The Mufti said,'Marriage is not lust and the woman is not just pleasure and enjoyment'
The following is a summary translation taken from sahab.net
http://www.sahab.net/forums/showthread.php?t=354427
The noble Sheikh, the Mufti of the committee of major scholars in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah Aali Shiekh declared that marriage is not just about lust and fulfilling the desires rather it is security and living together and stability.
And the noble Sheikh said: Some of the Muslims have an incorrect understanding about marriage, understanding it in a way other than its reality. Some of them have an understanding that marriage is simply about fulfilling their desires, so although they might implement the legislated marriage contract, their intention with this marriage is not stability nor commitment rather he marries and in himself he is planning to divorce her, meaning he knows in himself that he will marry her for a specific time period even if he does not mention this or disclose this.
So he marries her due to his desire for her not to have serenity and peace of mind with her, but he only counts her as just a simple pleasure; so he s always on the verge of divorcing her and bringing in someone other than her. So he is a husband and at the same time he mixes this with the intention of divorce. And he does not want from the woman anything other than pleasure.
This is deception to the woman and dishonesty and misleading her; and if a man came to his daughter or his sister and he knew that he did not want her except for this purpose he would not allow him to marry her, but when it comes to other people s daughters he does whatever he wants.
And all of this is from deception and dishonesty and fraud and betrayal. And for this reason Islam has prohibited temporary marriage; and this is to marry for an estimated number of days for an agreed upon specific duration. Therefore this was made impermissible due to the harms that it contains.
And the Sheikh said: So what the person does not like for his daughters then he should not like it for the daughters of the Muslims.
And the Sheikh said: And some of the people might travel to places in order to find marriage for a specific number of days or months and he thinks this is a marriage contract and all of this is trivial to him, so he falls into sin.
And there are some who marry a number of women before (the other women he divorced) finish their waiting period. So he will merge the marriage to more than ten women in one month without any concern for the Islamic legislated contract.
And the Mufti said: The Muslim must have good judgment and he should not let his goal be to fulfill his desire in a way that is not in accordance with the Islamic legislation. And he must adorn himself with the manners of Islam, and he must look at other people s daughters just like he looks at his own daughters and his own sisters, and he should put people in the position that he likes to be in.
Therefore if the person believes it allowable to do evil to the daughters of others and to not comply with the Islamic standard and then he does not want this same evil for his daughters; then why this discrepancy? Where is the balance, where is the justice?
Unfortunately, there are some Muslims who make permissible that which Allah has made impermissible so in a matter of days they marry a number of women, all with the intention of divorce, seeking by this to gain some benefit (from the wife) in the summer or the winter or other than this, and Islam prohibits this. Therefore Islam wants for us to be well-balanced in our contracts and to put others in the position of our daughters and our sisters and to be truthful in our dealings.
And the Sheikh said: &and some of them go and travel and get married against the normal system and then they fall into sin or serious situations and perhaps they might abandon their wives or leave them and not return to them after they have become pregnant or given birth to his child, so this exposes the Muslim descendants to danger. And some of them don t care about their wives or their children so major problems occur as a result of this treacherous marriage.
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010
THE STANCES TO BE ADOPTED WITH REGARD TO DECREED EVENTS WHICH ARE DISAGREEABLE
[From ‘al-Fawaa·id’ (pp.46-47) of Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim -rahimahullaah.]
“When something predecreed happens to the servant, and it is something which he dislikes, then he must adopt six stances regarding it:
The first: The stance of Tawheed: and that Allaah is the One Who decreed it, willed it, and created it. Whatever Allaah willed occurs, and whatever He did not will shall not occur;
The second: The stance of Justice (al-`Adl): And that His Judgement applies and occurs upon him, and whatever He ordains concerning him is fully just;
The third: The stance of Mercy (ar-Rahmah): And that His Mercy in this decreed matter outweighs His Anger, and His punishing; and that Mercy is its basis;
The fourth: The stance of Wisdom (al-Hikmah): And that His Wisdom -He the One free of all imperfections- necessitated that it should occur. He did not ordain it without purpose or frivolously.
The fifth: The stance of Praise (al-hamd): And that He- the Perfect- deserves full praise for that, from every aspect.
The sixth: The stance of Servitude (al-`Uboodiyyah): And that he is entirely a slave, in every sense. The Judgements and Decrees of his Master apply and occur upon him, since he belongs to Him and is His slave. So He controls him such that he is under His Decrees which relate to the creation, just as He controls him in his being under His Judgements relating to the Religion. So it is fully appropriate that these Decrees occur upon him.”
“When something predecreed happens to the servant, and it is something which he dislikes, then he must adopt six stances regarding it:
The first: The stance of Tawheed: and that Allaah is the One Who decreed it, willed it, and created it. Whatever Allaah willed occurs, and whatever He did not will shall not occur;
The second: The stance of Justice (al-`Adl): And that His Judgement applies and occurs upon him, and whatever He ordains concerning him is fully just;
The third: The stance of Mercy (ar-Rahmah): And that His Mercy in this decreed matter outweighs His Anger, and His punishing; and that Mercy is its basis;
The fourth: The stance of Wisdom (al-Hikmah): And that His Wisdom -He the One free of all imperfections- necessitated that it should occur. He did not ordain it without purpose or frivolously.
The fifth: The stance of Praise (al-hamd): And that He- the Perfect- deserves full praise for that, from every aspect.
The sixth: The stance of Servitude (al-`Uboodiyyah): And that he is entirely a slave, in every sense. The Judgements and Decrees of his Master apply and occur upon him, since he belongs to Him and is His slave. So He controls him such that he is under His Decrees which relate to the creation, just as He controls him in his being under His Judgements relating to the Religion. So it is fully appropriate that these Decrees occur upon him.”
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Raising Daughters
Noble reader, each and every one of you is surely going to be resurrected after his death, and questioned and taken into account for his actions in the life of this world. Amongst the issues that a servant would be questioned about, is his family and children, how did he look after and raise them. Concerning this, the Messenger- صلى الله عليه و سام -said: “A man is a care taker of his household and will be questioned about them. A woman is also a caretaker in her husband’s household and will be questioned about that.”
The topic of upbringing and raising children is an extensive one, so I will limit this essay to raising daughters specifically, due to their great importance and wide ranging effect in society - in manners and behavior. For indeed when a girl grows up, she becomes a wife, a mother, a teacher as well other responsibilities that await her in life. If she is rectified, a lot of other affairs would be rectified as a direct consequence, and if the she is ruined, a lot of affairs would also be ruined.
The following concise essay will revolve around the following points:
The virtues of Having girls and the falsity of pre-Islaamic ways.
Being Kind to Daughters – Methods and Examples.
Being Generous, kind and merciful to them.
Being just between them and their siblings whether they are boys and girls.
Bringing them up Islaamicaly and getting them accustomed to this while they are young.
Teaching and preparing them for a married life.
Being keen on marrying them to men of good religion and character.
Visiting them and enjoining ties with them after they are married.
Methods of protecting them from the dangers of present day society.
The virtues of Having Girls and the Falsity of Pre-Islaamic Discrimination.
If we look at the Book of Allaah the Glorified, we find that He strongly rebukes pre-Islaamic ways; that a man is displeased when he is given the glad tidings of a daughter, his face darkens while he is katheem, he feels shy amongst his people so he avoids them out of embarrassment. He contemplates whether he is going to bury her or leave her upon hawn. Allaah strongly criticized them from this practice.
There are, however, remnants of these pre-Islaamic ways that still live in the hearts of some men, especially if a man’s wife keeps giving birth to girls. Even though a woman is just like the earth in this case, in that it grows whatever the farmer plants in it, with some men, it has reached the point where he would divorce his wife after she gives birth – we seek refuge with Allaah from such ignorance and cold heartedness.
During the pre-Islaamic era, women had no status at all, a man would bury his daughter and yet raise his dog and feed his farm animals. Allaah falsified this lowly ideology and raised the status of the woman to its natural level, a level that suits her and enables her to carry out her duties, obligations and rights. He addressed the woman in the same way He addressed the man in obligations and prohibitions, and He specified the woman with some rulings that concern only her, rulings which suit her natural state.
Having children is something that is predestined, it is in Allaah’s Hands, He blesses whom he wills with girls and blesses whom he wills with boys. He blesses others with both boys and girls and tests others with neither. Allaah the Elevated states:
{To Allaah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is All-Knower and is Able to do all things.} [Ash Shooraa: 49-50]
Contemplate over how he mentioned girls first before boys; this is an admonishment to those who belittle the status of women and consider them to be insignificant.
So be pleased with whatever Allaah has decreed for you do not know where the goodness lies! How many fathers were contented by the tidings of a boy, who later only became a calamity for him, a cause for the decrease of his wealth and a continuous source of worry and misery for him. And how many a father was discontented by the news of a daughter while he was anticipating a son, and this girl became not only a helping hand, but a merciful heart and continuous source of support throughout his life. From here we understand that contentment, in reality, is not due to having a boy or a girl, it is only realized if the child is righteous, whether it is male or female. Allaah the Elevated said in describing the servants of al Rahmaan:
{And those who say: "Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the righteous. } [Al Furqaan: 74]
The topic of upbringing and raising children is an extensive one, so I will limit this essay to raising daughters specifically, due to their great importance and wide ranging effect in society - in manners and behavior. For indeed when a girl grows up, she becomes a wife, a mother, a teacher as well other responsibilities that await her in life. If she is rectified, a lot of other affairs would be rectified as a direct consequence, and if the she is ruined, a lot of affairs would also be ruined.
The following concise essay will revolve around the following points:
The virtues of Having girls and the falsity of pre-Islaamic ways.
Being Kind to Daughters – Methods and Examples.
Being Generous, kind and merciful to them.
Being just between them and their siblings whether they are boys and girls.
Bringing them up Islaamicaly and getting them accustomed to this while they are young.
Teaching and preparing them for a married life.
Being keen on marrying them to men of good religion and character.
Visiting them and enjoining ties with them after they are married.
Methods of protecting them from the dangers of present day society.
The virtues of Having Girls and the Falsity of Pre-Islaamic Discrimination.
If we look at the Book of Allaah the Glorified, we find that He strongly rebukes pre-Islaamic ways; that a man is displeased when he is given the glad tidings of a daughter, his face darkens while he is katheem, he feels shy amongst his people so he avoids them out of embarrassment. He contemplates whether he is going to bury her or leave her upon hawn. Allaah strongly criticized them from this practice.
There are, however, remnants of these pre-Islaamic ways that still live in the hearts of some men, especially if a man’s wife keeps giving birth to girls. Even though a woman is just like the earth in this case, in that it grows whatever the farmer plants in it, with some men, it has reached the point where he would divorce his wife after she gives birth – we seek refuge with Allaah from such ignorance and cold heartedness.
During the pre-Islaamic era, women had no status at all, a man would bury his daughter and yet raise his dog and feed his farm animals. Allaah falsified this lowly ideology and raised the status of the woman to its natural level, a level that suits her and enables her to carry out her duties, obligations and rights. He addressed the woman in the same way He addressed the man in obligations and prohibitions, and He specified the woman with some rulings that concern only her, rulings which suit her natural state.
Having children is something that is predestined, it is in Allaah’s Hands, He blesses whom he wills with girls and blesses whom he wills with boys. He blesses others with both boys and girls and tests others with neither. Allaah the Elevated states:
{To Allaah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is All-Knower and is Able to do all things.} [Ash Shooraa: 49-50]
Contemplate over how he mentioned girls first before boys; this is an admonishment to those who belittle the status of women and consider them to be insignificant.
