Friday Sermons from al-Masjid

al-Haraam (1440h)
Translation and annotation by Aboo Shaybah (may Allaah pardon his
shortcomings)

First draft copy circulated 1440h (2019)

This collection contains transcripts based on the live English translations presented
throughout the year 1440h (14 September 2018 until 30 August 2019) at al-Masjid al-Haraam
(the Grand Mosque in Makkah) as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Project for
Live Sermon Translation, implemented by the General Presidency for Affairs of the Grand
Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The sermons are arranged in chronological order. Friday
sermons have been numbered in sequence while sermons delivered on other occasions –
such as rain prayers, ‘Eed, or at ‘Arafah – have been left unnumbered. For additional details,
please see the Translator’s Preface in prior volumes. Comments and corrections can be
emailed to the translator at: saaliheen@gmail.com
We implore Allaah to accept this collection as a righteous deed performed sincerely
for Him, and to render it beneficial to His servants. All praise is due to Allaah by whose favour
righteous deeds are completed, and may Allaah grant His commendation and protection to
our Prophet Muhammad as well as all who continue to follow his path.
 - Aboo Shaybah
Sermon Translations from al-Masjid al-Haraam (1440h)

Table of Contents

1. Allaah’s Sacred Month of Muharram ​..................................................... 1 ​ash-Shaykh Saalih

ibn Humayd | 4 Muharram 1440h (14 September 2018)

2. The Effects of Having a Strong Connection with Allaah ​................ 9 ​ash-Shaykh Faysal
Ghazzaawee | 11 Muharram 1440h (21 September 2018)

3. Understanding the Concept of Saving ​................................................... 16 ​ash-Shaykh Su‘ood

ash-Shuraym | 18 Muharram 1440h (28 September 2018)

4. Attaining Guidance and Success are Contingent on Observing Taqwaa

....................................................... 24 ​ash-Shaykh Usaamah Khayyaat | 25 Muharram 1440h (5 October
2018)

5. Comprehensive Admonitions and Words of Wisdom ​....................... 30 ​ash-Shaykh Saalih ibn

Humayd | 3 Safar 1440h (12 October 2018)

6. The Concept of “Renewal” in Islaam ​.................................................... 35 ​ash-Shaykh

‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 10 Safar 1440h (19 October 2018)

(Prayer for Rain) ​............................................................................................... 41 ​ash-Shaykh

‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 16 Safar 1440h (25 October 2018)

7. Contemplating the Creation of the Heavens and Earth ​.................. 49 ​ash-Shaykh Maahir
al-Mu‘ayqilee | 17 Safar 1440h (26 October 2018)

8. Correcting Understandings and Perspectives ​..................................... 59 ​ash-Shaykh Faysal

Ghazzaawee | 24 Safar 1440h (2 November 2018)

9. The Harms that Words can Cause ​.......................................................... 70 ​ash-Shaykh

Su‘ood ash-Shuraym | 1 Rabee‘ al-Awwal 1440h (9 November 2018)

10. Mercy and its Manifestations ​................................................................. 77 ​ash-Shaykh

Maahir al-Mu‘ayqilee | 8 Rabee‘ al-Awwal 1440h (16 November 2018)
11. The Land of Islaam is Safeguarded with Allaah’s Protection ​...... 85 ​ash-Shaykh Saalih ibn
Humayd | 15 Rabee‘ al-Awwal 1440h (23 November 2018)

12. Sound Conduct ​........................................................................................... 90 ​ash-Shaykh

‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 22 Rabee‘ al-Awwal 1440h (30 November 2018)
13. Avoiding What is of no Concern to a Muslim ​................................... 98 ​ash-Shaykh Usaamah
Khayyaat | 29 Rabee‘ al-Awwal 1440h (7 December 2018)

14. Taking Allaah’s Blessings for Granted ​............................................... 104 ​ash-Shaykh Faysal
Ghazzaawee | 7 Rabee‘ al-Aakhir 1439h (14 December 2017)

15. The Arabic Language ​............................................................................... 111 ​ash-Shaykh

Su’ood ash-Shuraym | 14 Rabee‘ al-Aakhir 1439h (21 December 2018)

16. Being True to Allaah ​................................................................................. 117 ​ash-Shaykh

Maahir al-Mu‘ayqilee | 21 Rabee‘ al-Aakhir 1439h (28 December 2018)

17. Customs, Practices, and Determining What is Acceptable ​........... 124 ​ash-Shaykh Saalih ibn
Humayd | 28 Rabee‘ al-Aakhir 1440h (4 January 2019)

18. Learning Lessons from the Changing and Passage of Seasons ​... 131 ​ash-Shaykh
‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 5 Jumaadaa al-Oolaa 1440h (11 January 2019)

19. Not Opposing Allaah and His Messenger ​r ​..................................... 139 ​ash-Shaykh Usaamah
Khayyaat | 12 Jumaadaa al-Oolaa 1440h (18 January 2019)

20. Returning to What is Right After Doing Wrong ​.............................. 144 ​ash-Shaykh Faysal
Ghazzaawee | 19 Jumaadaa al-Oolaa 1440h (25 January 2019)

21. The Discourse of Hatred ​......................................................................... 151 ​ash-Shaykh

Su‘ood ash-Shuraym | 26 Jumaadaa al-Oolaa 1440h (1 February 2019)

22. Making the Most of Opportunities Allaah Grants Us ​..................... 156 ​ash-Shaykh Maahir
al-Mu‘ayqilee | 3 Jumaadaa al-Aakhirah 1440h (8 February 2019)

23. Understanding Scholarly Differences ​.................................................. 164 ​ash-Shaykh

‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 10 Jumaadaa al-Aakhirah 1440h (15 February 2019)

24. Coming to Our Senses After Being Heedless ​................................... 172 ​ash-Shaykh Saalih ibn
Humayd | 17 Jumaadaa al-Aakhirah 1440h (22 February 2019)

25. Protect Yourselves and Your Families from a Fire ​.......................... 180 ​ash-Shaykh Usaamah
Khayyaat | 24 Jumaadaa al-Aakhirah 1440h (1 March 2019)
26. Whatever is Done for Allaah Will Remain ​.......................................... 187 ​ash-Shaykh Faysal
Ghazzaawee | 1 Rajab 1440h (8 March 2019)

27. Conceit ​.......................................................................................................... 200

ash-Shaykh Su‘ood ash-Shuraym | 8 Rajab 1440h (15 March 2019)
28. Islaam, Peace, and Safety ​........................................................................ 206 ​ash-Shaykh
Maahir al-Mu‘ayqilee | 15 Rajab 1440h (22 March 2019)

29. Encouraging Our Youth and Providing them with Opportunities

................................................... 212 ​ash-Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 22 Rajab 1440h (29 March
2019)

30. The Path to Jannah ​................................................................................... 219 ​ash-Shaykh

Saalih ibn Humayd | 29 Rajab 1440h (5 April 2019)

31. Allaah Does Not Put You Through Hardship By Way Of His Religion
................................................................................. 225 ​ash-Shaykh Usaamah Khayyaat | 7 Sha‘baan
1440h (12 April 2019)

32. The Trial of al-Maseeh ad-Dajjaal ​........................................................ 233 ​ash-Shaykh

Faysal Ghazzaawee | 14 Sha‘baan 1440h (19 April 2019)

33. Pretentiousness ​........................................................................................... 240 ​ash-Shaykh

Su‘ood ash-Shuraym | 21 Sha‘baan 1440h (26 April 2019)

34. The Eagerly Awaited Month of Ramadaan ​....................................... 246 ​ash-Shaykh Maahir
al-Mu‘ayqilee | 28 Sha‘baan 1440h (3 May 2019)

35. Ramadaan: A Month of Initiative ​......................................................... 253 ​ash-Shaykh

‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 5 Ramadaan 1440h (10 May 2019)

36. Some Basic Principles Regarding Doing What is Good ​................ 259 ​ash-Shaykh Faysal
Ghazzaawee | 12 Ramadaan 1440h (17 May 2019)

37. The Last Ten Nights of Ramadaan ​..................................................... 265 ​ash-Shaykh

Usaamah Khayyaat | 19 Ramadaan 1440h (24 May 2019)

38. The Last Ten Nights of Ramadaan and the Prominent Summits in Makkah During them
......................... 271 ​ash-Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 26 Ramadaan 1440h (31 May 2019)

(‘Eed al-Fitr) ‘Eed and Manners of Visiting ​............................................ 278 ​ash-Shaykh Saalih
ibn Humayd | 1 Shawwaal 1440h (4 June 2019)
39. Avoiding Regression After Ramadaan ​................................................ 288 ​ash-Shaykh Su‘ood
ash-Shuraym | 4 Shawwaal 1440h (7 June 2019)

40. Live With Your Spouses Kindly and Fulfil Their Rights ​............... 293 ​ash-Shaykh Maahir
al-Mu‘ayqilee | 11 Shawwaal 1440h (14 June 2019)
41. Eyesight and Insight ​................................................................................ 302 ​ash-Shaykh
Faysal Ghazzaawee | 18 Shawwaal 1440h (21 June 2019)

42. Being Grateful to Allaah ​.......................................................................... 309 ​ash-Shaykh

Saalih ibn Humayd | 25 Shawwaal 1440h (28 June 2019)

43. Lessons from the Farewell Hajj Sermon ​............................................ 317 ​ash-Shaykh
Usaamah Khayyaat | 2 Thul-Qa‘dah 1440h (5 July 2019)

44. Knowing Allaah ​.......................................................................................... 326 ​ash-Shaykh

Faysal Ghazzaawee | 9 Thul-Qa‘dah 1440h (12 July 2019)

(Lunar Eclipse) ​................................................................................................. 334 ​ash-Shaykh

‘Abdullaah al-Juhanee | 13 Thul-Qa‘dah 1440h (16 July 2019)

45. The Talbiyah of Tawheed ​....................................................................... 338 ​ash-Shaykh

Su‘ood ash-Shuraym | 16 Thul-Qa‘dah 1440h (19 July 2019)

46. Revering the Rites and Sites that Allaah Made Sacred ​.................. 343 ​ash-Shaykh
‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays | 23 Thul-Qa‘dah 1440h (26 July 2019)

47. The First Ten Days of Thul-Hijjah ​...................................................... 349 ​ash-Shaykh Maahir
al-Mu‘ayqilee | 1 Thul-Hijjah 1440h (2 August 2019)

48. Tranquility ​................................................................................................... 356 ​ash-Shaykh

Su‘ood ash-Shuraym | 8 Thul-Hijjah 1440h (9 August 2019)

(‘Arafah) Manifestations of Allaah’s Mercy and Means to Attaining it

.............................................................................. 362 ​ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Hasan aal
ash-Shaykh | 9 Thul-Hijjah 1440h (10 August 2019)

(‘Eed al-Adhaa) ​................................................................................................. 379 ​ash-Shaykh

Su‘ood ash-Shuraym | 10 Thul-Hijjah 1440h (11 August 2019)

49. When You Have Completed Your Rites of Hajj, Make Mention of Allaah
................................................................................. 391 ​ash-Shaykh Maahir al-Mu‘ayqilee | 15
Thul-Hijjah 1440h (16 August 2019)

50. The Heart’s Soundness ​............................................................................ 400 ​ash-Shaykh

Saalih ibn Humayd | 22 Thul-Hijjah 1440h (23 August 2019)

51. None of Us Will Enter Jannah Only Due to Our Deeds ​................ 410 ​ash-Shaykh Faysal
Ghazzaawee | 29 Thul-Hijjah 1440h (30 August 2019)

Fitnah (Trials and Strife): Types, Realities, Dangers, and Means of Protection ​... 419 ​from a series of lectures at
al-Masjid al-Haraam by ash-Shaykh Sulaymaan ibn ‘Abdillaah Abal-Khayl

1. Allaah’s Sacred Month of Muharram

ash-Shaykh Maahir al-Mu‘ayqilee 4 Muharram 1440h (14
September 2018)

Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him, seek His assistance, and ask His
forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evils of our own souls and from the evil
consequences of our actions. If Allaah guides someone, none can lead that person astray,
and if Allaah leaves someone to stray, none can guide him. I testify that none has the right to
be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any partner, and I testify that Muhammad is
Allaah’s worshipping servant and Messenger.

{ _ ^ ] \ [ Z Y X W V U T z ​“​People of eemaan, observe taqwaa of Allaah as He

rightfully deserves, and do not die except submitting to Allaah in Islaam​.”​1

{ RQ P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A

^ ] \ [ Z YX W V U T S z ​“​Mankind, observe taqwaa of your Lord who

created you from a single person, and from him created his spouse and then spread from the two
of them multitudes of men and women. Observe taqwaa of Allaah by whom you make requests of
one another, and do not sever ties of kinship. Indeed, Allaah is always watchful over you​.”​2

{ ¥¤ £ ¢ ¡ ​ ~ } | { z y x w v u

® ¬ « a © ̈ § ¦ z “​People of eemaan, observe taqwaa of Allaah and

speak words that are correct. If you do so, Allaah will guide you to perform righteous deeds, and
forgive your sins. When a person obeys Allaah and His Messenger, he will achieve the greatest
success​.”​3
Dear Muslims, observe taqwaa of Allaah, the Most Exalted. Observing taqwaa is the
most virtuous accomplishment, and being obedient to Allaah is the most noble ascription a
person can have. Allaah said,
1​
Soorah Aali ‘Imraan (3):102. 2​ ​Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):1.

3​
Soorah al-Ahzaab (33):71.

1
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2 ± ° ̄® ¬ « a © ̈ § z “​People of eemaan, observe taqwaa of Allaah and

continue to maintain your eemaan in Allaah’s Messenger. If you do so, Allaah will grant you a
doubled portion of His mercy, grant you a light by which you would be guided, and forgive your
sins. Allaah certainly forgives His servants who repent to Him and He bestows His mercy upon
them​.”​1
Dear Ummah of Islaam, Allaah favoured some of His creation, and He granted
some more virtue than others. He said,

{ 3 2 ± ° ̄ ́ 1 ̧ ¶ μ z “​Your Lord creates whatever He wills, and He chooses

to grant favour as He wills. No one else has any say in what He does or chooses.​”2​ ​Allaah favoured
the locations of Makkah and al-Madeenah, and He also blessed the surroundings of Bayt
al-Maqdis. Allaah also favoured certain times, days, and months. During them, He bestows
grace upon His servants which He does not grant at other times. Thus, the truly fortunate
person is the one who seizes those opportunities by performing additional acts of worship so
as to draw nearer to Allaah and attain His bounty.
The inviolable months are among the times which Allaah has favoured, and He drew
attention to them in the Qur’aan. He made them inviolable since the day He created the

heavens and the Earth. Allaah, the Almighty, said, ​{ £ ¢ ¡ ​ ~ } | { z y x w v u t

° ̄ ® ¬ «a © ̈ §¦ ¥ ¤ z “​Indeed, the number of months Allaah decreed is twelve

months, recorded with Him since the day He created the heavens and the Earth. Among them are
four which are inviolable. That is the upright and correct religion. Therefore, you must not
wrong yourselves during those months​.”​3 ​Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said
that Allaah designated four months as inviolable, emphasized their sanctity, made the sin for
wrongdoing during them greater than at other times, and made the reward for righteous
deeds during them greater than at other times as well.​4

1​
Soorah al-Hadeed (57):28. 2​ ​Soorah al-Qasas (28):68. 3​

Soorah at-Tawbah (9):36. 4​ ​See Jaami‘ al-Bayaan

(11/444).

2
Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) clarified
those months in a momentous sermon he delivered during the Farewell Hajj. He said, “Time
has returned to being as it was the day Allaah created the heavens and the Earth. A year has
twelve months and four of them are inviolable. Three of the four are consecutive –
Thul-Qa‘dah, Thul-Hijjah, then Muharram – and there is also Rajab of Mudar, which is
between Jumaadaa and Sha‘baan.” This was collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.​1
Thus, the month of Muharram is one that Allaah granted exclusive virtues and He
ascribed it to Himself. Additionally, the Arab people during the pre-Islaamic period of
ignorance revered this month, and referred to it as a month of peace and quiet because
fighting ceased during it due to how sacred they held it to be.
Dear people of eemaan, reverence for the inviolable months was a feature that
existed among the people in the age of ignorance prior to Islaam and was even passed down
among them. Therefore, what should the state of a person be if he is someone whom Allaah
has granted guidance and made him pleased with Allaah as his Lord, Islaam as his religion,
and Muhammad (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) as his Prophet and
Messenger? Is it not fitting for such a person to revere what Allaah and His Messenger (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection) have sanctified and made inviolable? Is it not
fitting for a Muslim to give the inviolable months proper reverence by restraining himself from
sins, avoiding channels leading to wrongdoing and transgression, overcoming disobedient
inclinations, and staying clear of the snares of shaytaan?
Wronging oneself is impermissible in general, and its prohibition is even further
emphasized during the inviolable months. That is because perpetrating wrongdoing during
such a time combines defiance towards Allaah by committing sins, along with violating what
Allaah has given sanctity.
The worst wrong a person can do to himself is to commit shirk (i.e. devote worship

to other than Allaah). Luqmaan told his son, ​{ b a `_ ^ ] \ d c z “​​ My beloved young son, do
not devote worship to other than Allaah. Indeed, shirk is the worst form of wrongdoing.​”2​ ​Thus,
shirk is the gravest of wrongdoing and it is the sin for which Allaah would not forgive a person
if he passes away while still committing it. Allaah said,

{~}|{zyxwvutsrz

1​
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3197), Saheeh Muslim (1679). 2​ ​Soorah Luqmaan
(31):13.

3
“​Indeed, Allaah does not forgive people if they worship anything besides Him, but He forgives
anything less for whomever He wills.​”1​ ​The sin of shirk becomes all the more grave when the
person who commits it knows and acknowledges that Allaah, the Most Majestic, is his
Creator. In the Two Saheeh collections, there is a hadeeth from ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood (may
Allaah be pleased with him) who said, “I asked Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) which sin is gravest to Allaah. He replied, ‘For you to ascribe a
partner to Allaah although He alone is the One who created you’.”​2
Servants of Allaah, another form of wronging oneself is to neglect what Allaah
obligated or perpetrate what He forbade. By doing such things, a person violates the bounds
set by his Creator and, thus, leads himself to his own demise. Allaah said,

{ e d c b a ` _ z ​“​If someone transgresses Allaah’s bounds, that person

has indeed wronged himself.​”3​
Dear Muslims, one of the immense favours Allaah granted His obedient servants is
that He made the last month of the year one of worship and obedience, and He made the first
month of the year one of worship and obedience as well. Thus, a person of eemaan should
commence his year by obeying Allaah and conclude it by obeying Allaah. Among the best
deeds a Muslim should endeavour to perform during Allaah’s sacred month of Muharram – as
well as in all other months in general – are: sincerely devoting all worship to Allaah alone
without any partner, as well as seeking to draw near to Him by performing all obligatory deeds
and performing many optional ones. When someone does those things, he would succeed in
attaining Allaah’s love. A hadeeth qudsee​4 ​mentions that Allaah said, “My servant does not
draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the obligatory deeds I have
prescribed for him. My servant also continues to draw near to Me with optional deeds until I
love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees,
his hand with which he grasps, and his foot with which he walks. If he were to ask something
of Me, I would surely give it to him; and if he were to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant
him refuge.” This was collected by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh.​5

1​
Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):48, 116. 2​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4477), Saheeh Muslim (86). 3​ ​Soorah at-Talaaq (65):1.

4​
A hadeeth in which the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) narrates something
​ that

Allaah said. ​5 ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6502).

