Nuff props to the translators

I have to write this post since I feel like a child who is afraid to swim. However, being flung into the ocean he had to learn.

Last week Shaikh Abdul Hameed Al Haajuri came to our shores. And I got my first experience of translating. And I had to do it twice more since then in public lectures. I had to drink a Lucozade before both of them.

And for those who like to speak ill of translators and think that they are just translating then I would like to give them news of the requirements of a translator translating for the Mashayikh:

(1) Arabic langauge and he has to be good at it.

(2) Speed, speed, speed. You have to be able to write like a speeding bullet.

(3) Knowledge of Qurán and Hadeeth and Aathar of the Salaf.

(4) And after that the ability to deliver it as if you are a lecturer.

So a translator he is like the student in the lecture and the lecturer at the same time.

And this is why, after being flung in the ocean I am saying Nuff Props to my brothers who translate for the Mashayikh especially Abu Muhammad Al Maghribi. And I hope next time he would know in advance about the Shaikh’s visit and come in time.

P.S the Shaikh will be having a seminar in Trinidad inshallah on Saturday and Sunday. So those who can get out of the U.S and come into Trinidad do so inshallah. Check the site www.trinimuslims.com for more details about the Shaikh’s visit.

Is the basis of the Muslim Sunnah or Bid’ah?

السؤال:
هل الأصل في المسلم السنة؟

الإجابة:
الأصل في المسلم المستور السلامة حتى يظهر منه سوء، والأصل في السني حسن الظن، وأنه سني حتى ينقله عن ذلك ناقل صحيح، والأصل في المبتدع البدعة وسوء الظن، والأصل في الكافر الكفر وأنه كافر حتى يعلم إسلامه فهذه أصول واضحة يؤيدها أثر عمر رضي الله عنه أنه قال: من أظهر لنا خيرًا أمناه وقبلناه، ومن أظهر لنا غير ذلك لم نأمنه ولم نقبله، وإن قال سريرته حسنة. وغير ذلك من الأدلة على وجوب معاملة الناس بما ظهر من أحوالهم.

الكنز الثمين في الإجابة على أسئلة طلبة العلم والزائرين (5)

للشيخ يحيى الحجوري حفظه الله http://www.aloloom.net/vb/showthread.php?t=2594

Shaikh Yahya Al Haajuri was asked: Is the basis of the Muslim the Sunnah?

Answer: The basis of the Muslim whose condition is hidden is good until evil comes from him, and the basis of the Sunnah is having good opinions about him, and that he is Sunni until there is something that takes him out of being Sunni. And the basis of the innovator is innovation and having bad opinions about him. And the basis of the disbeliever is disbelief until his Islam is known. For these are clear principles which is evidenced by a narration from Umar when he said: “Whomsoever shows good to us we trust him and accept him and whomsoever shows other than that we don’t trust him or accept him even if his secret life is good.” And other than that from evidences which shows that one operates with the people with what is apparant of their condition.

Al Kanz Ath Thameen ‘Ala Asilah Tulaab Ul Ilm Wa Zaireen (5)

Advice to my fellow brothers in Da’wah

This is an advice I give to myself first and foremost and to my other brothers who give the da’wah.

قال الشيخ رحمه الله:عند قوله عز وجل(((فاصبرْ صبرا جميلا)))قال لابد للداعية أن يصبر لأنه سواجه في دعوته الجاهل والمعاند والحاسد والفويسق وأنصح الداعيةأن لا يذهب إلى المحاكم والحكَام إذا أوذي من الناس لأن هذا سيشغله عن طلب العلم ، ثم ذكر قوله تعالى ((وإذا خاطبهم الجاهلون قالوا سلاما))،وقوله تعالى ((وإذا سمعوا اللغوا أعرضوا عنه))

Shaikh Muqbil said about the statement of Allah: “Have patience in a beatiful manner” It is important for a caller to Allah to have patience because he will meet the ignorant, the stubborn, the one who is jealous and the sinner. And I advice the one who gives da’wah to not go to the courts or the rulers if he is harmed from the people because this will keep him busy from seeking knowledge.

And then he mentioned the statement of Allah: “And if the ignorant speak to them they honourably avoid them.” And Allah said: “And if they hear vain talk they turn away from it.”

Translated from the book: Benefits from the classes of Shaikh Muqbil

From the site:

http://www.sahab.net/forums/showthread.php?t=367366

Diseases of the tongue and our community.