So be pleased with whatever Allaah has decreed for you do not know where the goodness lies! How many fathers were contented by the tidings of a boy, who later only became a calamity for him, a cause for the decrease of his wealth and a continuous source of worry and misery for him. And how many a father was discontented by the news of a daughter while he was anticipating a son, and this girl became not only a helping hand, but a merciful heart and continuous source of support throughout his life. From here we understand that contentment, in reality, is not due to having a boy or a girl, it is only realized if the child is righteous, whether it is male or female. Allaah the Elevated said in describing the servants of al Rahmaan:
{And those who say: "Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the righteous. } [Al Furqaan: 74]
Raising Daughters
Noble reader, each and every one of you is surely going to be resurrected after his death, and questioned and taken into account for his actions in the life of this world. Amongst the issues that a servant would be questioned about, is his family and children, how did he look after and raise them. Concerning this, the Messenger- صلى الله عليه و سام -said: “A man is a care taker of his household and will be questioned about them. A woman is also a caretaker in her husband’s household and will be questioned about that.”
The topic of upbringing and raising children is an extensive one, so I will limit this essay to raising daughters specifically, due to their great importance and wide ranging effect in society - in manners and behavior. For indeed when a girl grows up, she becomes a wife, a mother, a teacher as well other responsibilities that await her in life. If she is rectified, a lot of other affairs would be rectified as a direct consequence, and if the she is ruined, a lot of affairs would also be ruined.
The following concise essay will revolve around the following points:
The virtues of Having girls and the falsity of pre-Islaamic ways.
Being Kind to Daughters – Methods and Examples.
Being Generous, kind and merciful to them.
Being just between them and their siblings whether they are boys and girls.
Bringing them up Islaamicaly and getting them accustomed to this while they are young.
Teaching and preparing them for a married life.
Being keen on marrying them to men of good religion and character.
Visiting them and enjoining ties with them after they are married.
Methods of protecting them from the dangers of present day society.
The virtues of Having Girls and the Falsity of Pre-Islaamic Discrimination.
If we look at the Book of Allaah the Glorified, we find that He strongly rebukes pre-Islaamic ways; that a man is displeased when he is given the glad tidings of a daughter, his face darkens while he is katheem, he feels shy amongst his people so he avoids them out of embarrassment. He contemplates whether he is going to bury her or leave her upon hawn. Allaah strongly criticized them from this practice.
There are, however, remnants of these pre-Islaamic ways that still live in the hearts of some men, especially if a man’s wife keeps giving birth to girls. Even though a woman is just like the earth in this case, in that it grows whatever the farmer plants in it, with some men, it has reached the point where he would divorce his wife after she gives birth – we seek refuge with Allaah from such ignorance and cold heartedness.
During the pre-Islaamic era, women had no status at all, a man would bury his daughter and yet raise his dog and feed his farm animals. Allaah falsified this lowly ideology and raised the status of the woman to its natural level, a level that suits her and enables her to carry out her duties, obligations and rights. He addressed the woman in the same way He addressed the man in obligations and prohibitions, and He specified the woman with some rulings that concern only her, rulings which suit her natural state.
Having children is something that is predestined, it is in Allaah’s Hands, He blesses whom he wills with girls and blesses whom he wills with boys. He blesses others with both boys and girls and tests others with neither. Allaah the Elevated states:
{To Allaah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is All-Knower and is Able to do all things.} [Ash Shooraa: 49-50]
Contemplate over how he mentioned girls first before boys; this is an admonishment to those who belittle the status of women and consider them to be insignificant.
So be pleased with whatever Allaah has decreed for you do not know where the goodness lies! How many fathers were contented by the tidings of a boy, who later only became a calamity for him, a cause for the decrease of his wealth and a continuous source of worry and misery for him. And how many a father was discontented by the news of a daughter while he was anticipating a son, and this girl became not only a helping hand, but a merciful heart and continuous source of support throughout his life. From here we understand that contentment, in reality, is not due to having a boy or a girl, it is only realized if the child is righteous, whether it is male or female. Allaah the Elevated said in describing the servants of al Rahmaan:
{And those who say: "Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the righteous. } [Al Furqaan: 74]
The topic of upbringing and raising children is an extensive one, so I will limit this essay to raising daughters specifically, due to their great importance and wide ranging effect in society - in manners and behavior. For indeed when a girl grows up, she becomes a wife, a mother, a teacher as well other responsibilities that await her in life. If she is rectified, a lot of other affairs would be rectified as a direct consequence, and if the she is ruined, a lot of affairs would also be ruined.
The following concise essay will revolve around the following points:
The virtues of Having girls and the falsity of pre-Islaamic ways.
Being Kind to Daughters – Methods and Examples.
Being Generous, kind and merciful to them.
Being just between them and their siblings whether they are boys and girls.
Bringing them up Islaamicaly and getting them accustomed to this while they are young.
Teaching and preparing them for a married life.
Being keen on marrying them to men of good religion and character.
Visiting them and enjoining ties with them after they are married.
Methods of protecting them from the dangers of present day society.
The virtues of Having Girls and the Falsity of Pre-Islaamic Discrimination.
If we look at the Book of Allaah the Glorified, we find that He strongly rebukes pre-Islaamic ways; that a man is displeased when he is given the glad tidings of a daughter, his face darkens while he is katheem, he feels shy amongst his people so he avoids them out of embarrassment. He contemplates whether he is going to bury her or leave her upon hawn. Allaah strongly criticized them from this practice.
There are, however, remnants of these pre-Islaamic ways that still live in the hearts of some men, especially if a man’s wife keeps giving birth to girls. Even though a woman is just like the earth in this case, in that it grows whatever the farmer plants in it, with some men, it has reached the point where he would divorce his wife after she gives birth – we seek refuge with Allaah from such ignorance and cold heartedness.
During the pre-Islaamic era, women had no status at all, a man would bury his daughter and yet raise his dog and feed his farm animals. Allaah falsified this lowly ideology and raised the status of the woman to its natural level, a level that suits her and enables her to carry out her duties, obligations and rights. He addressed the woman in the same way He addressed the man in obligations and prohibitions, and He specified the woman with some rulings that concern only her, rulings which suit her natural state.
Having children is something that is predestined, it is in Allaah’s Hands, He blesses whom he wills with girls and blesses whom he wills with boys. He blesses others with both boys and girls and tests others with neither. Allaah the Elevated states:
{To Allaah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is All-Knower and is Able to do all things.} [Ash Shooraa: 49-50]
Contemplate over how he mentioned girls first before boys; this is an admonishment to those who belittle the status of women and consider them to be insignificant.
So be pleased with whatever Allaah has decreed for you do not know where the goodness lies! How many fathers were contented by the tidings of a boy, who later only became a calamity for him, a cause for the decrease of his wealth and a continuous source of worry and misery for him. And how many a father was discontented by the news of a daughter while he was anticipating a son, and this girl became not only a helping hand, but a merciful heart and continuous source of support throughout his life. From here we understand that contentment, in reality, is not due to having a boy or a girl, it is only realized if the child is righteous, whether it is male or female. Allaah the Elevated said in describing the servants of al Rahmaan:
{And those who say: "Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the righteous. } [Al Furqaan: 74]
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The title: Tsunami- The reasons for earthquakes
This audio recording was transcribed to text, from a class given at Masjid Rahmah, by Abul Hasan Malik Aadam Al-Akhdar. The title: Tsunami- The reasons for earthquakes is taken from the book ‘Asbaabu Zilzaal’, (The Reasons for Earthquakes) written by our Shaykh Al-Allaamah Muqbil Ibn Haadee Al-Waadi’ee, May Allaah’s Mercy be upon him.
Abul Hasan defines Tsunami:
A brief scientific definition of the word Tsunami is when an earthquake happens underneath the ocean bed or a volcanic eruption happens underneath the seas floor. When it causes the earthquake, the shifting of the earth then causes the eruption and when that eruption takes place it causes waves to reach great heights.And in one reading that I have read, it mentioned that when the wave begins to approach the earth, it begins to rise even more. It has something to do with the way that it approaches the earth and the velocity, like this and it raises even higher. And this particular Tsunami that took place, it basically took place in about seven different countries. And the death toll is now approximately147,000 people who have been killed in this particular calamity.This is not the first Tsunami that has ever happened and of course, as we know this is not the first earthquake that has ever taken place. Because of the devastation that has been seen or witnessed with this last Tsunami and much of the Kalaam (speech), many of the people who talk about it, firstly, being in some Muslim country that; it took place in Indonesia, for example. Also it took place in Malaysia, if I am not mistaken and some other places where there are great populations of Muslims.So many began to question this matter and began to ask with regards to the destruction; to the point where we had mentioned that we had heard even some from among the disbelievers who said that this caused them to question their belief in the Creator. The fact that so many babies had died and, so many lives had been taken that this has began to, as they say, cause them to question their belief in the Creator.And this shows us, brothers, the reality of those who disbelieve that when a matter like this happens. Those who believe understand this increases them in faith. As they understand that this is from the Decree of Allaah. And many of the nations that have preceded, because of their sins and transgressions against Allaah, they had been destroyed. How many are the examples that we could mention?The people of Lut, for example, because of their transgressions, because of their going to Homo-sexuality, preferring the men over the women, that Allaah has created for them. Allaah caused that village or that land to be raised up by the Angels until it was mentioned that in the heavens they could hear the barking of the dogs of the people in that particular place and that land was turned upside-down. And then, it was returned back to the earth in destruction and then Allaah rained down upon them fire from the heavens. So there is no question of that which has taken place historically from the Decree of Allaah in the nations. As we are well aware of the flood of Nuh (Noah), where Allaah caused the water to come from the earth and also from the heavens until the point where the people were drowned except those who were saved in the Ark of Nuh (Noah).So there is no question what so ever that Allaah in His infinite Wisdom and in His infinite Mercy, He has decreed the likes of these particular matters.
Our Shaykh, Shaykh Muqbil, (Allahs mercy be upon him), had written a book with regards to this matter: ‘Asbaabu Zilzaal’ (The Reasons for Earthquakes) and the likes of this and the calamities. It is a tremendous book. So we thought it would be beneficial after we saw what had taken place, that we could bring about some benefit with regards to this particular matter. Firstly, before entering into the book itself, I wanted to mention some of the brief Kalaam(speech) with regards to the Surah Zilzalah in the Qur’an,(The Book of Allaah), Allaah mentions Surah 99:1-8. (1) “When the earth is shaken with its final earthquake.” And the scholars of Tafsir, (those who explain the verses of the Qur’an according to what the Prophet Muhammad, Sallahu Alayhis Salaam, has said with regards to its meaning), from them Ibn Kathir; he mentioned that meaning here of this particular earthquake, that is mentioned in this particular Ayah, that it is the earthquake before Yaumal Qiyyamah, (The Day of Judgement). (2). “And when the earth throws out its burdens.” Also Ibn Kathir mentions with regards to the meaning of this particular Ayah at that particular time; the earth will cause that which is in it, to be cast out from the dead in the earth, from the treasures in the earth, from that which is buried in the earth, from ancient civilizations, whenever it may be. That at that particular time, the earth will throw up its burden, meaning that which is held in it. (3) ”And man will say: What is the matter with it?” Ibn Kathir mentions, with regards to this particular Ayah, that the people will say “Maa La Ha (What is wrong with it?)”. He said that at one time before this particular event, it was a land that was at rest, at peace, a normal affair, a normal matter and then it began to shake and quake. So this shows us that even at that particular time, because that place is at rest, it is a normal day, people are going about in their normal affairs, normal business and then all of a sudden the earth begins to shake. It begins to move and the people begin to question; what is with the earth?And as I read in one of the meanings with regards to the Tsunami itself, that some of the scientist say that it is as if the earth shook upon it’s axis in this particular Tsunami. (4). “That day it will declare its information about all that happened good or evil.” Ibn Kathir explains with regards to this particular Ayah: The earth is from the Shuhood (witnesses) for or against you. That those places that the people committed sin in, then the earth will bear witness against you and as for the places that the person has done righteousness in, then the earth will also be a witness for you. It’s either a witness for you or against you. So this particular matter shows us that the earth itself will testify and it will speak with regards to that which had taken place upon it. (5). “Because your Lord will inspire it.” Ibn Kathir mentions with regards to this meaning, that the inspiration here is that Allaah commanded the earth to shake; that it is Allaah that commanded the earth to move. And this is a refutation, as Shaykh Muqbil will get into against those who attribute these calamities to the nature. They call them natural disasters. And as we will see from the speech of Shaykh Muqbil: If one actually says this believing that it is the earth or the nature itself that causes this matter, then he is a disbeliever. He disbelieved that it is Allaah who has caused this matter and caused this affair to take place with His infinite Wisdom. (6). “That day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds.” (7). “So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom or a small ant, he shall see it.” (8). “And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom or a small ant, he shall see it.”