4
Among the optional deeds that merit the greatest of rewards is fasting. The Prophet
(may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, “If someone fasts for one day in
Allaah’s path, Allaah would keep that person’s face seventy year’s distance away from the
hellfire.” This was collected by al- Bukhaaree and Muslim.​1
Furthermore, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
informed us that fasting in Allaah’s sacred month of Muharram is one of the greatest acts of
obedience that draws a person nearer to Allaah. Muslim collected in his Saheeh that the
Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) was asked which prayers are
most virtuous after the obligatory ones, and which fasting is most virtuous after fasting
Ramadaan? He replied, “The most virtuous prayer after the obligatory ones is prayer in the
depths of the night, and the most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadaan is fasting in
Allaah’s sacred month of Muharram.”​2 ​Al-Qurtubee (may Allaah have mercy upon him)
commented that fasting Muharram is the most virtuous fasting since it comes at the beginning
of the year, and commencing a year by fasting is among the most virtuous of deeds.​3
Allaah said, ​{ xwvutsr

​~}|{zy

¦¥¤£¢¡

± ° ̄ ® ¬ « a © ̈ § z “​Indeed, as it relates to the men and women who submit to

Allaah in Islaam, who have eemaan, who remain devoted to Allaah, who are honest in their
speech and actions, who patiently persevere, who are humble before their Lord, who give in
charity, who fast, who guard their chastity, and who remember Allaah much with their hearts,
words, and limbs – Allaah has prepared for them forgiveness and a magnificent reward.​”4​
May Allaah bless us all by the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and may He enable us to glean
benefit from the aayaat and wisdom they contain. I say this much and I implore Allaah to
forgive me and all of you. Thus, ask His forgiveness since He is continually forgiving.

1​
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2840), Saheeh Muslim (1153). 2​ ​Saheeh Muslim

(1163). 3​ ​See al-Mufhim (3/235). 4​ ​Soorah al-Ahzaab (33):35.

5
!!!

All praise is due to Allaah. His kindness is immense, His favours are abundant, and
His generosity is boundless. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except
Allaah alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah’s worshipping
servant and Messenger. O Allaah, grant Your commendation and protection to him, as well as
to all of his family and Companions.
Dear people of eemaan, the tenth day in Allaah’s sacred month of Muharram has
long been a day of special virtue and sanctity since Allaah saved His Prophet Moosaa from
Fir‘awn and his followers on that day. As a result, the Prophet Moosaa (may Allaah grant him
continued protection) would fast the tenth day in the month of Muharram – referred to as
‘Aashooraa’ – and he did that out of gratitude to Allaah, the Most Exalted.
In Saheeh Muslim, there is a hadeeth in which ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased
with him) narrated that when Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) came to al-Madeenah, he found that the Jews there fasted the day of ‘Aashooraa’.
Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) asked them, “What
day is this that you fast?” They replied, “It is a momentous day. On it, Allaah saved Moosaa
and his people, and also drowned Fir‘awn and his followers. As a result, Moosaa fasted it out
of gratitude, and that is why we fast it as well.” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) said, “We have even more right to Moosaa and are more
entitled to him than you are.” Afterwards, Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) fasted that day and gave the command for it to be a day of
fasting.​1
In Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, there is a hadeeth in which ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be
pleased with him) narrated that he never saw Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) specify any single day for fasting, regarding it as superior to
other days, besides ‘Aashooraa’.​2
Servants of Allaah, the Sunnah as it relates to fasting ‘Aashooraa’ is to fast the day
prior to it as well. Muslim collected in his Saheeh from ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said,
“If I remain alive until next year, I will most certainly fast the ninth.”​3
In addition, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) was
once asked about the virtue of fasting ‘Aashooraa’ and he

1​
Saheeh Muslim (1130). 2​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

(2006). 3​ ​Saheeh Muslim (1134).

6
replied, “I hope from Allaah that it would lead to being forgiven for the sins committed during
the previous year.” This was collected by Muslim.​1 ​It is undoubtedly an immense blessing from
Allaah that He made fasting just one day a source of being forgiven for an entire year. Allaah
is certainly the possessor of infinite bounty. Thus, people of eemaan, we must be keen to
seize these opportunities that Allaah grants us, and do our utmost to earn His reward during
them. The truly prudent person is the one who takes account of himself and works in
preparation for what comes after death, whereas the truly imprudent person is the one who
lets his soul follow its own inclinations and has false hopes about what he will receive from
Allaah.
People of eemaan, in conclusion, remember that Allaah gave you an instruction in

which He mentioned Himself first. Allaah, the Most Majestic, said, ​{ o n m l k j i hg f e d c

b z ​“​Indeed, Allaah grants His commendation to the Prophet, and the angels invoke
​ Allaah to
grant him even further commendation. People of eemaan, invoke Allaah to grant the Prophet
commendation and to grant him protection as well.​”2​
O Allaah, grant commendation to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad just as
You granted commendation to Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem. Indeed, You are Most
Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad just
as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem. Indeed, You are Most Praiseworthy,
Most Glorious.
O Allaah, be pleased with the Prophet’s four rightly guided successors – Aboo Bakr,
‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan, and ‘Alee – as well as all the other Companions and those who follow their
path until the Day of Reckoning. O Allaah, Most Merciful, by Your grace, favour, and
kindness, we implore You to also be pleased with us along with them.
O Allaah, grant strength to Islaam and its people, weaken shirk and those who
perpetrate it, and protect the lands of Islaam. Allow this land as well as all lands of Muslims to
be ones that are safe, tranquil, prosperous, and generous.
O Allaah, You are the Ever-Living Self-Sufficient Sustainer of all. We seek relief by
Your mercy, we implore You to rectify all of our circumstances, and we ask You to not leave
us to ourselves for even the blink of an eye.
O Allaah, relieve the Muslims who are in distress, alleviate their difficulties, settle
their debts, and cure the ailing among us and among all Muslims. O Allaah, You are the Most
Majestic and Most Generous. We implore You, out of Your mercy, to rectify the conditions of
Muslims in all places.

1​
Saheeh Muslim (1162). 2​ ​Soorah al-Ahzaab

(33):56.

7
O Allaah, You are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy. We ask You to make the coming
year one of peace and safety for us, and one that contains much goodness and many
blessings.
O Allaah, You are the Ever-Living Self-Sufficient Sustainer of all. O Allaah, Lord of
all creation, bless our leader with Your guidance and support, and grant him the best of
rewards on behalf of Islaam and Muslims. O Allaah, guide him and his deputy to all that You
love and are pleased with. O Allaah, the Most Merciful of all who show mercy, we beseech
You to guide all leaders of Muslims to all that You love and are pleased with.
O Allaah, if people seek to harm us, our lands, our safety, or our security personnel,
we beseech You to turn the plots of such hostile people back against themselves. We call
upon You: the Almighty, Most Powerful, Most Majestic, and Most Kind. O Allaah, grant
assistance and victory to our troops who defend the borders of our nation. O Allaah, assist
them against Your enemy and their enemy. O Allaah, Most Merciful of all who show mercy,
we ask You to return them to us safely and having earned Your reward.
O Allaah, Most Merciful of all who show mercy, we ask You to forgive the people of
Islaam and eemaan, men and women alike, whether alive or deceased.
Our Lord is Almighty and He is exalted above every falsehood people may ascribe
to Him. He grants protection to all of His Messengers, and all praise is due to Allaah, the Lord
of all creation.

8
2. The Effects of Having a Strong Connection
with Allaah
ash-Shaykh Faysal Ghazzaawee 11 Muharram 1440h (21
September 2018)
 ...Throughout all that a person of eemaan does, and no matter what circumstances
he finds himself in, he will always remain dependent upon Allaah, his Creator and Guardian
Lord. Allaah is the One who provides him with assistance, the One whom he must rely on,
and the One to whom he must resort. A true worshipping servant is one who remains humble
towards Allaah and sincerely devoted to Him. When a servant of Allaah is consistently
obedient to his Lord and maintains a strong connection with Him, that servant would be
granted sound guidance, firm resolve, additional strength, direction to his Lord’s path, and
adherence to his Lord’s religion.
The Prophet Hood (may Allaah grant him continued protection) told those to whom
he was sent,

{ÈÇÆÅÄÃ

Ê É Ó Ò Ñ Ð Ï Î Í Ì Ë z ​“​My people, if you seek your Lord’s forgiveness and repent to

Him, He will send abundant rains for you and make you stronger than you already are. Thus, do
not turn away, persisting in your transgression.​”1​ ​It should be noted that Hood told his people
that Allaah would “​make you stronger than you already are​” although his people were among
the strongest of mankind. Allaah informed us that they had even said about themselves,

{ e d c b z ​“​Who is there that is stronger than us?​”2​ ​The Prophet

Hood promised them that if they had sound beliefs and performed righteous deeds, Allaah
would grant them additional strength.
It can be understood from the aforementioned aayah that when Allaah’s forgiveness
is sought and sins are abandoned, that is a means to attaining provision, prosperity, and
increased strength. Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that when
someone consistently seeks Allaah’s forgiveness, Allaah would enable him to attain provision
with ease, facilitate

1​
Soorah Hood (11):52. 2​ ​Soorah Fussilat (41):15.

9
matters for him, protect him, and preserve his strength.​1
Faatimah (may Allaah be pleased with her) once asked the Prophet (may Allaah
grant him commendation and protection) for a servant, but he told her as well as her husband,
‘Alee, “Should I not direct the two of you to something even better than what you requested?
When you go to bed, say ‘subhaanallaah’ (Allaah is perfect in every way) thirty-three times,
say ‘al-hamdu lillaah’ (all praise is due to Allaah) thirty-three times, and say ‘allaahu akbar’
(Allaah is the greatest) thirty-four times. That would be better for both of you than a servant’.”
This was collected by al-Bukhaaree from ‘Alee (may Allaah be pleased with him).​2
Thus, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) directed his
daughter, Faatimah (may Allaah be pleased with her), to those words of thikr which would
provide her with physical strength and enable her to do even more than a servant would be
able to. Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that the statement in the
hadeeth “Should I not direct the two of you to something even better than what you
requested?” shows that when someone is consistent in making thikr of Allaah, that person
would be granted even greater strength than could be obtained from a servant working for
him, or matters would be made easier for him to take care of by himself than they would be
for a servant.​3
Dear Muslims, Allaah’s obedient servants are aware and certain of the fact that thikr
of Allaah is a source of nourishment for them, and that the need their souls have for
nourishment is even greater than the need of their bodies. In fact, when their souls are
nourished, their bodies attain strength as well. Thus, their hearts remain attached to Allaah
and their tongues constantly mention Him. In Saheeh Muslim, there is a hadeeth from Jaabir
ibn Samurah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who narrated that when the Prophet (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection) finished praying Fajr, he would sit until the
sun had risen quite a bit.”​4 ​Abul-‘Abbaas al-Qurtubee (may Allaah have mercy upon him)
commented that what was done by the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) shows that it is mustahabb (i.e. an optional yet encouraged righteous deed) for a
person to remain in his place of prayer after completing Fajr in order to engage in thikr and
du‘aa’ until sunrise. That interval is a time during which prayers are not to be performed. It is
an interval that comes after a prayer that was witnessed, and before the activities of the day
begin. Thus, thikr and du‘aa’ at that time can take place while one has a clear heart, an
attentive mind, and comprehension of what he is saying. Those are factors due to which one
can hope that his du‘aa’ would be accepted and his

1​
See Tafseer al-Qur’aan al-‘Atheem (4/329). 2​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

(3113), Saheeh Muslim (2727). 3​ ​See Fath al-Baaree (9/506). 4​ ​Saheeh

Muslim (670).

10
words of thikr would be heard.​ 1

Al-Waleed ibn Muslim said, “I saw al-Awzaa‘ee remain in his place of prayer
engaged in thikr of Allaah until sunrise. He would narrate to us that this was the practice of
the Salaf (the foremost generations of Islaam prior to their time), and that once the sun had
risen, they would interact with each other and engage in even more thikr of Allaah by learning
about His religion.”
 Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy upon him) related an encounter he had with
his teacher, ibn Taymiyyah (may Allaah have mercy upon him). Ibn al-Qayyim said, “I was
once present with Shaykh al-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah when he prayed Fajr and then sat
engaged in thikr of Allaah, the Most Exalted, until near the middle of the day. He then turned
to me and said, ‘This is my morning meal. If I do not have this morning meal, I would lose my
strength,’ or a statement to that effect.”​2
When a person accustoms himself to this deed and begins his day devoted to his
Guardian Lord with words of thikr, humble before his Lord and desirous of His reward, what
do you think the rest of that person’s day would be like, what state would he be in, and how
much vitality would he have?
It is an established fact that thikr strengthens the heart, as well as the body in
general. Thus, what would the result be when thikr by way of words is combined with thikr by
way of deeds? Consider the night prayer, for instance. It combines both those forms of thikr.
In fact, it combines many forms of thikr: reciting Qur’aan, making du‘aa’, glorifying Allaah, and
so on. There is no doubt that all of those increase the strength of a person’s body and soul.
The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) was keen to perform
prayer at night. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection) would stand to pray at night until cracks
appeared on his feet. Thus, ‘Aa’ishah asked, “Messenger of Allaah, you exert yourself this
much although your past and future sins have been forgiven?” He replied, “Should I not desire
to be a grateful worshipping servant?” This was collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.​3
This act of worship nourishes and strengthens the soul, and it also trains one to
have strong resolve. Thus, it is no surprise to find the remarkable level of perseverance which
the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) had in dealing with
difficulties he encountered in Allaah’s path, confronting turmoil and harm, and facing the
schemes of enemies. Allaah, the Most Exalted, said to him,

{ponmlkjihgfedcz

1​
See al-Mufhim (2/295). 2​ ​See al-Waabil as-Sayyib (pg. 96). 3​ ​Saheeh

al-Bukhaaree (4837), Saheeh Muslim (2820).

11
“​We know that your heart becomes constricted because of all they say. Nonetheless, glorify and
praise your Lord, and be among those who bow down to Him in prostration.​”1​ ​In other words:
place full reliance upon Allaah, your Creator, since He will suffice you and grant you victory
over them. Thus, remain steadfast in thikr of Allaah, praising Him, proclaiming His perfection,
and worshipping Him; and all of those happen when you establish prayer as prescribed. This
is understood from the statement of Allaah, “​Glorify and praise your Lord, and be among those
who bow down to Him in prostration​.” As a result, when any matter distressed Allaah’s
Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), he would pray. Prayer
provides a person with the most effective assistance in remaining steadfast. Allaah told His
Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection),

{2±° ̄®¬«a3

1 ̧ ¶ μ ́ o» ​3⁄4 1⁄2 1⁄4 z ​“​Recite and follow what has been revealed to you of this
Qur’aan, and establish prayer as prescribed. Indeed, prayer in that manner prevents people
from immorality and wrongdoing. Furthermore, thikr of Allaah is greatest.​”2​
In addition, Allaah consoled His Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) by informing him about the example set by another righteous
servant and chosen Prophet of Allaah. It was the example of strength in worship set by the
Prophet Daawood (may Allaah grant him continued protection). Allaah, the Almighty, said,

{ I H G F E D C B A ​J ​L K z ​“​Patiently bear what they say and remember

Our servant, the Prophet Daawood, who was endowed with power. He was constantly penitent
and he consistently repented to Allaah.​”3​
As-Sa‘dee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that the lessons and
wisdom from the narrative about Daawood include the fact that Allaah, the Most Exalted,
commends and loves for His servants to obey Him with strength: both spiritual and physical
strength. That strength allows for performing acts of obedience properly and plentifully, as
well as having the effects of those acts come to fruition. This cannot happen while in a state
of weakness and lack of strength. Additionally, a servant of Allaah has to pursue

1​
Soorah al-Hijr (15):97-98. 2​ ​Soorah al-‘Ankaboot

(29):45. 3​ ​Soorah Saad (38):17.

12
the necessary means to his objective. He must not be complacent or lazy since those
diminish one’s strength and weaken the soul.​1
Our Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) did not restrict
himself to only one method of strengthening his connection with Allaah. Rather, he used
various methods. In Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, there is a hadeeth narrated by Aboo Hurayrah
(may Allaah be pleased with him) in which he said, “Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant
him commendation and protection) prohibited people from connecting one day of fasting to
the next without eating anything in between. As a result, one of the men among the Muslims
said, ‘Messenger of Allaah, you connect one day of fasting to the next without eating in
between.’ He replied, ‘Who among you is like me? Throughout the night, my Lord provides
me with food and drink’.”​2 ​This means that he remained occupied contemplating the
magnificence of his Lord, and nourished by the knowledge, solace, and devotion which came
from that rather than from food and drink. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy upon him)
commented that those forms of nourishment can be far greater than physical nourishment of
the body. If a person is genuine in his love for Allaah and has experienced that nourishment,
that person would know that the nourishment given to the heart and soul can very well suffice
a person from needing many forms of physical nourishment, especially in the case of
someone who is overjoyed by achieving his utmost objective which is drawing nearer to
Allaah whom he loves more than all else.​3
Servants of Allaah, thikr is a foundation in all acts of worship, and it is the easiest
form of worship for a person of eemaan to engage in. Thus, it would only be right for a
worshipping servant to fulfil Allaah’s command in which He said,

{ Ò Ñ Ð Ï Î Í Ì z ​“​People of eemaan, engage in much thikr of Allaah.​”4​ ​Ibn

‘Atiyyah (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that Allaah did not place any limit on
that because of how easy it is for His servant to do as well as how immense of a reward it
merits.​5
Dear Muslims, the heart has certain nourishment that it requires in order for it to
remain strong. That nourishment takes the form of having correct beliefs about Allaah and
performing righteous deeds. The more of that a person has, the stronger his heart would be
and the more steadfast he would be in

1​
See Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan (pg. 712). 2​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

(1965), Saheeh Muslim (1103). 3​ ​See Zaad al-Ma‘aad (2/31). 4​ ​Soorah

al-Ahzaab (33):41. 5​ ​Al-Muharrar al-Wajeez (4/388).

13
adhering to the truth.
True life is life of the heart. However, the heart’s life cannot come to completion
without doing the deeds that please Allaah. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) said, “The likeness of someone who engages in thikr of his
Lord versus someone who does not, is that of the living verses the deceased.” This was
collected by al-Bukhaaree.​1
When the heart has a connection with Allaah and constantly returns to Him, it will
attain unimaginable nourishment and delight. However, when a person is heedless of his Lord
and diverted from obeying Him, that person’s heart will die. Thus, without obedience to
Allaah, a person’s heart will not find rest and his mind will not find peace.
 By Allaah’s permission, the acts of worship that a servant of Allaah performs are
means to providing him with peace, perseverance, and steadfastness; ridding him of distress,
frustration, and sorrow; and rescuing him from whatever suffering he may feel due to the
adversities of this world.
I say this much and I implore Allaah to forgive me and all of you. Thus, seek His
forgiveness as He is certainly the Most Forgiving, the Bestower of mercy.

!!!

...Servants of Allaah, among the greatest fruits of eemaan are: a strong connection
with Allaah, recognizing one’s constant need for Him, remaining devoted to Him, finding
solace with Him, and being a worshipping servant to Him whether times are difficult or easy.
A strong connection with Allaah allows a person to steadfastly obey Allaah and comply with
His directives. When a person does that, he would be rewarded with the fine life that Allaah
promised the people of eemaan. Allaah, the Most Exalted, said,

{ ed c b a ` _ ~ } | { z y

k j i h g f z ​“​If anyone, whether man or woman, performs righteous deeds

while having sound beliefs, We shall indeed grant them a fine life in this world and We shall
certainly reward them in the hereafter according to the best of their deeds​.”​2
Remaining attached to Allaah and maintaining a strong connection with Him nurture
a person so that he performs righteous deeds; holds himself

1​
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6407). 2​ ​Soorah an-Nahl

(16):97.

