Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen: Download

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد




Anyone who is interested, can download the translation of the selected passages from the Explanation of Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (شرح رياض الصالحين) by Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله, with a 100+ topics to read from. And all praise is for Allaah Alone.

Link 1:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5a3nwj5iH9ySENRWm5NV1R0Um8

Alternate Link:
https://www.scribd.com/document/168206535/Explanation-of-Riyaadh-Al-Saaliheen-Selected-Excerpts

Monday, September 26, 2016

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #110

Removing the harm from the path

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

I saw a man going about in Jannah (and enjoying himself) as a reward for cutting from the middle of the road, a tree which was causing inconvenience to the Muslims. [Saheeh Muslim (6341)]


Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

As for removing the harm from the path, then the path can be:

1) A path in real sense, i.e. the path which the people use for walking (or driving etc.)

2) A path in linguistic sense, i.e. the path to the hearts.

So working on removing the harm from both these paths is a means for attaining nearness to Allaah. Removing the harm from the path to the hearts (by clearing the doubts, showing the correct path, teaching them Tawheed and warning them against Shirk) and righteous deeds (i.e. by enjoining the good and forbidding the evil) is more rewarding and more important than removing the harm from the paths which the people tread. And Allaah is the One who grants success.


[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (2/177)]

Downloads: Index

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #109

Explanation of the last chapter and the last Hadeeth of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree by Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله.
(Adopted from the Shaikh's two books: Sharh of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Sharh of Riyaadh al-Saaliheen)

Quote: "When Allaah loves a thing, He تعالى also loves the one who is doing it."

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

(58) CHAPTER: The Statement of Allaah تعالى:

﴿وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ

{And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection...}
[Surah al-Anbiyaa’ (21):47]

Imaam al-Bukhaaree said: The deeds and the statement of Aadam's offspring will be weighed.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The simplest definition of al-Ikhlaas (sincerity):

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

`Ataa Ibn al-Saa’ib said: It has reached me that `Alee Ibn Abu Taalib رضي الله عنه said:
Righteous deeds are those for which you do not seek praises for yourself but for Allaah (alone).
[Ibn Abee al-Dunya in “al-Ikhlaas wal-Niyyah (5)]

۞۞۝۞۞

[TN: In today’s terms, it would also include: “the number of followers / likes / hits / counts” etc. These things should not bother us or be our main concern. Our aim should be to seek Allaah’s pleasure. We should bring ourselves to account; if our posts are motivated by the number of “likes”, then we have failed in our aim.]

Monday, September 19, 2016

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #108

The Book of Etiquette of traveling (Part 2)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: The desirability of undertaking a journey in a group and appointing a group leader for the journey.

958 - Narrated Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Were people to know of what I know about the dangers of travelling alone, no rider would travel alone at night. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2998)]

959 - Narrated `Abdullaah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-`Aas رضي الله عنهما: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: A single rider is a devil, and a pair of riders is a pair of devils, but three are a company of riders. [Sunan Abu Dawood (2607) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1674) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

960 - Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهما reported: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: When three persons set out on a journey, they should appoint one of them as their leader. [Sunan Abu Dawood (2608, 2609) and graded as “Hasan-Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

961 - Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما reported: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: The best number of companions is four; the best number in expedition is four hundred; and the best number in armies is four thousand; and twelve thousand men will not be defeated as a result of smallness of numbers. [Sunan Abu Dawood (2611) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1555) and graded as “Dha`eef” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. Note that the Shaikh had initially graded this Hadeeth as “Saheeh” but upon rechecking he graded it as Dha`eef. See al-Saheehah (2/680-685/968); Dha`eef al-Targheeb (1814)]


Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

The author (Imaam al-Nawawee) رحمه الله said in his book Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, Chapter: Desirability of undertaking a journey in a group and appointing someone amongst themselves as a group leader. This chapter deals with two issues.

The first issue: One should travel with a group; otherwise he should not travel alone. This is why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Were people to know of what I know about the dangers of travelling alone, no rider would travel alone at night, meaning: a person should never travel alone (on a route). Perhaps he may fall sick, or he may faint, or someone may overpower him (and steal his belongings) or the likes and there would be no one to defend him, (or help him), or inform about him. This is regarding traveling (on routes) where one is completely alone; but as for the routes where there is constant traffic, and not a minute goes by except that there is a car passing you by – in such cases, even if you are alone in your own car, such rulings will not apply; i.e. he would not be considered as travelling alone because nowadays the routes are monitored from one province to another, from one city to another. So in such situations, he (the traveler) doesn’t come under this prohibition.

Moreover, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned in the other Hadeeth that the lone traveler is a devil; two travelers are two devils; but as for three, then they are a group of riders; meaning: when the person is traveling alone, he is a devil; when a person has only one companion to accompany him, then they both are devils; but when there are three people traveling together, they are riders and not devils. This Hadeeth is also a warning and discouragement from traveling alone or with only with one companion. But when there are three, there is no problem with that. And as mentioned earlier, this is again limited to routes and journeys where there is no one else coming and going.