So on that day brothers, Yaumal Qiyyamah, after this particular earthquake, the great earthquake that is mentioned in these particular Ayat, every person will be shown that which he had done. If its something that is good, then he will be shown that and if it is something that is evil, then he will be shown that. And Ibn Kathir, recording on some of the Salaf, they mention that this Surah itself should be an encouragement for the people to do good even if it is a small, minor affair. Even if it is a small thing, something minute in your sight, it is a great encouragement for you to do.As Allaah mentioned that if you did the smallest amount of good you would see it on Yaumal Qiyyamah. Ibn Kathir also went on to mention that also the opposite is true. That this also should be a discouragement from even doing the smallest amount of evil. As Allaah mentioned in this Ayah that even if it is an atoms weight of evil, it will be shown to the individual. So this particular Ayat or Surah we should mention, shows the tremendous encouragement. Firstly, the doing of good even if it is a very small or minute matter and it is also a discouragement from doing evil again, even if it is from the most small or minute matters of evil. And we mentioned before in some of the lessons from the statements of the Salafis Salih with regards to this particular matter. And we mentioned that from what the Salaf has said: Do not look at the smallness or minuteness of the sin that you are committing, but rather look at the greatness of the one you are disobeying. This is the reality of the matter my brothers. May Allaah bless you.
And as the Shaykh began this particular book, he began to bring different Ayat to mention some of the matters that had happened throughout the earth in the past. And Inshallaah, I selected a portion of those particular Ayat, as the book is a bit long, not long. It’s a small Risalah, the meaning is that there are many Ayats and had we read the entire thing, it may have taken quite a few lessons. So I selected some of the Ayat from the different chapters or the different pages that the Shaykh had mentioned to read. And then bring the speech of the Shaykh in the conclusion.
The Shaykh mentions from the Qur’an the statement of Allaah, Al-A’raf 7:94-99, “And we sent no Prophet unto any town, any village or any place and they denied him, except that We seized it’s people with suffering from extreme poverty or loss in wealth or loss of health and calamities, so that they might humiliate themselves and repent to Allaah. Then We changed the evil for good, until they increased in number and wealth. And said: Our fathers were touched with evil, loss of health and calamities, and with good prosperity.” So they were touched with the both of them. They were touched with calamity, disease, death and what is like it. And they were also touched with some prosperity. So Allaah mentioned; “So We seized them all of a sudden while they were unaware. And if the people of the towns had believed and had Taq’wa (piety), and (fear of Allaah), certainly We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they denied the messengers. So We took them, with punishment, for what they used to earn. Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment by night while they were asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they were playing? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allaah? None feels secure from the Plan of Allaah except the people who are the losers.”
If you pay attention to these particular Ayat brothers, you see that from the reasons for destruction and from the reasons for these calamities that have takes place, is disobedience to the Messengers of Allaah. The people go about as Allaah mentions, in the day and in the night and some of them go to sleep in disobedience to Allaah. Not having any awareness and not being aware of that which Allaah has in plan for them in punishment and in seizing them.Or those who go about in the forenoon playing and going about their normal business in the day and not concerning themselves with that which they have done from disobedience, until Allaah takes and sends a tremendous punishment and calamity upon them and calls them to account for that which they had done. So clearly we see, and do not be mistaken, that which we have seen from destruction, and that which we have seen from death, is from the punishment of Allaah; for those who have belied the Messengers, and those who have disbelieved in the Messengers, and for those who have disobeyed the Messengers of Allaah.And then he brings the Ayat from the book of Allaah, Al_Isra’ 17:58-59. Allaah mentions in these particular Ayat; “And there is not a town, population, but We shall destroy it before the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with a severe torment. That is written in the Book (of Our Decress). And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat, (proofs, evidences, signs) but that the people of old denied them.”So Allaah, He sent signs, Messengers, and Prophets. But the people belied those Messengers, they denied those Ayat, those signs and the likes of them. And He said; “We sent the she-camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And we sent not signs except to warn and to make them afraid (of destruction.)” So Allaah sent many signs to the people of the earth, past and present.He has sent them Messengers with revelations to their people to call them to that which is correct, and to that which is good, and to Tawheed, and to obedience to Allah. But these people belied the Messengers, and they denied the signs of Allaah, and therefore Allaah took them, as we mentioned, with terrible punishment. And then he mentioned the Ayat from the book of Allaah, Surah Fatir 35:44-45, “Have they not traveled in the land, and seen what was the end of those before them- though they were superior to them in power?” Here, Allah is mentioning that there were many nations that came before. Mighty nations, powerful nations, nations of technology, or civilization or like this that had built up great buildings, and great affairs and like this.
And have the people not looked through the earth and seen these matters and seen what was the punishment of those people? Volcanoes had taken some cities, earthquakes had destroyed some cities, floods had destroyed other cities. Great calamities had come to these nations who were powerful, who were mighty but it is Allaah, Glorified and Exalted is He, who is All-Mighty and All-Powerful and it is Allaah who takes to account for these particular matters.And then the Ayah continues: “Allaah is not such that anything in the heavens and the earth escapes Him. Verily, He is All-Knowing, All Omnipotent. And if Allaah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth.” Listen to the people when they talk about how they question their belief in the Creator. As if they do go about in the day and in the night sinning and transgressing against Allaah, causing all affairs of Kufr and disbelief; calling to all that is evil and wicked and corrupt. And then when Allaah takes them with a punishment, calls them to account for that which they did, they don’t remember their sins; they don’t remember their transgressions against Allaah.
All they can say is that they question their faith in the Creator. If Allaah had taken the people to account for what they had really done, there would remain a microbe upon the earth, not a living creature, not walking, not crawling, not swimming, not flying. There would not remain upon the earth a single creature had Allaah not given His infinite Mercy to His creation. “But He gives them respite to an appointed term: and when their term comes, then verily, Allaah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves.”
Allaah knows best that which they had done. Shaykh Muqbil, after mentioning these particular matters, he begins to make some comments with regards to these particular Ayat and the issue of the Zilzaal, these earthquakes. The Shaykh said that Allaah is telling us the story about these particular Ayat; about the condition of those who opposed the Messengers and what Allaah did to those people. And Allah did not oppress them, but rather they oppressed their own souls.Let us know for certainty, that which Allaah has done whether it be in this particular affair, this earthquake, that if you look at the evil of the people, how can one compare the likes of the evil of the people to that which has taken place. And it’s clear, that when Allaah mentions in that Ayah, that He taken the people to account for what they really had done that we wouldn’t remain. But it is only by the Mercy of Allaah and these calamities are from the Signs of Allaah. And then the Shaykh said in the Sahihain (Bukhari and Muslim), on the authority of Jaabirthat, when the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, brought the Ayah from the Qur’an: Say! He, Allaah, has Power, that He can send to you a punishment from above you. And when the Prophet recited it, he said; I seek refuge in your face, meaning Allaah, and then he said; or from beneath your feet. Allaah can send a calamity from above you or from beneath your feet and the Prophet said; I seek refuge in your face, again. Allaah says: or I can send a party of you against another so you can taste the punishment of one another. And sometimes Allaah sends a people strong in the affairs of war and killing and like this and He will send them over another people as a punishment.And this is from the punishment of Allaah, that He causes another people to humiliate another people. As we mention that from the affairs and the matters as mentioned from the book of Adaa Wa Dawaa by Ibnul Qayyim, that from the punishment of Allaah, again Bani Isra’eel, is that He sent a people against them strong in warfare to humiliate them and like. But when this was recited the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, said: As to this last affair, then it is the easiest of those matters.As for the punishment from the heavens, or as for the punishment from beneath the feet of you, then this is the most severe of the punishment of Alaah. So Allaah may send, as we mentioned, He may send down rain from the heavens to cause floods in the earth as we saw during the time of Nuh, peace be upon him. Or He may send down fire from the heavens, or as we see in this particular matter, Allaah may send destruction from beneath your feet from the shaking and the quaking of the earth from beneath you.
So it is Allaah that has Power over this matter. The Shaykh continues: And these affairs of teaching, these things that show you, these admonitions and like this, they continue to happen. They continue to take place ever since Allaah created the heavens and the earth until this day of ours.And in the second portion of this particular lecture or class when we continue and finish it up next week Insha-allaah, we will continue when Shaykh Muqbil brings in the last portion of this book chronologically different earthquakes and different calamities that have taken place in the earth.Whether it be famine, or it be hunger until the point where the Shaykh mentions in some instances in the history, that the hunger became so much that the people began to eat one another. This again is from the punishment of Allaah and from His infinite Wisdom. And then the Shaykh goes on to mention: And these particular Ayat are a severe warning for those who would oppose that which the Prophets and Messengers have come with. And we continue in our time to hear about these admonitions, these calamities. We just heard about this calamity, this Tsunami that took place last week 147,000 people killed. The Shaykh said: And we continue to hear about these signs from Allaah. And we continue to hear about these calamities that shake or bring fear to the Muslims, but the disbelievers, the enemies of Al Islaam, they try to make these calamities, natural disasters.
They call them natural disasters. Why do they call them natural disasters? So as to deny the Messengers? We just recited the Ayat about those who belie the Messengers, those who deny the signs of Allaah. So after 147,000 people die, a way for them to belie the Messengers, to deny the Ayat and the signs of Allaah, is to merely call it a natural disaster. The earth itself just did this. The earth itself began to quake naturally, for no reason, just began to quake like this.So they themselves try to belie the Messengers and deny the truth of Allaah, that which He has sent down, the claiming, alleging that these are natural disasters. And they also try to deny the help of Allaah and the victory that He gives to His Prophets. And then the Shaykh says: The abundance of the earthquakes in the last days is considered a sign from the signs of Prophethood.Why? Because the Prophet, Sallahu Alayhis Salaam, clarified as we will mention in the next lesson from the different narrations from Adallal An-Nubu’a, from the Proofs of Prophethood, that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, had mentioned the coming of these earthquakes and that in the last days there would be tremendous loss of life due to earthquakes and the likes of this. So this is from proofs of Prophethood. And from signs of Prophethood is that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, was able to mention that which was going to take place from the unknown at the particular time, or the un-seen at that particular time.
And then the Shaykh goes on to mention: As the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, mentioned in the narration of Salim Al Nufail, Radiullaahu Anhu, and other narrations that we will mention Insha-Allaah, there is also a narration in the Sahih of Imam: Bukhari and Imam: Muslims on the authority of Abu Hurairah, Radiullaahu Anhu,of the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, mentioning in the last days the coming of these earthquakes.
The Shaykh continues and says: And the question or that which needs to be considered; Have we taken account of that which has taken place? Have we repented to Allaah? How many of us when we heard about this earthquake, or this Tsunami that took place in the Asian Continent, how many fell and repented to their Lord? How many remembered their reckoning with Allaah, and knew that it could have taken place with them? The Shaykh is asking how many took account that 147,000 people have died. But how many of us have taken account from those who remain?
How many of us rushed to Taubah to Allaah. How many of us left off sin immediately, how many felt the fear, Might and Power of Allaah? Or did it become a mere matter of mentioning the death toll. How many people actually took account of that which had taken place in their own lives, and their own family. This is the reality of what the Shaykh is asking us here. Or are they like those who Allaah mentioned in His Qur’an. Allaah said: At-Taubah 9:126, “Do you not see that they had been tested with calamities at least once or twice a year.” Calamities happen quite often, earthquakes and floods. And then He, Allaah, says: “And then they still don’t repent.” The people still don’ repent, they see the calamities, they see the Might of Allaah. They see Allaah seizing the people of their sins and their transgressions and they still don’t repent to Allaah.
