WHY ISLAM IS NOT OUR PRIORITY?


A MUSLIM EARNS GOOD MONEY THRU OUT HIS LIFE
MAKES TWO THREE FLATS AND SUFFICIENT BANK BALANCE.
HE HAS THREE FOUR KIDS,EDUCATES THEM
THEY BECOME RESPECTED PROFESSIONALS
THIS IS ALL THE HAPPINESS ,PURPOSE AND AIM OF THEIR LIVES


A CHILD INHERITS THE PROPERTY OF HIS FATHER
AND HE IS THE REPLICA OF HIS FATHER
SAVING AND PILING UP BANK BALANCE
THIS SELF CENTRED LIFE IS REFLECTED IN ALL THE GENERATIONS


THE CHILDREN IMITATES THE LIVES OF THE KUFFAR
QUR’AN AND SUNNAH IS THE LAST PRIORITY IN THEIR LIVES
LOVE OF THIS WORLD AND ITS COMFORTS IS THEIR OBSESSION
MOVING AWAY FROM DEEN THEY THOUGHT THEY ARE CLOSER TO MODERNISM


THE MUSLIM MAN EDUCATED HIS CHILDREN BUT NEVER
INSTILLED ISLAMIC MORALS AND ISLAMIC WAY OF LIFE
THEY MAY PRAY FIVE TIMES BUT EXPOSED TO THE NONSENSE OF ENTERTAINMENT
THE WOMEN OF THE HOUSE WERE MODERN ENOUGH TO DISCARD HIJAB


THE MUSLIM FATHER IS BUSY RUNNING AFTER MONEY,
HE HAS TIME FOR EVERYTHING BUT NOT FOR MATTERS OF DEEN
IT BOTHERS HIM LEAST HOW MUCH HE OR HIS KIDS LIVE BY ISLAM
AS LONG AS THEY ALL THEY STAY UPDATED WITH MODERN TRENDS


THEY KNEW NOT WHAT OBLIGATIONS THEY HAVE TOWARDS THE DEEN
THEIR LIVES AND THEIR EXISTENCE IS FOR SELFISH ENDS
THEY DO EVERYTHING THAT EARNS THE WRATH OF ALLAH
THEY ARE INSENSITIVE TO THE DEEN AND PAINS OF THE UMMAH

WHY ISLAM IS NOT OUR PRIORITY?

WE HAVE A GENERATION OF MODERN QUALIFIED MUSLIMS
FOR WHOM ISLAM IS A RITUAL AND FOR WHOM UMMAH IS HOPELESSNESS
THEY TURN AWAY FROM DEFENDING THEIR BEAUTIFUL FAITH
THEY FEEL SHY TO BE THE FOLLOWERS OF THIS PERFECT DEEN


JUST LIVING TO SAFEGUARD YOUR FAMILIES AND ASSETS IS NOT WHAT ISLAM DEMANDS
JUST LIVING THIS LIFE TO EXCELL IN THIS WORLD IS NOT WHAT PLEASES ALLAH
YOUR ZAKAH AND YOUR PRAYERS ARE TO PURIFY YOURSELF
YOUR REAL TEST IS WHEN WHAT YOU DO FOR ISLAM WITH YOUR TALENT ,TIME AND YOUR WEALTH


BILLIONS ARE BEING PASSED FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT
WITH NOT A FRACTION SPENT IN THE WAY OF ALLAH
THE IRRESPONSIBLE SONS OF THE IRRESPONSIBLE MUSLIMS HAVE INHERITED THE WEALTH
WHICH GOES WASTE IN DECORATING AND FULFILLING THE ILLUSIONS OF THIS WORLD.


