“Look at Every act”

Abu Haazim Salamah Ibn Deenar:

“Look at every act that you would hate to die while committing and then abandon it.”

~Al-Musannaf|| AbdurRazaaq as-Sinani [7/194]

So Aspire, O Muslim !

‎“So aspire, O Muslim, to know your Islaam from your Lord’s Book and your Prophet’s Sunnah.

‎And don’t say, ‘So and so said.’

‎For verily, the Truth is not known by men—nay, know the Truth, you will recognise the men.”

‎- Shaykh Al Albaani رحمه الله

‎[As-Saheehah, 5/350]

Understand that life had occasions

Ibn al-Jawzi

Understand that life has occasions. One time it is poverty, and another time it is wealth. Once it is honour, and another it is humiliation. Happy is he is who remains grounded in each situation.

[Sayd al-Khatir p.282]

When the servant sincerely submits

‎Shaykh Abdur Razzaq, may Allah preserve him, said:

‎“When the servant sincerely submits to Allah and loves Him, his actions will be purified and corrected. Also, his soul will be purified and good.”

‎عشر قواعد في تزكية النفس ، ص١١-١٢

‎⁦

The Difference between al-Dhunoob (sins) and al-Sayyi’aat (misdeeds):

Al-Dhunoob (sing. al-Dhanb)

Al-Sayyi’aat (sing. al-Sayyi’ah)

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“(In the Qur’aan), the word “al-Dhunoob” is used to describe: Major Sins; and “al-Sayyi’aat” is used to describe: Minor Sins.

If one were to contemplate over the Aayaat of the Qur’aan, one would see that the word “al-Maghfirah” (forgiveness) is associated with the word “al-Dhunoob”, and the word “al-Kaffaarah” (expiation/removal) is associated with the word “al-Sayyi’aat”.

Allaah تعالى mentions in the Qur’aan about the Du`aa of the righteous people:

رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا

{Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds…} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 193]

The word “al-Maghfirah” is more complete (and perfect) than the word “al-Kaffaarah” and that is why “al-Maghfirah” is mentioned along with “al-Dhunoob” and “al-Kaffaarah” is mentioned along with “al-Sayyi’aat”

The word “al-Maghfirah” includes (or guarantees) preservation and protection (of man from the punishment); and “al-Kaffaarah” includes (or guarantees) covering (of faults) and removal (of sins).

But when either word is mentioned on its own, the meaning of the other word is also included in it.

And the evidence that “al-Sayyi’aat” are Minor Sins is the saying of Allaah تعالى:

إن تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ

{If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins…} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 31] 

[Abridged from Madaarj al-Saalikeen (1/317) of Ibn al-Qayyim]

Don’t waste your time

Ibn ‘Aqeel al-Hanbali said:

“It is not permissible for me to waste an hour of my life even when my tongue is not busy with memorizing or debating with others, or my eyes are not busy in reading. I would think even when I am resting or relaxing, so I would not get up without an idea to write down.

I limit the time I spend eating as much as I can, to such an extent that I choose a few crumbs and follow it with water rather than bread, because bread takes more time to chew, so as to save my time for reading or writing down some useful ideas. The best thing for the wise man to save, is time.”

[Salaah al-Ummah (4/169-175)]

Quote of the day

Imam Adh Dhahabee (رحمه الله) said:

“That which a scholar needs to be is:

-Taqiyan (have taqwah)

-Thakiyah (have intelligence)

-Nahwiyan (firm in Arabic grammar)

-Lugawiyan (firm in Arabic language)

-Zakiyan (pure in action and/or intentions)

-Hayiyan (shy)

-Salafiyan (follow the way of the Salaf As Saleh)….”

[Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa (13/380)]

Quote of the day

Muhammad Ibn al-Nadhar said:

“The first (level) of seeking `Ilm is: Listening and paying attention, then its memorization, then its implementation, then its propagation.”

[Siyar A`laam al-Nubalaa’ of al-Dhahabee (7/227)

The manner of offering Salat-ul-Kusuf

Q: How should Salat-ul-Kusuf (Prayer at the time of a solar eclipse) and Salat-ul-Khusuf (Prayer on a lunar eclipse) be performed? Is there any difference between them? What is your opinion on the reports published by the papers about the timings of a solar or lunar eclipse?

A: There are authentic Hadiths in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) showed how Salat-ul-Kusuf can be performed. He (peace be upon him) ordered that people should be called to it by announcing As-salatu Jami`ah “Gather for Prayer”.
(Part No. 13; Page No. 35)

The most authentic reports concerning this Salah show that it consists of two Rak`ahs (units of Prayer), and in each Rak`ah one should make two recitations and perform two Ruku`s (bowings) and two Sujuds (prostrations). The person should make lengthy recitation, Ruku` and Sujud. In the meantime, the first recitation and Ruku` should be longer than the second ones. The person should make Ruku` in the second Rak`ah for a shorter time than the two Ruku`s in the first one. During the second Rak`ah, the person should make the second recitation and Ruku` for a shorter time than the first in the same Rak`ah.

