notes from Al-Maghrib class - Part 2

Light of Guidance: Fundamentals of Faith 101

Blessings of Knowledge

6) It is the scholars that truly fear Allah, and no one can fear Allah like the scholar.

".... It is only who have knowledge that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving." (Fatir: 28)

• "Innama" - shows exclusiveness

7) It is the scholars who are not swayed by their desires, and are blessed with wisdom.

• Story of Qarun - he was so rich that the keys to his treasure chests can only be lifted by a group of strong man and even with difficulty. But the people of knowledgw were not swayed by his wealth.
• When a fitnah comes, only the 'ulama knows that it is a fitnah.
• Knowledge is the only thing that Rasulullah (saw) was commanded to ask more of.
• "... And be not in haste (O Muhammad) with the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you and say, "My Lord! Increase me in Knowledge." (Taha: 114)

8) Knowledge is a sign of Allah's love for a person.

Whoever Allah desires good for, He gives him (fiqh) understanding of the religion. (Bukhari)

9) The benefits remain after one's death

" When the son of Adam dies, nothing would be of anymore benefit to him except three things: a continuous charity, some useful knowledge he has left behind and a child who may pray for him"

10) They are the inheritors of the prophets.

The only thing that prophets left behind is knowledge, not wealth etc. Thus the 'ulama takes over the task of Rasulullah (SAW) in teaching the people knowledge of the deen.

Important:- Remember that the knowledge that is praised in the Qur'an and Sunnah is primarily religious knowledge.

Proofs:

1. Surah Ali-Imran:18 - Knowledge of Tawheed
2. Whoever Allah desires good for, He gives him understanding of the religion. (Bukhari)
3. They are in heritors of the prophets - The prophets only taught the people religious knowledge.

• Famous Hadith on knowledge, found in Sunan At-Tirmidhi (Al-Jami')
  
• Qais Ibn Kathir (tabi'un) travelled all the way from Madinah to Damascus to visit Abu Darda, because he heard that he narrated a hadith from Rasulullah (SAW) and wanted to get it directly from the source. This is the famous hadith on seeking knowledge.

• The superiority of the 'alim over the worshipper ('abid - one who is a practicing muslim, praying etc) is like the superiority of the full moon over the stars at night."
• There is no comparison, because the 'alim benefits society as a whole and the 'abid only benefits himself.

• The most important knowledge is 'Aqeedah

• Hadith - "One of the signs of the Day ofJjudgement, the people will praise a genius and there's not a single atom of Iman in his heart."

some notes from al-maghrib class

thanks to Umm Barakah

Light of Guidance: Fundamentals of Faith 101

Blessings of Knowledge

1) Allah has praised knowledge, and raised the status of its people

" ....Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." (Al-Mujadilah:11)

2) Through knowledge, superiority of Adam a.s. over the angles was proven.

" And He taught Adam all the names (of everything), then He showed then to the angles and said, ' Tell me the names of these if you are truthful.' " (Al-Baqarah: 31)

3) Because of knowledge the status of the Prophet (SAW) was established.

"...Allah has sent down to you the book (the Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah (Islamic Laws, Halal & Haram, the Sunnah) and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad)." (An-Nisaa: 113)

4) So great is the status of those with knowledge that Allah (SWT) testifies on their behalf

" Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa, and the angles, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in Justice. La ilaha illa Huwa, the All-Mighty, the All_Wise." (Ali Imran: 18)

Ibn Qayyim says this verse is the greatest praise to the people of knowledge because:-

• Allah swt testifies on their behalf without them having to say or do anything
• Allah swt places the people of knowledge in the company of the angles
• It is the most important testimonial, which is Tawheed
• "Qayyimah" - stand in truth and justice

5) It is only the scholars who truly understand the Qur'an

" And these similitudes We put foward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His signs)." (Al-Ankabut: 43)


to be continued.....

