think, and from the evil of my sperm.
● (سنن أبي داود ١٥٥١)
al-Iraqi commented on this: If the Prophet himself sought refuge from lust, then who after him can take this matter lightly?
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي
O Allaah, I seek refuge in you from the evil of what I hear, from the evil of what I see, from the evil of what I speak, from the evil of what I think, and from the evil of my sperm.
● (سنن أبي داود ١٥٥١)
al-Iraqi commented on this: If the Prophet himself sought refuge from lust, then who after him can take this matter lightly?
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The example of a believer who recites the Qurʿān is that of a citron (a citrus fruit) which tastes good and smells good.
And the believer who does not recite the Qurʿān is like a date which tastes good but has no smell.
And the example of an evil person who recites the Qurʿān is that of Ar-Rihana (an aromatic plant) which smells good but tastes bitter.
And the example of an evil person who does not recite the Qurʿān is that of a colocynth which tastes bitter and has no smell.”
[صحيح البخاري ٥٠٢٠]
And the believer who does not recite the Qurʿān is like a date which tastes good but has no smell.
And the example of an evil person who recites the Qurʿān is that of Ar-Rihana (an aromatic plant) which smells good but tastes bitter.
And the example of an evil person who does not recite the Qurʿān is that of a colocynth which tastes bitter and has no smell.”
[صحيح البخاري ٥٠٢٠]
O Parents! Be Righteous!
Tafseer al-Baghawi رحمه الله:
Abdullah ibn Mas’ood رضي الله عنه used to pray at night (the night prayers) and (when he) would see his small child sleeping then he would say, “this is for your bright future” and whilst crying would recite:
وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَالِحًا
“And their father was righteous” Surat al-Kahf, 82
lbn Abbas رضي الله عنه said (commenting on this verse):
“They (the two orphans mentioned in Surah al-Kahf) were protected by the righteousness of their father.”
Saeed lbn Musayyib ( رضي الله عنه)said: “I worship, and then when I remember my child(ren), I increase in my worship"
[Tafseer al-Baghawee رحمه الله vol. 5, pg. 196]
The great Tabi’ee, Sa’eed Ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه said:
I will increase my prayers for (the sake of) this son of mine.
Meaning: I will increase in my acts of worship of Allah so that He sets my children aright for me.
[al-Hilyah, 4/279]
-
Being Righteous is a Reason for Your Children to be Protected by Allah
Imam as-Sa'dee رحمه الله:
“Allah will protect the righteous servant himself and will safeguard his children.”
[Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannan, 3/979, Imam as-Sa'dee رحمه الله Dar Ibn al-Jawzee print]
Tafseer al-Baghawi رحمه الله:
Abdullah ibn Mas’ood رضي الله عنه used to pray at night (the night prayers) and (when he) would see his small child sleeping then he would say, “this is for your bright future” and whilst crying would recite:
وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَالِحًا
“And their father was righteous” Surat al-Kahf, 82
lbn Abbas رضي الله عنه said (commenting on this verse):
“They (the two orphans mentioned in Surah al-Kahf) were protected by the righteousness of their father.”
Saeed lbn Musayyib ( رضي الله عنه)said: “I worship, and then when I remember my child(ren), I increase in my worship"
[Tafseer al-Baghawee رحمه الله vol. 5, pg. 196]
The great Tabi’ee, Sa’eed Ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه said:
I will increase my prayers for (the sake of) this son of mine.
Meaning: I will increase in my acts of worship of Allah so that He sets my children aright for me.
[al-Hilyah, 4/279]
-
Being Righteous is a Reason for Your Children to be Protected by Allah
Imam as-Sa'dee رحمه الله:
“Allah will protect the righteous servant himself and will safeguard his children.”
[Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannan, 3/979, Imam as-Sa'dee رحمه الله Dar Ibn al-Jawzee print]
The Prophet ﷺ was asked:
"Which woman is best?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"When you look at her, you feel happiness."
● {السنن الصغرى ٣١٣١}
"Which woman is best?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"When you look at her, you feel happiness."