And they still don’t remember or take thought. They do not think. So this is what the Shaykh is clarifying for us. Yes, this calamity took place and it was a tragedy, yes. How many of us repented to Allaah. How many of us rushed to leave off the sins and transgressions against Allaah. That is a tremendous Ayah in Surah At-Taubah.
Then the Shaykh spoke about some of the earthquake that had actually taken place in Yemen and some of the calamities in Yemen. He said, after these earthquakes in Yemen, he said: Did the people then begin to get rid of the places that produce whiskey and alcohol. After the earthquake, did the people rush to remember their Lord and to tear down those places of whiskey and like this? Did they repent from Hisbiyyah. How many people repented from Hisbiyyah after these particular affairs. And how many people repented from democracy, that some of the people have the nerve and the audacity to call to and to claim this democracy is from Al-Islaam. A system that makes a faggot equal to the righteous, that gives the same matter to the drunkard to the man who is upon nobility.
How can the people even claim to clarify this matter, rather they should repent to Allaah from the democracy and understand that the affair is that which Allaah had legislated and sent down. Then the Shaykh said: Had they repented, had they freed themselves from the corruption and the sin that is in front of us. He said, again, speaking about the affair in Yemen: Rather, had they repented and freed themselves from unison with the likes of the communists. The matter needs Taubah. This matter needs repentance to Allaah. When we see the likes of these calamities, the likes of the destruction, the likes of the loss of life that we have seen before us, it needs Taubah. It needs people to repent to Allaah to leave off that which they have done from sin. To feel sorry for that which they have committed, to leave it off immediately and to desire within themselves never to return to that particular matter.
Then he mentions the Ayah from the book of Allaah, Qur’an, An-Anfal 8:25, “And fear the Fitnah, a trial, a calamity, that will not just strike those who were obstinate amongst you but rather, it will take all of you in a general punishment.” All of us should fear this. From amongst those who died, we are sure that there were those from among the Saliheen, righteous.But here, we see that Allaah has mentioned beware of a punishment from Allaah that will not just get the sinners from amongst you, but rather it will take the general people. And we will mention some points of benefit with regards to that matter. The Shaykh said: And some of the disbelievers they say; don’t say that these earthquakes are from the reasons of the sins of the people; don’t try to claim that the reason why the earth shook is because the people were sinning and transgressing against Allaah.And therefore the people continue to sin. Then he mentioned the Ayah from the book of Allaah, Qur’an, Ash-Shura 42:30. “And no calamity has reached you except from the deeds of your own hands.” Allaah is just and no calamity has reached the people except that it is from the sins of their own hand, the corruption of their own hands, that which they had put forth from their own sins is the reason for their destruction.And then Allaah mentions; Qur’an: Al-Hadid 57:22-23, “And there is no calamity that has taken place in the earth or within yourselves except that it is in a book that is recorded before we, Allaah, caused it to happen. And indeed this is easy for Allaah. So you will not feel sorrow for that which has missed you and you will not be happy about that which has come to you. And indeed Allaah does not love the obstinate braggard.”And then he mentioned the statement of Allaah, Qur’an, At-Taghabun 64:11, “And no calamity has reached you except by the permission of Allaah, and whosoever believes in Allaah, He guides his heart.” As we mentioned the true believer, when he sees his matter that had taken place with the Tsunami, it increased him in belief. It increased him in the fear of Allaah, as we will see from some of the coming narrations.
And the Shaykh, he continues: He said that earthquakes also could be from a test from Allaah. He firstly mentioned a punishment and it could also be a test from Allaah. He says: Qur’an: Al-Baqarah 2:153-156, “O you who believe! See aid in patience and prayer. Truly! Allaah is with the patient. And say not of those who are killed in the Way of Allaah, They are dead, rather they are alive, but you do not understand or you do not reason. And indeed, We will test you with something from fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient. Those who when afflicted with calamity, say: Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They understood this was a test from Allaah, as Allaah will test us with loss of life. Yes! You will be tested with loss of life as those who came before you were tested with the loss of life.Do you believe that the affair will only be good for you? Do the people now question the Creator because people had died? Yes! There was a calamity, no question it was an affair of sorrow but do the people believe that the affair will only be good for them? Qur’an, Al-‘Ankabut, 29:2-3, “Will the people be left alone saying that we believe and will not be tested?” This is the test of Allaah for His believing servants. He test the believers with loss of life, the loss of wealth, “To see those from amongst you who are truthful, and to see those from amongst you are the liars.”
Then the Shaykh goes on to say: Are we free from sin to where we have the audacity to believe we don’t deserve the punishment of Allaah? And he goes on to mention: Do we put ourselves in the place of the Angels, those who do not disobey Allaah in that which He commands them and they do as they are told? Do we put ourselves in that particular position? And when the Angels are told to do a matter, then they do so. How many times in the day and the night that we know an affair that Allaah has commanded us to do or forbidden us from and we still make that particular move? We still do that thing. How many times in the day and the night do we sin and transgress against Allaah and then we see the calamity before our eyes and we still don’t repent to Allaah.Instead of that affair making them question their belief in the Creator, it should have made them rush to belief in Al-Islaam. It should have made them rush to believe in the Creators of the heavens and the earth. But indeed, as Allaah mentions at the end of this particular Ayah, Al-Baqarah 2:156, “Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” It is those who are upon them, the Peace of Allaah and His Mercy and it is those who are guided.So the guided ones are those who when the calamity comes, they know that it is from Allaah and they know we come from Allaah and to Allaah we are returned. The corruption and Fasad is present in the land of Yemen and other than the land of Yemen. Everyday it increases, every generation as we know gets worse and worse. Everyday the evil is increased in abundance. And some of the deviants may say: What is the sin of the babies. What is the sin of the young children or the young ones who died in this particular calamity, what is their sin?
The Shaykh said: They were taken because of the sins of their fathers and the sins of their families. This narration in the Sahih of Imam Bukhari on the authority of A’isha, and this narration gives us a tremendous look into this particular matter of the children; where she said that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, said that an army will come to attack the Ka’bah and they will reach Baydah and Baydah, as Ibunl Hajar mentions in Fath Al Bari is a well know place that between Mecca and Al Madina, and when they get to that particular place the earth will swallow them up, the first of them and the last of them. And in one narration, even the middle from amongst them. So A’isha said: O Messenger of Allaah, the earth will swallow them up but they will be from them or with them, and those who are from them but not with them. Those who are not actually with them to come and fight against the Ka’bah and who are innocent of that particular matter? The Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, said: The earth will swallow up the first of them, and the last of them and then they will be raised up on Yaumal Qiyyamah and each person will be judged according to their intentions. In other words, those innocent who died with regards to this particular calamity, they were taken to account because of a general punishment.And the scholars had mentioned that this is a proof of not placing yourself amongst the people of sin, of removing yourself from the people of sin. As is mentioned in Fath Al Bari, this is a proof that even if a person is not drinking but he sits among those who drink, then he is likely to be punished amongst them. Just like if a person was standing on the corner and there were a bunch of people selling drugs. If the police raid the corner, even if you weren’t there selling drugs, you were amongst those people who were selling drugs. You will be taken account amongst those who were taken to account from those who were selling drugs. Guilty by association.But as for the children of those people who were killed in these particular calamities, they will be raised on Yaumal Qiyyamah and each one will be taken account according to his own intention. So they will not necessarily be punished for the sins of their fathers or like this, but they will be taken to account in a general punishment and this is also from the signs of Allaah.And from the Hadith of Zaynab, it is mentioned in this particular narration that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, entered upon Zaynab and he said; Woe to the Arabs and an evil or a punishment is going to take them that is coming soon. And she said; O Messenger of Allaah, will we be destroyed and there are amongst us the righteous? He said; Yes! Once the corruption becomes rampant. They Shaykh said; and the evil has become much.
The factories of alcohol, and the women coming out uncovered, and Allaah knows best what evil is about to come or take after this. So as for the one who tries to ascribe these matters to the nature, natural disasters, and he calls them natural disasters, if he intends by this that the nature itself is that which is causing these matters, then he is a Kaafir, a disbeliever. The Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, mentioned in this Hadith Qud’si: That one night when it had rained, Allaah mentions that the worshippers of Allaah will become believers and disbelievers.
As for the one who says that the rain was from the bounty of Allaah and from His Mercy, then he is a believer in Me and a disbeliever in the stars. As for the one who says the rain is because of such and such from the creation, then he is the one who has disbelieved in Me and believed in the stars. So Allaah has clarified here, the one who ascribes these matters, whether it be rain, lightening, thunder, the Tsunami, whatever it may be, if he attributes that to the creation, then he has disbelieved in Allaah.If a person says, for example, in describing an earthquake that the earth begins to do this and they begin to explain the actual way that the thing takes place, then this is a scientific explanation but we understand that it is Allaah that caused all of that to take place. That it is all from the Might of Allaah. So he does no ascribe that matter to the nature itself.
On the authority of A’isha and Ibn Abass, Radiullaahu Anhu, And then she mentions the statement of the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam: that indeed the sun and the moon are from the signs of Allaah and they do not eclipse for the death of anyone from amongst you nor the life of from anyone amongst you but rather, they are from the matter which Allaah brings fear to your heart by them. So if you see them, solar or lunar eclipse, then pray and make supplication to Allaah. So don’t attribute these affairs to anything from the creation but rather, attribute it to Allaah.
The Shaykh says: So all these people from amongst the disbelievers, are they able to repel the earthquake, can they cause it to stop, can they settle the earth when it begins to shake? And he says: Are they able to stop the floods when they come, are they able to stop the rain when it comes and causes these matters? Rather, are they able to do that which is weaker than that? Are they able to cure the likes of A.I.D.S of which Allaah sent as a punishment for the people?
Abul Hasan defines Tsunami:
A brief scientific definition of the word Tsunami is when an earthquake happens underneath the ocean bed or a volcanic eruption happens underneath the seas floor. When it causes the earthquake, the shifting of the earth then causes the eruption and when that eruption takes place it causes waves to reach great heights.And in one reading that I have read, it mentioned that when the wave begins to approach the earth, it begins to rise even more. It has something to do with the way that it approaches the earth and the velocity, like this and it raises even higher. And this particular Tsunami that took place, it basically took place in about seven different countries. And the death toll is now approximately147,000 people who have been killed in this particular calamity.This is not the first Tsunami that has ever happened and of course, as we know this is not the first earthquake that has ever taken place. Because of the devastation that has been seen or witnessed with this last Tsunami and much of the Kalaam (speech), many of the people who talk about it, firstly, being in some Muslim country that; it took place in Indonesia, for example. Also it took place in Malaysia, if I am not mistaken and some other places where there are great populations of Muslims.So many began to question this matter and began to ask with regards to the destruction; to the point where we had mentioned that we had heard even some from among the disbelievers who said that this caused them to question their belief in the Creator. The fact that so many babies had died and, so many lives had been taken that this has began to, as they say, cause them to question their belief in the Creator.And this shows us, brothers, the reality of those who disbelieve that when a matter like this happens. Those who believe understand this increases them in faith. As they understand that this is from the Decree of Allaah. And many of the nations that have preceded, because of their sins and transgressions against Allaah, they had been destroyed. How many are the examples that we could mention?The people of Lut, for example, because of their transgressions, because of their going to Homo-sexuality, preferring the men over the women, that Allaah has created for them. Allaah caused that village or that land to be raised up by the Angels until it was mentioned that in the heavens they could hear the barking of the dogs of the people in that particular place and that land was turned upside-down. And then, it was returned back to the earth in destruction and then Allaah rained down upon them fire from the heavens. So there is no question of that which has taken place historically from the Decree of Allaah in the nations. As we are well aware of the flood of Nuh (Noah), where Allaah caused the water to come from the earth and also from the heavens until the point where the people were drowned except those who were saved in the Ark of Nuh (Noah).So there is no question what so ever that Allaah in His infinite Wisdom and in His infinite Mercy, He has decreed the likes of these particular matters.