Another interesting article...very, very interesting! Allahuakbar

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2005&dt=0410&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Bicara_Agama&pg=ba_02.htm

I experienced once nightlife in Manchester while I was visiting UK last summer. It was indeed in contrast to night life in KL. Hopefully, those in authority will notice this phenomena and make a CHANGE to it.
Allahua'lam

Al-Aqsa diancam yahuud? apa kata kita?...apa yang kita rasa?

Semua tahu yang puak extremist yahuud sedang berusaha untuk melancarkan pencerobohan ke atas Masjid suci umat Islam Al-aqsa. Tika masa kian hampir untuk mereka memulakan operasi tersebut, apakah kita tidak merasa "kegeraman" tatkala bumi suci kita mahu dijajah bangsa yahudi itu? hati kian tersentuh bila membaca di layar internet bahawa umat islam pelestine berikrar setulus hati mereka untuk menentang habis-habisan usaha AlYahuud ini namun bagaimana pula dengan umat islam lain. Kita di Purdue masih dengan "mode" suka-ria dan lalai dengan lantaran sibuk dengan tarikan Malaysia Fest dan sebagainya. Wajarkah Fest2 sebegini diteruskan di mana pada masa yg sama nasib umat islam dan tempat suci kita terus terancam..tepuk dada tanyalah iman!
link: http://islamonline.net/English/News/2005-04/08/article06.shtml
Agak ironik bila memikirkan tentang apa yang bakal dipersembahkan di Malaysia Fest nanti dan apa yang akan dipersembahkan sebagai budaya Malaysia. Ketika Malaysia di"model'kan sebagai contoh terbaik negara Islam dewasa kini, apa yg bakal berlangsung di Malaysia Fest nanti saya fikir ia bukan setakat memberikan persepsi berbeza terhadap negara " Islam hadhari" Malaysia bahkan ia turut mencemarkan nama baik agamuku Islam tercinta.
sekali lagi link: http://islamonline.net/English/News/2005-04/08/article06.shtml

wassalamualaykum

Pada Hari Itu

Pada hari itu

Tersebutlah kisah enam orang kawan; Tarek, Faiz, Waheed, Yat, Fauziah dan Johan. Mereka sahabat akrab yang hati mereka terpaut antara satu sama lain. Pada hari itu, janji disemat dan ikatan semakin erat. Kerana terpahat dalam hati semangat waja pergi ke almaghrib.

Perjalanan kereta selama 14 jam ke Virginia tidak begitu terasa, kerna niat yang terpahat hanya satu - untuk menuntut ilmu. Dengan harapan dapat menjadi insan yang lebih cemerlang, gemilang dan terbilang .. insan yang lebih akrab dengan tuhan. Insan yang mampu mengingati tuhan, merindui Ar-Rahman.

Pada hari ini

Pada hari ini, almaghrib sendiri yang menziarahi Purdue. Peluang yang begitu mempesona, mengasyikkan. Pilunya, ramai sahabat-sahabat yang masih tertanya-tanya diri sendiri - patutkah aku pergi?

Cuba dikau teliti, adakah itu suara hati atau suara syaitan, atau adakah ia suara kemalasan .. kemalasan iman?

Aku risau .. sungguh aku risau. Disebabkan tidak turut serta almaghrib pada hari ini, aku akan menangis di kemudian hari. Tatkala CEO dunia bertitah dan menyoal: "Sudah cukupkah usaha kamu di dunia? Tidakkah kamu berkorban?"

Dan aku yakin kerisauan ku itu benar. Kerna sehingga hari ini pun mataku masih bergenang air. Menangis yang berterusan, yang aku harap tidak terus sampai ke akhirat. Tangisan kerna dahulunya aku tidak cukup berusaha di Purdue, tidak cukup berkorban.

Tuhan, maafkan aku.

* Nukilan khas buat semua terutamanya: Imam, Ajey, Johan, Pitman, Shaq, Zaki, Faris, Test, Azad, Huzai, Zam, Tariq, Dayat, Jasman, Khairi, Yat, Zaf dan semua teman teman yang namanya tertulis di hati dan bukan di sini.