14
accountable for whatever he does, no matter how big or small it might seem; and bears
in mind that Allaah always sees him, giving that precedence over what anyone else may
think of him.
A strong connection with Allaah encourages a person to do what is right, be keen to not
neglect what benefits him, and regret missing out on any goodness he had attained at
other times when he may have been stronger.
My dear brothers, when a person protects his limbs from doing what Allaah prohibited,
Allaah will increase him in strength and allow him to continue benefitting from his limbs.
This is something any person of eemaan would hope for. Part of a supplication that the
Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) used to say was,
 1⁄4​ 1⁄4 ​ 1⁄4​
å3Ñ3∏₣Ü3Ü₣^3Í å3v å3Ñ​ [À ̈1⁄2p3Þ å3á å 3x₣Z3Í3Þ å3Ñ​ iå3É
3​ 1⁄4​ 1⁄4​ 1⁄4 ​
₣e​ à​ Z å3Ñ₣| ∏3v3Þ , åÀÑ​ v 3Ú​ Ó3 ̈rÓ 1⁄2 ́ ₣Ç3|₣]Ó3Þ “Bless us to
benefit from our hearing, sight, and strength throughout the life You grant us, and allow
that blessing to remain all the way until we leave this world.” In that supplication, we ask
Allaah to enable us to benefit from our hearing, sight, and all other senses and faculties,
whether inward or outward. This means we are asking Allaah to enable us to use them
to obey Him throughout our entire lives. When a person fulfils his duty to Allaah while
young and strong, Allaah will protect that person when he grows old and weak, and
Allaah will bless him to benefit from his hearing, sight, senses, limbs, strength, and
mind.
15
3. Understanding the Concept of Saving
ash-Shaykh Su‘ood ash-Shuraym 18 Muharram 1440h (28
September 2018)

All praise is due to Allaah. He is the One who restores life to the deceased. His light
fills the heavens and the earths. He has complete knowledge of the past, present, and future.
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any
partner. He is the One to whom we must devote all glorification, prayers, and righteous
deeds. I further bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah’s worshipping servant and Messenger.
He called people to Allaah using sound guidance and clear evidences. Allaah granted him
concise and articulate speech. By way of his message, Allaah united those who were divided.
He conveyed his Lord’s message, fulfilled all that was entrusted to him, and continued to
worship his Lord until he departed from this world. O Allaah, grant Your commendation and
protection to him, as well as to his immaculate family, his wives who were the mothers of the
mu’mineen, his noble Companions who steadfastly followed his religion, and all who continue
to follow their path.
My dear audience, observe taqwaa of your Lord as He rightfully deserves,
steadfastly adhere to His religion, and realize that a person without taqwaa is like a body
without a soul. When someone desires to attain guidance from Allaah, Allaah guides that
person to observe taqwaa (i.e. fulfil Allaah’s commands and avoid His prohibitions). Allaah
said,

{ È Ç Æ Å Ä Ã z ​“​As for those who accept Allaah’s guidance, He

increases them in guidance and directs them to the deeds which would protect them from
punishment.​”1​
Servants of Allaah, people give utmost interest to the sources of their livelihood and
provision. It is an interest that occupies a large portion of their thinking throughout each day
and night. It is an interest that can lead people to become quite distressed and also greedy.
The extent of people’s concern about their livelihood can make them either lazy or diligent,
greedy or content, negligent or excessive, complacent or reliant upon Allaah while pursuing
necessary means. People may fail to bear in mind that blessings in this world do not remain
permanently. The circumstances of life fluctuate between difficulty

1​
Soorah Muhammad (47):17.

16
and ease, adversity and prosperity, bitter and sweet. It is impossible for things to always
remain one way. Our Lord told us,

{ m l k j i h r q p o n ​y x w v u t s z “​​ Allaah is the One who created you

from an initial stage of weakness. He decreed that after weakness you would have strength then,
after that strength, would come weakness and old age.​”1​
Not only that, people may lack a correct concept of provision and how to go about
seeking it. They may not call to mind the fact that Allaah – our Almighty Lord who provides for
all of us – instructed us to seek out His provision, earn a living, and pursue the means
necessary to bring about balance in people’s economies and livelihoods. Among those
means is saving for the future.
Servants of Allaah, the term “savings” refers to the portion of a person’s earnings
that remains after taking care of all expenses. Servants of Allaah, having savings is a very
important economic principle that ensures the stability of livelihood and finances at both the
individual and societal levels. Changes in life are inevitable and this is a reality that Allaah has
decreed. Thus, exercising caution and being prepared are qualities that Islaam’s teachings
encourage in order to protect people from financial difficulties which may drive them to steal
or engage in usury – both of which are major sins – or to ask of others, beg, or constantly be
in debt.
Servants of Allaah, having savings comes from a combination of two factors: one is
being convinced that saving is a necessity, and the other is spending in a manner that fosters
saving.
May Allaah grant all of you His protection. Being convinced that saving is a
necessity comes about by properly understanding the texts of Islaam which establish that
having savings is prescribed by Islaam, vital for people, and necessary for an economy to
operate. The soundness of a person’s living depends on how balanced he is in spending on
himself and his dependents.
As for spending in a manner that fosters saving, it lies at the core of being
successful in having savings. It comes about from a person distinguishing between essentials
and non-essentials in life, according to the five rulings of Islaam, and then basing his
spending on that. The five rulings of Islaam being referred to are: waajib (obligatory),
muharram (prohibited), mustahabb (encouraged, but not obligatory), makrooh (discouraged,
but not prohibited), and mubaah (permissible).

1​
Soorah ar-Room (30):54.

17
When a person bears all of that in mind and acts in accordance with it, the financial facets of
his life would be set in order based on three foundations: sound personal spending, giving to
others appropriately, and saving for the future. All of these are mentioned in the statement of
Allaah, the Most Majestic, {​ ̈ § ¦ ¥ ¤ £ ¢ ¡ © ​« a​¬

± ° ̄ ® z “​You may eat from the fruits of the crops when they
ripen, you must give the obligatory charity which is due from them on the day of their harvest,
and you must not be wasteful or extravagant. Indeed, Allaah does not love those who overstep
His bounds by wastefulness and extravagance.​”1​ ​Personal spending is understood from the
portion “​you may eat from the fruits of the crops.​” Giving to others is understood from the
portion “​you must give the obligatory charity which is due from them on the day of their harvest.​”
Saving for the future is understood from the portion “​you must not be wasteful or extravagant.​”
Therefore, servants of Allaah, what do you think the state of a society would be if its
individuals properly understood this comprehensive system? Do you think it would be in need,
unstable, or ensnared by poverty? Most certainly not. When an individual sows the seeds of
pursuing the necessary means prescribed by Islaam, he will reap the fruits of balance and
stability, and he would not be negligent or excessive. Spending according to one’s own
needs, supporting others who are in need, and saving as a precaution for times of need are
three elements of financial balance for individuals and entire societies. The Prophet (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection) mentioned them together in his statement,
“Eat, feed others, and store some.” This was collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.​2
Unbalanced allocation of finances among essentials and non-essentials is
undoubtedly a direct cause of amassing debts by individuals, who are the building blocks of
society, and those debts will eventually become unbearable. This is why sound economic
development does not aim to achieve any objective that lacks proper distribution of wealth, or
proper savings. Having a correct concept of savings is an essential foundation in taking
precautionary measures related to finances and livelihood, since savings provide a means for
safeguarding individuals as well as the entire society. Those who understand the concept of
savings would give importance to retaining a portion of their income as a means of alleviating
potential financial burdens that may arise in the event of any unforeseen adversity. There is
no doubt that doing so demonstrates

1​
Soorah al-An‘aam (6):141. 2​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5569), Saheeh

Muslim (1971).

18
prudence, proficiency in managing finances, and the ability to distinguish between essentials
and non-essentials during critical situations that may come knocking on one’s door from time
to time. A person’s livelihood will remain out of order so long as it fails to balance between
spending, giving, and saving. Allaah’s wisdom is evident in the fact that His directives
prescribe giving only a portion of one’s wealth. He said,

{ ` _ ~ } z ​“​Spend from what Allaah has provided you with.​”1​ ​That

means spend some of it. Allaah did not say spend all of what He has provided you with. This
clearly brings out the ideas of both spending and saving.
From the standpoints of Islaam, common sense, and reality around us, it can be
readily understood that when a person spends only a portion of his earnings, he would be
less likely to find himself in need than someone who does otherwise. ‘Umar (may Allaah be
pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) would sell the dates harvested from the orchards of Banee an-Nadeer and he
would store enough to cover his family’s needs for a year. This was collected by al-Bukhaaree
and Muslim.​2 ​Some of the Salaf (foremost generations of Islaam) commented that this
hadeeth shows it is permissible to save enough for the coming year and that does not mean a
person is complacently hoping to live for a long time. Preparing oneself for times of need is
encouraged by both Islaam and common sense.
Servants of Allaah, the concept of saving prescribed for us by Allaah, and
prescribed by His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), reflects
proper balance at the individual and societal levels. It is a system of integrity and it draws that
from the fact that it is part of Islaam’s teachings. Islaam is a religion of ease, not difficulty. It is
a religion that fosters an economy that is fair, and does not cause or reciprocate harm. It is a
religion that does not criticize saving unless it turns into hoarding commodities to satisfy the
greed of specific individuals, cause harm to people, and withhold the rights due to Allaah and
to His servants from the wealth that Allaah Himself provided. Allaah said, ​{ lkjihgfedc
ba
 p o n m ​q ​u t s r

}|{zyxwvz

1​
Soorah Yaa Seen (36):47. 2​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5357), Saheeh Muslim

(1757).

19
“​People of eemaan, among the people of prior scriptures there are many worshippers and learned
individuals who unlawfully consume the wealth of others and obstruct people from Allaah’s
path. As for those who hoard gold and silver, and do not spend from that in Allaah’s path, then
convey to them tidings of a painful torment.​”1​
When compared to any system that human beings have devised to organize their
livelihood and solve crises which may affect them, the teachings of Islaam contain directives
that are better, safer, wiser, and provide more lasting results. In the Qur’aan, Allaah informed
us about the unique balance He prescribed for His servants. This can be found in the
narrative about the Prophet Yoosuf (may Allaah grant him continued protection) when he
explained the dream in which the ruler of the land saw seven cows. Yoosuf said in his
explanation,

{ | { z y x w v u t s r q p o ​~ } ` _ l k j i h g f e d c b a

w v u t s r q p o n m z ​“​For seven consecutive years, you are to be diligent

in planting crops so that you have a large yield. You are to leave the grains which you reap in
their ears and store them away in that manner, except for a small amount which you may
allocate for consumption. After those seven fertile years, seven difficult years will come and
exhaust what you had previously stored in preparation for them, except a little of what you had
stored away as seeds to sow in the future. Then, after that will come a year in which people will
have abundant rain and in which they will press grapes, olives, and other foods they use.​”2​
The portion that says “​planting crops​” reflects working, earning, and diligently
pursuing permissible means to supply the marketplace with goods so that all would be able to
benefit, each according to his need; and so that complacency, laziness, and unemployment
would be minimized. People find results when they strive, and they reap what they sow.
The portion that says “​You are to leave the grains which you reap in their ears and
store them away in that manner, except for a small amount which you may allocate for
consumption​” shows how to handle current consumption, which relates to what is produced at
present; as well as the need to plan for subsequent consumption, which relates to saving for
a future that is

1​
Soorah at-Tawbah (9):34. 2​ ​Soorah Yoosuf

(12):47-49.

20
uncertain and may hold various difficulties. Not everything produced is to be consumed
immediately. It is careless and reckless to immediately consume everything produced, and
doing so reflects shortsightedness, inattentiveness, and a lack of caution. In contrast, taking
necessary precautions reflects sensibility and farsightedness which no individual or society
can do without when planning for unforeseen circumstances and sudden crises.
The manner of saving that Allaah prescribed for people guarantees – with Allaah’s
assistance – that provision would not be lost, and would not be diminished by debts which
force people to turn to others.
Do not ever think that provision comes suddenly or as a coincidence, without taking
the steps necessary to attain it. Things do not work that way. Rather, you must earn,
consume, give to others, save some, and protect yourself from being a burden upon others.​1
May Allaah bless us all by the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and allow us to glean benefit
from the aayaat, admonition, and wisdom they contain. I say this much and I implore Allaah to
forgive me, you, and all Muslim men and women for every sin and misdeed. Thus, seek
forgiveness from Allaah and repent to Him, as my Lord is certainly the Most Forgiving, the
Bestower of mercy.

!!!

All praise and gratitude are due to Allaah for His guidance, kindness, and blessings.
May Allaah grant His commendation and protection to His Messenger who called people to
do all that pleases Allaah.
Servants of Allaah, continue to observe taqwaa of Allaah, and realize that
everything which Allaah prescribed is best for His servants in this world and the hereafter.
The prescribed manner of saving eliminates extravagance and wastefulness, both of which
are prohibited. The prescribed manner of saving also eliminates greed that leads to hoarding,
as well as monopolization that causes harm and exploitation.
Servants of Allaah, you must also realize that saving does not contradict depending
on Allaah and placing full trust in Him. The One who instructed His servants to place full trust
in Him is the same One who prescribed saving for them. The One who told them,
 { | { z y x z ​“​In the heavens is your provision and what you were
promised​”​ is the same One who spread out the Earth for them and told them that they are
2​

free

1​
This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited. 2​ ​Soorah

ath-Thaariyaat (51):22.

21
to travel throughout all parts of the world and to eat from the wholesome provisions that He
granted them.​1
There is no doubt that when people save in the correct manner, and when doing so
becomes prevalent among them, they would have a reserve from which they can seek
assistance – after seeking Allaah’s assistance first and foremost – when adversities strike,
and from which all of them can benefit so as to fill gaps in their finances and be protected
from having to ask of others. Allaah, the Most Majestic, said,

{mlkjihgfed

r q p o n z ​“​Those present when a dying person is dictating a will must

feel the same fear for the dependents of the dying person as they fear for their own if they
themselves had left vulnerable young ones behind. Thus, they must observe taqwaa of Allaah and
advise the dying person to do what is correct and fair.​”2​ ​This aayah has to do with those who
dictate a will on their deathbeds which deprives their dependents and, instead, gives much to
others.
In addition, when Sa‘d ibn Abee Waqqaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) wanted
to will two-thirds of his property to other than his family members who would inherit him, the
Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) told him, “For you to leave your
inheritors well-off is certainly better than for you to leave them poor and having to beg of
others.” This was collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.​3
Similarly, when Ka‘b ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, “As part of
my repentance, I will give all of my property as charity to Allaah and His Messenger,” the
Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) told him, “Keep some of your
property. That would be better for you.” This was collected by al-Bukhaaree.​4
Servants of Allaah, this is the perspective from which Islaam views saving. It is a
perspective that is rich in balance and comprehensiveness. It is a perspective filled with ease,
care, and caution. This should come as no surprise, since it is part of the religion that Allaah
prescribed. He said, ​{ q p o n m ​r ​u t s z “​​ There is no religion that could be better than the
disposition and religion that Allaah implanted within the souls of all people. Therefore, adhere to

1​
See Soorah al-Mulk (67):15. 2​ ​Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):9. 3​ ​Saheeh

al-Bukhaaree (1295), Saheeh Muslim (1628). 4​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

(2757).

22
it and say, ‘We humbly obey Allaah and worship Him alone’.​”1​ ​Allaah also said,

{ Ú Ù Ø × Ö Õ Ô z ​“​Who could ever ​be better than Allaah in passing

judgment for a people who are certain that Allaah’s judgment is the truth?​2
1​
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):138. 2​ ​Soorah al-Maa’idah

(5):50.

23
4. Attaining Guidance and Success are Contingent on
Observing Taqwaa
ash-Shaykh Usaamah Khayyaat 25 Muharram 1440h (5
October 2018)
 All praise is due to Allaah. He is the Guardian of His obedient servants. He is
perfect in every way and He deserves the finest and most abundant of praise until the Day of
Recompense. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone.
He has no partner, equal, or rival whatsoever. I further bear witness that Muhammad is
Allaah’s worshipping servant and Messenger, the best individual among all of mankind, and
the ideal role model for all of Allaah’s servants. O Allaah, grant commendation and protection
to Your worshipping servant and Messenger, Muhammad, and to his immaculate family, his
esteemed Companions, and all who continue to follow their path.
Servants of Allaah, you must observe taqwaa of Allaah, “and you must protect
yourselves from punishment on the Day when you will all return to Allaah, then each soul will
be given the recompense for what it earned and no one will be wronged.”​1
Servants of Allaah, in this life, people desire to acquire the luxuries of this world and
there are various distractions, motivations, and aspirations that exist. In the midst of that all,
there are deceptive and false claims that people accept. Servants of Allaah, all sorts of claims
are made which are not based on legitimate evidence and do not follow a path that is straight.
They come in many forms, but the form that is most harmful, farthest astray from the truth,
and leads to the worst consequences is making the claim that Allaah prohibited in His
statement,

{ « a © ​¬ ​± ° ̄ ® z “​Do not praise yourselves and claim that you

observe taqwaa completely. Allaah has best knowledge about those who are genuine in observing
taqwaa.​”2​ ​Thus, Allaah forbade people from absolving themselves of all wrongdoing, being
conceited, constantly praising themselves, ignoring their own flaws, and refusing to ever
admit that they are at fault, have shortcomings, or get things wrong.

1​
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):281. 2​ ​Soorah an-Najm

(53):32.

24
Servants of Allaah, the worst false claim happens when people dishonestly claim for
themselves guidance, salvation, and the correct path. This is the case of those who have little
or nothing to substantiate their many claims of being soundly guided by their Lord, and being
among those who will attain all they hope for and be saved from all they fear. Since people
who make such claims can be found in every era, our Lord – who is perfect in every way –
spoke unambiguous words in His scripture about this issue. His words provide sound
direction, warn against falsehood, make the unmistakable truth completely clear, refute
baseless claims, guide to the straight path, and leave no room for the crookedness of
deceitful excuses.
In addressing this topic, Allaah – who is perfect in every way – identified the people
who deserve to be described as individuals who accept His guidance, remain steadfast in
following it by His favour, will be successful in attaining the rewards they hope for, and will be
granted salvation from all that they seek to avoid. Allaah identified them as the people who
observe taqwaa, meaning that they avoid His disobedience by staying away from what He
prohibited, and they obey Him by doing what He obligated. This is the explanation of taqwaa
given by al-Imaam ibn Jareer at-Tabaree​1​, may Allaah have mercy upon him as well as upon
all the scholars of Islaam.
Our Lord, the Almighty and Most Majestic, informed us about qualities which are
specific to the people of taqwaa, clearly show the virtues and merits of such people, and
motivate us to be among them by following their course. At the beginning of Soorah
al-Baqarah, our Lord – who is perfect in every way – mentioned some of their qualities. He
said,

{ ​F E D C B A ​G ​H​I ​Q P O N M L K J

T S R a ` _ ^ ] \ [ Z Y X W V U ​z
“​Alif Laam Meem.​2 ​This is the magnificent Book about which there is no doubt. It is guidance for
those who observe taqwaa. Among their qualities is that they believe in the unseen, establish
prayers as prescribed, and give from what We have provided for them. They also believe in and
comply with what was sent down to you – the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) – and they believe in what was

1​
See Jaami‘ al-Bayaan (1/233-234). 2​ ​These are among the letters referred to in Arabic as al-huroof

al-muqatta‘ah, meaning that they are

​ disjointed letters and are not read together to form actual words. Among
the most significant aspects of the wisdom behind these disjointed letters in the Qur’aan is that they signify the
inimitable nature of the Qur’aan, and they serve as one of the proofs that the Qur’aan is matchless revelation
from Allaah.