Bismillah Ar Rahmaan Ar Raheem,

From the things that lead to the destruction of a Muslim is the tongue. And it is from the things that lead to the disunity of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah. And to this I will put some verses and Ahadeeth that pertain to this issue and short notes afterwards. May Allah make it easy upon us to be from amongst those who hear the beneficial speech and obey it.

Allah said in his book: “And do not say that which you have no knowledge about, verily the hearing, the eyesight and the hearts are responsible.”

And he said: “Verily my Lord has prevented evil deeds that are apparant and secret and sin and trangression without right and to make partners with Allah which he sent no authority for and to say about Allah which you do not know.”

Allah said in his book: “And do not backbite each other, would you like to be from those who eat the dead meat of your brother so that you dislike it. And fear Allah. Allah is the Tawwabur Raheem.”

And he also said: “Oh ye who believe if news comes to you from a Faasiq verify it.”

The Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said in a Hadeeth in Tirmidhi: “And wouldn’t the people’s faces be thrown into the fire from their tongues?’”

And he said (Salallahu Alaihi wa sallam) : “If it is true what you said about him (what he dislikes) then this is Gheebah and if it is that what you said is untrue it is Buhtaan (lieing)”

And he said (Salallahu Alaihi wa sallam): “The one who is a Qataat (one who carries tales between two people to cause mischief between them) will not enter Jannah.”

And there are many other references that can be used however I wish not to go into much detail. I would just like to remind myself and the public about the seriousness of safeguarding our tongues. And from the benefits of these Ayaats and Ahadeeth are:

(1) Lieing upon Allah and saying about Allah which one doesn’t know is a major sin.

(2) Keeping away from saying that which one doesn’t know. It also shows the Haraam nature of conveying a Fatwa of a Shaikh unless he has the evidences. As Shaikh Muqbil said: “Alhamdu Lillah Ahlus Sunnah do not make Taqleed because Allah said “Do not say that which you have no knowledge about.”

(3) That Gheebah is like eating the dead flesh of one’s brother/sister.

(4) That is it a major sin that requires repentence since Allah said in the end of the Ayah that he is Tawwab Ar Raheem.

(5) That a person’s tongue can be the reason as to why he enters the fire or Jannah.

(6) The seriousness of saying something about someone which he wouldn’t like to be mentioned.

(7) That carrying tales between people to cause discord is a major sin which can be a reason for one being burnt in the hellfire in order to be purified from that sin.

After all these benefits we should see that backbiting, slandering, tale-carrying etc are major sins that we must restrain from. However, our community, i.e the Salafi community, is afflicted by these diseases and we seek Allah’s help. All this has caused disunity and hatred between those who had unity and love. Because we couldn’t hold that tongue there is seperation. Because we can’t hold that tongue there is rancour between brothers. And we are allowed in the Sunnah to lie and say good things to bring unity between brothers. However, instead all we seek to bring is seperation until the clothing of “advice.”

We must be careful. And we must not occupy our good health and “free” time, I say free time however time is even more expensive than gold the size of Mount Everest, in these nefarious activites which can only land us face down into the Hellfire. Rather if we spent our time learning the Qur’an and the Sunnah, memorizing both, understanding and practicing both and calling toward both we would find our time expensive and not waste our time on such trivial matters.

Wallahi I called some of the Ulama at times and they were busy. I once called Shaikh Wasiyullah about an issue in marriage and he told me: “Don’t make the question long I am giving a lecture.” I tried to call Shaikh Yahya about an issue in marriage that a sister asked me and he said: “Busy, Busy.” I called Shaikh Muhammad Al Imam about the same issue and he said: “I am busy can you call next few hours inshallah?” even Shaikh Muhammad Al Maliki when I call at times I just get the voice message because at these times he doesn’t answer the phone. However, if a brother calls a brother or sister calls to gossip, unlike the Ulama who’s time is expensive, we spend our time which is free, cheap and has no blessings on frivolity and games.

Brothers and sisters, spend time in remembering Allah, speaking good words, seeking knowledge and doing good deeds. Do not be one who has spent his life wallowing in his disease and having nothing to show for it. Rather let us imitate our Ulama and use the time for good. The Prophet (Salallahu alaihi wa sallam) said as reported in Kitaab Uz Zuhd by Wakee’ Ibn Jarraah on the authority of Ibn Abbas: “Two favours that many people waste, good health and time.”

Allahu Musta’aan

Assalamu Alaikum

I know it has not been a long time since I have written, due to circumstances beyond my control, however by the will of Allah I am back. And I will try to translate beneficial articles of the scholars of Islam in the future. And if anyone has any corrections for me then feel free as I am always open to advice and correction. Barakallahu Feekum.