ALLAH GAVE YOU THIS BEAUTIFUL DEEN TO LIVE AND SUCCEED
HAD YOU A SINGLE CHILD WHO LOVE TO LIVE BY THIS BEAUTIFUL DEEN
WHO WORKED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UMMAH AND THE NEEDY
OR WHO CAN SPEND FEARLESSLY IN THE WAY OF ALLAH


THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN SAVING MONEY AND PILING UP WEALTH
YOUR BEST INVESTMENT IS YOUR CHILDREN BROUGHT UP ON ISLAMIC MORALS
YOUR RICHNESS IS WHAT YOU COLLECT BY YOUR GOOD DEEDS IN THE HEREAFTER
DON’T GET LOST IN THIS DECEPTIVE WORLD BY LIVING IRRESPONSIBLY AND SELFISHLY


MAY ALLAH TURN THE HEARTS OF THIS GENERATION TOWARDS THE DEEN
WHERE EVERY MUSLIM LIVES BY ISLAM AND DO DEEDS WHICH PLEASES ALLAH
LET US ALL THANK ALLAH FOR ALL THAT HE GIFTED US IN THIS WORLD
LET US MAKE OUR LIFE WORTH BY MAKING ISLAM AS OUR PRIORITY.
— with Muzaffar Makkawi and 48 others.

Foundation for the Islâmic Awakening



Shaykh Muhammad Nâsir ud-Dîn al-Albânî [1]



[Q]: What are the foundations that will enable the Islaamic world to arise again anew?


[A]: That which I believe, is what has been reported in the authentic hadeeth - which is a clear answer to this question, and to those questions similar to it which are asked in our present time - and that is the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam's saying: "When you deal in 'eenah (a transaction involving usury), take hold of the tails of cows, become content with agriculture and abandon jihaad in the path of Allaah, then Allaah will permit your humiliation and He will not remove it from you, until you return to your Religion."2 Thus the foundation is to return to Islaam.

This very fact has been pointed out by Imaam Maalik (d.179H), rahimahullaah, in a statement transmitted from him, which is worthy of being written in gold ink: and that is his saying: "Whosoever introduces into Islaam an innovation, and holds it to be something good, has indeed alleged that Muharnrnad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam has betrayed his message. Read the saying of Allaah - the Most Blessed - the Most High:


"This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your religion." [Soorah al-Maa'idah 5:3].

So that which was not part of the religion at that time, cannot be part of the religion today. And the last part of this Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part."3

The last sentence is the essential part with regards to the answer to this question, since he said: "And the last part of this Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part." So, just as the affair of the Arabs in jaahillyyah (pre-Islaamic ignorance) was not rectified, except by the advent of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam via Divine Revelation - which brought them happiness in this world and will bring them salvation in the Hereafter - then likewise, re-establishing a happy and successful Islaamic life cannot be based upon anything other than returning to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah (the Prophetic guidance).

However, this matter is in need of some clarification, due to the presence of a multitude of Islaamic groups and parties in our midst today, each of them claiming to have set out the correct manhaj (methodology) which will bring about the Islaamic society and the rule of Islaam.

We know from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam that the path to be taken in order to realise this objective (of bringing about the Islaamic society and the rule of Islaam) is a single path, and that is the one which Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - mentions in His saying:


"Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and do not follow other paths that will separate you from His Path." [Soorah al-An'aam 6:152].

And Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam explained this to his Companions, since: One day he drew a straight line for them on the ground and then drew many short lines on both sides of it. He then recited the previous aayah (verse) whilst he was moving his noble finger over the straight line, and he said: "This is Allaah 's Path." He then pointed to the other lines and said: "These are other paths, and at the head of each one their is a devil calling towards it."4

Our Lord - the Mighty and Majestic - emphasised in another aayah this very same point which was mentioned in the previous aayah; along with the explanation of Allaah's Messenger sallullaahu 'alayhi wa sallam in the hadeeth. Allaah - the Most High - said:


"And whosoever opposes the Messenger, even after the guidance has been clearly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that of the Believers, we shall leave him in the path he has chosen and land him in Hell, what an evil destination." [Soorah an-Nisaa 4:115].