25
sent down prior to you. Additionally, they believe with certainty in the hereafter.​”1​ ​These
remarkable characteristics that define them are what allow them to attain the noblest of ranks
during their lives in this world as well as the hereafter. Those traits are what makes Allaah
love them, be pleased with them, and admit them to Jannah: the abode in which He will
honour them.
Servants of Allaah, the first of those traits is having correct beliefs about the unseen.
This covers not only the acceptance of the heart, but also extends to words and deeds. Thus,
they have correct beliefs about Allaah, His angels, His scriptures, and His Messengers. They
also have correct beliefs about the Last Day as well as all that goes along with it such as
resurrection, being gathered, being held to account, receiving reward or punishment as a
recompense, the bridge over the hellfire, Allaah’s kursee (footstool), Allaah’s ‘arsh (throne),
Jannah, the hellfire, and life after death. The aforementioned people of taqwaa have correct
beliefs about all that they cannot see in this world, but which they have been informed about
by Allaah in His Book, and in the authentic Sunnah narrated from Allaah’s Messenger (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection).
The second trait mentioned is that they establish prayers as prescribed. This means
performing prayers with all their external and internal requirements. The external
requirements include bowing and prostrating completely, standing if able, reciting the
Qur’aan, saying prescribed words to glorify Allaah, invoking Allaah to grant the Prophet
commendation and protection, as well as other elements that are essential and recommended
when performing prayers. The internal requirements include reverential fear of Allaah, sincere
devotion to Him, presence of heart, and understanding the meanings of what is recited.
Establishing prayers as prescribed also entails genuine compliance with Allaah’s directives in
one’s words and deeds by performing those which Allaah commanded and avoiding those
which He prohibited. This is because, as our Lord told us, establishing prayer in the
prescribed manner “prevents people from immorality and wrongdoing.”​2 ​Thus, if a person’s
prayer does not inhibit him from committing sins, there is a deficiency in his prayer and he
does not establish it in the manner prescribed by Allaah. In that regard, some of the scholars
have commented that there are many who perform prayer but few who establish it as
prescribed.
The third trait mentioned is that they give from what Allaah provided for them.
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Jareer at-Tabaree (may Allaah have mercy upon him) mentioned
that this includes giving the obligatory charity, giving financial support to those whom they are
obligated to provide for, and also

1​
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):1-4. 2​ ​See Soorah al-‘Ankaboot

(29):45.

26
giving to other praiseworthy causes. They give out of the wholesome wealth and property that
their Lord provided for them, and this refers to their assets that were acquired in permissible
ways and are not tainted by anything impermissible.​1
Another one of their traits is that they unwaveringly believe and accept all that the
Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) brought from his
Lord, as well as what the prior Prophets brought. They do not believe in some of the Prophets
while rejecting others, and they do not reject any of what the Prophets brought from their
Lord.
Another of their traits is that they believe with complete certainty in the hereafter,
contrary to those who worshipped others besides Allaah and denied resurrection, reward,
punishment, reckoning, the balance for weighing people and their deeds, Jannah, the hellfire,
the bridge over the hellfire, and other things that Allaah has prepared for His creatures on the
Day of Resurrection.
Having correct beliefs about the Last Day trains a person of eemaan to always
remember that Allaah sees him. It also trains him to have reverential fear of Allaah which
drives him to obey Allaah. That obedience comes about by fulfilling Allaah’s commands while
hoping for the rewards He promised His righteous servants, and avoiding Allaah’s prohibitions
while fearing the painful torment with which Allaah threatened those who disobey Him, reject
His evidences, and deny His Messengers.
Thus, the people of taqwaa, who embody the foregoing praiseworthy traits, are the
ones who deserve to be described as the people who accept Allaah’s guidance, remain
steadfast in following it by His favour, will be successful in attaining the rewards they hope for,
and will be granted salvation from all that they seek to avoid. Their righteous deeds combined
with their correct beliefs about Allaah, His scriptures, and His Messengers will enable them to
attain Allaah’s reward, admittance to Jannah, and salvation from the punishment that Allaah
prepared for those who were enemies to Him.​2
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) explained that in the
aforementioned magnificent aayaat in Soorah al-Baqarah, Allaah – the Almighty and Most
Majestic – implicitly censured those who said they accepted what was brought by the
Prophets prior to Muhammad (may Allaah grant all of them commendation and protection),
yet they rejected Muhammad (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) along with
the message he brought, and still alleged that they were following sound guidance.​3
Servants of Allaah, you must continue to observe taqwaa of Allaah, and beware of
being deceived by those who claim to have guidance and salvation,

1​
See Jaami‘ al-Bayaan (1/244). 2​ ​See Jaami‘ al-Bayaan

(1/250). 3​ ​See Jaami‘ al-Bayaan (1/246).

27
yet they have no acceptable evidence, authentic text, rational proof, or legitimate real-life
occurrence to substantiate their claims.
I beseech Allaah to enable all of us to glean benefit from His Book and the Sunnah
of His Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). I say this much, and I
ask Allaah, the Most Great and Majestic, to forgive me, you, and all Muslims for every
misdeed. He is indeed continually forgiving.

!!!

All praise is due to Allaah. He guides those who seek His direction, and He suffices
those who place their reliance upon Him. I bear witness that none has the right to be
worshipped except Allaah alone without any partner. We have no Lord besides Him, and
none deserves our worship except Him. I further bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah’s
worshipping servant, chosen Messenger, most virtuous of all people, and most beloved to
Allaah. O Allaah, grant Your commendation and protection to Your worshipping servant and
Messenger, Muhammad, as well as to His family, Companions, and all who follow his

guidance. ​Scholars of tafseer have explained in much detail that there are various aspects
​ of
wisdom in Allaah describing the people of taqwaa as individuals who “​give from what We have
provided for them​”. Among those scholars is ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa‘dee (may Allaah have
mercy upon him) who commented that:
The usage of the word “from” in this aayah shows that Allaah only wants us to give a
small portion of our wealth which would not be a burden or cause us harm. In fact, we
ourselves will benefit from giving, and our brothers – the recipients – will benefit from what
they are given.
In addition, this aayah tells us that the wealth we have in our possession did not
come about merely because of our own ability and prowess. Rather, we only have it because
Allaah Himself provided it for us and blessed us with it. Therefore, since He blessed us with it
and favoured us over many other servants of His, we are to be grateful to Him by taking a
portion of what He blessed us with and using it to console our brothers who are in need.
There are many instances where Allaah mentions establishing prayer and giving
obligatory charity together. This is because prayer is an embodiment of sincere devotion to
the Lord who deserves all of our worship, while charity is an embodiment of kindness to our
Lord’s servants. An individual’s ultimate happiness lies in him sincerely devoting all His
worship to Allaah alone, and striving to benefit Allaah’s servants. On the other hand, an
individual’s ultimate

28
misery lies in the absence of those two factors, meaning that he does not devote all worship
to Allaah alone and is not benevolent to Allaah’s servants.​1
Therefore, servants of Allaah, you must continue to observe taqwaa of Allaah and
strive your utmost to personify the traits of its people. They are the ones who truly follow
Allaah’s guidance, will attain what they seek from Allaah, will be successful in having Allaah
pleased with them, and will be protected from Allaah’s punishment.
In conclusion, invoke Allaah to grant His commendation and protection to the best
individual among all of creation: the Prophet Muhammad ibn ‘Abdillaah. Allaah instructed us

to do so in the Qur’aan when He said, ​{ o n m l k j i hg f e d c b z “​ ​Indeed, Allaah grants

His commendation to the Prophet, and the angels invoke
​ Allaah to grant him even further
commendation. People of eemaan, invoke Allaah to grant the Prophet commendation and grant
him protection as well.​”2​

1​
See Tayseer al-Kareem al-Mannaan (pg. 40). 2​ ​Soorah al-Ahzaab

(33):56.

29
5. Comprehensive Admonitions and Words of
Wisdom
ash-Shaykh Saalih ibn Humayd 3 Safar 1440h (12
 October 2018)

All praise is due to Allaah. He decreed a specific measure for all things, He has
complete knowledge about every one of them, and out of His grace He conceals the flaws of
His servants. He is perfect in every way and I praise Him out of gratitude for His abundant
blessings. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any
partner. It is a testimony whose reward I hope to receive on the day when I am presented
before Allaah. I further testify that our leader and Prophet, Muhammad, is Allaah’s
worshipping servant and Messenger. Allaah sent him to all people with warnings, and with
proof that left them with no further excuse. He completely conveyed his Lord’s message in
both private and public. O Allaah, grant Your commendation, protection, and blessings to him,
as well as to his esteemed Companions and all who follow their path.
My dear audience, I counsel all of you, as well as myself, to observe taqwaa of
Allaah. That is the most comprehensive of advice and beneficial of admonition. Observe
taqwaa of Allaah, know for sure that you will have to meet Him, beware of His punishment, be
mindful of Him, make mention of Him, be grateful to Him, and ask His forgiveness. “If
someone observes taqwaa, Allaah will give him a way out of every difficulty and provide for
him from where he never anticipated. And if someone places his full trust in Allaah, He will
suffice that person in every way. Allaah’s command shall inevitably take place, and He has
decreed a specific term for all things.”​1
Dear Muslims, preserve your time and make the best use of your lives. Our days
are limited and there are only so many breaths that we will take. Our lives get shorter with
every beat of our hearts, and each breath takes us nearer to our appointed time.
Remember that the short life we have in this world leads to another life that is
everlasting – a life that will either be one of never-ending enjoyment or permanent
punishment, and we seek refuge in Allaah from the latter. If a discerning person compares
this short life to the everlasting one that lies ahead, he would be certain that each breath he
takes in this life could be equivalent to thousands upon thousands of years of continuous
enjoyment and delight in the

1​
Soorah at-Talaaq (65):2-3.

30
hereafter. Thus, we implore Allaah, the Most Generous, for His bounty. A discerning individual
would not leave his precious life to waste away without righteous deeds, and he would feel
remorse over time lost since he will never be able to get it back.
Servants of Allaah, with all of that being the case, you must take heed of lessons
and carefully contemplate the truth that you have been informed about. Reflect upon the
events and changes that happen over time since they are a source of inhibition from
wrongdoing, as well as admonition in general. Beware of being misled by the luxuries of this
world. When a person indulges in them, he will ultimately increase in nothing besides loss.
People of this world focus on prominence, they love amassing possessions and
being praised, they seek to outdo others materially, and they even lose their lives over things
like malice, spite, and strife. In contrast, people of the hereafter “do not feel jealousy or malice
towards others. They give others priority although they themselves might be in need”​1 ​and
they say, “Our Lord, forgive us and forgive our brothers who preceded us in accepting
eemaan. Do not place in our hearts any rancour towards people who have eemaan. Our Lord,
You are surely the Most Kind and the Bestower of mercy.”​2
Servants of Allaah, which soul has never done wrong, and which limb has never
committed a sin? We implore Allaah to grant all of us His guidance. We should strive to keep
our hearts soft by remembering that one day we will inevitably pass away. We should
admonish our hearts by remembering the trials of the grave which will most certainly take
place. We should remind our hearts about the Day of Reckoning which all of us will
undoubtedly have to experience. That will be a day on which all people will be humbled, ties
will be cut, and “every person shall see the good they did and evil they perpetrated.”​3 ​It will be
“the Day when no property or offspring will avail a person unless he comes to Allaah with a
pure and submissive heart.”​4 ​It will be “the day when no person shall have power to do
anything for another, and all control and command on that day will belong to Allaah alone.”​5
What you have been promised will surely come, and nothing stands between you and the
hereafter besides you passing away. May Allaah grant all of us His mercy.
Indicators that Allaah has granted a person guidance include making acts of
obedience easy for him, directing him to the Sunnah, putting him in the company of righteous
people, enabling him to extend goodness to others, allowing him to preserve his time, and
placing within him concern for the affairs

1​
Soorah al-Hashr (59):9. ​2 ​Soorah al-Hashr (59):10. ​3

Soorah an-Naba’ (78):40. 4​ ​Soorah ash-Shu‘araa’

(26):88-89. 5​ ​Soorah al-Infitaar (82):19.

31
of Muslims. Therefore, servants of Allaah, endeavour to maintain clean hearts, and love for
your brothers what you love for yourselves. Realize that others being happy does not take
anything away from your happiness, their being well- off does not reduce your provision, and
their health does not detract from your wellbeing. When a person is gentle with Allaah’s
servants, Allaah will be gentle with him. When he is merciful to them, Allaah will be merciful to
him. When he is good to them, Allaah will be good to him. When he benefits them, Allaah will
benefit him. When he conceals their faults, Allaah will conceal his. Allaah will be towards His
servant the way His servant is towards others. Contemplate the statement of Allaah,

{ Ë Ê É È Ç z ​“​Be kind to others just as Allaah has been kind to you.​”1​

This shows that it is praiseworthy for the kindness you extend to be similar to the type of
kindness Allaah extended to you. In other words, if His kindness to you came in the form of
provision, then give charity to others; if it was knowledge, then impart to others; if it was
happiness, then make others around you happy.
Overlooking people’s faults is one of the most noble traits to have. All people
continually make mistakes. If a person constantly searches for the mistakes of others, he will
wear himself out. The discerning individual overlooks those things so that he can maintain
pleasant relationships and interactions with others.
When a person considers his words to be among his deeds, he would only speak
about what is of concern to him. The greatest things a person can store away for himself in
the hereafter are remaining truthful in this world, leaving things that do not concern him,
keeping his heart clean, obeying Allaah while in private, observing sound conduct along with
proper religious practice, and being a genuine and trustworthy brother.
My dearly beloved audience, some of the indicators that a person has tasted the
sweetness of eemaan and obedience to Allaah include having tranquility in one’s heart,
desiring to do what is correct, loving Allaah’s religion, being displeased when Allaah’s limits
are violated, loving righteous individuals, and striving to strengthen the people of eemaan.
When the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) was asked
about the best thing a person could be granted, he replied, “Sound conduct.” This was
collected by al-Bukhaaree in al-Adab al-Mufrad with a saheeh chain of narration. If a person
desires to know some of the signs of sound conduct, he should listen to the following
explanation given by scholars known for their knowledge and wisdom. They explained that
signs of sound

1​
Soorah al-Qasas (28):77.

32
conduct include rarely differing with others, not searching for their faults, giving them the
benefit of the doubt, bearing their harms, having a pleasant face, speaking mildly, and being
preoccupied with one’s own faults.
Relationships are maintained when people overlook faults, they grow when people
reconcile, they become diseased when people start to magnify minor things, and they are
destroyed when people pick at every single detail.
It is not blameworthy to make a mistake sometimes, but it is blameworthy for you to
not learn from your mistakes. Ask when you do not know. Restrain yourself when you are
angry. A truly generous person does not remind anyone of the good he does, and a truly
sincere person does not regret having done things. Those who do good will reap immense
rewards.
Choose your brothers and companions carefully. Speak to others in the best way,
listen to others in the best way when they speak to you, show others a pleasant face when
you meet them, and be as lenient as possible if you are opposed. Avoid speaking to the
insolent, contending with the quarrelsome, and disputing with the foolish. Remember that
having exchanges with real men is what nourishes the mind.
Doing good for others safeguards a person from an ill ending. Thus, you should
endeavour to do things like feed the hungry, clothe the needy, care for orphans, assist the
ailing, help the poor, give safety to those in fear, and put an end to wrongdoing that is being
committed.
Servants of Allaah, if strife approaches, do get involved or speak about matters that
are of no concern to you. Rather, refrain from speaking and adhere to the Sunnah. When you
are unsure about any matter, do not give an answer about it. Rather, say, “Allaah knows
best.” When you need an answer, seek it from recognized and trustworthy people of
knowledge, and do not go beyond that. The reckless speaks before he knows, and answers
before he understands. Ibn Mas‘ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, “People will
continue to be in good circumstances so long as they take from those among them who are
senior, trustworthy, and knowledgeable. If they take from those among them who are junior
and imprudent, they will be ruined.”
Allaah, the Most Exalted, said, {​ ̄®¬«a© ̈§JIHGFEDCBAz

“​Does an individual not know what awaits him when the contents of all graves
​ are brought out,
and all that people’s hearts previously contained is made known? On that day, their Lord will be
fully acquainted with all of them and He will recompense them accordingly.​”1​

1​
Soorah al-‘Aadiyaat (100):9-11.

33
I ask Allaah to bless us all by the glorious Qur’aan and guidance of Muhammad
(may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). I say this much, and I ask Allaah to
forgive me and all of you. Thus, seek forgiveness from Allaah and repent to Him, as He is
certainly the Most Forgiving, the Bestower of mercy.

!!!
 All praise is due to Allaah. He is the only One who has complete ability and
authority. No one whom He assists would be humiliated, and no one who is hostile towards
Him would attain honour. I praise Allaah as should be done by anyone who is grateful for the
bounty He bestows, and I ask His forgiveness as should be done by any servant of His who
commits misdeeds. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone,
without any partner. It is a testimony that I hope will make Him pleased with me. I further
testify that our leader and Prophet, Muhammad, is Allaah’s worshipping servant and chosen
Messenger. O Allaah, grant Your commendation and protection to him, as well as to his
family, Companions, and all who follow his guidance and further his call.
Dear Muslims, things inevitably change over the course of time. Allaah, the Most
Exalted, said,

{ ° ± ́ 3 2 z “​We grant victory to people on some days and allow their

defeat on others​.”​1 ​At times, Allaah brings happiness to our friends, and at other times He gives
our foes reason to feel happy. Some times are ones of prosperity while others are ones of
need. Some days are ones of honour while others are ones of humiliation. When a person
follows his own disobedient inclinations, they will expose him.
The truly fortunate person is the one who consistently observes taqwaa of Allaah
throughout whatever circumstances he encounters. If a person has what suffices him, taqwaa
provides him with adornment; if he ends up in need, taqwaa guides him to persevere; if he is
tested, taqwaa carries him through the difficulties faced; if he is in a state of wellbeing, taqwaa
completes the blessings he has. He is not harmed by the various times and situations he
encounters because taqwaa is the foundation of protection and it is a guard that does not
sleep.

1​
Soorah Aali ‘Imraan (3):140.

34
6. The Concept of “Renewal” in Islaam
ash-Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays 10 Safar 1440h
(19 October 2018)

Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him, seek His assistance, ask His
forgiveness, and repent to Him. Allaah is perfect in every way, and I praise Him for His
all-encompassing blessings and indisputable evidences.
O Allaah, You deserve endless praise, for both the apparent and inconspicuous
blessings You bestow upon us. We implore You to grant continuous commendation and
protection to Your final Messenger.​1
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without
any partner. He blessed us with the brilliant directives of Islaam, whose radiance shines
throughout all of creation. I further bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is Allaah’s
worshipping servant and Messenger. He clarified the major landmarks of advancing
civilization. O Allaah, grant Your never-ending commendation and protection to him, as well
as to his esteemed family, noble Companions, and all who follow their path.
Servants of Allaah, you must observe taqwaa of Allaah. Doing that provides you
with the best provision for life in this world and in the hereafter. “If people obey Allaah, obey
His Messenger, have reverential fear of Allaah, and observe taqwaa of Allaah, they are the
ones who will achieve true success.”​2
If you depart without the provision of taqwaa and, after passing away, you
encounter those who had that provision, You will regret not having been like them and not
making the preparations they made.​3
Dear Muslims, there is a reality attested to by deeply rooted civilizations which no
discerning person can be oblivious to: the reality that the brilliant teachings of Islaam wiped
away darkness from our world by way of the justice and mercy that emanate from them. They
uprooted oppression and planted compassion. They are noble directives distinguished by
comprehensiveness and completion. They set all matters of this world and the hereafter in
order for people. That is because the directives of Islaam do not come from any source
besides Allaah and His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection).
This is a major foundational principle of the religion. Allaah, the Most Exalted, told His Prophet
(may Allaah grant him commendation and protection),

1​
This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited. 2​ ​Soorah an-Noor

(24):52. 3​ ​This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited.