As for the two Sujuds, it is a Sunnah (action following the teachings of the Prophet) to be lengthy provided that this does not cause any difficulty to the Ma’mums (people being led by an Imam in Prayer) because this was the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) way. Upon completing the Salah, the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer), if he is knowledgeable, is allowed to deliver a sermon and tell the people that the solar and lunar eclipses are two signs of Allah (Exalted be He) by which He frightens His Servants. The Muslims, upon seeing it, are prescribed to offer Salah, remember Allah (Exalted be He), make Du`a’ (supplication) and Takbir (saying: “Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]”), give in charity, and emancipate a believing slave until the end of the eclipse. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Verily the sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah by which He frightens His Servants and they do not eclipse on account of the death or birth of anybody. So when you see either of them, observe Prayer, and supplicate to Allah (Exalted be He) till it is cleared from you. Another narration reads: So whenever you see them, haste to remember Allah, invoke Him and ask Him for forgiveness.
(Part No. 13; Page No. 36)

It is narrated in some Hadiths that the person should give in charity and emancipate slaves.
The astronomical reports about the timing of the eclipse must not be taken as the basis for offering Salat-ul-Kusuf. Some people of knowledge, including Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his knowledgeable disciple Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to both of them) supported this view saying that the astronomers may sometimes be wrong; thus, these reports can not be reliable, and people should not offer Salat-ul-Kusuf depending on them. Rather, they have to offer the Salah upon seeing the eclipse when it is happening.

The publications of the astronomers’ reports about the timing of eclipse should be banned by the Ministry of Information, lest some people should be deceived by them. These publications may make people less frightened upon seeing the eclipse. Allah (Exalted be He) has made them to frighten the people. Therefore, they remember, fear, invoke Allah, and treat His Slaves properly. May Allah grant us success.

Taken from Alifta.net (Shaykh bin baaz)

Biography of the Sahaba – Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه

Biography of the Sahaba – Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه

HIS NAME

The Imaam, the Mujaahid, the Muftee of al-Madeenah, Sa`d bin Maalik bin Sinaan bin Tha`labah bin `Ubaid bin al-Abjar bin `Auf bin al-Haarith bin al-Khazraj. He is more famous with his Kunya (nickname): Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree.

And Abu Sa`eed’s brother, from the same mother, is Qataadah bin al-Nou`maan al-Dhifree, one of those who participated in the battle of Badr.

HIS YOUNG AGE

Sa`d’s (Abu Sa`eed’s) father, Maalik, was martyred in the battle of `Uhud. Abu Sa`eed could not participate in the battle of `Uhud because of his young age. Abu Sa`eed later participated in the battle of al-Khandaq as well as the Pledge of al-Ridhwaan (i.e. the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah).

On the authority of `Abdul Rahmaan bin Abee Sa`eed that his father said: On the day of Uhud, I offered myself to (participate in the battle) in front of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and I was at that time only 13 years old. My father grabbed me by the hand and said: O Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم! He has thick bones (i.e. he is strong). The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم glanced at me and said: “Send him back”. So they send me back.

HIS KNOWLEDGE

He narrated many narrations from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, as well as from Abu Bakr, `Umar, `Uthmaan, `Alee, Zaid bin Thabit, as well as from other companions. He was one of the jurists from amongst the companions.

From the companions who reported from him are: Ibn `Umar, Ibn `Abbaas, Jaabir, Anas, and others. From the Tabi`een who reported from him are: Sa`eed bin al-Musayyib, Abu `Uthmaan al-Nahdi, Taariq bin Shihaab, `Ubaid bin `Umayr. And other than them, the other Tabi`een who reported from him are: Mujaahid, Aamir bin Sa`d, `Amr bin Saleem, Hasan al-Basree, his own son `Abdul Rahmaan bin Abee Sa`eed al-Khudree and many others. He was one of the 7 companions who narrated the most Ahaadeeth.

Hanzalah bin Abi Sufyaan reported his teachers that Abu Sa`eed was one of those companions who learned the most Ahaadeeth. In another narration he said: There was no one, from among the companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, who had more better understanding than Abu Sa`eed.

Al-Khateeb (al-Baghdaadee) said: He (Abu Sa`eed) was one of the best companions, and he memorized many Ahaadeeth.