Our Shaykh, Shaykh Muqbil, (Allahs mercy be upon him), had written a book with regards to this matter: ‘Asbaabu Zilzaal’ (The Reasons for Earthquakes) and the likes of this and the calamities. It is a tremendous book. So we thought it would be beneficial after we saw what had taken place, that we could bring about some benefit with regards to this particular matter. Firstly, before entering into the book itself, I wanted to mention some of the brief Kalaam(speech) with regards to the Surah Zilzalah in the Qur’an,(The Book of Allaah), Allaah mentions Surah 99:1-8. (1) “When the earth is shaken with its final earthquake.” And the scholars of Tafsir, (those who explain the verses of the Qur’an according to what the Prophet Muhammad, Sallahu Alayhis Salaam, has said with regards to its meaning), from them Ibn Kathir; he mentioned that meaning here of this particular earthquake, that is mentioned in this particular Ayah, that it is the earthquake before Yaumal Qiyyamah, (The Day of Judgement). (2). “And when the earth throws out its burdens.” Also Ibn Kathir mentions with regards to the meaning of this particular Ayah at that particular time; the earth will cause that which is in it, to be cast out from the dead in the earth, from the treasures in the earth, from that which is buried in the earth, from ancient civilizations, whenever it may be. That at that particular time, the earth will throw up its burden, meaning that which is held in it. (3) ”And man will say: What is the matter with it?” Ibn Kathir mentions, with regards to this particular Ayah, that the people will say “Maa La Ha (What is wrong with it?)”. He said that at one time before this particular event, it was a land that was at rest, at peace, a normal affair, a normal matter and then it began to shake and quake. So this shows us that even at that particular time, because that place is at rest, it is a normal day, people are going about in their normal affairs, normal business and then all of a sudden the earth begins to shake. It begins to move and the people begin to question; what is with the earth?And as I read in one of the meanings with regards to the Tsunami itself, that some of the scientist say that it is as if the earth shook upon it’s axis in this particular Tsunami. (4). “That day it will declare its information about all that happened good or evil.” Ibn Kathir explains with regards to this particular Ayah: The earth is from the Shuhood (witnesses) for or against you. That those places that the people committed sin in, then the earth will bear witness against you and as for the places that the person has done righteousness in, then the earth will also be a witness for you. It’s either a witness for you or against you. So this particular matter shows us that the earth itself will testify and it will speak with regards to that which had taken place upon it. (5). “Because your Lord will inspire it.” Ibn Kathir mentions with regards to this meaning, that the inspiration here is that Allaah commanded the earth to shake; that it is Allaah that commanded the earth to move. And this is a refutation, as Shaykh Muqbil will get into against those who attribute these calamities to the nature. They call them natural disasters. And as we will see from the speech of Shaykh Muqbil: If one actually says this believing that it is the earth or the nature itself that causes this matter, then he is a disbeliever. He disbelieved that it is Allaah who has caused this matter and caused this affair to take place with His infinite Wisdom. (6). “That day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds.” (7). “So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom or a small ant, he shall see it.” (8). “And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom or a small ant, he shall see it.”
So on that day brothers, Yaumal Qiyyamah, after this particular earthquake, the great earthquake that is mentioned in these particular Ayat, every person will be shown that which he had done. If its something that is good, then he will be shown that and if it is something that is evil, then he will be shown that. And Ibn Kathir, recording on some of the Salaf, they mention that this Surah itself should be an encouragement for the people to do good even if it is a small, minor affair. Even if it is a small thing, something minute in your sight, it is a great encouragement for you to do.As Allaah mentioned that if you did the smallest amount of good you would see it on Yaumal Qiyyamah. Ibn Kathir also went on to mention that also the opposite is true. That this also should be a discouragement from even doing the smallest amount of evil. As Allaah mentioned in this Ayah that even if it is an atoms weight of evil, it will be shown to the individual. So this particular Ayat or Surah we should mention, shows the tremendous encouragement. Firstly, the doing of good even if it is a very small or minute matter and it is also a discouragement from doing evil again, even if it is from the most small or minute matters of evil. And we mentioned before in some of the lessons from the statements of the Salafis Salih with regards to this particular matter. And we mentioned that from what the Salaf has said: Do not look at the smallness or minuteness of the sin that you are committing, but rather look at the greatness of the one you are disobeying. This is the reality of the matter my brothers. May Allaah bless you.
And as the Shaykh began this particular book, he began to bring different Ayat to mention some of the matters that had happened throughout the earth in the past. And Inshallaah, I selected a portion of those particular Ayat, as the book is a bit long, not long. It’s a small Risalah, the meaning is that there are many Ayats and had we read the entire thing, it may have taken quite a few lessons. So I selected some of the Ayat from the different chapters or the different pages that the Shaykh had mentioned to read. And then bring the speech of the Shaykh in the conclusion.
The Shaykh mentions from the Qur’an the statement of Allaah, Al-A’raf 7:94-99, “And we sent no Prophet unto any town, any village or any place and they denied him, except that We seized it’s people with suffering from extreme poverty or loss in wealth or loss of health and calamities, so that they might humiliate themselves and repent to Allaah. Then We changed the evil for good, until they increased in number and wealth. And said: Our fathers were touched with evil, loss of health and calamities, and with good prosperity.” So they were touched with the both of them. They were touched with calamity, disease, death and what is like it. And they were also touched with some prosperity. So Allaah mentioned; “So We seized them all of a sudden while they were unaware. And if the people of the towns had believed and had Taq’wa (piety), and (fear of Allaah), certainly We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they denied the messengers. So We took them, with punishment, for what they used to earn. Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment by night while they were asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they were playing? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allaah? None feels secure from the Plan of Allaah except the people who are the losers.”
If you pay attention to these particular Ayat brothers, you see that from the reasons for destruction and from the reasons for these calamities that have takes place, is disobedience to the Messengers of Allaah. The people go about as Allaah mentions, in the day and in the night and some of them go to sleep in disobedience to Allaah. Not having any awareness and not being aware of that which Allaah has in plan for them in punishment and in seizing them.Or those who go about in the forenoon playing and going about their normal business in the day and not concerning themselves with that which they have done from disobedience, until Allaah takes and sends a tremendous punishment and calamity upon them and calls them to account for that which they had done. So clearly we see, and do not be mistaken, that which we have seen from destruction, and that which we have seen from death, is from the punishment of Allaah; for those who have belied the Messengers, and those who have disbelieved in the Messengers, and for those who have disobeyed the Messengers of Allaah.And then he brings the Ayat from the book of Allaah, Al_Isra’ 17:58-59. Allaah mentions in these particular Ayat; “And there is not a town, population, but We shall destroy it before the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with a severe torment. That is written in the Book (of Our Decress). And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat, (proofs, evidences, signs) but that the people of old denied them.”So Allaah, He sent signs, Messengers, and Prophets. But the people belied those Messengers, they denied those Ayat, those signs and the likes of them. And He said; “We sent the she-camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And we sent not signs except to warn and to make them afraid (of destruction.)” So Allaah sent many signs to the people of the earth, past and present.He has sent them Messengers with revelations to their people to call them to that which is correct, and to that which is good, and to Tawheed, and to obedience to Allah. But these people belied the Messengers, and they denied the signs of Allaah, and therefore Allaah took them, as we mentioned, with terrible punishment. And then he mentioned the Ayat from the book of Allaah, Surah Fatir 35:44-45, “Have they not traveled in the land, and seen what was the end of those before them- though they were superior to them in power?” Here, Allah is mentioning that there were many nations that came before. Mighty nations, powerful nations, nations of technology, or civilization or like this that had built up great buildings, and great affairs and like this.
And have the people not looked through the earth and seen these matters and seen what was the punishment of those people? Volcanoes had taken some cities, earthquakes had destroyed some cities, floods had destroyed other cities. Great calamities had come to these nations who were powerful, who were mighty but it is Allaah, Glorified and Exalted is He, who is All-Mighty and All-Powerful and it is Allaah who takes to account for these particular matters.And then the Ayah continues: “Allaah is not such that anything in the heavens and the earth escapes Him. Verily, He is All-Knowing, All Omnipotent. And if Allaah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth.” Listen to the people when they talk about how they question their belief in the Creator. As if they do go about in the day and in the night sinning and transgressing against Allaah, causing all affairs of Kufr and disbelief; calling to all that is evil and wicked and corrupt. And then when Allaah takes them with a punishment, calls them to account for that which they did, they don’t remember their sins; they don’t remember their transgressions against Allaah.
All they can say is that they question their faith in the Creator. If Allaah had taken the people to account for what they had really done, there would remain a microbe upon the earth, not a living creature, not walking, not crawling, not swimming, not flying. There would not remain upon the earth a single creature had Allaah not given His infinite Mercy to His creation. “But He gives them respite to an appointed term: and when their term comes, then verily, Allaah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves.”
Allaah knows best that which they had done. Shaykh Muqbil, after mentioning these particular matters, he begins to make some comments with regards to these particular Ayat and the issue of the Zilzaal, these earthquakes. The Shaykh said that Allaah is telling us the story about these particular Ayat; about the condition of those who opposed the Messengers and what Allaah did to those people. And Allah did not oppress them, but rather they oppressed their own souls.Let us know for certainty, that which Allaah has done whether it be in this particular affair, this earthquake, that if you look at the evil of the people, how can one compare the likes of the evil of the people to that which has taken place. And it’s clear, that when Allaah mentions in that Ayah, that He taken the people to account for what they really had done that we wouldn’t remain. But it is only by the Mercy of Allaah and these calamities are from the Signs of Allaah. And then the Shaykh said in the Sahihain (Bukhari and Muslim), on the authority of Jaabirthat, when the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, brought the Ayah from the Qur’an: Say! He, Allaah, has Power, that He can send to you a punishment from above you. And when the Prophet recited it, he said; I seek refuge in your face, meaning Allaah, and then he said; or from beneath your feet. Allaah can send a calamity from above you or from beneath your feet and the Prophet said; I seek refuge in your face, again. Allaah says: or I can send a party of you against another so you can taste the punishment of one another. And sometimes Allaah sends a people strong in the affairs of war and killing and like this and He will send them over another people as a punishment.And this is from the punishment of Allaah, that He causes another people to humiliate another people. As we mention that from the affairs and the matters as mentioned from the book of Adaa Wa Dawaa by Ibnul Qayyim, that from the punishment of Allaah, again Bani Isra’eel, is that He sent a people against them strong in warfare to humiliate them and like. But when this was recited the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, said: As to this last affair, then it is the easiest of those matters.As for the punishment from the heavens, or as for the punishment from beneath the feet of you, then this is the most severe of the punishment of Alaah. So Allaah may send, as we mentioned, He may send down rain from the heavens to cause floods in the earth as we saw during the time of Nuh, peace be upon him. Or He may send down fire from the heavens, or as we see in this particular matter, Allaah may send destruction from beneath your feet from the shaking and the quaking of the earth from beneath you.
So it is Allaah that has Power over this matter. The Shaykh continues: And these affairs of teaching, these things that show you, these admonitions and like this, they continue to happen. They continue to take place ever since Allaah created the heavens and the earth until this day of ours.And in the second portion of this particular lecture or class when we continue and finish it up next week Insha-allaah, we will continue when Shaykh Muqbil brings in the last portion of this book chronologically different earthquakes and different calamities that have taken place in the earth.Whether it be famine, or it be hunger until the point where the Shaykh mentions in some instances in the history, that the hunger became so much that the people began to eat one another. This again is from the punishment of Allaah and from His infinite Wisdom. And then the Shaykh goes on to mention: And these particular Ayat are a severe warning for those who would oppose that which the Prophets and Messengers have come with. And we continue in our time to hear about these admonitions, these calamities. We just heard about this calamity, this Tsunami that took place last week 147,000 people killed. The Shaykh said: And we continue to hear about these signs from Allaah. And we continue to hear about these calamities that shake or bring fear to the Muslims, but the disbelievers, the enemies of Al Islaam, they try to make these calamities, natural disasters.