35
{ s r q p o n m l k j i h g z ​“​We have put you upon a clear path as it relates to the
directives and religion We prescribed. Thus, you must adhere to that path and you must not
follow the disobedient inclinations of those who have no knowledge of the truth.​”1​
Dear Muslims, the brilliant directives we have in Islaam abound with beneficial
principles and comprehensive objectives in all matters, whether religious or mundane.
Islaam’s directives comprise texts, objectives, principles, and rationales that fill our world with
justice, wisdom, ease, and mercy. Islaam’s directives also thoroughly address how
independent reasoning can be used to deduce rulings pertaining to unprecedented matters.
As a result, those rulings can be clearly defined, and permissible can be distinguished from
impermissible, all by way of precise guidelines and established foundations which the
scholars of Islaam have followed. Their approach has played a very significant role in bringing
about what is advantageous for individuals and entire societies, as well as in arriving at the
truth when dealing with unprecedented circumstances.
The directives of Islaam – collectively referred to in Arabic as the Sharee‘ah – are
not stagnated, rigid, or obsolete. On the contrary, they adapt and are flexible. They are not at
odds with modernity and taking advantage of contemporary developments, tools, and
technologies. The directives of Islaam strike sound balance between constants and variables,
as well as between roots and modernity.
The term “renewal” is one which captivates. However, making it reality requires
uniquely enlightened minds which are skilled at deducing rulings from the texts of Islaam,
addressing subsidiary issues which branch off from main ones, referring those subsidiary
issues back to applicable comprehensive principles, recognizing the foundations of Islaam’s
laws, and giving consideration to their objectives in order to arrive at the correct ruling about
any issue. Aboo Daawood and al-Haakim collected a hadeeth with a saheeh chain of
narration in which Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
said, “Every hundred years, Allaah will certainly send for this Ummah people who renew
elements of its religion.”​2
Dear people of eemaan, renewal in the context of Islaam’s directives has
well-defined guidelines.
[1] One of them is that renewal must not contradict any text from the Qur’aan and
Sunnah, and must not oppose any of the religion’s objectives. Islaam’s directives cannot
remain intact unless its texts are preserved and its

1​
Soorah al-Jaathiyah (45):18. 2​ ​Sunan Abee Daawood (4291). Graded saheeh by

al-Albaanee.

36
objectives are given proper consideration. The purpose for which Islaam’s directives have
been prescribed is to fulfil the religion’s objectives so as to bring about what is in the best
interests of Allaah’s servants.
Al-Imaam at-Taahir ibn ‘Aashoor (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented
that the purpose of directives being prescribed in Islaam is to maintain order in our world, and
regulate people’s actions in a manner that would prevent them from harming or ruining one
another.​1
He also mentioned that the overall objective of Islaam’s directives is to maintain the
order of our Ummah and ensure the continued wellbeing of communities, by ensuring the
continued wellbeing of those in charge of communities – namely, human beings.​2
[2] Another important guideline which applies to renewal is that those involved are to be
reliable individuals of authority who are known for their knowledge and understanding.
Complying with Islaam’s teachings and objectives requires well-grounded scholars since they
are people who are endowed with enlightened minds, thorough insight, and sound reasoning.
They are the ones who have in-depth knowledge of foundations and principles, and they
consider matters using the standards provided by Islaam’s noble teachings. [3] A further
guideline for renewal is that it take place in the realm of tools, means, matters which are
subsidiary, and other similar areas. Among the distinguishing features of Islaam’s teachings
are that they are flexible enough to apply in all times and places, and that they give
consideration to circumstances, variables, and environments. This necessitates that they
accommodate developments which take place.
[4] An additional guideline is that renewal must aim to achieve what Islaam
considers a legitimate benefit, or avert a harm that is definite or will most likely occur. The
teachings of Islaam were revealed to bring about all that is best for the livelihood of people in
this world and the hereafter. This is why the Companions strove to deduce rulings concerning
unprecedented issues they had to deal with, and those rulings were based on bringing about
the greatest good. Examples of this include compiling the Qur’aan into a standard mus-haf,
keeping official government records, holding a manufacturer accountable if materials he takes
from others become damaged in his possession, and so on. These rulings were deduced in
line with the spirit of Islaam’s teachings, and giving consideration to their objectives. Thus, it
can be clearly understood that renewal does not take place based on people’s own desires,
inclinations, or opinions.

1​
Maqaasid ash-Sharee‘ah al-Islaamiyyah (pg. 230). 2​ ​Maqaasid

ash-Sharee‘ah al-Islaamiyyah (pg. 194).

37
[5] Another guideline is that when deducing rulings, correct understandings must be
safeguarded from incorrect ones – those which oppose the understanding of our righteous
Salaf (the foremost generations of Islaam). Concepts and understandings must be examined
carefully, and precedence is to be given to the ones which have the most conformity with the
Qur’aan and Sunnah. Values should also be examined in light of their advantages and harms,
and that examination is to be done in light of Islaam’s teachings, not merely people’s own
inclinations. Al-Imaam ash-Shaatibee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that the
only one who has total knowledge of the advantages people require for their lives to be set in
order is the One who created those advantages and put them in place. The knowledge that
people have about them is partial, and what people do not grasp about those advantages is
greater than what they are aware of. There are many times when people make careful plans
yet they do not work out completely, and may not even come to fruition to begin with. With
that being the case, we must realize that referring back to what Allaah Himself prescribed for
us is the way to produce what is of greatest advantage to us.​1
In addition, dear Ummah of Islaam, when dealing with issues about which scholars
have differed, an individual must not rush to disapprove of those who hold a view different
from the one he holds. Some of the established principles in Islaam are: that those who hold
differing points of view in issues about which there is legitimate scholarly difference are not to
be censured; that a fatwaa can differ based on time, place, circumstances, customs, and
individuals; and that the ruling issued by an authority is accepted in settling differences since
it is issued while giving consideration to the greatest overall good.
Dear people of eemaan, after keeping these important guidelines in mind, it is
necessary to remember that the brilliant civilization of Islaam made contributions of major
significance to human progress and innovation. It is also necessary for the leaders, scholars,
and thinkers of our Ummah to be encouraged to agree on common areas in which renewal of
religious matters can take place while also preserving the religion’s established foundations.
A well-planned course must be devised to protect our Ummah from turmoil, treat its problems,
and save the lives of its people by eliminating the causes behind the turmoil which exists in
some regions of the Ummah. Those causes include sectarianism and partisanship, and they
have led to strife, instability, conflicts, and wars.
The directives of Islaam are ones of guidance, righteousness, moderation, mercy,
tolerance, security, stability, prosperity, and peace. Allaah said,

1​
Al-Muwaafaqaat (1/537).

38
{ n m l k j ​o ​v u t s r q p ​w

| { z y x z ​“​This is My straight path, so follow it and do not follow the

other divergent paths, as they will lead you astray from Allaah’s path. This is what Allaah has
commanded you in order for you to attain taqwaa​.”​1
We beseech our Guardian Lord to protect our Muslim Ummah from the schemes of
every enemy. Our Lord indeed hears all, and answers prayers. I say this much and I ask
Allaah, the Greatest and Most Majestic, to forgive me and all of you. Thus, ask His
forgiveness and repent to Him. He most certainly accepts repentance and bestows His mercy.
 !!!

All praise is due to Allaah who graced us with His abundant blessings. I bear
witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any partner. He
is perfect in His majesty and sublimity. I further bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is
Allaah’s worshipping servant and chosen Messenger. O Allaah, grant Your continuous
commendation and protection to him, as well as to his noble family, faithful Companions, and
all who follow their path.
Servants of Allaah, you must continue to observe taqwaa of Allaah, firmly adhere to
His religion, and avoid turmoil that takes people astray. When you do so, you will reach the
greatest heights of nobility. You must also remain with the jamaa‘ah​2 ​because the hand of
Allaah is over the jamaa‘ah.​3 ​If anyone breaks away from it, that will take him to the hellfire.
Dear Ummah of eemaan, part of mentioning Allaah’s favours and being grateful for
them is to remind ourselves of the Islaamic and ethical foundations that Allaah has blessed
this nation with, and we implore Allaah to grant it His continued protection. Those elements
have made it an exemplar in preserving sound values and morals. Thus, it is necessary for all
of us to stand in solidarity with it, especially against vicious and malicious campaigns that aim
to undermine its unity and progress.
It is here where you will find wisdom accompanying the call to kindness, and where
you will find mildness and the most upright path to tread. Those are

1​
Soorah al-An‘aam (6):153. 2​ ​The main body of Muslims who do what is right and adhere to the truth. 3​ ​See

Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (2166), Sunan an-Nasaa’ee (4020). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee.

39
the ripe fruits produced by following the course of truth. Indeed, the path of forbearance and
knowledge is one that shines with brilliance.​1
In these blessed lands, there is a course of renewal being implemented under the
auspices of its authorities and with much care from the young man with high aspirations who
is its Crown Prince. That course continues in spite of threats and pressures. Attempts to
oppose or terminate the course of renewal are not conducive to success, and they have a
negative impact on peace, security, and stability. Our blessed nation will remain an esteemed
leader, and repeated rumours, accusations, and malicious media campaigns will not prevent it
from holding on to its principles and foundations. It will continue to do so while placing its trust
in Allaah above all else, and then with confidence in the wisdom of its leadership and the unity
of its people. By Allaah’s permission, that will enable it to face false accusations and feeble
attempts to assail it. History provides the best evidence of this. Attacking our nation provokes
more than a billion Muslims. This location is the direction they face in prayer, the ground
where they perform Hajj and ‘Umrah, the birthplace of the message they follow, and the site
to which their hearts are drawn.
Gratitude and respect are extended to those who have taken a fair stance, and who
favoured reasoning and wisdom which aim to exercise caution, uphold the truth, rely on facts,
and avoid jumping to conclusions or taking stances based on rumours and fabrications.
Allaah, the Most Exalted, said,

{ o 1 ̧ ¶ μ ́ z “​Evil plots will not seize anyone except those who devise
them.​”​ In addition, Allaah said,
2​

{ Å Ä Ã Â Á À ¿ 3⁄4 1⁄2 z ​“​Allaah’s command shall inevitably take place, but

most people do not realize this.​”3​ ​Allaah also said,

{ k j i h g f e d z ​“​All honour belongs to Allaah, His Messenger, and the people of

eemaan, but those who outwardly display Islaam and reject it within themselves do not know
this.​”4​

1​
This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited. 2​ ​Soorah Faatir

(35):43. 3​ ​Soorah Yoosuf (12):21. 4​ ​Soorah al-Munaafiqoon (63):8.

40
Prayer for Rain
ash-Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sudays 16 Safar 1440h
(25 October 2018)

All praise is due to Allaah, the Lord of all creation, the Most Merciful, the Bestower
of mercy, and the sole sovereign and owner of the Day of Recompense. Allaah deserves
continuous glorification. He is perfect in every way, and I praise Him for the abundance of His
favours and blessings. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone,
without any partner. At no time are we ever devoid of the plethora of goodness that He
bestows upon us. “The mercy Allaah grants people cannot be withheld by anyone, and
whatever Allaah withholds from people cannot be granted by anyone besides Him. He is the
Almighty, the One who has complete wisdom in all His decrees and directives.”​1
I further testify that our Prophet, leader, and role model – Muhammad – is Allaah’s
worshipping servant and Messenger, and he was the best individual who implored his Lord to
send rain. O Allaah, grant Your commendation, protection, and blessings to him, as well as to
his family, Companions, and all who follow their path until the Day of Recompense.
Servants of Allaah, you must observe taqwaa of Allaah. That is the best thing that
can be done by any individual who keeps his soul pure. It is the best remedy for treating the
shortcomings of one’s soul, and ridding it of the pitfalls of misconceptions and ignorance.
Observing taqwaa is the means to all goodness and the attainment of Allaah’s blessings. He
said,

{ L K J I H G F E D C B A z ​“​If only the people of the towns to whom We sent Our

Messengers had eemaan and observed taqwaa, We would have granted them blessings from
every direction.​”2​
Dear Muslims, lack of rainfall serves as a warning. We have come out today humbly
raising to our Lord the plight we are in such that our lands have run dry and the rains have
been delayed past their anticipated time. Allaah, the Lord of all creation, prescribed that we
take resort to Him during every hardship and adversity, just as we are to take resort to Him
when He blesses us with mercy and prosperity. He said,

1​
Soorah Faatir (35):2. 2​ ​Soorah al-A‘raaf (7):96.

41
{ P Y X W V U T S R Q ​Z ​\ [ z ​“​And We shall certainly test you with something of fear and

hunger, as well
​ as loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. And convey glad tidings to those who patiently
persevere.​”1​
O Allaah, we ask Your forgiveness, O Allaah, we ask Your forgiveness, O Allaah,
we ask Your forgiveness and we repent to You. None has the right to be worshipped except
You. You are the ever-living self-sufficient sustainer of all.
If it were not for sins, our clouds would not have fled and we would not have been
tested with hardship. However, drought has now pervaded lands which drops from the clouds
used to cover like the shade of a ceiling.​2
My dear brothers who have eemaan, treating sins lightly is a major cause behind the
heart becoming hard. When hearts harden, feelings lose sensitivity, and souls run dry. They
cannot taste the sweetness of eemaan, they cannot feel the admonitions of the Qur’aan, they
cannot find humility or solace in prayer, and they cannot attain protection by way of
mentioning Allaah. On the contrary, those hearts and souls will persist in transgression and
perpetrating what Allaah has prohibited. Allaah said,
 { Q P O N M L z ​“​Thus, destruction is in store for those whose hearts
are hard, and are averse to remembering Allaah.​”3​ ​Dear Ummah of Islaam, all of those are
causes behind drought and lack of rainfall. Nonetheless, the Lord of all creation – the
Almighty who cannot be overpowered – is still the Most Forbearing.
I say to all followers of this religion: repent to Allaah, devote all your deeds to Him,
and call upon Him – the Most Kind – in the mornings and the nights. Perform prayers while
your hearts are humble and penitent. Sins are heralds of changes in our world.​4
O Allaah, we seek Your assistance against souls which fall behind in complying with
Your commands, and which hasten towards what You prohibited. O Allaah, we beseech You
to forgive us for all that Your knowledge encompasses and all that You have written in the
record which is with You. O Allaah, we ask Your forgiveness since You are the Continually
Forgiving.
Dear Muslims, adversity is only alleviated by way of repentance and beseeching
Allaah. The only treatment for sins lies in repentance, and the only treatment for drought is
seeking Allaah’s forgiveness. Allaah, the Most Exalted,

1​
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):155. 2​ ​This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic poetry that

was cited. 3​ ​Soorah az-Zumar (39):22. 4​ ​This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic

poetry that was cited.

42
recounted to us the statement of His Prophet Nooh (may Allaah grant him continued
protection),

{ Ô Ó Ò Ñ Ð Ï Î E D C B A ​N M L K J I H G F z “​​ Thus, I said: Seek

forgiveness from your Lord, as He is certainly always forgiving. If you do so, He will send rain
upon you in abundance, grant you increase in wealth and children, bestow upon you gardens,
and bestow upon you rivers​.”​1 ​Allaah also recounted to us the statement of His Prophet Hood

(may Allaah grant him continued protection), ​{ ÈÇÆÅÄÃ

Ó Ò Ñ Ð Ï Î Í Ì Ë Ê É z ​“​My people, if you seek your Lord’s forgiveness and repent to

Him, He will send abundant rains for you and make you stronger than you already are. Thus, do
not turn away, persisting in your transgression​.”​2
Some of the Salaf (i.e. foremost generations of Islaam) commented that there are
two sources of protection against Allaah’s punishment. One of them has been taken away,
that being Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), while
the other which remains is asking Allaah’s forgiveness. Thus, you must continue taking
advantage of that second source since Allaah told His Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection),

{ Â Á À ¿ 3⁄4 1⁄2 ​Ã ​É È Ç Æ Å Ä z ​“​Allaah would not punish them while you are
among them, and Allaah would not punish them while they continue to ask His forgiveness.​”3​
O Allaah, we ask Your forgiveness, O Allaah, we ask Your forgiveness, O Allaah,
we ask Your forgiveness and we repent to You. None has the right to be worshipped except
You. You are the ever-living self-sufficient sustainer of all.
In addition, an authentic hadeeth states, “Those who cheated when weighing and
measuring for others were certainly stricken with famine, difficult conditions, and oppression
from the authorities over them. Those who withheld their zakaah had the rains withheld from
them, and if it were not for the animals,

1​
Soorah Nooh (71):10-12. ​2 ​Soorah Hood (11):52. ​3

Soorah al-Anfaal (8):33.

43
no rain would have fallen.” This was collected by ibn Maajah, al-Bayhaqee, and al-Haakim
from ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him).​1
Servants of Allaah, purify your hearts from malice, hatred, and grudges. Give charity
and be kind to others. Indeed, Allaah loves those who worship Him in the best way and deal
with His servants in the best manner. Dear Ummah of goodness and blessings, do not
despair or lose hope. Rather, remain optimistic and remember the glad tidings Allaah
conveyed to you. He instructed His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and

protection), ​{ ​~ } | { z y x w v u t

© ̈ § ¦¥ ¤ £ ¢ ¡ a z “​Say: My servants who have transgressed against

themselves, do not despair of Allaah’s mercy. Indeed, Allaah forgives all sins. He is truly the
Most Forgiving, the Bestower of mercy.​”2​
Qataadah (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said, “It was mentioned to us that a
man told ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him), ‘Ameer al-Mu’mineen,
rainfall has halted and people have lost hope.’ He responded, ‘You will surely be granted

rain,’ and he recited, {​ ‘Allaah is the One who sends down the rain,
́32±° ̄®¬¶μz
granting relief to people after they lost hope, and He spreads His mercy’.​”​ Al-Imaam
3​

al-Baghawee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that this means Allaah spreads
the rainfall. ​Thus, rain is mercy from Allaah, the Most Merciful of this world and the
​ hereafter.
He said,

{ Ö Õ Ô Ó Ò Ñ Ð Ï Î Í ​× ​Û Ú Ù Ø ​Ü

á à ß Þ Ý z ​“​Therefore, look at the effects of Allaah’s mercy: how

He revives the Earth after its death. Indeed, He is the One who shall most certainly raise the
dead, and He is able to do all things​.”​4

1​
Sunan ibn Maajah (4019). Graded hasan by al-Albaanee. See also Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as- Saheehah
​ (106).

2​
Soorah az-Zumar (39):53-55. 3​ ​Soorah ash-Shooraa (42):28. 4​ ​Soorah ar-Room (30):50.

