Following the Understanding of the Salaf

The following is the translation of a lecture given by Shaykh Albaani.  The PDF version can be found here: The Understanding of the Salaf

Translated by Ahmed Abu Turaab

باب مصادر الاستدلال عند أهل السنة:
الكتاب، السنة، فهم سلف الأمة، وبيان أثر التنكب
عن منهج فهم السلف في أبواب العقيدة

Chapter
Being a Discussion of the Sources which the Ahlus-Sunnah Derive Proofs from: The Book, The Sunnah, and The Understanding of the Pious Predecessors of the UmmahAnd a Clarification of the Effect of Deviating from the Methodology of the Pious Predecessors in the Affairs of Creed

A Party in Paradise and a Party in Hell

by Shaykh Abu 'Ali Nabeel al-Awadhi


Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

Alhamdulillaahi rabil-'aalameen, was-salaatu was-salaamu 'ala nabeeyinaa muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa ashaabihi wa man tabi'ahum bi ihsaanin ila yawmid-deen, amma b'ad:

The Companions of our Prophet Muhammed (salallaahu 'alayhi wa salaam) used to gather to remember death so that they would benefit their souls by increasing in fear of Allaah and strive to gain His pleasure. If this was the case of the Sahaabah and they were the best of generations, the most pious and God-fearing of this ummah, then what about us? Surely, it means that we need to engage in the remembrance of Allaah - The Most Perfect, The Most High - even more. After all, we are in far more need of this act of worship than they were.

Tawfique Chowdhury’s Alliance with the West

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By Anwar al-Awlaki
A few months ago I was approached by students of Shaykh Tawfique Chowdhury to teach some courses at al Kauthar institute. Since this was the first time I have heard of the institute or Shaykh Chowdhury I did some research on both. Yesterday someone posted on my blog an accusation that Shaykh Tawfique was a hypocrite which I promptly deleted. I then read the article that was linked to the post and was amazed by what I have read. Not knowing Shaykh Chowdhury personally, I find it shocking to hear such a statement coming from a person who is considered to be a man of knowledge. Because Shaykh Chowdhury is considered as such and is running an institute that is imparting knowledge to hundreds of students I deem it necessary to respond to his article as an advise to him and a warning to all those who consider themselves to be his students. There is also another reason. Since 9-11 and the active involvement of the US in defining what Islam means today there has been a gradual decline in the standard of walaa’ and baraa’, with many scholars and daees in the West lowering the bar further and further. But this letter represents one of the most blatant manifestations of this phenomenon. I will comment on parts of the article but you can also read it in its entirety.

Western Laws curb Crime Rates?

Even though we constantly hear the West, its allies and the 'modernist' Muslims criticising the punishments ordained by Islam, labelling them as too violent, the crime rate in these Western countries along with those who try to follow them are alarming high as explained in the article below.

Note that USA also has a similar crime rate, if not more.

Did Mirza Ghulam Ahmed fulfil the signs?

The Signs of the Hour andthe False Prophet Mirza Ghulam Ahmad al-Qadiyani

Question: As regards the establishment of the Hour, there are lesser signs and major signs and especially Gog and Magog?

A Solution for our French sisters, inshaAllaah

Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs." 
So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers. And do not be grieved by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed, they will never harm Allah at all. Allah intends that He should give them no share in the Hereafter, and for them is a great punishment. 
Indeed, those who purchase disbelief [in exchange] for faith - never will they harm Allah at all, and for them is a painful punishment. And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment. 
Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward. 
And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.
The Glorious Quran (3:173-180)

Advice to Jama'at ut Tableegh

By Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee 
A lengthy transcript from a tape in which Imaam al-Albaanee discusses the various errors found amongst the sect of at-Tableegh.

If you call to Islam – you have to know what it is, beginning with Imaan and perhaps the brothers will recall the Hadeeth: "That a man came to the Prophet sallalahu alaihi wa sallam with very white clothes and black hair…

"Praise be to Allaah. Salams and Salat on the Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wa sallam"

France bans Burqa yet tolerates Nudity

As a sister pointed out, "if I don't have a problem with them walking half-naked, why should they have a problem with us walking covered properly?"

The recent move by France to impose a ban on burqa, a cover-all headdress some Muslim women choose to wear, has come in contrast with the country's tolerance of public nudity.