They call them natural disasters. Why do they call them natural disasters? So as to deny the Messengers? We just recited the Ayat about those who belie the Messengers, those who deny the signs of Allaah. So after 147,000 people die, a way for them to belie the Messengers, to deny the Ayat and the signs of Allaah, is to merely call it a natural disaster. The earth itself just did this. The earth itself began to quake naturally, for no reason, just began to quake like this.So they themselves try to belie the Messengers and deny the truth of Allaah, that which He has sent down, the claiming, alleging that these are natural disasters. And they also try to deny the help of Allaah and the victory that He gives to His Prophets. And then the Shaykh says: The abundance of the earthquakes in the last days is considered a sign from the signs of Prophethood.Why? Because the Prophet, Sallahu Alayhis Salaam, clarified as we will mention in the next lesson from the different narrations from Adallal An-Nubu’a, from the Proofs of Prophethood, that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, had mentioned the coming of these earthquakes and that in the last days there would be tremendous loss of life due to earthquakes and the likes of this. So this is from proofs of Prophethood. And from signs of Prophethood is that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, was able to mention that which was going to take place from the unknown at the particular time, or the un-seen at that particular time.
And then the Shaykh goes on to mention: As the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, mentioned in the narration of Salim Al Nufail, Radiullaahu Anhu, and other narrations that we will mention Insha-Allaah, there is also a narration in the Sahih of Imam: Bukhari and Imam: Muslims on the authority of Abu Hurairah, Radiullaahu Anhu,of the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, mentioning in the last days the coming of these earthquakes.
The Shaykh continues and says: And the question or that which needs to be considered; Have we taken account of that which has taken place? Have we repented to Allaah? How many of us when we heard about this earthquake, or this Tsunami that took place in the Asian Continent, how many fell and repented to their Lord? How many remembered their reckoning with Allaah, and knew that it could have taken place with them? The Shaykh is asking how many took account that 147,000 people have died. But how many of us have taken account from those who remain?
How many of us rushed to Taubah to Allaah. How many of us left off sin immediately, how many felt the fear, Might and Power of Allaah? Or did it become a mere matter of mentioning the death toll. How many people actually took account of that which had taken place in their own lives, and their own family. This is the reality of what the Shaykh is asking us here. Or are they like those who Allaah mentioned in His Qur’an. Allaah said: At-Taubah 9:126, “Do you not see that they had been tested with calamities at least once or twice a year.” Calamities happen quite often, earthquakes and floods. And then He, Allaah, says: “And then they still don’t repent.” The people still don’ repent, they see the calamities, they see the Might of Allaah. They see Allaah seizing the people of their sins and their transgressions and they still don’t repent to Allaah.
And they still don’t remember or take thought. They do not think. So this is what the Shaykh is clarifying for us. Yes, this calamity took place and it was a tragedy, yes. How many of us repented to Allaah. How many of us rushed to leave off the sins and transgressions against Allaah. That is a tremendous Ayah in Surah At-Taubah.
Then the Shaykh spoke about some of the earthquake that had actually taken place in Yemen and some of the calamities in Yemen. He said, after these earthquakes in Yemen, he said: Did the people then begin to get rid of the places that produce whiskey and alcohol. After the earthquake, did the people rush to remember their Lord and to tear down those places of whiskey and like this? Did they repent from Hisbiyyah. How many people repented from Hisbiyyah after these particular affairs. And how many people repented from democracy, that some of the people have the nerve and the audacity to call to and to claim this democracy is from Al-Islaam. A system that makes a faggot equal to the righteous, that gives the same matter to the drunkard to the man who is upon nobility.
How can the people even claim to clarify this matter, rather they should repent to Allaah from the democracy and understand that the affair is that which Allaah had legislated and sent down. Then the Shaykh said: Had they repented, had they freed themselves from the corruption and the sin that is in front of us. He said, again, speaking about the affair in Yemen: Rather, had they repented and freed themselves from unison with the likes of the communists. The matter needs Taubah. This matter needs repentance to Allaah. When we see the likes of these calamities, the likes of the destruction, the likes of the loss of life that we have seen before us, it needs Taubah. It needs people to repent to Allaah to leave off that which they have done from sin. To feel sorry for that which they have committed, to leave it off immediately and to desire within themselves never to return to that particular matter.
Then he mentions the Ayah from the book of Allaah, Qur’an, An-Anfal 8:25, “And fear the Fitnah, a trial, a calamity, that will not just strike those who were obstinate amongst you but rather, it will take all of you in a general punishment.” All of us should fear this. From amongst those who died, we are sure that there were those from among the Saliheen, righteous.But here, we see that Allaah has mentioned beware of a punishment from Allaah that will not just get the sinners from amongst you, but rather it will take the general people. And we will mention some points of benefit with regards to that matter. The Shaykh said: And some of the disbelievers they say; don’t say that these earthquakes are from the reasons of the sins of the people; don’t try to claim that the reason why the earth shook is because the people were sinning and transgressing against Allaah.And therefore the people continue to sin. Then he mentioned the Ayah from the book of Allaah, Qur’an, Ash-Shura 42:30. “And no calamity has reached you except from the deeds of your own hands.” Allaah is just and no calamity has reached the people except that it is from the sins of their own hand, the corruption of their own hands, that which they had put forth from their own sins is the reason for their destruction.And then Allaah mentions; Qur’an: Al-Hadid 57:22-23, “And there is no calamity that has taken place in the earth or within yourselves except that it is in a book that is recorded before we, Allaah, caused it to happen. And indeed this is easy for Allaah. So you will not feel sorrow for that which has missed you and you will not be happy about that which has come to you. And indeed Allaah does not love the obstinate braggard.”And then he mentioned the statement of Allaah, Qur’an, At-Taghabun 64:11, “And no calamity has reached you except by the permission of Allaah, and whosoever believes in Allaah, He guides his heart.” As we mentioned the true believer, when he sees his matter that had taken place with the Tsunami, it increased him in belief. It increased him in the fear of Allaah, as we will see from some of the coming narrations.
And the Shaykh, he continues: He said that earthquakes also could be from a test from Allaah. He firstly mentioned a punishment and it could also be a test from Allaah. He says: Qur’an: Al-Baqarah 2:153-156, “O you who believe! See aid in patience and prayer. Truly! Allaah is with the patient. And say not of those who are killed in the Way of Allaah, They are dead, rather they are alive, but you do not understand or you do not reason. And indeed, We will test you with something from fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient. Those who when afflicted with calamity, say: Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They understood this was a test from Allaah, as Allaah will test us with loss of life. Yes! You will be tested with loss of life as those who came before you were tested with the loss of life.Do you believe that the affair will only be good for you? Do the people now question the Creator because people had died? Yes! There was a calamity, no question it was an affair of sorrow but do the people believe that the affair will only be good for them? Qur’an, Al-‘Ankabut, 29:2-3, “Will the people be left alone saying that we believe and will not be tested?” This is the test of Allaah for His believing servants. He test the believers with loss of life, the loss of wealth, “To see those from amongst you who are truthful, and to see those from amongst you are the liars.”
Then the Shaykh goes on to say: Are we free from sin to where we have the audacity to believe we don’t deserve the punishment of Allaah? And he goes on to mention: Do we put ourselves in the place of the Angels, those who do not disobey Allaah in that which He commands them and they do as they are told? Do we put ourselves in that particular position? And when the Angels are told to do a matter, then they do so. How many times in the day and the night that we know an affair that Allaah has commanded us to do or forbidden us from and we still make that particular move? We still do that thing. How many times in the day and the night do we sin and transgress against Allaah and then we see the calamity before our eyes and we still don’t repent to Allaah.Instead of that affair making them question their belief in the Creator, it should have made them rush to belief in Al-Islaam. It should have made them rush to believe in the Creators of the heavens and the earth. But indeed, as Allaah mentions at the end of this particular Ayah, Al-Baqarah 2:156, “Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” It is those who are upon them, the Peace of Allaah and His Mercy and it is those who are guided.So the guided ones are those who when the calamity comes, they know that it is from Allaah and they know we come from Allaah and to Allaah we are returned. The corruption and Fasad is present in the land of Yemen and other than the land of Yemen. Everyday it increases, every generation as we know gets worse and worse. Everyday the evil is increased in abundance. And some of the deviants may say: What is the sin of the babies. What is the sin of the young children or the young ones who died in this particular calamity, what is their sin?
The Shaykh said: They were taken because of the sins of their fathers and the sins of their families. This narration in the Sahih of Imam Bukhari on the authority of A’isha, and this narration gives us a tremendous look into this particular matter of the children; where she said that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, said that an army will come to attack the Ka’bah and they will reach Baydah and Baydah, as Ibunl Hajar mentions in Fath Al Bari is a well know place that between Mecca and Al Madina, and when they get to that particular place the earth will swallow them up, the first of them and the last of them. And in one narration, even the middle from amongst them. So A’isha said: O Messenger of Allaah, the earth will swallow them up but they will be from them or with them, and those who are from them but not with them. Those who are not actually with them to come and fight against the Ka’bah and who are innocent of that particular matter? The Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, said: The earth will swallow up the first of them, and the last of them and then they will be raised up on Yaumal Qiyyamah and each person will be judged according to their intentions. In other words, those innocent who died with regards to this particular calamity, they were taken to account because of a general punishment.And the scholars had mentioned that this is a proof of not placing yourself amongst the people of sin, of removing yourself from the people of sin. As is mentioned in Fath Al Bari, this is a proof that even if a person is not drinking but he sits among those who drink, then he is likely to be punished amongst them. Just like if a person was standing on the corner and there were a bunch of people selling drugs. If the police raid the corner, even if you weren’t there selling drugs, you were amongst those people who were selling drugs. You will be taken account amongst those who were taken to account from those who were selling drugs. Guilty by association.But as for the children of those people who were killed in these particular calamities, they will be raised on Yaumal Qiyyamah and each one will be taken account according to his own intention. So they will not necessarily be punished for the sins of their fathers or like this, but they will be taken to account in a general punishment and this is also from the signs of Allaah.And from the Hadith of Zaynab, it is mentioned in this particular narration that the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, entered upon Zaynab and he said; Woe to the Arabs and an evil or a punishment is going to take them that is coming soon. And she said; O Messenger of Allaah, will we be destroyed and there are amongst us the righteous? He said; Yes! Once the corruption becomes rampant. They Shaykh said; and the evil has become much.
The factories of alcohol, and the women coming out uncovered, and Allaah knows best what evil is about to come or take after this. So as for the one who tries to ascribe these matters to the nature, natural disasters, and he calls them natural disasters, if he intends by this that the nature itself is that which is causing these matters, then he is a Kaafir, a disbeliever. The Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam, mentioned in this Hadith Qud’si: That one night when it had rained, Allaah mentions that the worshippers of Allaah will become believers and disbelievers.
As for the one who says that the rain was from the bounty of Allaah and from His Mercy, then he is a believer in Me and a disbeliever in the stars. As for the one who says the rain is because of such and such from the creation, then he is the one who has disbelieved in Me and believed in the stars. So Allaah has clarified here, the one who ascribes these matters, whether it be rain, lightening, thunder, the Tsunami, whatever it may be, if he attributes that to the creation, then he has disbelieved in Allaah.If a person says, for example, in describing an earthquake that the earth begins to do this and they begin to explain the actual way that the thing takes place, then this is a scientific explanation but we understand that it is Allaah that caused all of that to take place. That it is all from the Might of Allaah. So he does no ascribe that matter to the nature itself.
On the authority of A’isha and Ibn Abass, Radiullaahu Anhu, And then she mentions the statement of the Prophet, Sallaahu Alayhis Salaam: that indeed the sun and the moon are from the signs of Allaah and they do not eclipse for the death of anyone from amongst you nor the life of from anyone amongst you but rather, they are from the matter which Allaah brings fear to your heart by them. So if you see them, solar or lunar eclipse, then pray and make supplication to Allaah. So don’t attribute these affairs to anything from the creation but rather, attribute it to Allaah.