Narrated Abu Saalih Az-Zaiyat: I heard Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudree saying, “The selling of a Dinar for a Dinar, and a Dirham for a Dirham (is permissible).” I said to him, “Ibn ‘Abbas does not say the same.” Abu Sa`eed replied, “I asked Ibn `Abbaas whether he had heard it from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم or seen it in the Book of Allaah (i.e. al-Qur’aan)?” Ibn `Abbaas replied, “I do not claim that, and you know Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم better than I, but Usaamah informed me that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had said, “There is no Riba (in money exchange) except when it is not done from hand to hand (i.e. when there is delay in payment).”” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2069)]

Yahya ibn Subayh said: `Ammaar the freed slave of al-Haarith ibn Nawfal told me that he attended the funeral of Umm Kulthoom, and her son. The body of the boy was placed near the imaam. I objected to it. Among the people there were Ibn `Abbaas, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, Abu Qataadah and Abu Hurairah. They said: This is the Sunnah (established practice of the Prophet). [Abu Dawood (3193) and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee. And in “al-Ahkaam al-Janaaiz” he said, it is as per the condition of Imaam Muslim]

Abu Moosa asked `Umar to admit him but he was not admitted as `Umar was busy, so Abu Moosa went back. When `Umar finished his job, he said: “Didn’t I hear the voice of `Abdullah bin Qais? Let him come in.” `Umar was told that he had left. So, he sent for him and on his arrival, he (Abu Moosa) said, “We were ordered to do so (i.e. to leave if not admitted after asking permission thrice). `Umar told him, “Bring witness in proof of your statement.” Abu Moosa went to the Ansaar’s meeting places and asked them. They said, “None amongst us will give this witness except the youngest of us, Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudree.” Abu Moosa then took Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudree (to `Umar) and `Umar said, surprisingly, “Has this order of Allaah’s Apostle been hidden from me?” (Then he added), “I used to be busy trading in markets.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1956)]

`Aqeel bin Mudrak narrated on the authority of Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree that a person came to him and said: “Advise me.” So he said: “You have asked me the same thing which I had asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم before you.” (The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said): “Upon you is the Taqwaa of Allaah (i.e. God-consciousness), for it is head of every matter. And upon you is Jihaad, for it is the asceticism of Islaam. Upon you is the remembrance of Allaah and the recitation of al-Qur’aan, for it is (a means) of pleasing the inhabitants of the heavens (i.e. the Angels and they will pray for your forgiveness) and (a means) for you being remembered (in good terms) amongst the inhabitants of the earth.” [Musnad Ahmad (3/82), and Shaikh al-Albaanee said in “al-Saheehah” (555): by combining all the narrations, it is reaches the level of “Hasan” (good)]

Narrated Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree: I was sitting in the company of the poor members of the emigrants. Some of them were sitting together because of lack of clothing while a reader was reciting to us. All of a sudden the Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم came along and stood beside us. When the Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم stood, the reader stopped and greeted him. He asked: “What were you doing?” We said: Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم! We had a reader who was reciting to us and we were listening to the Book of Allaah, the Exalted. The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم then said: “Praise be to Allaah Who has put among my people those with whom I have been ordered to stay.” The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم then sat among us so as to be like one of us, and when he had made a sign with his hand they sat in a circle with their faces turned towards him. The narrator said: I think that the Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم did not recognize any of them except me. The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم then said: “Rejoice, you group of poor emigrants, in the announcement that you will have perfect light on the Day of Resurrection. You will enter Paradise half a day before the rich, and that is five hundred years.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (3666) but was graded “Dha`eef” (weak) by Shaikh al-Albaanee with these wordings. Anyway, the part that the poor will enter the Jannah 500 years earlier than the rich is “Saheeh” as reported by al-Tirmidhee (2354) and Ibn Majah (3343)]

`Abdullaah bin `Umar reported that Wahab bin Kaisaan said: I saw Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree wearing a dress made of fur.

`Uthmaan bin `Ubaidullaah bin Abi Rafi` said: I saw Abu Sa`eed trimming his mustache (to the extend) like shaving it.

HIS DEATH

Al-Waaqidee and others said: Abu Sa`eed died in the year 74 Hijri.

And others said: He died in the year 64 Hijri. Al-`Askaree said: He died in the year 63 Hijri.

Baqee bin Mukhlad in his “Musnad al-Kabeer” reported 1170 Ahaadeeth from Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree. Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim agreed upon 43 Ahaadeeth. Al-Bukhaaree individually reported 16 Ahaadeeth, and Muslim individually reported 52 Ahaadeeth.

References:
الإصابة في تمييز الصحابة – لإبن الحجر الأسقلاني
أسد الغابة في معرفة الصحابة – لإبن الأثير
الاستيعاب في معرفة الأصحاب – لإبن عبد البر
سير اعلام النبلاء – إمام الذهبي