● {السنن الصغرى ٣١٣١}
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗔𝗛
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
When a person is at home then it is from the Sunnah, that for example he makes his own tea, cooks if he knows how to and washes up that which needs washing, all of this is from the Sunnah.
If you do this then you get the reward of following the Sunnah, with imitating the Messenger [ ﷺ] and in humbling yourself for Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic.
This also brings about love between you and your wife. When your family sense that you help them in their chores they will love you and your value to them will increase, therefore, this will end up being a great benefit.
[Sharh Riyadh As-Saliheen, (3/529)]
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
When a person is at home then it is from the Sunnah, that for example he makes his own tea, cooks if he knows how to and washes up that which needs washing, all of this is from the Sunnah.
If you do this then you get the reward of following the Sunnah, with imitating the Messenger [ ﷺ] and in humbling yourself for Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic.
This also brings about love between you and your wife. When your family sense that you help them in their chores they will love you and your value to them will increase, therefore, this will end up being a great benefit.
[Sharh Riyadh As-Saliheen, (3/529)]
The Least Blessing
The Prophet Dāwūd عليه السلام asked Allāh:
"What is the least of your blessing?"
Allāh revealed to him: "O Dāwūd, take a breath."
Dāwūd did so and Allāh told him: "This is the least of my blessings upon you."
[عدة الصابرين وذخيرة الشاكرين لابن القيم الجوزية]
The Prophet Dāwūd عليه السلام asked Allāh:
"What is the least of your blessing?"
Allāh revealed to him: "O Dāwūd, take a breath."
Dāwūd did so and Allāh told him: "This is the least of my blessings upon you."
[عدة الصابرين وذخيرة الشاكرين لابن القيم الجوزية]
.
⚡️Not preceding the Imaam in prayer
بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد
One should neither precede nor do the actions simultaneously with the Imaam.
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Isn't he who raises his head before the Imaam afraid that Allaah may transform his head into that of a donkey or his figure (face) into that of a donkey?”
📚[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (691)]
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Does not the one who raises his head before the Imaam fear that Allaah may turn his head into the head of a donkey?”
📚[Saheeh Muslim (859)]
🎓Shaikh Abdullaah al-Basaam رحمه الله said:
The Imaam is appointed so that he is followed in the Salaah and that it is completed while following him; so that the follower goes from one position to another (from standing to bowing and the like) after the Imaam has changed his position. This way, the proper following is achieved.
If the one who is following precedes (the Imaam in prayer), then the purpose of Imaamah (having a leader in prayer) is lost. That is why such a strict threat has come for the one who raises his head before his Imaam that his head or his face will be transformed into that of a donkey. His head would be transformed from the best features to that of the ugliest one; a retribution for this part of the body that transgressed in the prayer.
The scholars are unanimous that it is forbidden for the followers to race with the Imaam in prayer because of this strict warning, but they have differed if the prayer is invalidated or not. The majority view that it becomes void.
Imaam Ahmad رحمه الله said: “There is no prayer for the one who precedes the Imaam in the Salaah.”
His companions said: “Whoever precedes the Imaam in the pillars of prayer like bowing or prostration, then upon him is to return back (to his previous position) so that he follows the Imaam to it. But if he intentionally does not do that and the Imaam catches him up in that position, then his prayer becomes void.”
The correct view is that of Imaam Ahmad that whoever intentionally precedes the Imaam, then his prayer is invalid, and this is what Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله, also followed. This is because the threat entails prohibition; and the prohibition entails voidness.
Benefits from this Hadeeth:
1. Prohibition of raising the head before the Imaam in Sujood and the threat in it is evidence for its prohibition. There is no threat given except in the prohibited matters. The threat here is with transformation (of the head), and it is among the severest of punishments.
2. (This prohibition is not limited to prostration only), it also implies competing with the Imaam in every (other) action as well. This is not based on some analogy alone; rather it is based on what al-Bazzaar has reported from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that: “The one who lowers or raises (his head) before the Imaam, his forelock is in the hand of Shaitaan.”
