A False testimony of Faith [hypocrisy and the shahadah]

The likeness [of the munâfiq] is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allâh took away their light and left them in darkness. So they could not see. They are deaf, dumb and blind, so they return not [to the Right Path]. (Quran 2:17)

Qatâdah – Allâh’s mercy be upon him – said:

This is the likeness Allâh has given of the Hypocrite (munâfiq); he says lâ ilâha illallâh and with it marries into the Muslims, inherits from the Muslims, fights alongside the Muslims, and protects his blood and wealth. But when death comes, [the testimony of faith] has no basis in his heart, and no reality in his actions, so the munâfiq is stripped of it at death and left in darkness and blindness wondering therein, just as he was blind about the right of Allâh and obedience to Him in his worldly life and deaf to the truth.

Al-Tabarî, Al-Tafsîr.

September 27, 2009 - الأحد 08 شوال 1430 | 'Aqîdah, death, hypocrisy, the heart

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How the Salaf were (and weren’t) when hearing the Quran and Dhikr

It was said to ‘Â`ishah – Allâh be pleased with her, “There are people who faint when they hear the Quran.” She said. “The Quran is nobler than to have people lose their minds from it. Rather, it [should be] as Allâh the Mighty and Sublime said:

Those who fear their Lord tremble with fear by it, then their skins and hearts settle to the remembrance of Allah. (Sûrah Al-Zumar: 23)

Abû ‘Ubayd Al-Qâsim b. Sallâm, Fadâ`il Al-Qur`ân p214.

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. ‘Urwah b. Al-Zubayr said, “I asked my grandmother Asmâ` (bint Abî Bakr) – Allâh be pleased with her, ‘How were the Companions of Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh peace and praise be upon him – when they heard the Quran?’ She replied, ‘their eyes would shed tears and they would tremble (with fear), as Allâh described them (in the Quran).’ I said, ‘There are some people here who, when they hear the Quran, fall down unconscious,’ She said, ‘I seek refuge with Allâh from the accursed Shaytân.’”

Al-Bayhaqî, Shu’ab Al-Îmân 3:417; Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq 3:54 with a slightly variant wording.

It is also reported that Asmâ` was asked, “Did any of the Salaf used to faint out of the fear of Allâh?” She replied, “No, but they used to cry.”

Al-Qâsim b. Salâm, op. cit. p214.

It is reported that Ibn ‘Umar – Allâh be pleased with him – once passed by a man from Iraq who had dropped unconscious. He asked, “What is wrong with him?” [People] replied, “When the Quran is recited to him or he hears the remembrance of Allâh he falls unconscious out of his fear of Allâh.” Ibn ‘Umar said, “We fear Allâh and we do not drop unconscious!”

Ibid p214; Al-Baghawî in his Tafsîr, Sûrah Al-Zumar: 23 with a slightly variant wording.

It is reported that Anas b. Mâlik was asked about people who drop unconscious when the Quran is recited to them. He said, “That is the behavior of the Khawârij.”

Al-Qâsim b. Salâm, op. cit. p215.

It is reported that Muhammad b. Sîrîn said, having been asked about a man who drops unconscious when the Quran is recited to him, “Make an appointment between us and him, we will sit on a wall, and the Quran – from beginning to end – will be recited unto him. If he falls off the wall, he is as he claims.”

Ibid., Al-Baghawî, op. cit.

September 11, 2009 - الجمعة 22 رمضان 1430 | Bid'ah, Quran, The Companions, remembering Allah, the heart

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The Softest Hearts

It is reported that Makhûl – Allâh have mercy on him – said, “The people with the softest hearts are those who sin the least.”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ` Vol. 2 p344.

It is reported that ‘Awn b. ‘Abdillâh, the ascetic and jurist, said, “Sit with the repentant, for they have the softest hearts.”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ` Vol. 2 p192.

November 9, 2008 - الأحد 11 ذو القعدة 1429 | Character, repentance, sins, the heart

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A Comfortable Life

It is reported that ‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-‘Azîz once wrote to Al-Hasan Al-Basrî to get a brief exhortation from him, so Al-Hasan wrote back , “The dunyâ distracts and preoccupies the heart and body, but al-zuhd (asceticism, not giving importance to worldly things) gives rest to the heart and body. Verily, Allâh will ask us about the halâl things we enjoyed, so what about the harâm!”

Al-Bayhaqî, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabîr, article 26.

October 14, 2008 - الثلاثاء 15 شوال 1429 | Advice from the Salaf, dunyâ, the heart, the hereafter, zuhd

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The Call of Bilâl and the Tears of Al-Shâm

It is reported that Bilâl – Allâh be pleased with him – never used to call the adhân for anyone after the death of Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessing be upon him. He wanted to go for al-jihâd but Abû Bakr didn’t want him to go. So Bilâl said, “If you freed me [when I was a slave] for Allâh’s pleasure, then let me go.” So he went to Al-Shâm. When ‘Umar arrived in Al-Jâbiyah [during his Caliphate], the Muslims requested him to ask Bilâl to do the adhân for them, so ‘Umar asked him. He called the adhân one day, and never were as many people heard crying as on that day, as they remembered the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessing be upon him.

It is said that the adhân of the people of Al-Shâm was taken from this adhân.

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ`, in his biography of Bilâl b. Abî Rabâh.

September 16, 2008 - الثلاثاء 16 رمضان 1429 | prayer, the heart

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