“I Can’t, It’s Impossible”

Article by: Shaikh Naser Al-Omar
Translated, slightly abridged and adapted by: Samir Siksek
Arabic original found on: http://www.islamtoday.net/

One often hears these words repeated, and they are a major reason for the state of failure that the Ummah is enduring.

These words are rooted in a state of mental inability, even though this inability is illusory, not real. Indeed, disabled minds only produce failure.

There is no doubt that there are things in life that are impossible. This is why when the Prophet – blessings and peace be upon him – used to take the oath of allegiance from his companions, he would make them repeat, “[I will listen and obey] to the utmost of my ability”. Allah – Glorified is He – says “Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear” [2:286]

This shows that there are some things beyond our abilities. We are not talking about this fact here. For otherwise we may enter into a prolonged discussion, and end upholding the illusion “I can’t, it’s impossible”, and moreover giving this illusion an 'Islamic' justification!

These two phrases “I can’t, it’s impossible” – despite their difference in meaning – have become a law that is used to excuse every failure, negligence and backwardness. They are used to justify the current backwardness, to numb the senses, to destroy the resolve of the Ummah, and to kill every success in its infancy.

Many people, generation after generation, took these two phrases as a beacon guiding their lives, as a way of thinking that makes them accept the current bitter state of affairs, and at the same time feel satisfied that there is nothing they can do.

I stand perplexed before the incredible backwardness of the Ummah, despite its enormous potential for success, progress, and leadership. I have thought long and hard about this, and have decided that the most prominent reason for this backwardness – and there are many – is the illusion “I can’t, its impossible”. This illusion has turned into an unshakeable principle. From it we take off, and in its darkness we operate.

How many tribulations befell us, and are still falling, because of this illusion. The most dangerous of these is not realizing that this is just an illusion; that it disappears when we start investigating it. But you will find those who waste a part of their life defending the idol “I can’t, it’s impossible”. They waste a part of their life trying to prove that this idol is a solid fact; an unquestionable axiom.

This illusion did not form overnight. It is the result of an accumulation of many factors, over the course of many years. Instead of producing men who would lead the Ummah forward without surrendering to the difficulties and obstacles, we found those factors producing more hopelessness, failure and despair.

But I am also amazed at that idolatrous nation that took from difficulties a starting point for its progress, until it was able to compete vigorously with its former enemies, without surrendering to psychological defeat, nor emotional despair. Japan rose from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to become an important economic power, and did not make those defeats a reason to cry and hope for the sympathies of others.

As for Germany, it came out from underneath the ruins of World War II to become a powerful nation, and its economy one of the strongest in the world. This despite the fact that Germany was destroyed not long ago – the period between its destruction and its rise as an economic leader is less than 30 years.

Let me just imagine. Had the revivers of the Ummah surrendered to the illusion “I can’t, it’s impossible”, how would the Ummah have been now?!!

Had Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – said, “I can’t fight the Arabs after their apostasy, and I will surrender to this bitter state of affairs”, what would the result have been? Simply thinking about that scares me.

Had Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal – may Allah have mercy on him – not took his solid stand in the face of the makers of fitnah, backed by rulers who did not realize the danger of what is being said…Had he surrendered and said, “I can’t, it’s impossible”, do you think that that great victory for Ahl-us-Sunnah (at the hands of one man!) would have taken place?

Had Salahu-ud-Din surrendered to the awful humiliation that the Ummah endured under the occupation of the crusaders, excusing himself that he cannot take on that great power that possesses the most powerful weapons, with the unqualified support of many countries… Had he accepted what many other rulers of his time had accepted, humiliation and subjugation, together with the guarantee of continued rule…Had he done this, and said the removal of the crusaders is impossible, would Jerusalem have been purified from the crusaders and their hatred? How today is like yesterday.