This aayah (verse) contains a great wisdom, since He - the Most Perfect - placed the path of the Believers in conjunction with that which the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam brought. And the fine point of this wisdom was also indicated by the Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam in the hadeeth of al-lftiraaq (the

authentic narration concerning the splitting-up of this Ummah into seventy-three sects), when he was asked about the Saved-Sect, so he replied: "It is that which I and my Companions are upon today."5

So what is the wisdom in Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - mentioning the path of the Believers in the previous aayah' And what is the underlying point of Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam mentioning his Companions straight after mentioning himself, in the previous hadeeth?
The answer to this is: that these noble Companions are the very people who received the two Revelations (the Qur'aan and the Sunnah) from Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, who explained it to them directly - without an intermediary - and this is contrary to all those who came after them. And there is no doubt that the affair is as Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Indeed, the one present sees that which the absent one does not."6 This is why the eemaan (faith) of the Companions was greater than those who came after them, and this is what has been clearly indicated by the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam in the authentic hadeeth: "The best of mankind is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them."7 Therefore, it is not possible for any Muslim to independently understand the Book and the Sunnah. Rather one must seek aid in understanding them by returning to the understanding of the noble Companions, who took their understanding from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam; via his statements, his actions and his tacit approvals.
Thus, along with calling to the Book and the Sunnah, it is absolutely essential to attach to this the understanding and the practice of the Salafus-Saalih (the Pious Predecessors: the first three generations of Muslims whose excellence has been testified to in the above hadeeth); acting upon the preceding verses and hadeeth, which order clinging to the path of the Believers, which has been explained to be the path upon which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, his Companions and those who followed them in beliefs and actions, were upon.

And here, a very important question arises, which many of the Islaamic groups and parties neglect; and that is: How does one obtain knowledge of the understanding and the practical application of the Sunnah that the Companions adhered to?

The answer to this is: that there is no way in obtaining this knowledge, except by returning to 'ilmul-hadeeth (the knowledge of hadeeth); 'ilm mustalahul-hadeeth (the science of hadeeth) and the science of al-jarh wat-ta'deel (the science of verifying the condition of the narrators) - applying its principles and its terms such that the Scholars are able to distinguish that which is authentic from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, from that which is not.

So in ending the answer to the question, we say in the the dearest possible manner, to those who desire to bring back to Islaam its honour, strength, supremacy and rule, that you must actualise two matters:

Firstly: to bring back to the minds of the Muslims the knowledge of the Sharee'ah (Laws) of Islaam; purified from all the innovations that have entered into it, which was not part of it on the day when Allaah - the Most Blessed, the Most High - revealed His saying:


"This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your religion." [Soorah al-Maa'idah 5:3].

Accomplishing this matter requires a huge and tremendous effort on the part of the Muslim Scholars in all parts of the world.

Secondly: It is a must that this purified knowledge is coupled with constant and steadfast action.

Thus, the day the Muslims return to understanding their religion as the Companions of Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam understood it; and then act upon this purified Islaam in the correct manner, in all aspects of life, then that will be the day that the Muslims will rejoice at the help of Allaah and His victory. So this is what I am able to write in this short time. I ask Allaah that He grants us and all the Muslims the correct understanding of Islaam - in light of the Book, the authentic Sunnah (guidance) of His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and that which the Salafus-Saalih (Pious Predecessors) were upon - and that He grants us the ability to act in accordance with it. Indeed Allaah is the One who hears and responds.

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1. Taken from al-Asaalah magazine (11/84-87).
2. Saheeh: Related by Abu Daawood (no.3462) and al-Bayhaqee in as-Sunanul-Kubraa (5/316), from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar radiallaahu 'anhu. It was authenticated by Ibn Taymiyyah in Majmoo'ul-Fataawaa (29/30).
3. Related by al-Qaadee 'Iyaadh in ash-Shifaa (2/676).
4. Hasan: Related by Ahmad (1/435) and an-Nasaa'ee (7/49), from Ibn Mas'ood radiallaahu 'anhu. It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Dhilaalul-Jannah fee Takhreejis-Sunnah (no.16).
5. Hasan: Related by at-Tirmidhee (no.2796) and al-Haakim (1/128), from 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas radiallaahu 'anhu. It was authenticated by al-Haafidh al-'lraaqee in Takhreejul-lhyaa (3/199).
6. Saheeh: Related by lbn Sa'd in at-Tabaqaat (2/176),from 'Alee radiallaahu 'anhu. It was authenticated by al-ALbaanee in Saheehul-Jaami' (no.1641).
7. Related by al-Bukhaaee (5/199) and Muslim (7/184), from Ibn Mas'ood radiallaahu 'anhu.

