Category Archives: Aqeedah / Manhaj

The Creed and Methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah

Astronomical Calculations are Subject to Human Error (Regarding the “Mistake” in the Saudi Moonsighting)

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciufl, the Ever-Merciful…

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

Astronomical calculations are the work of humans, they could be correct or mistaken, as for the sighting of the moon, then this is based on Prophetic evidence.

Mr. Ali Al-Moosa wrote a piece in the Al-Watan newspaper (published) on 1433/9/11, entitled: ‘This is not from the Unseen Matters’ as a critique of my statements Continue reading →

A Real Eye-Opener: Upset with the Qadr of Allaah!?

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In the Name of Allaah…

Most people entertain bad thoughts about Allaah regarding their own personal situations and the situations of others.  The only ones who remain safe from this are those who truly know Allaah, His Names, His Attributes, and what His Wisdom and Right to be praised really entails.

So let every sincere, sound-minded individual focus on himself regarding this, and then repent to Allaah and seek His Forgiveness from the negative notions he entertains about his Lord. Continue reading →

Hadeeth: Allaah Cannot Accept the Charity of People Whose Relatives are in Need…

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In the Name of Allaah…

I received a Hadith whose authenticity I  want to verify: The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “O Community of Muhammad! By the Being Who has sent me with Truth, Allah cannot accept the charity of those persons whose relatives are in want of his kindness and help, and he distributes it among others, leaving them. By the Being in Whose power is my life, on the Day of Judgement Allah will not look at such a man.” [Tibraani]

Dha’eef (weak) – It was collected by At-Tabaraanee [1], who mentioned that ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Aamir al-Aslamee was alone in reporting it from az-Zuhree.  Al-Haythamee indexed it [2], saying: Continue reading →

A Question About Allaah’s Names that Some Scholars Have Affirmed Using Texts that do not Have the “Al-” Prefix, Like “Al-Haleem”

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In the Name of Allaah…

Regarding the book Exemplary Principles Concerning the Names and Attributes of Allaah, in the evidences section for Allaah’s Names, there may be names with ‘al’ before them, but in the evidence used for those names there is no ‘al’. For example, on page 246, Name #22,  it gives the name Al-Haleem but in the Aayah below that it says Haleemun (not al-Haleem). So is this something allowed, or is it that the name al-Haleem is established in another place in the Qur’aan or Sunnah ? Should I just trust the names of Allaah with ‘al’ at the beginning shown in the book, although the evidences used for those names dont always come with ‘al’? This is an important issue for me as I am worried about affirming a Name for Allaah that is not His Name.

Having “Al-” or not is not the only one consideration the scholars use for establishing a Name for Allaah. If it was only this then we would not be able to complete a list of 99 names, and our list would include other names like “At-Tabeeb” (the Doctor) and “Ad-Dahr” (The Time), which are unanimously (or almost unanimously) not considered to be from Allaah’s Beautiful Names.

So the scholars generally consider:

  • the meanings and general contexts of the textual evidence
  • idhaafah or lack of it (a kind of Arabic construction)
  • taqyeed or itlaaq (generality or limited restriction)
  • ishtiqaaq (derivitaves)
  • the “Al-” prefix

You can review these language issues with an Arabic teacher who has knowledge of the correct beliefs if you are not clear on them.

Specifically, with names like al-Haleem, al-Ilaah, and others are discussed, there is no Qur’aanic text referring to Allaah as Al-Haleem or Al-Ilaah, and I do not know of any hadeeth either.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen affirmed them both and others like them without relying on a text with “Al-“, since the context in both Qur’aanic passages was unrestricted, or “mutlaq”. So the Verse meaning “Your ilaah (object of worship) is one ilaah, there is no ilaah other than Him…” and Verses like it were used to establish the name “Al-Ilaah”, and the Verse you mentioned for al-Haleem, and so on.

This is known to the scholars, since if you were to stick to only Names that come with only clear explicit Alif-Laam “Al-” prefix, then you would only gather about 40/50 or so names from the texts. And since the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam) encouraged us to seek after the 99 Names, then there must be another way to compile them than just relying only on “Al-“.  And then the scholars differed in their specific methods of deriving Allaah’s Names from the texts.

And Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

Did Prophet Adam Commit Shirk by Naming His Son Abdul-Haarith?

