Persistence in attaining Istiqaamah.

n the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Ash-Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez bin Baaz: Persistence in attaining Istiqaamah.

All praise is due to Allah and may peace and salutations be upon the messenger of Allah, his familiy, companions and whoever follows his guidance; as for what follows:

The topic of Istiqaamah (uprightness in the religion) is a magnificent topic. It is suitable for every male and female believer to have a great concern for it, strive in attaining it
at all times, to ask Allah the mighty and sublime (for it) and to implore oneself before him requesting success in achieving it.

And you! Oh slave of Allah, it is incumbent upon you to be dilligent with regards to good, to rush towards it and cling to it. And that you beware of evil and stay far away from it and the means and causes that bring it about. And it is on you to beseech your lord and beg him to grant you assistance and success (in that).

And this dunya (worldly life) is an abode of trials and tribulations. It is the abode of action and preperation for the Aakhirah (next life). So Allah created the creation to worship him, and sent to them messengers, and revealed to them books and has given them intellects, hearing and sight. And he tests them with shayaateen (devils) from mankind and jinn, and (tests them with) lusts and desires.

So that which is obligatory (for us to do) is to use what Allah has given us from protection in leaving off harmful matters from what Allah tests us with by way of callers to evil and from devils both jinn and men.

And this abode is the abode of action, it is not an abode of bliss, rather it is an abode of action and deceit. Allah says: (So do not let the worldly life decieve you, nor let the chief deciever (shaytaan) deceive about Allah) 31:33. The enjoyments therein are minute as Allah says: ( Are you pleased with the life of this world over the hereafter? Little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the hereafter) 9:38.

Therefore it is mandatory upon those who are responsible from the men and women to strive (to attain) Istiqaamah. It's compulsory to pay heed to the truth and act according to it in performing those obligatory duties and forsaking the prohibited ones and the legitimacy of increasing in those recommended acts, because they strengthen and increase one's Eeman. And remaining far from those affairs that could harm the slave even if they are allowed or disliked.

So the slave must work hard in leaving off everything that will harm him and everything that it is feared (from doing this thing) a decrease in righteous actions or negligence in performing them even though they may be mubaah (permitted).

The One free from all imperfections says: (Verily those who say: Our Lord is Allah (Alone)," and then they remain upright (Istiqaamah), on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised! "We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) you ask for. "An entertainment from (Allah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.") 41:30-32. Meaning at the time of death, the time of resurrection and in the graves as a favor from Allah to us.

And in Surah al-Ahqaf we read the statement of Allah the mighty and sublime: (Verily those who say: Our Lord is Allah (Alone)," and then they remain upright and firm (Istiqaamah), they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. Those shall be the dwellers of Paradise, abiding therein forever, a reward for what they used to do.) 46:13-14. And the statement of Allah in Surah an-Nahl: (Whoever works rightousness, whether male or female, while he is a true believer, verily We will give him a good life and We shall certainly pay them a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do)16:97. A pleasant life in the dunya and bliss in the hereafter.

And may peace and blessings be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Taken from: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/8624
Translated by: Abu Fouzaan Qaasim

What has happened to you is (nothing else), but as a result of your turning away ...

Sheikh Saaleh Al Fawzaan (hafidha-hullaah) stated:

The actions, disbelief and evil of the Yahood is well known, even (with regards) to (their relationship) with their Prophets. They killed their Prophets, and (also) is that which occurred with Kaleemul'laah- Moosaa (alayhis-salaam) such as what Allaah has related in the Qur'aan (regarding) the story of Moosaa and Haaroon (alayhimas-salaam).

The character, disbelief, misguidance and evil of the Yahood is well known, even towards their Prophets; but what is obligatory upon us (Muslims) is that we ponder and rectify our deviated affairs and repent to Allaah; because the Yahood have not gained the upper hand over us except due to our sins.

Why is it that we do not hear anyone addressing and admonishing the Muslims whilst saying to them: What has happened to you is (nothing else), but as a result of your turning away from the religion of Allaah and negligence in the affairs of the Deen. So repent to Allaah in order that Allaah may aid you and avert the plot of the plotters from you.

We do not hear except insult, abuse and supplication against the Yahood, but this should be substituted with supplicating to Allaah to rectify the Muslims and to make them steadfast. And to mention to the Muslims that they should repent and return to Allaah, and rectify their Deen for the sake of Allaah. This is the first obligation.

As for supplication against an oppressor-be it the Yahood or other than them, then there is nothing wrong with this. It is legislated to supplicate against the one who oppress you with the sharee'ah supplications-the supplications found in the Book and the Sunnah. But before supplicating against them, you should supplicate to Allaah to rectify the Muslims and to make the Muslims steadfast upon their Religion and return them to the truth. (And) advise, address and admonish (them) with regards to Allaah. This is what is obligatory. [1]

The Bible - Isaiah | verse 6

Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibnul Qayyim about:

The Bible - Isaiah | verse 6-9

6 For thus has the Lord said to me:
Go, set a watchman,
Let him declare what he sees.

7: And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen,
A chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels,
And he listened earnestly with great care.

8 Then he cried, A lion, my Lord!
I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime;
I have sat at my post every night.

9 And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!
Then he answered and said,

Babylon is fallen, is fallen!
And all the carved images of her gods
He has broken to the ground.

Ibnul Qayyim:
"Both we and the Christians believe that the horseman(on donkey) is the Messiah, while the rider on the camel is Muhammad (sall Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). He is more known to ride camels than what Messiah is known to ride on donkeys. And also, it was with Muhammad (sall Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) the Babylon idols fell, not with the messiah. In Babylon have idols been worshiped since Ibraheem's time all the way until they fell with Muhammad (sall Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

(Hidaayat-ul-Hayaaraa, p. 128)