📚[Musnad al-Bazzaar (9404) and graded as “Dhaeef” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Dhaeef al-Jaami (1527) and Dhaeef al-Targheeb (276)][Note: There is another authentic Hadeeth with Shaikh al-Bassaam رحمه الله discusses in the next chapter: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: “The Imaam is appointed to be followed, so do not differ from him. So say the Takbeer when he says it, and bow down when he bows down and when he says: ‘Sami Allaahu liman hamidah’, say: ‘Rabbanaa wa laka l-hamd’. And when he prays standing, you should pray standing. And when he prays sitting, all of you should pray sitting.” 📚[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]]
3. The obligation of following the Imaam in the Salaah by the followers.
4. The rewards (or retribution) depend on the kind of deed. So, a person is threatened with the transformation (of the head) because of his raising the head.
⚡️Not preceding the Imaam in prayer
بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد
One should neither precede nor do the actions simultaneously with the Imaam.
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Isn't he who raises his head before the Imaam afraid that Allaah may transform his head into that of a donkey or his figure (face) into that of a donkey?”
📚[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (691)]
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Does not the one who raises his head before the Imaam fear that Allaah may turn his head into the head of a donkey?”
📚[Saheeh Muslim (859)]
🎓Shaikh Abdullaah al-Basaam رحمه الله said:
The Imaam is appointed so that he is followed in the Salaah and that it is completed while following him; so that the follower goes from one position to another (from standing to bowing and the like) after the Imaam has changed his position. This way, the proper following is achieved.
If the one who is following precedes (the Imaam in prayer), then the purpose of Imaamah (having a leader in prayer) is lost. That is why such a strict threat has come for the one who raises his head before his Imaam that his head or his face will be transformed into that of a donkey. His head would be transformed from the best features to that of the ugliest one; a retribution for this part of the body that transgressed in the prayer.
The scholars are unanimous that it is forbidden for the followers to race with the Imaam in prayer because of this strict warning, but they have differed if the prayer is invalidated or not. The majority view that it becomes void.
Imaam Ahmad رحمه الله said: “There is no prayer for the one who precedes the Imaam in the Salaah.”
His companions said: “Whoever precedes the Imaam in the pillars of prayer like bowing or prostration, then upon him is to return back (to his previous position) so that he follows the Imaam to it. But if he intentionally does not do that and the Imaam catches him up in that position, then his prayer becomes void.”
The correct view is that of Imaam Ahmad that whoever intentionally precedes the Imaam, then his prayer is invalid, and this is what Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله, also followed. This is because the threat entails prohibition; and the prohibition entails voidness.
Benefits from this Hadeeth:
1. Prohibition of raising the head before the Imaam in Sujood and the threat in it is evidence for its prohibition. There is no threat given except in the prohibited matters. The threat here is with transformation (of the head), and it is among the severest of punishments.
2. (This prohibition is not limited to prostration only), it also implies competing with the Imaam in every (other) action as well. This is not based on some analogy alone; rather it is based on what al-Bazzaar has reported from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that: “The one who lowers or raises (his head) before the Imaam, his forelock is in the hand of Shaitaan.”
📚[Musnad al-Bazzaar (9404) and graded as “Dhaeef” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Dhaeef al-Jaami (1527) and Dhaeef al-Targheeb (276)][Note: There is another authentic Hadeeth with Shaikh al-Bassaam رحمه الله discusses in the next chapter: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: “The Imaam is appointed to be followed, so do not differ from him. So say the Takbeer when he says it, and bow down when he bows down and when he says: ‘Sami Allaahu liman hamidah’, say: ‘Rabbanaa wa laka l-hamd’. And when he prays standing, you should pray standing. And when he prays sitting, all of you should pray sitting.” 📚[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]]
3. The obligation of following the Imaam in the Salaah by the followers.
4. The rewards (or retribution) depend on the kind of deed. So, a person is threatened with the transformation (of the head) because of his raising the head.