Then the author mentioned the Hadeeth of Abu Sa`eed and Abu Hurairah that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had commanded the travelers, when they are traveling, to appoint one of them as a leader. Meaning: one of them is appointed as leader who is in charge of the group – deciding where to go, when to stop/rest, when to pray, when to eat and all that which is related with traveling. If they do not appoint a leader, there will be chaos and mismanagement. This is why it is said that people do not benefit when there is chaos and there is no one higher (in command to control them). Therefore, it is a must that a leader is chosen who manages their affairs.

It is apparent from this Hadeeth that when a leader is appointed then he should be obeyed in the matters related with traveling for a smooth journey because he is now their leader. But as for the matters which are not related with traveling, then obeying him in that is not necessary, especially when the matters are personal except when he considers him to be a leader from whom he can seek advice. As Allaah تبارك وتعالى said:

﴿فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ

{so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. } [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 159]

So, he can seek counseling for his benefit in the matters which are not clear for him. But if the matters are clear, then there is no need for him to consult the group leader. And success is only with Allaah.


[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (4/584-586)]

Thursday, September 15, 2016

From the Sermon of `Arafah: The rights of the spouses

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the long Hadeeth of Jaabir رضي الله عنه, about the description of the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم Hajj, he narrated that on the Day of `Arafah, in the valley of `Arafah, in his famous sermon, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Fear Allaah concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of Allaah (or for you have taken them as a trust from Allaah), and intimacy with them has become permissible to you through Allaah’s Word. You too have right over them, and that they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed whom you do not like. But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely (i.e. in a manner that does not cause injury or leave a mark). Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing in a reasonable manner.

[Saheeh Muslim (2803), Sunan Ibn Maajah (3074), and Sunan Abu Dawood (1905)]


Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The Prophet: You will be asked about me

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد



In the long Hadeeth of Jaabir رضي الله عنه, about the description of the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم Hajj, he narrated that on the Day of `Arafah, in the valley of `Arafah, in his famous sermon, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: You will be asked about me. What will you say?They said: “We bear witness that you have conveyed (the message) and fulfilled (your duty) and offered sincere advice.” He صلى الله عليه وسلم then raised his forefinger towards the sky and pointing it at the people said: O Allaah! Bear witness, O Allaah! Bear witness, O Allaah! Bear witness.

[Saheeh Muslim (2803), Sunan Ibn Maajah (3074), and Sunan Abu Dawood (1905)]


People will be asked about the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم twice. The first time is in their grave and the other is on the Day of Judgment.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

What should one say when slaughtering the Udhhiyah?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد


Question: What should one say when slaughtering the Udhhiyah?

Answer: It is obligatory at the time of slaughtering the Udhhiyah that one should say: (( بسم الله )) “Bismillaah”, In the of Allaah.

It is Mustahab (preferable) that one should also add to it: (( والله أكبر ، اللهم هذا منك ولك فتقبله مني )) “Wa-llaahu Akbar, Allaahumma haadhaa minka wa laka, faa taqabbalhu minnee”, And Allaah is the Greatest! O Allaah! This is from You and to You. So accept it from me.

[ بسم الله ، والله أكبر ، اللهم هذا منك ولك ، فتقبله مني ]

If it is on behalf of someone else then one should say: (( فتقبله عن [فلان] )) “faa taqabbalhu `an [fulaan]”, So accept it on behalf of so-and-so [one should mention the name of that person]

What is obligatory here is to say Bismillaah; the rest is Mustahab and is not obligatory.

Anas Ibn Maalik رضي الله عنه said: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sacrificed two horned rams that were white with black markings. He slaughtered them with his own hand, saying: Bismillaah and Allaahu akbar, and put his foot on their necks.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5558, 5565) and Saheeh Muslim (4841, 4842)]

`Aaishah رضي الله عنها narrated that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered that a horned ram with black legs, black belly and black (circles) round the eyes be brought to him so that he could sacrifice it. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: O `Aaishah! Give me the knife. Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Sharpen it on a stone. So she did that, then he صلى الله عليه وسلم took it and took the ram, and he lay it down and then sacrificed it, saying: Bismillaah, Allaahumma Taqabbal min Muhammadin wa `Aali-Muhammadin, wa min Ummati Muhammadin “In the name of Allaah. O Allaah! Accept (this sacrifice) from Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and the Ummah of Muhammad”.
[Saheeh Muslim (4845)]

Jaabir ibn `Abdallaah رضي الله عنهما said: I was present with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم on the day of al-Adhha at the prayer place. When he had finished his Khutbah (sermon) he came down from his Minbar and a ram was brought which the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم slaughtered with his own hand. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “In the name of Allaah, Allaah is Most Great. This is on behalf of myself and on behalf of those of my Ummah who have not offered a sacrifice.
[Sunan Abu Dawood (2810) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1521) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Respect Islaam to be respected

Don't expect the Kuffaar to respect Islaam when we, as Muslims...

...do not respect it.

...do not live by its teachings.

...have abandoned the rights of Allaah.

...follow our desires over the Sunnah.

...have distorted the meaning of `Ibaadah (servitude).

...prefer comfort over Inqiyaad (submission).

...ask Allaah for our rights but do not fulfill His rights.