44
O Allaah, You are the One who abundantly bestows blessings upon Your servants,
grants their requests, provides for them, answers them when they call upon You for their
needs, and is immensely kind to them.​1
Servants of Allaah, by way of rain that falls upon us from the clouds above, Allaah
grants reliefs to His creatures, quenches the hilltops, and revives vegetation and animals.
The abundant rain that falls writes its lines upon the creation beneath it like words
dictated and inscribed upon pages. Behold the wonders that are manifested from the wisdom
of Allaah, the Lord of all people and the One who provides for all of creation.​2
Servants of Allaah, remain hopeful concerning the glad tidings which Allaah has
conveyed to us. You have come together in order to beseech Allaah for rain. You have done
so obliging the request of our leader, and Allaah protect him, and following the Sunnah of
Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). Therefore, you
should find comfort in this, and you should implore Allaah with full certainty that He will
respond to your call.
None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, the Most Great, the Most
Forbearing. None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, Lord of the majestic throne.
None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah. O Allaah, You are the One who grants us
relief when we beseech You, the One who grants mercy to the weak and downtrodden, and
the One who alleviates the hardships of the suffering. O Allaah, we ask Your forgiveness, we
place our hope in You, and we are wary of Your punishment.
O Allaah, we ask of You because all praise is due to You alone, and none deserves
worship besides You. You are the One who continually bestows, the One who brought the
heavens and Earth into existence, the owner of all majesty and generosity, and the ever-living
self sufficient sustainer of all. We ask Your forgiveness and repent to You. None has the right
to be worshipped except You, and You are the ever-living self sufficient sustainer of all.
O Allaah, You are our Lord and none else deserves to be worshipped. You created
us, we are Your worshipping servants, and we fulfil our covenant and promise to You as best
as we are able. We seek refuge with You from the evil we have done. We acknowledge to
You all Your blessings upon us, and we admit all our sins. Thus, we implore You to forgive
us, as no one can forgive sins except you.
O Allaah, we seek relief by Your mercy. Thus, do not leave us to ourselves for even
the blink of an eye. O Allaah, none is worthy of worship except You. You need none, but we
are in dire need of You. We beseech You

1​
This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited. 2​ ​This paragraph is

the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited.

45
to send the rains for us and not make us among those who lose hope. O Allaah, have mercy
upon us and grant us relief.
O Allaah, we are some of the people whom You created. We implore You to not
deprive us of Your bounty due to our sins. O Allaah, revive our hearts and souls with eemaan
and certainty. O Allaah, Lord of all creation, revive our lands with all-encompassing rainfall
and blessings. O Allaah, we beseech You to not deprive us of the good that lies with You on
account of the bad that we do. You hear even the most hidden of statements, You know of
every complaint Your servants have, and You are the One who removes adversity. We
implore You to send the rains for us in abundance. O Allaah, grant us rainfall that is abundant,
encompassing, and beneficial, not harmful. We implore You for the rainfall to come promptly
and not be delayed. O Allaah, make it a rainfall that brings mercy; not one that brings
punishment, adversity, loss of property, or loss of life. O Allaah, bless Your servants and
creatures with water, spread forth Your mercy, and restore Your land to life.
O Allaah, bestow blessed rainfall upon us. Make it rainfall that revives the Earth,
provides water for Your servants, assists them in worshipping You, and allows their lives to
continue, whether in populated or rural areas. O Allaah, allow crops to grow and the udders of
animals to be filled. Send down for us the blessings of the sky, and bring out for us the
blessings of the Earth. O Allaah, Most Generous and Kind, allow our Earth to be adorned and
to flourish. You certainly hear our call. O Allaah, Lord of all creation, we beseech You to
remove the conditions of drought and hardship from us and from all lands of Muslims. O
Allaah, among Your servants and lands are those facing such adversity that we complain to
no one about them besides You. O Allaah, have mercy upon the elderly who bow down to
You, the animals who graze in Your pastures, and the helpless nursing infants.
 O Allaah, provide water for Your creatures and revive Your lands that have died. O
Allaah, bless us abundantly and protect us from adversities. O Allaah, guardian of the
downtrodden, relieve the suffering faced by those in difficulty. O Allaah, open for us the gates
to Your bounty, and grant us clouds of rainfall out of Your favour and kindness. Send the
winds to drive them swiftly, fill them with showers of profuse blessings, and allow them to
rectify our conditions.
O Allaah, forgive us and grant us rainfall. O Allaah, forgive us and grant us rainfall.
None deserves worship besides You, the giver of blessings, bestower of abundant provision,
and granter of relief after hardship and despair.
O Allaah, this is our prayer, and the response we await comes from You alone. We
strive while placing our trust in You alone. There is no movement or strength except by You.
O Allaah, be merciful to us on account of our weakness.

46
Console us and take charge of our affairs. O Allaah, do not turn us back empty- handed. We
place our hope in You and beg You to answer our call.
O Allaah, grant us good in this world, grant us good in the hereafter, and protect us
from the torment of the hellfire.
O Allaah, grant guidance and success to our leader and his deputy, as well as the
Governor of this sacred land, and reward them for encouraging us to implement this Sunnah
of Your Prophet.
Dear Muslims who have come to pray for rain, continue to beseech Allaah at all
times of the day. When you do so, all adversities will be alleviated for you. Continually take
resort to du‘aa’ and make it your constant practice. When you do that while taking all
necessary means and avoiding factors that prevent an answer, you will be granted relief,
comfort, and alleviation of hardships. Remember that Allaah told His Messenger (may Allaah
grant him commendation and protection),

{ ÇÆ Å Ä Ã Â ÁÀ ¿ 3⁄4 1⁄2 1⁄4 »

Í Ì Ë Ê É È z ​“​If my servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near. I

respond to the prayer of those who call upon me. Thus, they must respond to My call and have
eemaan in Me in order for them to be guided.​”1​ ​Allaah also stated,

{ Q P O N M z ​“​Your Lord said, ‘If you call upon me, I

will answer you’.​”2​
Thus we say: Send for our lands an abundance of blessed water which causes the
Earth to be covered with beautiful colours and brings it back to the way it once was.​3
 My dear brothers who have come to pray for rain, our Prophet (may Allaah grant
him commendation and protection) would turn over his upper garment after praying for rain,
so you should follow his guidance and teachings in that regard. He did that out of his hope
that Allaah would change difficult times to ones of prosperity and ease.
In conclusion, invoke salaah and salaam upon the Messenger whom Allaah send
with the brilliant directives of Islaam, containing moderation and completion. That Messenger
holds the most esteemed rank there could be, and he was the best of all people who ever
prayed to Allaah for rainfall.

1​
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):186. 2​ ​Soorah Ghaafir (40):60. 3​ ​This paragraph is the

meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited.

47
O Allaah, grant Your commendation and protection to the one who guided us and
will intercede for us, as well as to his family and Companions, all of whom were the most
noble of personalities. O Allaah, we ask this of You for as long as time endures and the
clouds continue to bring us rainfall.​1
Our Lord is perfect in every way, exalted above all the falsehood ascribed to Him.
He grants protection to all of His Messengers, and all praise is due to Allaah, the Lord of all
creation.
1​
This paragraph is the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited.

48
7. Contemplating the Creation of the Heavens
and Earth
ash-Shaykh Maahir al-Mu‘ayqilee 17 Safar 1440h (26
October 2018)

All praise is due to Allaah. He created all things and decreed specific proportions for
them. He made the night and day alternate, one continually coming after the next, for those
who wish to take heed or be grateful to their Lord. I bear witness that none has the right to be
worshipped except Allaah alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is
Allaah’s worshipping servant and Messenger. Allaah sent him conveying both glad tidings and
warnings prior to the Final Hour. He was also sent as a caller to Allaah, by His permission,
and as a shining light of guidance. O Allaah, grant Your commendation and protection to him,
as well as to his family, Companions, and all who follow their path until the Day of
Recompense.
Servants of Allaah, you must observe taqwaa of Allaah. You must also realize that
the best speech is the speech of Allaah, the best guidance is guidance of Muhammad (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection), and the worst of matters are those which are
innovated and then claimed to be part of Islaam. Every such innovation is considered bid‘ah,
and every bid‘ah is misguidance. You must also remain with the jamaa‘ah (i.e. the main body
of Muslims who adhere to the truth and do what is correct) since the hand of Allaah is over
the jamaa‘ah. Allaah said,

{jihgfedcba`_^

r q po n m l k z ​“​If someone opposes the Messenger after guidance has

become clear to him, and follows other than the path of the people who have eemaan, We shall
leave him to what he has chosen for himself and punish him in the hellfire, the worst
destination​.”​1
Dear Ummah of Islaam, contemplation is a very important form of worship and an
essential action of the heart which many people neglect. The eemaan and certainty of an
individual grow when he carefully examines Allaah’s evidences in His Book and throughout
His creation. An individual’s eemaan and certainty also grow when he contemplates Allaah’s
names and attributes,

1​
Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):115.

49
magnificence and splendour, knowledge and ability, power and wisdom, as well as His
forbearance towards His servants. This is why contemplation of Allaah’s speech is among the
most significant objectives of its revelation. Allaah said about the Qur’aan,

{ j i h g f e d c b z ​“​This is a Book We have sent down to you – the Messenger ​r

– replete with blessings in order for people to contemplate its aayaat, and in order for people of
sound intellect to take heed​.”​1 ​The people who glean the greatest guidance and attain the
optimal outcome in this world and the hereafter are those who seek their direction from the
Book of Allaah, the Most Exalted. He said,

{tsrqponm

_~}|{zyxwvu

f e d c b a ` z ​“​There has certainly come to you from Allaah a light and a clear
scripture. By this scripture, Allaah directs those who diligently strive to please Him to the
channels of safety, brings them out of darkness into the light by His permission, and guides them
to a straight path​.”​2
Servants of Allaah, when a person who has eemaan recites Allaah’s speech, he
contemplates it, thinks about it deeply, and strives to ensure he complies with it. He fulfils
Allaah’s commands, avoids His prohibitions, treats what Allaah permitted as permissible,
treats what He prohibited as prohibited, complies with all that is clear, accepts what might
seem ambiguous to him, fears His Guardian Lord’s threats of punishment, and earnestly
desires to attain the rewards that He promised. When a person does those things, it would be
hoped that he is someone who recites and follows the Qur’aan the way it deserves to be
recited and followed, that the Qur’aan would be a witness and intercessor for him, and that
the Qur’aan would provide him with solace, protection, benefit, and every form of goodness in
this world and the hereafter.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that there is nothing
more beneficial for a worshipping servant of Allaah in matters of this world and the hereafter,
and most effective in leading him to salvation, than contemplating the Qur’aan, spending a
good deal of time reflecting upon it, and focusing his mind on comprehending the meanings of
its aayaat. By doing that,

1​
Soorah Saad (38):29. 2​ ​Soorah al-Maa’idah (5):15-16.

50
its meanings would lead the individual to his Lord with the hope of attaining the magnificent
rewards that He promised, inhibit the individual and warn him against incurring the
devastating punishment about which his Lord threatened, encourage the individual to keep
himself light in preparation for a heavy day, and keep the individual upon the straight path
amidst the darkness of the various inclinations and ideas that people have.​1
Dear people of eemaan, the Qur’aan is the Book of Allaah that is inscribed to be
read. As it relates to Allaah’s creation, it is essentially His book that can be observed, and all
things in it submit to His command, yield to His control, prove His uniqueness and
magnificence, proclaim His knowledge and wisdom, declare His perfection, and constantly
glorify Him. Allaah, the Most Majestic, said, ​{ h g f e d c b ​i ​s r q p o n m l k j ​t
 x w v u z ​“​The seven heavens, the Earth, and all that they
contain proclaim Allaah’s perfection, and there is not a single thing except that it glorifies and
praises Him. However, you do not understand their glorification. Allaah is truly always
Forbearing, Most Forgiving.​”2​
The more contemplative and reflective a person is, the more knowledge and

reverential fear of Allaah he would have. Allaah, the Most Exalted, said, ​{ yxwvutsrq

p o n m ​z ​| { © ̈ § ¦ ¥ ¤ £ ¢ ¡ ~ }

¬ « a ​® ​ ́ 3 2 ± ° ̄ μ o
​ 1 ̧ ¶ z “​Do you not see that Allaah sends down water from
the sky, and We produce with it fruits of varying colours? Furthermore, among the mountains
are white and red tracts, ones of varying colours, and others completely black. Similarly, among
humans, moving creatures in general, and livestock animals, they all have various colours. The
only servants of Allaah who have true reverential fear of Him are those who have knowledge.
Allaah is truly Almighty, Most Forgiving.​”3​ ​Thus, among all people, the Prophets and
Messengers were the ones who contemplated Allaah’s creation most.

1​
See Madaarij as-Saalikeen (1/451). 2​ ​Soorah al-Israa’

(17):44. 3​ ​Soorah Faatir (35):27-28.

51
With regard to the Prophet Ibraaheem (may Allaah grant him continued protection),
Allaah, the Most Exalted, said,

{ Z Y X W V U T S R z ​“​Thus We showed Ibraaheem Our astounding ability and

Our vast dominion in the heavens and the Earth so as to make him among those who have
complete certainty​.”​1
With regard to our Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection), the stage of his life immediately prior to Allaah commissioning him as a Prophet
was spent in solitude, reflection, and contemplation. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with
her) said in the hadeeth about how revelation began, “...then, solitude became beloved to
him, and he would spend time secluded in the cave on the mountain known as Hiraa’. He
would remain there several days and nights for the purpose of worshipping Allaah alone,
before returning to his family. He would take provision for his period of seclusion and worship,
then return to Khadeejah to take further provisions for a similar duration.” This was collected
by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.​2
 The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) contemplated
Allaah’s evidences and blessings all the way until he left this world. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be
pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) said to her one night, “ ‘Aa’ishah, allow me to remain devoted to my Lord in
worship tonight.” She replied, “I swear by Allaah that I love for you to be near to me, and I
also love what makes you happy.” He then got up, purified himself, stood in prayer, and wept.
He said, “An aayah was sent down to me tonight. Ruin is in store for anyone who reads it
without contemplation. The aayah says:

{ c b a ` _ ~ } | { z y z ​‘Indeed, the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and the
alternation of night and day, contain signs for people of understanding’.​” This was collected by
ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh.​3
Similar was the case of the Companions and those who followed them. Ibn ‘Abbaas
(may Allaah be pleased with him) stated, “Two moderate rak‘ah of prayer with presence of
mind are better than performing prayer for the entire night while the mind is absent.” In
addition, when the esteemed Companion Umm ad-Dardaa’ (may Allaah be pleased with her)
was once asked about the

1​
Soorah al-An‘aam (6):75. 2​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3), Saheeh Muslim (160). 3​ ​See

at-Ta‘leeqaat al-Hisaan (619). Graded hasan by al-Albaanee.

52
most virtuous act of worship performed by Abud-Dardaa’ (may Allaah be pleased with him)
she said, “Contemplation and taking heed of lessons.” Furthermore, al-Hasan al-Basree (may
Allaah have mercy upon him) stated, “An hour of contemplation is better than an entire night
of standing in prayer.”
Dear people of eemaan, there are many places in the Book of Allaah, the Almighty
and Most Majestic, where He instructed us to examine the heavens and Earth. He
encouraged us to learn necessary lessons from them and He censured those who remain

heedless of them. In Soorah Yoonus, Allaah said, ​{ } | { z y x ​~ ​f e d c b a ` _ z

“​Messenger of Allaah, say to the people, ‘Look at the heavens and the Earth, and contemplate all
the clear signs they contain.’ However, none of the signs or Messengers are of any use in the case

of people who obstinately refuse to have eemaan.​”1​ ​In Soorah al-A‘raaf, Allaah said, ​{ a© ̈§¦

¥¤£¢¡​~}|{z
 ​ ± ° ̄ z “​Do they not look carefully at the dominion of the
¬ «​® 2
heavens and the Earth, as well as everything that Allaah created? Do they not also consider their
lifespans, the ends of which may very well be near? If they reject this Qur’aan, then what other
speech or scripture is there which they could ever believe in and comply with?​”2​
Therefore, servants of Allaah, we must carefully contemplate this universe and its
vastness, the heavens and the celestial bodies they contain, the stars and their locations, the
mountains that rise to such great heights, the oceans that descend to such great depths, and
the deserts with all their desolation. When a person contemplates that, he would recognize
how small and weak he truly is. His pride would be deflated and his soul would be humbled.
Allaah, the Most Exalted, spoke the truth when He said,

{ × Ö Õ Ô Ó ​Ø ​Þ Ý Ü Û Ú Ù à ß z ​“​And do not walk not upon the Earth with

conceit and arrogance. Indeed, you can neither pierce through the ground, nor can you attain a
stature like the mountains in height.​”3​
An individual should contemplate his own self and how he was created, the fact that
there was a time when he did not even exist, the various stages he

1​
Soorah Yoonus (10):101. 2​ ​Soorah al-A‘raaf

(7):185. 3​ ​Soorah al-Israa’ (17):37.

53
passes through before becoming a fully formed human being, and that Allaah allows him to
hear and see. When an individual does that, he would recognize the true extent of his own
weakness. He would also be completely certain of the dire need he always has for his Lord,
and the magnitude of the blessings that his Lord bestows upon him. Allaah said,

{gfesrqponmlkjih

}|{zyxwvut

¥ ¤ £ ¢ ¡ ​ ~ ​¦ a
​ © ̈ § z “​We indeed created Aadam – the forefather of all humans
– from an extract of clay. Afterwards, We made his descendants as drops of fluid in a safe
lodging. Then, We made the fluid into a clot. Then, We made the clot into a small lump of flesh.
Then, We made from that small lump of flesh, bones. Then, We clothed the bones with flesh, and
then We brought it forth as another creation. Thus, Allaah, the best of creators, is the owner of
infinite goodness.​”1​ ​With that being the case, bear in mind that Allaah also said,

{gfedcba`_^]\[ZYXW
 hz ​“​You, the human being who rejects the truth, what has
made you so bold that you disobey your Lord, the Most Kind and Generous, who created you,
fashioned you so that you could carry out your tasks, and gave you due proportion? In whatever
form He willed, He put you together.​”2​
Servants of Allaah, it is also praiseworthy to contemplate the overall condition of this
world, how swiftly life in it passes, how great its trials can be, how its events constantly
change, how some of its days may be in one’s favour while others may not, and how much
pain and agitation can result from greedily trying to attain its commodities. When someone
constantly pursues this world, he remains troubled before he attains whatever he attains,
troubled even if he attains it, and saddened if it passes him by. Carefully reflecting upon these
realities leads an individual to become less attached to this world and more concerned about
the hereafter which is swiftly approaching, will be an abode that is lasting, and will contain
many sources of goodness and happiness for those who please Allaah. When one keeps this
in mind, he would strive to please

1​
Soorah al-Mu’minoon (23):12-14. 2​ ​Soorah al-Infitaar

(82):6-8.

54
his Lord, and he would realize that what lies with his Lord is best and permanent. Allaah said,

{° ̄®¬«a© ̈§¦¥¤

»o1 ̧¶μ ́32±

Å Ä Ã Â Á À ¿ 3⁄4 1⁄2 1⁄4

Ë Ê É È Ç Æ ​Ì ​Ñ Ð Ï Î Í z ​“​Indeed, the example of life in this world is that of the rain

We send down from the sky. With this rain, various types of plants grow out of the earth,
intermingled, all of them in the same vicinity. Some of that is food for humans, and some is
consumed by animals. Then, when the beauty of that plot of earth and all its crops becomes
apparent, and its owners think they are able to harvest and make use of all the crops that grew,
Our command for it all to end overtakes that land by night or by day. Thus, We make the plants
and trees flattened, and ruined, as if they had never stood upright upon the earth’s surface
before. This is exactly how the adornments and luxuries of this world will come to an end when
Allaah’s command comes. Thus do We explain Our clear signs for people who contemplate.​”1​
May Allaah bless us all by the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and may He allow us to glean
benefit from the evidences and wisdom they contain. I say this much and I ask Allaah to
forgive me and all of you. Thus, ask His forgiveness since He is continually forgiving.

!!!