The Shaykh says: So all these people from amongst the disbelievers, are they able to repel the earthquake, can they cause it to stop, can they settle the earth when it begins to shake? And he says: Are they able to stop the floods when they come, are they able to stop the rain when it comes and causes these matters? Rather, are they able to do that which is weaker than that? Are they able to cure the likes of A.I.D.S of which Allaah sent as a punishment for the people?
Shaikh Muqbil: Attributing earthquakes, rain, lightening, thunder, Tsunami to "nature" is Kufr!
Five years ago, student of knowledge Abul Hasan Malik Aadam Al-Akhdar (hafidhahullaah) gave a class at Masjid Rahmah, reading to the attendees from a highly beneficial book Asbaabu Zilzaal (The Reasons for Earthquakes) written by Shaikh Muqbil Ibn Haadee Al-Waadi'ee (rahimahullaah).
In light of the recent earthquake that Allaah sent to the island of Haiti, inshaAllaah there is benefit in reading the following scholarly advice:
quote:
So as for the one who tries to ascribe these matters to the nature, and he calls them 'natural disasters'...if he intends by this that the nature itself is that which is causing these matters, then he is a Kaafir, a disbeliever.
In a hadeeth Qudsi, the Prophet (sallaahu 'alayhi wa salaam) said: He (Allaah) said: "This morning one of my slaves became a believer in Me and one a disbeliever. As for him who said: 'We have been given rain by virtue of Allaah and His mercy,' that one is a believer in Me, a disbeliever in the stars; and as for him who said: 'We have been given rain by such-and-such a star,' that one is a disbeliever in Me, a believer in the stars.'"
So Allaah has clarified here that the one who ascribes these matters - whether it be rain, lightening, thunder, the Tsunami, whatever it may be - if he attributes that to the creation, then he has disbelieved in Allaah.
If a person says, for example, in describing an earthquake that the earth begins to do this and they begin to explain the actual way that the thing takes place, then this is a scientific explanation, but we understand that it is Allaah Who caused all of that to take place. That it is all from the Might of Allaah. So he does no ascribe that matter to the nature itself.
In light of the recent earthquake that Allaah sent to the island of Haiti, inshaAllaah there is benefit in reading the following scholarly advice:
quote:
So as for the one who tries to ascribe these matters to the nature, and he calls them 'natural disasters'...if he intends by this that the nature itself is that which is causing these matters, then he is a Kaafir, a disbeliever.
In a hadeeth Qudsi, the Prophet (sallaahu 'alayhi wa salaam) said: He (Allaah) said: "This morning one of my slaves became a believer in Me and one a disbeliever. As for him who said: 'We have been given rain by virtue of Allaah and His mercy,' that one is a believer in Me, a disbeliever in the stars; and as for him who said: 'We have been given rain by such-and-such a star,' that one is a disbeliever in Me, a believer in the stars.'"
So Allaah has clarified here that the one who ascribes these matters - whether it be rain, lightening, thunder, the Tsunami, whatever it may be - if he attributes that to the creation, then he has disbelieved in Allaah.
If a person says, for example, in describing an earthquake that the earth begins to do this and they begin to explain the actual way that the thing takes place, then this is a scientific explanation, but we understand that it is Allaah Who caused all of that to take place. That it is all from the Might of Allaah. So he does no ascribe that matter to the nature itself.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Who is Allah?
Allah is the creator of the heavens and the earth and all else that exists. Learn about your creator and why you sho
It should be clearly understood that what Islam is primarily concerned with is correcting mankind's concept of Almighty God.
Some of the biggest misconceptions that many non-Muslims have about Islam have to do with the word "Allah". Somehow, many people have come to believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews. This is totally false, since "Allah" is simply the Arabic name that "God" has informed us he is called - and there is only One God. Let there be no doubt - Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus - peace be upon them all. However, it is certainly true that Jews, Christians and Muslims all have different concepts of Almighty God. For example, Muslims - like Jews - reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine Incarnation. This, however, doesn't mean that each of these three religions worships a different God - because, as we have already said, there is only One True God. Islam teaches, however, that other religions have, in one way or another, distorted and nullified a pure and proper belief in Almighty God by neglecting His true teachings and mixing them with man-made ideas.
It is important to note that "Allah" is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God. If you pick up an Arabic Bible, you will see the word "Allah" being used where "God" is used in English. "Allah" is the only word in the Arabic language equivalent to the English word "God" with a capital "G". It should be noted, however, that in Arabic, "Allah" is a somewhat unique word grammatically, since it cannot be made plural or given gender (i.e. masculine or feminine), which goes hand-in-hand with the Islamic concept of God. The root word "god" in English, for instance, can be used in similiar forms, such as "gods", "God" or "goddess", all with different connotations and meanings. Because of this, and also because the Qur'an, which is the holy scripture of Muslims, was revealed in the Arabic language, some Muslims use the word "Allaah" for "God", even when they are speaking other languages. In English, the only difference between "god", meaning a false god, and "God", meaning the One True God, is the capital "G". In Arabic alphabet, since it does not have capital letters, the word for God (i.e. Allah) is formed by adding the equivalent to the English word "the" (Al-) to the Arabic word for "god/God" (ilah). So the Arabic word "Allah" literally it means "The God" - the "Al-" in Arabic basically serving the same function as the capital "G" in English. Due to the above mentioned facts, a more accurate translation of the word "Allaah" into English might be "The One -and-Only God" or "The One True God".
This brings us to a more important point: It should be clearly understood that what Islam is primarily concerned with is correcting mankind's concept of Almighty God. What we are ultimately going to be held accountable at the end of our life is not whether we prefer the word "Allah" over the word "God", but what our concept of God is. Language is only a side issue. A person can have an incorrect concept of God while using the word "Allah", and likewise a person can have a correct concept of God while using the word "God". This is because both of these words are equally capable of being misused and being improperly defined. As we've already mentioned, using the word "Allaah" no more insinuates belief in the Unity of God than the use of the word "God" insinuates belief in the Trinity - or any other theological opinion. Naturally, when God sends a revelation to mankind through a prophet, He is going to send it in a language that the people who receive it can understand and relate to.
Almighty God makes this clear in the Qur'an, when He states:
"Never did We send a Messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people in order to make (things) clear to them". -
From the Noble Qur'an, Chapter 14 - "Abraham", Verse 4
As Muslims, we think that it is unfortunate that we have to go into details on such seemingly minor issues, but so many falsehoods have been heaped upon our religion, that we feel that it is our duty to try to break down the barriers of falsehood. This isn't always easy, since there is a lot of anti-Islamic literature in existence which tries to make Islam look like something strange and foreign to Westerners. There are some people out there, who are obviously not on the side of truth, that want to get people to believe that "Allah" is just some Arabian "god", and that Islam is completely "other" - meaning that it has no common roots with the other Abrahamic religions (i.e. Christianity and Judaism). To say that Muslims worship a different "God" because they say "Allah" is just as illogical as saying that French people worship another God because they use the word "Dieu", that Spanish-speaking people worship a different God because they say "Dios" or that the Hebrews worshipped a different God because they sometimes call Him "Yahweh". Certainly, reasoning like this is quite ridiculous! It should also be mentioned, that claiming that any one language uses the only the correct word for God is tantamount to denying the universality of God's message to mankind, which was to all nations, tribes and people through various prophets who spoke different languages.
It is interesting to note that the Aramaic word "El", which is the word for God in the language that Jesus spoke, is certainly more similar in sound to the word "Allaah" than the English word "God"! Also, the various Hebrew words for God are "El" and "Elah", and its plural form is "Elohim". It should also be noted that in translating the Bible into English, the Hebrew word "El" is translated variously as "God", "god" and "angel"! This imprecise language allows different translators, based on their preconceived notions, to translate the word to fit their own views.
Even more interesting is the fact that some Christian missionary organisations print English literature intended to teach Christians about Islam in which say such things as: "Allah is the god of the Muslims" and that "Muhammad came to get people to believe in the god Allah" - implying that "Allah" is some sort of false "god". However, in their literature that they make in Arabic, hoping to lead Arabic speaking people "to Christ", they use the word "Allah" for God. It seems that if they were on the side of truth, they would not have to resort to such inconsistencies.
There are also missionary organisations that exceed this in ignorance by writing pamphlets that call on Muslims to give up their belief in "Allah", and instead worship the "Lord" Jesus, "the Son of God". Besides making it abundantly clear that they are outside the community of Pure Monotheism, the people who write such material don't even realise that if they wrote such a pamphlet in Arabic, it would be self-contradictory. This is because in an Arabic Bible Jesus is the "Son of Allah"! If an Arabic-speaking person gave up the worship of "Allah", they would have no God to worship, since "Allaah" is simply the Arabic name and title of the one true God and Creator!
Before we conclude, however, we would like to ask our readers to ask themselves what they think the reasons are behind all of these lies? If Islam was just some false religion that didn't make any sense, would so many people, from Western scholars to Christian missionaries, have to tell so many lies about it? The reason is that the Ultimate Truth of Islam stands on solid ground and its unshakeable belief in the Unity of God is above reproach. Due to this, Christians can't criticise its doctrines directly, but instead make up things about Islam that aren't true so that people lose the desire to learn more. If Muslims were able to present Islam in the proper way to people in the West, it surely might make many people reconsider and re-evaluate their own beliefs. It is quite likely that Christians, when they find out that there is a universal religion in the world that teaches people to worship and love God, while also practising Pure Monotheism, would at least feel that they should re-examine the basis for their own beliefs and doctrines.REF:islaam.ca
It should be clearly understood that what Islam is primarily concerned with is correcting mankind's concept of Almighty God.
Some of the biggest misconceptions that many non-Muslims have about Islam have to do with the word "Allah". Somehow, many people have come to believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews. This is totally false, since "Allah" is simply the Arabic name that "God" has informed us he is called - and there is only One God. Let there be no doubt - Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus - peace be upon them all. However, it is certainly true that Jews, Christians and Muslims all have different concepts of Almighty God. For example, Muslims - like Jews - reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine Incarnation. This, however, doesn't mean that each of these three religions worships a different God - because, as we have already said, there is only One True God. Islam teaches, however, that other religions have, in one way or another, distorted and nullified a pure and proper belief in Almighty God by neglecting His true teachings and mixing them with man-made ideas.
It is important to note that "Allah" is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God. If you pick up an Arabic Bible, you will see the word "Allah" being used where "God" is used in English. "Allah" is the only word in the Arabic language equivalent to the English word "God" with a capital "G". It should be noted, however, that in Arabic, "Allah" is a somewhat unique word grammatically, since it cannot be made plural or given gender (i.e. masculine or feminine), which goes hand-in-hand with the Islamic concept of God. The root word "god" in English, for instance, can be used in similiar forms, such as "gods", "God" or "goddess", all with different connotations and meanings. Because of this, and also because the Qur'an, which is the holy scripture of Muslims, was revealed in the Arabic language, some Muslims use the word "Allaah" for "God", even when they are speaking other languages. In English, the only difference between "god", meaning a false god, and "God", meaning the One True God, is the capital "G". In Arabic alphabet, since it does not have capital letters, the word for God (i.e. Allah) is formed by adding the equivalent to the English word "the" (Al-) to the Arabic word for "god/God" (ilah). So the Arabic word "Allah" literally it means "The God" - the "Al-" in Arabic basically serving the same function as the capital "G" in English. Due to the above mentioned facts, a more accurate translation of the word "Allaah" into English might be "The One -and-Only God" or "The One True God".
This brings us to a more important point: It should be clearly understood that what Islam is primarily concerned with is correcting mankind's concept of Almighty God. What we are ultimately going to be held accountable at the end of our life is not whether we prefer the word "Allah" over the word "God", but what our concept of God is. Language is only a side issue. A person can have an incorrect concept of God while using the word "Allah", and likewise a person can have a correct concept of God while using the word "God". This is because both of these words are equally capable of being misused and being improperly defined. As we've already mentioned, using the word "Allaah" no more insinuates belief in the Unity of God than the use of the word "God" insinuates belief in the Trinity - or any other theological opinion. Naturally, when God sends a revelation to mankind through a prophet, He is going to send it in a language that the people who receive it can understand and relate to.