Had Shaikh-ul-Islam, Ibn Taymiyah – may Allah have mercy on him – not seriously raised the banner of knowledge, action and jihad, at a time of when callers to falsehood and innovation became outspoken, at a time of political and military defeats…Had he surrendered to the belief “I can’t, it’s impossible”, would history have recorded for us that huge heritage of heroism, knowledge and challenging of falsehood?

Had Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab – may Allah have mercy on him – when he found the Arabian Peninsula living in the darkness of ignorance, innovation and blind following, had he accepted for himself what other righteous people did, “I can’t, it’s impossible”, do you think the Peninsula would have awaken from its sleep and got rid of its idolatry and innovations?

Our long history is full of such pioneering leaders and revivers, who recorded for us the most admirable examples the Muslim’s ability to overcome the greatest of physical and mental obstacles, neither surrendering to psychological defeat, nor allowing the compound difficulties to numb their senses.

Many would say, “They were great men, and how few such men are!!”

I say that we did not know they were great until after they recorded those shinning pages of history with their admirable victories in different fields. Before that they were just ordinary men. However, for many reasons, they were able to climb the ladder of success that made them heroes and leaders. Foremost of these reasons is the destruction of the illusion “I can’t, it’s impossible”

http://english.islamway.com/bindex.php?section=article&id=200

Manners Of Speech

Saying Salam

Jabir said that Allah’s Messenger said: “Saying salam (comes) before talking.” – Tirmidhi

Ada apa dengan ‘lidah’?

Sufyan b. Abdullah said: “I said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger, tell me something that I should adhere to.’ He said: "Say: My Lord is Allah, then remain steadfast.’ I said: ‘O Allah’s messenger, what do you fear most for me?’ Thereupon he took hold of his tongue and said: ‘This.’” - Tirmidhi

Silent vs. Talking

Abu Huraira said that Allah’s Messenger said: “He who truly believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.” – Bukhari, Muslim

Abdullah b ‘Amr said that Allah’s messenger said: “He who keeps silent remains safe” – Ahmad, Tarmidhi

Ibn ‘Umar said that Allah’s Messenger said: “Do not talk for long without remembering Allah, for talking much without remembering Allah is hardness of the heart. The most distant among man from Allah is one with a hardened heart.” –Tirmidhi

Speak good

‘Abdullah b. ‘Amr b. al ‘As said that Allah’s Messenger never used obscene talk nor did he listen to it. - Bukhari, Muslim

From Bahz b. Hakim, from his father, from his grandfather: Allah’s Messenger said: “Woe to him who tell lies to make people laugh- Woe to him, woe to him!” – Ahmad, Tirmidhi

Speak clearly

‘Aisha said that the speech of Allah’s Messenger was clear and distinct such that all those who listened to him understood him. – Abu Dawud

Rujukan: A Day With The Prophet (by Ahmad Von Denffer)

I learn something new everyday!!!

Sister A : I learn something new everyday.
Sister B : Yeah, me too.
Sister C : No, it's not everyday that you learn something new.
Sister A : You see, it might be not everyday, but almost everyday that you learn
something new.
Sister C : Now I agree with that.

This is a short conversation which I heard when I joined a group of sisters sitting at the masjid after maghrib prayer today. Their statement made me wonder. Did I learn something new everyday? Maybe not. Or maybe I did but I didn't realize it. Then I tried to think for a while what did I learn today? I know !!! Technology makes your life easier but it costs you a lot of money.

Why did I say this? You know, sometimes you think that something is good for you, but actually it is not. Same goes the other way round. You might think that something is bad for you, but it is actually the best for you. So, who knows what's the best for you? For sure it is the Almighty Allah Azzawajal.

Therefore, if something bad happen to you, or something didn't go as you plan, just relax and remember that there might be something good in it. If something good happen to you, don't ever forget to thank The Most Merciful.

So, did you learn something new today?!!