Allaah deserves that we praise Him as is done by those who are truly grateful. I
bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any
partner. He is the only One who deserves the worship of all earlier and latter generations. I
further bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is Allaah’s worshipping servant and
Messenger. O Allaah, grant Your commendation and protection to him, as well as to all of his
family and Companions.
Dear people of eemaan, when discussing the subject of contemplating Allaah’s
creation, the contemplation intended is that which leads an individual to obey and submit to
the Lord of all creation. Aboo Sulaymaan ad-Daaraanee

1​
Soorah Yoonus (10):24.

55
(may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented, “Indeed, I set out from my home and there is
nothing that my sight falls upon without me seeing that Allaah granted me a blessing by way
of it, and that I learn a lesson from it.”
This concept can be found clearly in the guidance of the Prophet (may Allaah grant
him commendation and protection). There is a narration in Saheeh Muslim from ibn ‘Abbaas
(may Allaah be pleased with him) who recounted that one night he slept in the dwelling of the
Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). Towards the end of the night,
the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) woke, went outside, looked

at the sky, and then recited the following aayah from Soorah Aali ‘Imraan: ​{ edcba`_~

}|{zy

rqponmlkjihgf

y x w v u t s z ​“​Indeed, the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and

the alternation of night and day, contain signs for people of understanding. Those are individuals
who engage in thikr of Allaah whether they are standing, sitting, or lying on their sides. They
contemplate the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and they say, ‘Our Lord, You have not
brought this into existence aimlessly. You are perfect, and exalted above doing such a thing.
Thus, we beseech You to protect us from the torment of the hellfire’.​”1​ ​He then returned inside,
brushed his teeth with a siwaak, performed wudoo’, stood in prayer, and then lay down for a
bit. Afterwards, he stood again, went outside, looked at the sky, and recited the same aayah.
Once more, he returned inside, brushed his teeth with a siwaak, performed wudoo’, and stood
in prayer.​2
From this narration, we see that the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation
and protection) combined contemplating Allaah’s creation along with standing in prayer. He
combined between reflection and action. Al-Imaam an-Nawawee (may Allaah have mercy
upon him) commented that this hadeeth shows the recommendation of reciting those aayaat
when one wakes during the night, as well as looking at the sky, since that fosters profound
contemplation. If during the same night, a person repeatedly sleeps, wakes, and goes out to
look at the sky, it is still recommended to repeat the recitation of those aayaat as mentioned in
the hadeeth, and Allaah – the Most Exalted – knows best.​3

1​
Soorah Aali ‘Imraan (3):109-191. ​2 ​Saheeh Muslim (256).

3​
See al-Minhaaj (2/48).

56
Dear people of eemaan, you must also bear in mind that Allaah gave you a majestic
command. In it, He mentioned Himself first as He said, ​{ o n m l k j i hg f e d c b z

“​Indeed, Allaah grants His commendation to the Prophet, and the angels invoke
​ Allaah to grant
him even further commendation. People of eemaan, invoke Allaah to grant the Prophet
commendation and grant him protection as well.​”1​
O Allaah, grant Your commendation to Muhammad and to the family of Muhammad,
just as You granted Your commendation to Ibraaheem and to the family of Ibraaheem.
Indeed, You are Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the
family of Muhammad, just as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem. Indeed,
You are Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.
O Allaah, be pleased with our Prophet’s rightly guided successors – Aboo Bakr,
‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan, and ‘Alee – as well as all the other Companions and all who follow their
path until the Day of Reckoning. O Allaah, the Most Merciful of all who show mercy, be
pleased with us along with them by Your pardon, kindness, and favour.
O Allaah, grant strength to Islaam and Muslims, and weaken shirk and those who
perpetrate it. Protect the lands of Muslims, and make this land as well as all lands of Muslims
ones that are safe and tranquil.
O Allaah, the Owner of all Majesty and Kindness, rectify the conditions of Muslims in
all places. O Allaah, by Your favour, kindness, and bounty, We implore You to protect the
lands of Muslims from all ills and adversities. O Allaah, protect the land of the Two Holy
Mosques. O Allaah, grant it protection and care which can only come from You. O Allaah,
grant it continued prosperity and stability. We ask this by Your mercy since You are the Most
Merciful of all who show mercy. O Allaah, if people intend ill towards the lands of the Two
Holy Mosques, we beseech You to make the plots of such hostile people lead to their own
demise. We ask this of You, the Almighty and Invincible, the Owner of all Majesty and
Kindness.
O Allaah, Lord of all creation, direct the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to all
that You love and are pleased with, and grant him the best of rewards for all he does to
support Islaam and Muslims. O Allaah, Lord of all creation, allow him to be a means of uniting
the Muslims. O Allaah, guide him and his deputy to all that would be best for Your servants
and their lands. O Allaah, guide all leaders of Muslims to what You love and are pleased with.

1​
Soorah al-Ahzaab (33):56.

57
O Allaah, protect and grant victory to the troops who defend the borders of our
nation. O Allaah, grant them support and protection that can come from none besides You,
and bless them with continued steadfastness. O Allaah, bless them with Your support and
assistance, and allow them to return to their families safely and having earned Your reward.
We ask this by Your mercy since You are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy.
O Allaah, forgive the people of Islaam and eemaan, men and women alike, whether
alive or deceased. We ask this by Your mercy since You are the Most Merciful of all who
show mercy.
Our Lord, forgive us and forgive our brothers who preceded us in accepting
eemaan. Do not place in our hearts any rancour towards people who have eemaan. Our Lord,
You are surely the Most Kind and the Bestower of mercy.
Our Lord, we have wronged our own souls and if You do not grant us Your
forgiveness and mercy, we will certainly be among those who lose everything.
Our Lord, grant us good in this world, grant us good in the hereafter, and save us
from the torment of the hellfire.
Our Lord is perfect in every way, exalted above all the falsehood ascribed to Him.
He grants protection to all of His Messengers, and all praise is due to Allaah, the Lord of all
creation.
 58
8. Correcting Understandings and Perspectives
ash-Shaykh Faysal Ghazzaawee 24 Safar 1440h (2
November 2018)

...Dear Muslims, among the matters of utmost importance intrinsic to the teachings
of Islaam are: correcting concepts and understandings, freeing them from the harms of
unsound beliefs and prevalent false ideas, and rectifying thought in order for it to be aligned
with the religion and the guidance followed by the people of eemaan.
We when examine the texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, we find many instances of
them addressing these issues in various realms using several methods.
Therefore, servants of Allaah, let us take a moment to consider some examples of
this. The following are examples which demonstrate that Islaam is distinguished by the way it
clarifies the realities of things. Allaah, the Most Exalted, said,

{ po n m l k j i h g f e

z y x w vu t s r q z ​“​Mankind, We certainly created you from one male

and one female. Afterwards, We made you descend as various peoples and tribes so that you
could know each other. Indeed, the most honourable of you to Allaah are those who observe
taqwaa most. Allaah certainly has complete knowledge of all things, and He is fully acquainted
with even the most minute of details​.”​1 ​Prior to Islaam, people used to arrogantly boast about
their lineage and the exploits of their ancestors. However, the teachings of Islaam provided
the correct concept of honour. The people most honourable and virtuous are those who
observe taqwaa most. “No one of Arab ancestry has any special virtue over someone of
non-Arab ancestry, or vice versa, except by virtue of taqwaa.”​2 ​The more a person observes
taqwaa (i.e. by fulfilling Allaah’s commands and avoiding His prohibitions), the more
honourable that person would be. That is the individual who is truly honourable.
Additionally, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
clarified this reality by saying, “Status in this world comes from

1​
Soorah al-Hujuraat (49):13. 2​ ​See Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth

as-Saheehah (2700).

59
wealth whereas being honourable to Allaah comes from taqwaa.”​1 ​Hence, we should take
careful note of the understanding people have concerning this world versus what Allaah truly
gives consideration to.
People of taqwaa, eemaan, and righteous deeds in general are the ones who are
allied with the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). He said, “The
people most entitled to me are the people of taqwaa, whoever they may be and wherever
they may be.”​2 ​He also said, “The family of such and such person are not my allies. Rather,
my allies are only Allaah and the righteous people of eemaan.”​3 ​In other words, those who are
truly entitled to ascribe to him are individuals of righteousness even though they may be
distant from him in lineage, and impious individuals are not entitled to ascribe to him even
though they may be near to him in lineage.
Servants of Allaah, grasping this concept properly leads to another concept which
was mentioned by the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) when he
said, “Indeed, Allaah does not look at your outer forms or your possessions. Rather, He looks
at your hearts and your deeds.”​4 ​Thus there is no connection between a servant and his Lord
except by way of taqwaa. The more a person observes taqwaa, the closer and more
honourable he would be to Allaah. Based on this understanding, it could never be correct for
an individual to boast about his wealth, status, looks, physique, offspring, or anything else of
this world that he has. What is truly given consideration is one’s heart and one’s deeds.
Further supporting this meaning is the statement of the Prophet (may Allaah grant
him commendation and protection), “There will indeed come forth on the Day of Resurrection
a large man but, to Allaah, he will not have weight even as little as the wing of a mosquito.
Read the aayah that says:

{ £ ¢ ¡ ​ ~ } z ​Thus, on the Day of Resurrection, We will not give

5​ 6 ​
them any weight.​ ”​ Hence, the indispensable foundation to be relied upon is observing taqwaa
of Allaah and steadfastly complying with His directives. There were numerous remarkable
instances in which Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
used tangible occurrences to emphasize this meaning to his noble Companions: that virtue is
not merely based on appearance or physique.

1​
See Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (3271), Sunan ibn Maajah (4219). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee. 2​ ​See Saheeh

al-Jaami‘ as-Sagheer (2012). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee. 3​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5990), Saheeh

Muslim (215). 4​ ​Saheeh Muslim (2564). 5​ ​Soorah al-Kahf (18):105. 6​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4729), Saheeh

Muslim (2785).

60
‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that he was once
cutting a siwaak for Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
from an araak tree. The wind blew, causing him to lean a bit. His two shins were thin, and
those present laughed at how thin they were. As a result, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) asked, “What are you laughing about?” They replied, “How
thin his two shins are.” The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
said, “I swear by the One in whose hand my soul lies that those two shins will most surely be
heavier in the scale than Uhud [on the Day of Resurrection].”​1
Sahl ibn Sa‘d as-Saa‘idee (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that a man
once passed by while Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) was sitting with someone. He asked the person sitting with him, “What do you
think of that man?” The person responded, “He is a man among the elite. I swear by Allaah
that if he proposed for marriage, his proposal should be accepted; and if he interceded for
someone, his intercession should be accepted.” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) remained silent. Then, another man passed and Allaah’s
Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) asked the person sitting
with him, “What do you think of that man?” The person replied, “Messenger of Allaah, he is a
man among the Muslims who are poor. If he proposed for marriage, his proposal should not
be accepted; if he interceded for someone, his intercession should not be accepted; and if he
spoke, he should not be listened to.” Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) then said, “Just one of that second man is better than an
Earth- ful of the first.”​2
Servants of Allaah, a further related point to be realized is that having much or little
provision is not proportional to how much or little Allaah loves a person, and it is not a proof
for or against a person deserving what he has. Allaah, the Most Exalted, stated about those
who continued rejecting the truth,

{nmlkjihgf

{ z y x w v u t s r q p o z ​“​They also said, ‘We are greater in wealth and

offspring, and we are not going to be punished.’ Messenger of Allaah, say to those who persist in
rejecting the truth you have brought, ‘Indeed, my Lord expands and constricts provision for
whomever He wills, but most people do not realize

1​
See Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (2750, 3192). 2​ ​Saheeh

al-Bukhaaree (6447).

61
this’.​”​ Those who are arrogant towards Allaah say, “We have more wealth and offspring than
1​

others and we will not be punished. We say that because if Allaah was displeased with what
we do and the course we follow, He would not give us the wealth, offspring, and provision we
have. He has only favoured us over others because of the virtue we possess.” Such is their
claim, but they neglected the fact that Allaah expands provision in this world for whomever He
wills, and He constricts it for whomever He wills. That does not necessarily mean Allaah loves
those whom He grants, or that they have some sort of special status with Allaah that entitles
them to what they were given. Similarly, the preceding does not necessarily mean that Allaah
detests those whom He does not give. Rather, He may do that to His servants to test them,
but most people do not realize that Allaah tests His servants in that way. If having abundant
provision was proof that Allaah is pleased with someone and is honouring him, only those
who are obedient to Allaah would have abundant provision. Likewise, if having scarce
provision was proof that Allaah is angry with someone and is disgracing him, only those who
are disobedient to Allaah would have scarce provision. However, Allaah may give certain
people material wellbeing and it leads to them persisting in wrongdoing.
In an authentic hadeeth, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) said, “If you see that Allaah has given a servant of His the things which that
person loves in this world, although the person constantly disobeys Allaah, that will only
cause such an individual to increase in wrongdoing without him realizing it.” He then recited,

{Ø×ÖÕÔÓÒÑÐÏÎÍÌËÊ

Ý Ü Û Ú Ù z ​“​When they refused to take admonition from the

adversities they experienced, and they forsook Our directives, We opened for them the gates of
all material well-being. Then, once they relished in all the blessings We granted them and became
arrogant and conceited, We suddenly seized them with Our punishment, and left them in total
desolation with no hope of attaining any goodness. 2​​ ”​3
Dear Muslims, one of the techniques used by the Prophet (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) when teaching his Companions about virtues, and correcting
their understandings, was posing questions. Aboo Tharr (may Allaah be pleased with him)
recounted, “The Prophet (may Allaah grant

1​
Soorah Saba’ (34):35-36. 2​ ​Soorah al-An‘aam (6):44. 3​ ​See Silsilah

al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (413).

62
him commendation and protection) said, ‘Aboo Tharr, do you think an abundance of wealth
makes someone rich?’ I replied, ‘Yes, Messenger of Allaah.’ He said, ‘Do you think scarcity of
wealth makes someone poor?’ I replied, ‘Yes, Messenger of Allaah.’ He said, ‘Indeed, true
richness is richness of the heart, and true poverty is poverty of the heart’.”​1 ​In another
hadeeth, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, “True
richness does not lie in an abundance of worldly possessions. Rather, true richness lies in
richness of the soul.”​2 ​The richness of the soul being referred to is making do with what one
has, being content with it, being pleased, and not seeking increase out of one’s greed for
more. In such a state, a person would be like someone who is rich.
Another idea related to this topic is the concept of being bankrupt. True bankruptcy
is for a person to meet his Lord on the Day of Resurrection without any righteous deeds. Our
Noble Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) explained this reality
by asking his Companions, “Do you know which person is bankrupt?” They replied,
“Messenger of Allaah, the bankrupt person among us is someone who has no money or
property.” The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
then said, “The bankrupt person among my Ummah is the one who will come forth on the Day
of Resurrection with his prayers, fasting, and charity. However, he will come forth having
reviled certain people, wrongfully accused others, usurped the property of others, shed the
blood of others, and beaten others. He will be seated and each victim will take some of his
righteous deeds as retribution. If his righteous deeds finish before all his wrongdoing has
been settled, the sins of the victims will be taken and cast upon him, then he will be cast into
the hellfire.”​3
Dear Muslims, a number of aayaat and hadeeth lead us to an indisputable reality
about which wealth ends and which remains. Allaah said,

{ i h g ​j ​n m l k z ​“​Whatever you have will eventually perish whereas what Allaah has will never
 perish.​”4​ ​Whatever a person sends forth for himself, gives in Allaah’s path, and spends
seeking to please Allaah is what truly remains. As for everything else in this world – such as
food, drink, clothing, and so on – it eventually ends. In an authentic hadeeth, the Prophet
(may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) asked his Companions, “Is there
anyone among

1​
See at-Ta‘leeqaat al-Hisaan (684), at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (827, 3203). Graded saheeh by al- Albaanee.
​ ​2

Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6446), Saheeh Muslim (1051). 3​ ​Saheeh Muslim (2581), Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (2418). 4​

Soorah an-Nahl (16):96.

63
you who loves his heir’s wealth more than his own wealth?” They replied, “Messenger of
Allaah, every one of us loves his own wealth more.” He then said, “A person’s own wealth is
what he sends forth while the wealth of his heirs is what he holds back.”​1
In another authentic hadeeth, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) stated, “The son of Aadam says, ‘My possessions, my possessions!’ However,
son of Aadam, do any of your possessions benefit you besides what you consume and then
use up, clothe yourself with and then becomes worn out, or give in charity and is then sent
forth for you?”​2 ​In other words, all you have are the mouthfuls you consume, the clothing you
wear out, and the charity whose reward remains. A Muslim is to firmly believe this reality and
be certain that whatever he gives from his wealth for charitable causes and to assist those in
need – while hoping to please Allaah – is, in fact, the wealth that will truly remain for him.
Keeping this in mind undoubtedly motivates one to give, be generous, and extend kindness to
others; and it also discourages one from greed and being miserly towards others.
‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) narrated that they had once sacrificed a
sheep and given from it in charity. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) eventually inquired, “How much of it remains?” ‘Aa’ishah replied, “Nothing remains
except a shoulder.” The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
corrected that understanding by saying, “All of it remains except a shoulder.”​3 ​In other words,
what was given from it in charity is what truly remains while whatever is left for consumption is
what no longer remains. This was the correction offered by the Prophet (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) for the mistaken understanding that wealth which remains for
a person is whatever he does not spend or give but, instead, keeps in his possession; and
that wealth given in charity and is left in the possession of the needy has been lost and no
longer remains. The concept understood from this hadeeth is the same one found in the
aforementioned aayah: “​Whatever you have will eventually perish whereas what Allaah has will
never perish.​”4​ ​The hadeeth is, in fact, a practical example of what the aayah refers to.
Not only that, Allaah characterized a person’s lack of giving to be a form of
destruction. Allaah, the Most Majestic, told us, ​{ xwvutz

1​
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6442). 2​ ​Saheeh Muslim (2958). 3​ ​See Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee

(2470). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee. 4​ ​Soorah an-Nahl (16):96.

64
“​Do not throw yourselves into destruction.​”1​ ​Scholars of tafseer, fiqh, and other disciplines
unanimously agree that this was said in the context of Allaah instructing us to give.
Al-Qurtubee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented that this means you must not
throw yourselves into destruction by neglecting to give in Allaah’s path, due to fearing poverty
and then saying you have nothing to give. Some scholars also explained it to mean that you
must not withhold from giving, leave others to inherit your wealth and, thus, destroy
yourselves due to being deprived of the benefit from the wealth you had.​2
Another related meaning can be found in the Prophet (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) asking the Companions, “Who do you consider bereaved by
loss of children?” They said, “Someone who has no surviving children.” He responded, “That
is not actually the case. Rather, the truly bereaved by loss of children is the one who did send
any children ahead of him [and hope for their reward from Allaah].”​3 ​The understanding
prevalent among them was that someone bereaved by loss of children was a person whose
children had passed away. However, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) sought to correct that perspective by informing them about an important reality:
immense reward would be attained by someone whose child passes away but he perseveres
in bearing that patiently and hoping for Allaah’s reward, and someone who does not do that
would not attain that reward.
My dear brothers, another understanding Islaam corrected was that of strength. The
Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) stated, “The truly strong person
is not the one who overpowers others often. Rather, he is the one who controls himself when
angry.”​4 ​In other words, the individual with true strength is the one who controls himself at
times of anger, since there are people who are physically strong enough to overpower others
but, when angry, they lose control of themselves and then perpetrate acts of oppression and
deeds which are prohibited.
Servants of Allaah, another concept which some people misunderstand is hayaa’:
keeping one’s innate sense of shame intact. That sense of shame is praiseworthy in all
circumstances and it is a branch of eemaan. The Prophet (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) said that everything related to keeping one’s innate sense of
shame intact is good.​5 ​In fact, he disapproved of not doing so. He once passed by an
individual rebuking his brother regarding his sense of shame, telling him he was too ashamed
of certain things to the point

1​
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):195. 2​ ​Al-Jaami‘ li-Ahkaam al-Qur’aan (3/258-259). 3​

Saheeh Muslim (2608). 4​ ​Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6114), Saheeh Muslim

(2609). 5​ ​See Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6117), Saheeh Muslim (37).