Almighty God makes this clear in the Qur'an, when He states:
"Never did We send a Messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people in order to make (things) clear to them". -
From the Noble Qur'an, Chapter 14 - "Abraham", Verse 4
As Muslims, we think that it is unfortunate that we have to go into details on such seemingly minor issues, but so many falsehoods have been heaped upon our religion, that we feel that it is our duty to try to break down the barriers of falsehood. This isn't always easy, since there is a lot of anti-Islamic literature in existence which tries to make Islam look like something strange and foreign to Westerners. There are some people out there, who are obviously not on the side of truth, that want to get people to believe that "Allah" is just some Arabian "god", and that Islam is completely "other" - meaning that it has no common roots with the other Abrahamic religions (i.e. Christianity and Judaism). To say that Muslims worship a different "God" because they say "Allah" is just as illogical as saying that French people worship another God because they use the word "Dieu", that Spanish-speaking people worship a different God because they say "Dios" or that the Hebrews worshipped a different God because they sometimes call Him "Yahweh". Certainly, reasoning like this is quite ridiculous! It should also be mentioned, that claiming that any one language uses the only the correct word for God is tantamount to denying the universality of God's message to mankind, which was to all nations, tribes and people through various prophets who spoke different languages.
It is interesting to note that the Aramaic word "El", which is the word for God in the language that Jesus spoke, is certainly more similar in sound to the word "Allaah" than the English word "God"! Also, the various Hebrew words for God are "El" and "Elah", and its plural form is "Elohim". It should also be noted that in translating the Bible into English, the Hebrew word "El" is translated variously as "God", "god" and "angel"! This imprecise language allows different translators, based on their preconceived notions, to translate the word to fit their own views.
Even more interesting is the fact that some Christian missionary organisations print English literature intended to teach Christians about Islam in which say such things as: "Allah is the god of the Muslims" and that "Muhammad came to get people to believe in the god Allah" - implying that "Allah" is some sort of false "god". However, in their literature that they make in Arabic, hoping to lead Arabic speaking people "to Christ", they use the word "Allah" for God. It seems that if they were on the side of truth, they would not have to resort to such inconsistencies.
There are also missionary organisations that exceed this in ignorance by writing pamphlets that call on Muslims to give up their belief in "Allah", and instead worship the "Lord" Jesus, "the Son of God". Besides making it abundantly clear that they are outside the community of Pure Monotheism, the people who write such material don't even realise that if they wrote such a pamphlet in Arabic, it would be self-contradictory. This is because in an Arabic Bible Jesus is the "Son of Allah"! If an Arabic-speaking person gave up the worship of "Allah", they would have no God to worship, since "Allaah" is simply the Arabic name and title of the one true God and Creator!
Before we conclude, however, we would like to ask our readers to ask themselves what they think the reasons are behind all of these lies? If Islam was just some false religion that didn't make any sense, would so many people, from Western scholars to Christian missionaries, have to tell so many lies about it? The reason is that the Ultimate Truth of Islam stands on solid ground and its unshakeable belief in the Unity of God is above reproach. Due to this, Christians can't criticise its doctrines directly, but instead make up things about Islam that aren't true so that people lose the desire to learn more. If Muslims were able to present Islam in the proper way to people in the West, it surely might make many people reconsider and re-evaluate their own beliefs. It is quite likely that Christians, when they find out that there is a universal religion in the world that teaches people to worship and love God, while also practising Pure Monotheism, would at least feel that they should re-examine the basis for their own beliefs and doctrines.REF:islaam.ca
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Evils Of Interest Based Loans & Mortgages
Question:
Is it allowed for me to take out a loan (Mortgage) from a bank that deals with interest to buy a house? Benefit us may Allaah reward you with good.
Answer:
Even if you were in dire need of eating a piece of bread to save yourself from death still don't borrow anything from the bank whatsoever, let alone buying a house or a car. When one is in a adverse situation forced by circumstance (severe hunger) Allaah has made lawful for you al-Maitah (dead animals), and the flesh of swine, and that which has been killed by a violent blow or by a headlong fall; yet ar-Ribaa (interest) has not been allowed for you, interest is very dangerous, very dangerous. So don't deal with interest and be patient; since Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)
So dealing with interest is a grave sin, a dangerous matter and the one who makes it allowable has disbelieved. Therefore if you are in need of a house then be patient until Allaah provides it for you, seek refuge in Allaah and utilise the necessary means until Allaah paves the way for you to obtain a house. Either that or you die being free from waging war against Allaah. Since the Muraabi (the one who deals with interest) is warring with Allaah - and Allaahs refuge is sought - as Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allaah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums). (Surah al-Baqarah 2:279)
He (Allaah) declares war upon the people of ar-Ribaa (interest) and "the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed the usurper of interest, the one who pays it, the one who records it and the two witnesses to it."
[Reported by Muslim in his Sahih (11/36 no.1598 - Nawawi) from the Hadith of Jaabir radiallaahu 'anhu]
What do you want after the curse?! Will the house benefit you when you are in front of the Hellfire?! So the believer should fear Allaah and should have patience upon his destitution and his need; for indeed Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:155)
Be patient and Allaah will give you this mighty reward instead of exposing yourself to His curse, His anger, His wrath and His punishment. Bear this severity in the world for it is nothing in comparison to the anger of Allaah and His punishment.
We ask Allaah that He protects us by His grace and favour from everything that incurs His anger and wrath. Indeed our Lord is All-Hearing of our supplications. And may the blessings of Allaah and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and upon his companions.
Shaykh Rabee` bin Haadee
Ad-durar an-Nadheed min Muhaadharaatil-'Aqeedah wat- Tawheed : Tafseer Kalimati-Tawheed, Questions & Answers, page 118-119.
Is it allowed for me to take out a loan (Mortgage) from a bank that deals with interest to buy a house? Benefit us may Allaah reward you with good.
Answer:
Even if you were in dire need of eating a piece of bread to save yourself from death still don't borrow anything from the bank whatsoever, let alone buying a house or a car. When one is in a adverse situation forced by circumstance (severe hunger) Allaah has made lawful for you al-Maitah (dead animals), and the flesh of swine, and that which has been killed by a violent blow or by a headlong fall; yet ar-Ribaa (interest) has not been allowed for you, interest is very dangerous, very dangerous. So don't deal with interest and be patient; since Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)
So dealing with interest is a grave sin, a dangerous matter and the one who makes it allowable has disbelieved. Therefore if you are in need of a house then be patient until Allaah provides it for you, seek refuge in Allaah and utilise the necessary means until Allaah paves the way for you to obtain a house. Either that or you die being free from waging war against Allaah. Since the Muraabi (the one who deals with interest) is warring with Allaah - and Allaahs refuge is sought - as Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allaah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums). (Surah al-Baqarah 2:279)
He (Allaah) declares war upon the people of ar-Ribaa (interest) and "the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed the usurper of interest, the one who pays it, the one who records it and the two witnesses to it."
[Reported by Muslim in his Sahih (11/36 no.1598 - Nawawi) from the Hadith of Jaabir radiallaahu 'anhu]
What do you want after the curse?! Will the house benefit you when you are in front of the Hellfire?! So the believer should fear Allaah and should have patience upon his destitution and his need; for indeed Allaah the Perfect and the Most High mentions:
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:155)
Be patient and Allaah will give you this mighty reward instead of exposing yourself to His curse, His anger, His wrath and His punishment. Bear this severity in the world for it is nothing in comparison to the anger of Allaah and His punishment.
We ask Allaah that He protects us by His grace and favour from everything that incurs His anger and wrath. Indeed our Lord is All-Hearing of our supplications. And may the blessings of Allaah and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and upon his companions.
Shaykh Rabee` bin Haadee
Ad-durar an-Nadheed min Muhaadharaatil-'Aqeedah wat- Tawheed : Tafseer Kalimati-Tawheed, Questions & Answers, page 118-119.
Monday, January 4, 2010
As Long as one is Living Sustenance is Guarantee
Concern yourself with that which you were ordered to take care of, and do not be concerned with something that was not guaranteed for you.
Sustenance and the matter of death are two matters whereof there is no doubt.
As long as one is living sustenance is guaranteed. And if Allah, according to His wisdom, closed the way to some means, He will, according to His mercy, open another means for you, which will be more useful. Let us consider the state of the embryo. It receives its nourishment, which is blood from one means which is the naval, and when it comes out of its motherýs womb and this only means is closed, another two means are opened to it, which are better and sweeter than the first!
The second means is pure and nourishing milk.
When he finished his suckling period and these two means are closed because of weaning, Allah opens four more perfect means; two kinds of foods and two kinds of drinks.
The two foods are from animals and plants and the two drinks are from water and milk, as well as whatever he likes from among other pleasures.
When he passes away, his four means are closed but Allah, the Exalted will open to him, if he was pious, eight doors of Paradise in order to enter Paradise from anyone of them, according to his wish.
So we notice that whenever Allah, the Exalted prevents His believing servant from something during this worldly life, He will bestow upon him something which is better and more useful to him. It should be noted that this is only granted to the believers. Allah preserves His servant from low and mean misfortunes and is not pleased when such fortunes comes to him, as He gives him a better and more valuable one.
The servant does not always recognize the generosity of Allah, His wisdom and kindness, nor does he always know the significant difference between what he was granted and what he was protected from. He is fond of matters being decided immediately even if they are mean, and refuses the latter ones even if they are better. If the servant could just treat Allah justly he would have known that the pleasures of this world that Allah has protected him from are better for him than those things which Allah may have granted him from these pleasures.
Allah prevented him from some of them in order to bestow upon him something that is better. He, the Almighty may have allowed him to be afflicted in order to protect him, tested to absolve him from sins, put him to death to resurrect him, and took him out of this world so as to stand in front of Him and follow the path that will bring him to Allah.
From Al-Fuwaid, A Collection of wise sayings, Ibn Al-Qayyim p.88
(from the English Translation of the book)
Sustenance and the matter of death are two matters whereof there is no doubt.
As long as one is living sustenance is guaranteed. And if Allah, according to His wisdom, closed the way to some means, He will, according to His mercy, open another means for you, which will be more useful. Let us consider the state of the embryo. It receives its nourishment, which is blood from one means which is the naval, and when it comes out of its motherýs womb and this only means is closed, another two means are opened to it, which are better and sweeter than the first!
The second means is pure and nourishing milk.
When he finished his suckling period and these two means are closed because of weaning, Allah opens four more perfect means; two kinds of foods and two kinds of drinks.
The two foods are from animals and plants and the two drinks are from water and milk, as well as whatever he likes from among other pleasures.
When he passes away, his four means are closed but Allah, the Exalted will open to him, if he was pious, eight doors of Paradise in order to enter Paradise from anyone of them, according to his wish.
So we notice that whenever Allah, the Exalted prevents His believing servant from something during this worldly life, He will bestow upon him something which is better and more useful to him. It should be noted that this is only granted to the believers. Allah preserves His servant from low and mean misfortunes and is not pleased when such fortunes comes to him, as He gives him a better and more valuable one.
The servant does not always recognize the generosity of Allah, His wisdom and kindness, nor does he always know the significant difference between what he was granted and what he was protected from. He is fond of matters being decided immediately even if they are mean, and refuses the latter ones even if they are better. If the servant could just treat Allah justly he would have known that the pleasures of this world that Allah has protected him from are better for him than those things which Allah may have granted him from these pleasures.
Allah prevented him from some of them in order to bestow upon him something that is better. He, the Almighty may have allowed him to be afflicted in order to protect him, tested to absolve him from sins, put him to death to resurrect him, and took him out of this world so as to stand in front of Him and follow the path that will bring him to Allah.
From Al-Fuwaid, A Collection of wise sayings, Ibn Al-Qayyim p.88
(from the English Translation of the book)
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