Five Essential Qualities of a Mufti
Imam Ahmad on five qualities that should be present in a person to qualify him as a mufti.
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Love for the Sincere
It is reported that Harim b. Ḥayyān – Allāh have mercy on him – said: Never does the servant turn wholeheartedly to Allāh except that Allāh turns the hearts of the believers to him, providing him their love. Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 4:49. Harim b. Ḥayyān was one of the Successors, deputized by ‘Umar, and […]
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The Sweetest Words [Ikhlas]
It is reported that the son of Al-Fuḍayl b. ‘Ayyāḍ – Allāh have mercy on him – said to his father: Father! How sweet (beautiful) the speech of the Companions is! [Al-Fuḍayl] said, “Son, do you know why it was so sweet?” He replied, “No father, I do not.” He said, “Because they sought Allāh […]
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Umar’s Instructions on the First Night of Ramadan
It is reported that on the first night of Ramaḍān, ‘Umar – Allāh be pleased with him – would pray Maghrib, then say (to the people): Sit down. Then he would give a small address: Verily the fasting of this month has been made a duty upon you, and standing in night prayer has not […]
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Who to Love and Trust, Hate and Suspect [signs of sincerity]
Caliph Umar on love, trust, hatred or suspicion of others based on their visible deeds, not just their claims of good intentions.
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Secret Devotion
It is reported that Shurayḥ the Judge used to have a house in which he would spend time alone on Fridays; no one knew what he did in it. Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` Vol.4 p105. It is reported that Abū Al-‘Āliyah said, “I learned writing and the Qur`ān without my family noticing, and not a […]
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What to intend in Prayer
‘Abdullâh b. Mubârak said: I asked Sufyân Al-Thawrî, “When a man stands to pray, what should he intend by his recitation and prayer?” He replied, “He should intend that he is personally entreating his Lord.” Muhammad b. Nasr Al-Marwazî, Ta’dhîm Qadr Al-Salâh Vol. 1 p199.
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They All Feared Hypocrisy
Ibn Abī Mulaykah – Allah have mercy on him – said: I met thirty of the Prophet’s Companions – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and every one of them feared falling into nifāq (hypocrisy); not one of them claimed he had the level of faith of Jibrīl or Mīkā`īl. Quoted by Al-Bukhārī, […]
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Secret Tears
Muhammad b. Wāsi’ said: I have lived amongst men who were such that one of them would lie with his wife on the same pillow and his side of the pillow would be soaked with his tears under his cheek without his wife even noticing. Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-Ikhlās wa Al-Nīyah (Sincerity and Intentions) p34. […]
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Impressive
Imām Ibrāhīm Al-Nakha’ī said about the Salaf: When in a gathering, they used to dislike a person showing the best of what he has. Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-Ikhlās wa Al-Nīyah (Sincerity and Intentions) p50.