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful…

Allaah, the Most High says, what means:

( He is the One who created you (all) from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, so he could dwell with her (harmoniously).  When he (Adam) covered her (Eve, in intimacy), she became pregnant, a light pregnancy (not difficult) that she went through.  When she got heavier, they called upon Allaah, their Lord, ‘If you give us a sound child we would surely be of the thankful.  And when He gave them sound offspring, they set up partners unto Him regarding what He had given them.  Exonerated is Allaah above the partners they ascribe to Him! ) [Soorah al-A’raaf, 7:189-190]

This Qur’aanic passage may seem to indicate that it was Adam and Eve that committed the act of shirk (setting up partners unto Allaah), especially when one reads the following report, with many similar wordings and meanings, which has been reported in the books of Tafseer:

When Hawwaa’ (Adam’s wife, Eve) became pregnant, Iblees came to her, after she had not had any offspring that had lived, saying: Name him Abdul-Haarith!  So she named him Abdul-Haarith and he lived.  And that is a kind of revelation (of misguidance) from Shaytaan and how he orders the people (with misguidance).

Other narrations mention that he threatened them, saying that he would make the baby deformed.

The great scholar of Hadeeth, Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee – may Allaah have Mercy on him – said:

Dha’eef (unauthentic) – It was collected by at-Tirmithee (2/181, Boolaaq), al-Haakim (2/545), Continue reading →

Firmly Grounded Scholars that Muslims Should Return to in Affairs of Differing

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

At the conclusion of one of his lectures explaining the Foundations of Eemaan as part of the Imaam Daar al-Hijrah Islaamic Seminar at Masjid al-Qiblatayn in al-Madeenah in 1432 [1], Shaykh Saalih As-Suhaymee (may Allaah preserve him) advised the students with a number of excellent points of advice in light of issues of differing that tend to distract them and keep them from benefitting from their studies.

While this great advice has been translated into English, and given the title, “The Muslims are Tired,” perhaps the most important point in the lecture that Shaykh Saalih offered, after fearing Allaah and being sincere to Him alone, is the solution he guided the Muslims to – Returning to the senior scholars in affairs of differing. Continue reading →

Who is Considered a “Strong Believer”?

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In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful…

Imaam Muslim [d.261] (may Allaah have Mercy on him) collected an amazing hadeeth in his Chapter on Qadr in his large collection of authentic narrations known as Saheeh Muslim.  The scholars refer to this hadeeth as “the Hadeeth of the Strong Believer.”

On the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

المُؤْمِنُ القَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنَ المُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ، وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ، احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ، وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللهِ، وَلَا تَعْجِزْ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ شَيْءٌ فَلَا تَقُلْ: لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا لَمْ يُصِبْنِي كَذَا، وَلَكِنْ قُلْ: قَدَرُ اللهِ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ، فَإِنَّ لَوْ تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَانِ

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer, while there is (still) goodness in both. Guard over that which benefits you, seek Allaah’s Assistance, Continue reading →

Identifying Religious Innovations and Staying Away From Them & the Importance of Hadeeth

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[ Part Six of a series of inspiring articles from a recorded lecture entitled, “Min Ma’een al-Imaam Ahmad” (“Benefits from the Life and Works of Imam Ahmad”) by Shaykh Saalih Aal ash-Shaykh (may Allaah preserve him) ]

Identifying Religious Innovations and Staying Away From Them & the Importance of Hadeeth

From Imaam Ahmad’s other noteworthy sayings, may Allaah have Mercy on him, is his statement, “I do not know any people more in need of learning hadeeth than the people in our time.”

They asked him, “And why is that?”

He replied, “Innovation has spread, so whoever does not have the Sunnah, or the narrations, then he will fall into innovation.” Continue reading →

Biography: Shaykh Saalih ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful…

From a family of grounded knowledge, Shaykh Saalih ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh is the grandson of the great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Aal ash-Shaykh (d.1389).  Shaykh Muhammad was the grandson of Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Hasan (d.1285), the author of Fat-hul-Majeed, an outstanding explanation of Kitaab at-Towheed of his grandfather, Shaykh al-Islaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (d.1206).  May Allaah have Mercy on all of them.

He was born and raised in Riyadh in 1378 (1958 on the Christian calendar).  He studied Quran Sciences at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, where his exceptional level of knowledge stood out, and thus he became a teacher there and taught for about 15 years. Continue reading →

Recognizing the High Status of Islamic Scholars

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[ Part Four of a series of inspiring articles from a recorded lecture entitled, “Min Ma’een al-Imaam Ahmad” (“Benefits from the Life and Works of Imam Ahmad”) by Shaykh Saalih Aal ash-Shaykh (may Allaah preserve him) ]

Recognizing the High Status of the Scholars

From his other noteworthy sayings, may Allaah have Mercy on him, elevate his and our positions, and reward him with the best reward, the most plentiful and loftiest one, “Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested, then it is evil.” He (Imam Ahmad) said (repeating), “Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested, then it is evil.” He meant that the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah are to be referred to in affairs of what is to be considered evil and what is not.

So whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested in the issues of ‘aqeedah, then it is evil. Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested with regards to manners, then it is evil. Whatever the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have detested in affairs of ordering righteousness and forbidding evil, then it is evil. This means that a man must return to the scholars of the Sunnah if he wants to know about the affairs of the Sunnah, about the proper understanding of righteousness and evil. Continue reading →

Benefits From the Life and Works of Imaam Ahmad – Introduction to the Series

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[ The introduction to a series of inspiring articles from a recorded lecture entitled, “Min Ma’een al-Imaam Ahmad” (“Benefits from the Life and Works of Imam Ahmad”) by Shaykh Saalih Aal ash-Shaykh (may Allaah preserve him) ]

The praise is for Allaah, the One who keeps a group of scholars available during the times when there is no messenger, scholars who bring those who have strayed back to the Guidance, curing their blindness and bringing them back to life using Allaah’s Book. For how many have they brought back to life from those killed by Iblees? And how many strayed and then were guided by the scholars?

What great effects they have on the people! And how filthy are the effects of the people on them! They expel from the Religion of Allaah the perversions of the people of falsehood, the twisted explanations of the ignoramuses, and the plagiarism of those who have strayed, those who bear the flags of innovation and dispute over the Book of Allaah. Continue reading →

Biography: Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa’dee

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In the Name of Allaah…

He was the shaykh, Aboo ‘Abdillaah, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Naasir as-Sa’dee, from the tribe of Tameem.

He was born in the city of ‘Unayzah, in Saudi Arabia, on the 12th of Muharram, 1307.  He memorized the Qur’aan and mastered its recitation before reaching the age of 11.  He then engaged himself in seeking knowledge, studying with the scholars of his city and those who visited it. Continue reading →

Following Math-habs and Ascribing to Salafiyyah

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Shaykh Muhammad ‘Umar Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) was asked the following question:

Please I would like to know if there is anything wrong with not subscribing to a math-hab. I learn from both the Salafees and Sunnees (ie. I try to adhere to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah) but I don’t like to claim either of the two because I fear that pride that might grow in me and cause me to avoid the truth if it comes from another source. In other words, I don’t want to be like some people who follow a math-hab and don’t want to change when the proof is against them. Please advise me. Continue reading →

Biography: Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Umar ibn Saalim Baazmool

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His kunyah: Aboo Maalik, also called: Aboo Munthir (both are names of his sons – may Allaah bless them, their siblings, and their parents).

His lineage: al-Kindee, from a Yemeni tribe, Kindah, with a rich history.

His position in Umm al-Quraa University: Among the highest ranking and most respected professors in the university, he teaches in higher studies, oversees MA and PhD research, and takes part in their criticism and defense.

Some of his teachers: He had significant contact with Shaykh al-Albaanee (may Allaah have Mercy on him) by phone. Continue reading →

A Sign of the Saved Sect: Following the Companions

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 [ This is Part Two of the article, Splitting into Groups and Parties, by Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee (d.1420) – may Allaah have Mercy on him.  Here, the shaykh stresses the importance of applying the understanding of the Companions in an issue of fiqh, and how that will unify the people. ]

…One sign of the saved sect, one that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) described clearly when he was asked about it, is found in his statement:

“It is what I and my Companions are upon this day.” [1] Continue reading →

Splitting into Groups and Parties

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[ In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful… ]

QUESTIONER: All praise is due to Allaah, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His trustworthy Messenger, and upon all of his family and companions, to proceed:

This is a question for our shaykh, the ‘Allaamah, Shaykh Naasir. The questioner asks, “What is the Sharee’ah’s ruling on these numerous Islaamic groups, sects, and organizations – as they are different from each other in their methodologies, styles, calls, and beliefs, the very foundations that they are established upon? In regards specifically to the hadeeth that proves that the group that adheres to the Truth is a single group?” Continue reading →

The Saved Sect May Be Separated on Earth, but They are One in Belief and Methodology

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[ This is the conclusion of the article, Splitting into Groups and Parties, by Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee (d.1420) – may Allaah have Mercy on him. ]

…The reason why I have brought all these points is so that we understand that there is no way to reach the true, correct understanding of Islaam, except by knowing the seerah of the Companions and how they practiced this great Islaam, the religion that he (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) taught them personally, whether by his statements, actions, or approvals. Continue reading →

Rational Discussion of Intercession and the Issue of the Dead Hearing

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Can the dead hear, (I was under the impression they couldn’t)…?  Seeking waseela with saints (while acknowledging that Allah gives all)? I basicaly need to know what the view is on them… Continue reading →

Towheed Expounded Upon in Aayat al-Kursee

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Part 9 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.26-30) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His last Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, and all those who follow his way, to proceed… ]

Allaah says in Aayat al-Kursee [1]:

( Allaah, there is none deserving worship other than Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of everything. Neither slumber nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who can intercede without His Permission? He knows what lies in front of them and what is behind them. They will never comprehend anything from His Knowledge except what He allows them to. His Kursee [2] is more expansive than the heavens and the earth, and He does not grow tired of protecting them both (the heavens and the earth), and He is the Highest and the Greatest. ) Continue reading →