Be mindful of Allah in prosperity

Be mindful of Allah in prosperity, and He will remember you in adversity." [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (2516)]

A believer should be with Allah under all circumstances – in weakness and in strength, in poverty and prosperity, in happiness and sorrow, in the flower of youth and in old age, in outward expression, and in the deepest recesses of the soul.

Six Things that can Guarantee you Jannah

عن عبادة بن الصامت ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال : « اِضْمَنُوا لِي ستاً أَضْمِنُ لَكُم الجَنّةَ َ: اصْدُقُوا إِذا حَدَّثتُم ، وَأوفُوا إذا وَعَدْتُم ، وَأَدُّوا إِذا ائتمنتُم ، وَاحفَظوا فرُوجكُم ، وغضُّوا أبصاركم ، وكفوا أيديكم

Ubadahh ibn Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated Allah’s Messenger (sallahu alayhi wa salim) said: “Guarantee me you’ll do six things and I guarantee you Jannah. Whenever you speak say the truth. Fulfill your promises when you make them. When you’re entrusted with something, carry out that trust. Safeguard your private parts, lower your gaze and prevent your hands from harming others.”

Collected by Ibn Khuzaymah (3/91), Ibn Hibban (107), Al-Hakim (4/ 358,359), Al-Khara’itee in Noble character (page 31), Ahmed (5/323) .Shaykh Al-Albani graded this hadeeth as being Hasan Lee Ghayri hi (1470) in Saheehah

The Importance of Working for the Next Life

By Sheikh Muhammad Saalih Al-Uthaymeen

All praise is for Allah who created the Sun and the moon as lights and fixed them in their positions in order that you may tell the time and know (when) the reckoning (is). All p...raise is for the one who made the night and day different for the one who wants to be mindful or thankful. I bear witness that there is no deity worshipped in truth other than Allah who is alone and without partner, owner of the dominion and all praise, from Him is the beginning and to Him is the end. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the best and most virtuous of those who worship Allah and repent to Him, may peace and blessings be upon him, his family, companions, and all that follow him in perfection.

Friday Greetings

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

There is no doubt that Friday is an “Eid” or “festival” for the Muslims, as it says in the hadeeth narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “This is a day of ‘Eid that Allah has ordained for the Muslims, so whoever comes to Jumu‘ah, let him do ghusl, and if he has any perfume let him put some on, and you should use the miswaak.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 1098; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. 

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said, describing the special virtues of Friday: 

Thirteen: It is a day of ‘Eid that is repeated every week. 

Zaad al-Ma‘aad, 1/369 

Until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself

Anas relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

The importance of this hadith:

Islam in One Sentence!

Hadeeth : Say 'I believe in Allaah' and then be Steadfast

On the authority of Aboo 'Amr - and he is also called Aboo 'Amrah - Sufyaan bin Abdillaah ath-Thaqafee (radiAllaahu anhu) who said : 

I said : "O Messenger of Allaah, tell me something about al-Islaam which I can ask of no one but you."

Lecture Series: Tips on how to learn Quranic Arabic quickly and easily

Assalamu Alaikum.

Almost 4 months to go before Ramadan starts.

We do want to understand the Taraweeh prayers this year, right?

Of course we do.

So, for those who had promised themselves that they were going to learn some Arabic before Ramadan, here's a lecture series that provides some practical tips:

Free Mixing between Men and Women

By Imaam ibnul-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (Rahimahullah)

Rulings mentioned by Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim concerning men and women intermingly, something that is so common today, that even many of the Muslims themselves may find its prohibition strange! And Allaah's refuge is sought.

There is no doubt that allowing for the women to mix freely with the men is the origin of every trial and evil; and it is from the greatest reasons for the descending of punishment which is general (encompassing everyone) just as it is from the reasons for corruption of the general and specific affairs. Mixing between men and women is the reason for increase of fawaahish (lewdness) and fornication; and it is from the reasons for general death and contagious diseases. 

April Fool

Praise be to Allaah. 

Lying is not permissible at all, at any time. And it is not permissible to imitate the kuffaar and to be like them, on this day or on any other, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

From the fatwaas of Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan in al-Shaqaa’iq magazine, no. 32, Safar

A Detailed Ruling