Currently I am compiling some information on Zakaat in a book form, for my own use as I am not an author. Also I am working on writing out important Fawaid from the explanations of different books. It is always good for someone striving toward knowledge to have a pen and paper nearby just in case a benefit runs through his mind.

Also I am currently doing some da’wah in different Masajid. Reading the Seerah to some brothers and making them extract different benefits from it. Sometimes it may seem difficult to them and they may say “Oh Gosh man Ah next one.” But it helps them get accustomed to knowing how to understand knowledge. And in Ibaadur Rahmaan I am still doing the three principles, the book of knowledge from Imam An Nawawi’s Riyaadh Us Saliheen and also the book called radiant advices by Shaikh Shihee. And I have four Fridays in a row to give Khutbah in a Masjid near to my workplace since the Imam is gone for Umrah.

Sounds a bit busy doesn’t it? But wallahi my dear brothers and sisters I feel as if the people have no need of someone like me as I know I need to do more studies. But Allah makes it so for one reason or the next which he has full knowledge of.

And as for Trinidad we say Allahu Musta’aan. Some Fitnah happened recently between the brothers and in the heat of things everyone makes their errors. However, I have taken a stance to not advise those who choose not to listen to advice. And we have to take this stance my brothers and sisters. If it is that we advise someone in a matter relating to ‘Aqeedah or Manhaj we do not force them or probe or get angry. All that is upon us is to clarify and deliver the message.

As for a little advice for all my dear brothers and sisters in da’wah as salafeeyah:

(1) When you hear of Fitnah find a hiding place. Don’t involve yourself in it, don’t speak about it, don’t entertain thoughts about it. Just run.

(2) If you can advise brothers or sisters, with evidences, when there is a Fitnah then do so inshallah ta’ala may Allah bless all of you. If you can’t do so then run because when people don’t take sincere advice they are oppresors and Allah’s punishment is soon to come upon them. Allahu Musta’aan.

(3) Do not let Fitnah waste your precious time. Your time can be spent memorizing Qur’an, Ahadeeth, Statements of the Salaf etc. Remember time leaves and never returns.

And from what I have seen we have four problems among the Salafis:

(1) Characteristics of partisanship: Where it is that one would love or hate based upon a group or personality and not based on the book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger (Salallahu alaihi wa sallam). A brother or sister may be in a group which may have several deviances however they still love those within that group because they hold a common position against someone who is Salafi and upright. And we seek Allah’s aid.

(2) Softening the principles of the Manhaj: Calling people to learn under and avoid speaking about the people of innovation i.e who the Ulama called people of innovation with evidences or who is an original innovator like the Tableegh or the Ikhwaan.

(3) Taqleed: And we ask Allah’s help. Many of the brothers and sisters who want positions quote the fatwa of Shaikh so and so and Shaikh so and so. However when asked to quote the Shaikh’s evidences or when asked to quote something from the book, the Sunnah or a principle of the Manhaj, silence befalls them and anger engrosses them. Abu Haneefah said: It is Haraam for someone to take my statement and he doesn’t know where he got it from. And this is likewise or even moreso in the case of the modern Ulama. Hence my dear brothers and sisters memorize the book of Allah and Memorize the Ahadeeth of the Messenger (Salallahu alaihi wa sallam) and use the statements and explanations of the scholars as a means to understand both. As for quoting Fatwa without knowing the evidences then this is impermissible as Imam Abu Haneefah stated.

And this is the distinction between the student and the layman. The layman just wants a Fatwa and the student wants to know why and the evidences. Hence if you are a layman seek knowledge and memorize as the Prophet (Salallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.”

(4) Harshness: Taking people off the Manhaj without evidences. Boycotting etc. We must avoid all these things inshallah ta’ala. Be gentle to the Salafis and those who don’t know.

May Allah heal us from this. There are ways to stay away from this. However the most effective way is to hold onto the Book and the Sunnah and put it as a judge in all matters. Allah said: “Oh ye who believe answer Allah and his Messenger if they call you to what will give you life. And know that Allah puts a veil between a man and his hearts and that to him you will be brought forth. And fear a Fitnah that will not come upon those who oppress only and know that Allah is the most severe in punishment.” This can only be done with knowledge of both. For how can you practice something that you don’t know about?

Hence upon us is to seek knowledge and keep busy with it. For if we don’t do so we will keep busy on ourselves and with Fitnah. May Alllah make it easy