...follow what we like and abandon what we don't like.

...follow what is in our favor and dislike when it goes against us.

...know the true path, yet choose the wrong one.

...know the falsehood but do not abandon it.

...prefer ignorance over guidance.

...have left the religion of the forefathers only to adopt the religion of the personalities.

...have lost the Furqaan (criterion) to judge between the right and the wrong.

...prefer not to distinguish between the right and the wrong.

...prefer not to distinguish between Ahl al-Tawheed (people of Tawheed) and Ahl al-Shirk.

...prefer not to distinguish between Ahl al-Sunnatu wal-Jamaa`ah and Ahl al-Bid`atu wal-Dhalaalatu wal-Furqah (people of innovation, misguidance and division) [Division is caused in the Ummah when people abandon the Sunnah and follow innovations].

...do not enjoin what is good and beneficial.

...do not prohibit what is bad and harmful.

...prefer entertainment and luxuries of life over Allaah's pleasure.

...abandon what is beneficial and opt for what is harmful.

...when we prefer arrogance over humility.

...when we prefer immorality over modesty.

...when we brag about our good deeds and are not ashamed of our sins.

...when we sin openly and cooperate with others in it.

...when we commit more sins than good deeds.

...when we prefer the Dunya over the Aakhirah.

Indeed we are deceiving ourselves and are living in delusion. Remember, Islaam is not in need of us. Rather, we are in need of Islaam. If we ever try to replace Islaam in our lives, instead we will be replaced. As Allaah تعالى said:

وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوا أَمْثَالَكُم

❝{And if you turn away (from Islaam and the obedience of Allaah), He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes.} ❞
[Surah Muhammad (47): 38]

Also:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللَّـهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ يُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لَائِمٍ

❝{O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islaam), Allaah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allaah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers.}❞
[Surah al-Maaidah (5): 54]

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Indeed Allaah تعالى made the Sahaabah an example for those after them

The Sahaabah showed us the principles that one should adopt while believing in the matters of Unseen.

They showed us the way to true servitude. 

They showed us that pure hearts are the ones that easily submit.

When desires prevail, truth becomes obscure.

The Sharee`ah is complete and perfect for all times and places till the coming of the Hour.


بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Hadeeth of al-Dajjaal the Companions asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: How long would he stay on the earth? The Prophet said: For forty days, one day like a year and one day like a month and one day like a week and the rest of the days would be like your days. We said: Allaah's Messenger, would one day's prayer suffice for the prayers of day equal to one year? Thereupon he said: No, but you must make an estimate of time (and then offer the prayers).
[Saheeh Muslim (7015)]


Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Saying “Aameen” by the Imaam and those praying behind him:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Question: Is it necessary to follow the Imaam (even) while saying “Aameen”?

Answer by Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen: Yes! Saying Aameen is Sunnah Muakkadah [1] because of the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

إذا أمن الإمام فأمنوا

“When the Imaam says ‘Aameen’, say ‘Aameen’.” [2]

Friday, September 2, 2016

Not washing the body parts properly while making Wudhu is a Major Sin.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

From Abu Hurairah, `Abdullaah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-`Aas, and `Aaishah رضي الله عنهم that the Prophet said:

Woe to the heels because of Hell-fire.

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. In the narration of Saheeh Muslim it is reported that Allaah’s Apostle saw a man who did not wash his heel so he said the above]

۝۝۝۝۝

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said (paraphrased): 

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Soofee Trance: from the actions of Shaitaan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

`Abdullaah Ibn `Urwah Ibn al-Zubair said: I asked my grandmother – Asmaa’ (Bint Abu Bakr) رضي الله عنهما: ‘What was the state of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when they recited the Qur’aan?’

She replied: They would be in the state as Allaah عز وجل described them (in the Qur’aan): Their eyes would overflow with tears and their skins would shiver (when they recited it or heard it).

I said: But the people nowadays, when they hear the Qur’aan go into trance.

She said: I seek Allaah’s refuge from the Shaitaan.

[Reported by Sa`ee Ibn Mansoor “Tafseer min Sunanih”, al- Baihaqee in “Shu`ab al-Imaan” (1900) and al-Shaatibee in “al-`Itisaam” (1/352) with a Saheeh Chain]


Benefits from this narration:
1. In this is a proper guidance – the methodology of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – while reciting the Qur’aan. When they used to recite the Qur’aan, their eyes would overflow with tears and their skins would shiver.

2. This narration describes the deviancy of those who call themselves as Soofees and who go into trances, or swoon, or run in circles, or jump up and down when they recite the Qur’aan or do any other form of Dhikr. And Asmaa’ Bint al-Siddeeq seeking Allaah’s refuge from this action is a refutation and confirmation that this action is from Shaitaan and not from the actions of the pious predecessors.

3. This narration teaches us an important lesson: Righteous actions like – al-Zuhd (asceticism), al-Khawf (fear of Allaah), and al-Ikhbaat (humility) – are not to be taken by the appearances of those who display it. Rather, they have to be in accordance with the Kitaab and the Sunnah, and as per the understanding of the Companions رضي الله عنهم أجمعين.