The Wisdom Behind the Repetitive Affirmation of Towheed ar-Ruboobiyyah in the Quran

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Part 8 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.25-26) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful, may His Complete Salaah and Salaam be upon His Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, and all those who follow his way, to proceed… ]

In the Qur’aan Allaah only mentions towheed ar-ruboobiyyah, that which the disbelievers themselves affirm, to show its weight as a proof and to establish the evidence for towheed al-uloohiyyah. So Allaah brings an idea that they agree about as a proof against them, and this obliges them to answer the following questions: Continue reading →

The Three Categories of Towheed are Defined in the Qur’aan

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Part 7 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.21-25) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the Lord of all the worlds, may His Most Complete Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Prophet and Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, to proceed… ]

We have previously stated that the three categories of towheed are taken directly from the Noble Qur’aan. The categories are taken from many verses, so let us look to some of them now. Continue reading →

The Towheed Sought from Mankind

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Part 6 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.20-21) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the Lord of all the worlds, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Prophet and Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, and those who follow his way, to proceed… ]

The towheed that is sought from us is towheed al-uloohiyyah. All of the Messengers began by calling their people with [1]:

( Worship Allaah, as you have no deity to worship other than Him ) Continue reading →

Haakimiyyah: An Error as a Category of Towheed

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Part 5 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.17-21) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the Lord of all the worlds, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Prophet and Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, and those who follow his way, to proceed… ]

There are some in our time who have divided towheed into four categories, saying, “Towheed is four categories: towheed ar-ruboobiyyah, towheed al-uloohiyyah, towheed al-asmaa’ was-sifaat, and towheed al-haakimiyyah.” In order to say this, they relay on the idea that dividing towheed is just a traditional way of explaining it, not something restricted. Based on this assumption, there is nothing preventing us from adding another category. Continue reading →

Towheed as Understood by Philosophers

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Part 4 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.15-17) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, and those who follow his way, to proceed… ]

There are those who say that towheed is only one category – towheed ar-ruboobiyyah. It is to acknowledge that Allaah is the Creator, the Provider, the Bringer of life and death, etc. They only refer to the actions of Allaah and to His Attributes. Upon this thought the scholars of philosophy and the independent thinkers have built their ‘aqeedah. Continue reading →

Lessons from the Noble Quran

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Part 8 – The Wisdom Behind the Repetitive Affirmation of Towheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah in the Qur’aan

Part 9 – Towheed Expounded Upon in Aayatul-Kursee 

The Categories of Towheed

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Part 3 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.12-14) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, and those who follow his way, to proceed… ]

Towheed has three categories understood directly from Allaah’s Book. This division of towheed is not from someone’s opinion, nor is it merely a traditional way to explain towheed. It is a division that is taken directly from Allaah’s Book. Continue reading →

The Meaning of the Word Towheed

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Part 2 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.11-12) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Messenger, and upon all his family members and companions, to proceed… ]

What exactly is this towheed that is so important, that which holds such a high position?

Liguistically, the word towheed comes from the word wah-hada, which means to make something waahid (singular). Waahid is the opposite of two, three, etc., the opposite of plurality. So waahid is something that will continue to be singular and never become a partner of something else. Continue reading →

The Importance of Towheed and the Evil Result of Neglecting It

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Part 1 of a series of translated articles from the book, Lessons from the Noble Quran (pp.5-11) by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), translated by Moosaa Richardson.

[ In the Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His final Messenger, to proceed… ]

Someone may say, and it actually has been said, “What is it with you that you always focus on towheed and you talk so much about it?! You don’t even take into consideration the condition of the Muslims in our day and time, those who are being killed and exiled all over the earth, those being persecuted by the empires of disbelief in every place?!” Continue reading →

Guidelines in Understanding Texts that Warn of Severe Punishments

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In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful…

This article clarifies the understanding of Ahlus-Sunnah regarding important religious texts on the issue of disbelief and the negation of faith, like the following hadeeths:

1) “Insulting a Muslim is fusooq (sinful disobedience), and fighting him is kufr.”

2) “None of you has eemaan until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

3) “The qattaat (tale-carrier) shall not enter Paradise.”

4) “Whoever deceives us is not from us.”

And like the Quranic verse of the murderer (4:93) abiding in the Hellfire, and all other texts threatening of severe punishment for sins that other texts prove do not remove a person from the fold of Islaam. Continue reading →

Why Are We Here?

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In the Name of the Almighty God of the universe, the All-Merciful, the One who created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, the only One who deserves mankind’s worship…

A simple look at the world around us is all it takes to understand what many never take time to reflect upon. The details of this awesome universe we live in undeniably prove the presence of a magnificent and unequalled author. Continue reading →