65
that he was harming himself. However, Allaah’s Messenger (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) said, “Let him be. Keeping one’s innate sense of shame intact
is certainly part of eemaan.”​1 ​In other words, leave him to maintain that praiseworthy quality.
The Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) explained how to
foster that trait as well as how to acquire it by way of purifying one’s soul and advancing
through the levels of eemaan and ihsaan. He once told the Companions, “You must be
ashamed before Allaah as He rightfully deserves.” The Companions said, “Messenger of
Allaah, we do feel ashamed before Him, and all praise is due to Allaah alone.” He told them,
“That is not what I mean. Rather, being ashamed before Allaah means that you protect your
head and what it contains, protect your belly and what it holds, and remember that people will
pass away and decay. When a person desires the hereafter, he would leave the luxuries of
life in this world. If someone does those things, that is what it means to be ashamed before
Allaah as He rightfully deserves.”​2 ​Protecting the head and what it contains includes
restraining one’s hearing, sight, and tongue from the impermissible. Protecting the belly
includes restraining one’s heart from persisting in what Allaah forbade. Protecting the belly
also includes not putting any foods or drinks into it which are impermissible.
Servants of Allaah, an important related matter to take note of is that anything which
leads one to neglect obligations is, in fact, weakness. Neglecting to encourage others to do
right and discourage them from wrong, neglecting to ask necessary questions about matters
of Islaam, and neglecting to clarify the truth are all forms of weakness. They are not part of
the innate sense of shame referred to earlier, despite the names people may give them. This
is why ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) had commented that the women of the
Ansaar were outstanding women, and their sense of shame did not prevent them from asking
about matters of the religion and comprehending it well.​3
I say this much and I implore Allaah to forgive me and all of you. Thus, ask Allaah’s
forgiveness as He is certainly the Most Forgiving, the Bestower of mercy.

!!!

...There is a need greater than ever before to correct mistaken concepts and
understandings during this era of ours in which appearances have been given priority over
substance, and focus is directed to this world instead of the

1​
See Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6118), Saheeh Muslim (36). 2​ ​Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (2458).

Graded hasan li-ghayrihi by al-Albaanee. 3​ ​See Saheeh Muslim (332).

66
hereafter. This state has resulted from an overall decrease in having sound understanding of
Islaam, as well as having weak defense mechanisms. There is a dire need for making
concerted efforts to rectify false ideas that have become ingrained in the minds of many
people and led to gravely detrimental outcomes. Concerted efforts must be made to provide
people with direction regarding the sound beliefs they should hold, correct ideas they should
have, and path of guidance they should follow. When that is done, people’s standards and
perceptions would be in line with the guidance of Islaam, and freed from inclinations to
ignorance or disobedience.
Servants of Allaah, among the evidences which establish the Prophethood of
Muhammad (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) is that he informed us
about changes in understandings, and lapses in values, that would occur towards the end of
this world. He said, “People will eventually face years of deception. During them, the
dishonest will be believed, the honest will be rejected, the trustworthy will be treated as
treacherous, the treacherous will be treated as trustworthy, and the insignificant will speak
out.” The Companions asked, “Messenger of Allaah, who are the insignificant?” He replied,
“Individuals who are insignificant in reality yet speak about matters that affect the general
public and people at large.”​1
Another instance that shows how the teachings of Islaam take people from one
customary understanding and lead them to another meaning which they must pay careful
attention to can be found in the statement of Allaah, the Most Exalted,

{ Í Ì Ë Ê É È Ç Æ Å Ä z ​“​True blindness is not that of the eyes. Rather, it is

the hearts in people’s chests that go blind​.”​2 ​In other words, the blindness that has truly serious
consequences is that of one’s heart and insight, not one’s eyesight. A person’s eyesight may
be functioning normally, but that is not what enables him to learn necessary lessons and
grasp realities of certain things.
Another example of the correct understanding brought by Islaam’s teachings can be
found in the statement of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection),
“There is no contagion and there is no bad which is brought about by superstition, such as the
direction birds fly. However, I do like optimism.” The Companions asked, “Messenger of
Allaah, what is optimism?” He replied, “What you feel when you hear a pleasant word.” This
was collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.​3

1​
Sunan ibn Maajah (4036). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee. 2​ ​Soorah al-Hajj

(22):46. 3​ ​See Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5776), Saheeh Muslim (2223).

67
The statement “there is no contagion” negates the idea that people had during the
pre-Islaamic period of ignorance, in which they ascribed causes to other than Allaah and
believed that illness could travel from one person to another without Allaah allowing that to
happen. Thus, Islaam’s teachings made it clear that such a belief was incorrect; and that if
disease spread from one person to another, that happened by Allaah’s decree, not any
independent influence of the disease itself.
In addition, some people had superstitious ideas based on things they saw, heard,
or knew about. However, all such beliefs are blameworthy, and none of those have any
influence in reality. A person of eemaan should emulate the guidance of the Prophet (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection) by remaining optimistic, and not having
ominous thoughts based on superstitions.
Yet another example of rectifying understandings can be found in the statement of
the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), “The person who commits
the worst theft is the one who steals from his prayer by not completing the bowing,
prostration, and humility that must be part of it.”​1 ​Here, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him
commendation and protection) explained the true theft he was speaking about: a person may
perform prayer, but without necessary composure and devotion during it. He neglects to bow
or prostrate properly and he lacks the humility which is the essence of prayer. As a result, his
limbs remain unaffected after he concludes his prayer.
An additional example of correcting ideas is the statement of the Prophet (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection), “The weakest of people is the one who is too
weak to make du‘aa’.”​2 ​No one would forsake calling upon Allaah and asking of Him besides
the weakest of people. Making du‘aa’ does not place any burden or hardship upon a person.
Rather, it is an act of worship that is beloved to Allaah, the Most Exalted. This comprehensive
statement of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) is at complete
odds with what some of the ignorant believe due to their arrogance: that du‘aa’ is a weapon
used by the weak and an escape resorted to by the feeble, or that it is an indicator of
weakness and negativity resorted to by the lazy who do not make any effort to accomplish
their goals.
Contrary to such ideas, it must be recognized that du‘aa’ holds tremendous status.
In an authentic hadeeth, the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection)
said, “There is nothing more noble to Allaah than du‘aa’.”​3 ​In another authentic hadeeth, he
said, “If a person does not ask of

1​
See Saheeh al-Jaami‘ as-Sagheer (986). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee. 2​ ​See Saheeh

al-Jaami‘ as-Sagheer (1044, 1519). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee. 3​ ​Al-Adab al-Mufrad (712).

Graded hasan by al-Albaanee.

68
Allaah, Allaah will be angry with that person.”​1 ​At-Teebee (may Allaah have mercy upon him)
commented that this is because Allaah loves to be asked of His bounty. Thus, if a person
refrains from doing so, it implies that he despises Allaah, and there is no doubt that such a
person would incur Allaah’s anger.​2
My dear brothers, a further concept is miserliness, and it has various meanings.
One of them which deserves attention was mentioned in the statement of the Prophet (may
Allaah grant him commendation and protection), “The most miserly of people is the one too
miserly to extend the salaam.”​3 ​This is because he is miserly when it comes to saying a word
that is very easy to say and one that would not harm him in any way.
Another meaning of miserliness that deserves attention was mentioned by the
Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) when he said, “The truly
miserly person is someone to whom I am mentioned yet he does not invoke Allaah to grant
me commendation.”​4 ​The utmost of miserliness is to refrain from invoking Allaah’s
commendation for His Messenger when he is mentioned. Therefore, servants of Allaah, do
not deprive yourselves of goodness by being that way. Rather, endeavour to invoke Allaah to
grant His commendation to His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and
protection) whenever he is mentioned. Not only that, you should strive to invoke
commendation for him often since he told us, “The people most entitled to me on the Day of
Resurrection are the ones who invoke Allaah’s commendation for me most.” He also said,
“Invoke much of Allaah’s commendation for me on the eve of Friday as well as on Friday
itself. If someone invokes Allaah to grant me commendation once, Allaah will grant that
person commendation ten times as a result.”
O Allaah, grant Your commendation to Muhammad and to the family of Muhammad,
just as You granted Your commendation to Ibraaheem and to the family of Ibraaheem.
Indeed, You are Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the
family of Muhammad, just as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, and made
that known throughout all of creation. Indeed, You are Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious
1​
Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (3373). Graded hasan by al-Albaanee. 2​ ​See al-Kaashif ‘an

Haqaa’iq as-Sunan (5/1712). 3​ ​See Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (601). 4​

Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (3456). Graded hasan by al-Albaanee.

69
9. The Harms that Words can Cause
ash-Shaykh Su‘ood ash-Shuraym 1 Rabee‘ al-Awwal 1440h (9
November 2018)

All praise is due to Allaah. He is the first and nothing is before Him, the Last and
nothing is after Him, the Highest and nothing is above Him, the Nearest and nothing is nearer
than Him. He is the Most Majestic and Exalted. I praise Him, express my gratitude to Him,
repent to Him for all my sins, and ask His forgiveness. None can withhold what He grants,
none can grant what He withholds, and nothing can avail anyone against Him. I bear witness
that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any partner, and I bear
witness that Muhammad is Allaah’s worshipping servant, beloved Messenger, and chosen
one among all of creation. He completely conveyed Allaah’s message, fulfilled all that was
entrusted to him, and sincerely counseled his Ummah. He left us upon a path so clear that its
night is like its day, and anyone who strays from it will lead himself to his own ruin. O Allaah,
grant Your commendation and protection to Your Messenger, as well as to his pure family, his
wives who were the mothers of the people of eemaan, his esteemed Companions, and all
who follow their path until the Day of Recompense.
My dear audience, I counsel all of you, as well as myself, to observe taqwaa of
Allaah whether in times of ease or hardship, whether pleased or not, and whether in private or
public. “If people obey Allaah, obey His Messenger, have reverential fear of Allaah, and
observe taqwaa of Allaah, they are the ones who will attain true success.”​1
My dear audience, Allaah honoured human beings with many blessings, favoured
them over many of His other creatures in numerous ways, and distinguished them with means
of expression by which they can clarify their intent and achieve their objectives. Allaah said,
 { n m l k j i h g p o z ​“​Allaah, the Most Merciful, taught people the Qur’aan. He
created humans. He taught humans means of articulation and expression.​”2​ ​Such expression
would not just emanate from the heart had Allaah not granted people a tongue which moves
to form letters, as well as two lips which are used for articulation. Allaah said,

1​
Soorah an-Noor (24):52. 2​ ​Soorah ar-Rahmaan

(55):1-4.

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{nmlkjihz ​“​Did We not give the human two eyes, a tongue, and two lips?​”1​
Servants of Allaah, it is crucial for us to recognize the extent of what the tongue can
do. It is the fleshy organ between a person’s two jaws which expresses the words one
composes within himself, and it presents to others the degree of a person’s intellectual
prowess based on how proficiently it expresses meanings. The tongue is the heart’s
spokesperson. By the words a person chooses to use, he chooses the course that he follows
– leading himself to either safety or ruin. It could never be otherwise in light of the fact that
Allaah’s chosen Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) said, “Is there
anything that will cast people into the hellfire upon their faces besides the harvest of their
tongues?” This was collected by Ahmad and at-Tirmithee.​2
Servants of Allaah, the tongue is a double-edged sword, meaning that if a person
uses it properly, he will attain praiseworthy results; but if he uses it badly, he will only attain
remorse and loss. Many disputes, and even wars, were initiated by nothing more than words
and slips of the tongue. Just as fires can be ignited from mere twigs, battles can be ignited
from mere words. In all differences, hostilities, and severing of ties that take place, the tongue
had a role to play due to it setting aside what would have been best to say. Allaah instructed

His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), ​{ z y x w vu t s r q p

z “​​ Tell My servants to say what is best. Indeed, shaytaan sows enmity between them.​”​ Servants
3​

of Allaah, this should not come as any surprise. Shaytaan cannot find an opportunity to sow
problems between people unless their tongues deviate from saying good things, and give the
detrimental precedence over the beneficial. Indeed, actualizing taqwaa in the heart and
righteousness upon the limbs does not come about unless the tongue continues to say what

is correct. Allaah told us, ​{ ¤ £ ¢ ¡ ​ ~ } | { z y x w v u z ​“​People of eemaan, observe taqwaa of

Allaah and speak words that are correct.

​ If you do so, Allaah will guide you to perform righteous
deeds, and He will forgive your sins.​”4​
When a person’s mind and religious practice are sound, that leads him to constantly
be aware of the crucial role played by the tongue, as well as the

1​
Soorah al-Balad (90):8-9. 2​ ​Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad (22016), Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (2616). Graded saheeh by

al-Albaanee. 3​ ​Soorah al-Israa’ (17):53. 4​ ​Soorah al-Ahzaab (33):71.

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various consequences of his words that could be for or against him. A slip of the tongue is far
more dangerous than a slip of the foot, and the danger lies in the fact that people perceive the
tongue to be small and insignificant when compared to the remainder of the body’s limbs.
Consider how often, due to mere words of the tongue, lives have been lost, integrity violated,
truth turned into falsehood, and falsehood turned into truth. All of that is due to using the
tongue in ways that are impermissible, or restraining it from what is befitting. Not only that, the
tongue’s dangers and harms take effect more swiftly than its benefits. This happens because
some people’s understandings taint what they hear. As a result, they do not grasp what it
means to give someone the benefit of the doubt, or to understand his words in a decent way.
When words emanate from one’s tongue, the words are no longer under his control. Rather,
they become like a ball that is tossed around by various players, each of whom can serve his
own interests by claiming that the words have a certain meaning.
Servants of Allaah, with respect to the tongue, people are of three types: wise,
reckless, and ignorant.
The first type is the wise. He is guided by his presence of mind and also by his
adherence to his religion, which restrains him from doing wrong. He knows how the tongue
can be used to bring honour or cause humiliation. He knows what words will cause him to
either regret or rejoice. He is more capable of retracting something he does not utter, than he
is of retracting it once uttered. He knows that once a person speaks a word, it controls him;
whereas if he has not yet said the word, he controls it. Sometimes, his wisdom may come
from saying things; but at many other times, it may come from not saying anything at all.
Throughout all of that, he remains aware that having people say, “If only he had spoken” is
better than having them say, “If only he had stayed quiet.”
The second type of person is the reckless. He allows himself to be led by
carelessness, arrogance, and constant impatience. Deliberation has no meaning to him and
there are no words that he considers off-limits. Rather, he uses whatever words he wants,
and leaves his tongue to speak without any restraint. He gives no mind to the meanings or
consequences of what he says. Words of insult, praise, unity, and division are all the same to
him since he has no standards by which he evaluates them. His words are controlled by his
anger, directed by his recklessness, and provoked by his impatience. He only comes to his
senses once his words have already spread far and wide, after it is too late for expressing
remorse or being sorry. Applicable to him is the statement of the Prophet (may Allaah grant
him commendation and protection), “Do not say anything which you will have to be sorry
about tomorrow.” This was collected by Ahmad and ibn Maajah.​1

1​
Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad (23498), Sunan ibn Maajah (4171). Graded hasan by al-Albaanee.

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The third type of person is the ignorant, and I ask Allaah to grant all of you His
protection. Because of his tongue, this type of person becomes an enemy to his own self
even before others may treat him as an enemy. An adage states that “even enemies cannot
inflict as much damage upon a person as what his own ignorance can inflict upon him.”​1
Servants of Allaah, this is because ignorance lies at the root of every affliction. When a
person is ignorant about what his tongue can do, he will be ignorant about the words he uses.
Thus, he would not be able to tell what is beneficial apart from what is harmful. This sort of
ignorance degrades one’s intellect in general, let alone one’s tongue. A person who is
ignorant in this manner does not understand when to speak and when to remain quiet, since
he lacks the knowledge that would enable him to understand. That is a flaw whose effects we
beseech Allaah to protect us from, and this is only fitting since Allaah Himself told His Prophet
Nooh,

{ S R Q P O N M ​T ​Z Y X W V U z ​“​Thus, do not ask Me about what you

have no knowledge of. I admonish you lest you be among those who are ignorant.​”2​
Furthermore, you must bear in mind that having a lot to say is not a sign of
knowledge. Although speaking does often reflect knowledge, there are times when knowledge
is demonstrated by silence. In fact, there were scholars among the Salaf (foremost
generations of Islaam) whose times of silence were almost the same as their times of speech.
There are times when silence speaks far louder than words. Silence does not necessarily
mean someone is ignorant about something. Rather, the first thing it means is that there is
nothing that deserves being spoken about. There is no doubt that if a person knows when to
remain quiet, he would know when to speak. As a result, both his words and his silence would
reflect wisdom, and people would be able to learn from one just as they learn from the other.
Individuals like that are rare gems which are hard to find in environments filled with words that
have no real puporse, or are merely spoken loudly just to be heard.
Servants of Allaah, in light of this topic, there are two items worth drawing attention
to.
The first is that a person unleashing his tongue to speak about everything is
blameworthy. Among the worst of words are those which emanate from the tongue for the
sake of ostentation, outdoing others, or deceiving people in general. A person with a tongue
that does such things is among the people most despised to Allaah’s beloved Prophet and
chosen Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection). He said, “The most
despised of you, and

1​
This quotation is the meaning of Arabic poetry that was cited. 2​ ​Soorah Hood

(11):46.

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the farthest away from me on the Day of Resurrection, are those who speak excessively, try
to show off in the way they speak, or who say many things so as to seem important.” This
was collected by at-Tirmithee.​1 ​Servants of Allaah, those who try to show off when speaking
do so by trying to be eloquent and prestigious, and those who say many things to seem
important do so out of conceit and the desire to look better than others.
Servants of Allaah, the second thing worth drawing attention to is that when
someone speaks outside his area of expertise, he becomes an exposed target which people
can readily ridicule. Respecting other people’s areas of expertise is common sense, and a
person should not try to involve himself in every matter that arises. Rather, he should confine
himself to what he is proficient in. When people speak outside of what they know well, they
bring undesirable consequences upon themselves. The tongue of a scholar of Islaam is not
the same as the tongue of a doctor. The tongue of a politician is not the same as the tongue
of a preacher. Al-Haafith ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy upon him) made a very accurate
statement by remarking that when a person speaks outside his area of expertise, he will say
many strange things.​2
May Allaah grant all of you His protection. You must also realize that the true danger
of a word does not lie merely in its size; rather, it lies in the word’s meaning. For instance,
consider the Arabic word “uff” which expresses irritation. It consists of only two letters but it is
an immensely offensive word when used towards one’s parents. Allaah said about that word,

{ ¡ ​ ~ } | { z y x z “​​ You must not let them hear the slightest word which expresses your
irritation and you must not treat them harshly. Rather, be gentle and speak to them kindly and
honourably.​”3​
May Allaah bless us all by the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and allow us to glean benefit
from the aayaat, admonition, and wisdom they contain. I say this much. If what I have said is
correct, it is from Allaah. If anything is incorrect, it is from myself and shaytaan. I implore
Allaah to forgive me, you, and all Muslim men and women for every misdeed. Thus, seek
forgiveness from Allaah and repent to Him, as my Lord is certainly the Most Forgiving, the
Bestower of mercy.
 !!!

1​
Jaami‘ at-Tirmithee (2018). Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee. 2​ ​See Fath

al-Baaree (3/584). 3​ ​Soorah al-Israa’ (17):23-24.

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