The Shahaadah and Its Importance



Shaykh Saleh al-Fouzan

Summarized from a treatise done by Dr. Saleh Al-Fouzan

Adopted from HUDAA Magazine, published by Masjid Al-Istiqaamah



IMPORTANCE

- Definitely there could be no greater and more important a statement than 'Laa ilaaha illa Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah).

- It is the statement of declaration of belief in the Tawheed of Allah which is the dividing line between Imaan and kufr - It was the call of all of the previous Messengers and Prophets.

- Allah (T) Himself attested to the importance of this statement in the Quraan:

He (T) said: "...and know that Laa ilaaha ill Allah (that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..." [47:19, 20:8, 3:18, 59:22-3]

As long as this statement is an obligation for an unbeliever to declare in order for him to become a Muslim, and also, since a person who pronounces it faithfully his property and life are safeguarded in this world, it becomes an obligation upon any Muslim who wants to understand the Deen of Islaam to realize its meaning, merits, principles, conditions and its place in life.

- Remembering Allah (Dhikr Allah) is one of the most important commandments of Allah. This He Himself commanded in many verses of the Quraan, especially after the performance of important religious obligations:

"...Then when you leave Arafat, remember Allah (by glorfying and praising Him) at the Mash`ar il-Haraam. And remember Allah (by invokingAllah for all good) as He has guided you..." [2:198]

"Then when you have accomplished your 'Manasik' (all the rights of Hajj); remember Allah as you remember your father with a strong remembrance..." [2:200]

He (T) also said:

"...and establish prayers for My remembrance." [20:14]

The best way to remember Allah is described to us in the Hadeeth of the Messenger (S), he said:

"...and the best (supplication) I and the other prophets who were sent who were sent before me proclaimed was: There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, He is Alone and has no partner. To Him belongs the Ownership (of everything), and to Him belongs all Praise, and He has total power over all things." [Laa ilaaha ill Allah, wah.dahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul h.amdu wa huwa `alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.] At-Tirmidhi

The Messenger of Allah (S) also said: "The best remembrance of Allah is to say 'laa ilaaha ill Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah)."

All of the above points highlight the importance of this 'kalima' which we will try to explain in some more detail so that a clearer understanding of it can be achieved.

THE PLACE OF LAA ILAAHA ILL ALLAH IN THE LIFE OF A MUSLIM

- It is pronounced daily by him in:
(a) The call to prayer.
(b) At the beginning of their prayers
(c) During Tashahud.
(d) During times of 'Dhikr', which is before and after prayers, in the
late evening and also in the early mornings.
(e) With this 'Kalima' did Allah send all His Messengers.
(f) About it and its obligations will people be questioned
(g) To establish it when the swords of Muslims are drawn for Jihaad.
(h) The first question in the grave will be about this 'Kalima'.
(i) It is the key to Al-Jannah.
(j) It is what the Muslims are commanded to invite to as is estbalished in the Hadeeth of Muadh when he was sent to Yemen to call the people to Islaam. The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "You are going to encounter with a people of the Book, so let the first thing you call them to is the proclamation of 'laa ilaaha ill Allah' (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..." [Bukhari]

THE MERITS OF THE 'KALIMAH' (LAA ILAAHA ILL ALLAH)

Abu Sa`eed al-Khudri said, that the Messenger of Allah (S) said:

"Moses (AS) said: O Lord! Teach me something that I can remember You with and I can supplicate You with. He (T) said: Say 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah', O Musaa. He (Musaa) said: All of your servants say this. He (T) said: If the seven Heavens and those who dwell in them other than Me and the seven Earths are put into one pan (of the scale) and 'Laa ilaaha ill Allaah' is put into the other; 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah' would be heavier." [Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim]

The Messenger of Allah (S) said:

"The best Dhikr (remembrance) is 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah' (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah)..."

The Messenger of Allah (S) said:

"A person from my Ummah will be summoned in the presence of all creatures on the Day of Judgement. Ninety-nine records (of his deeds) would be unfolded, each extending as far as the range of the vision can stretch, then he would be asked: 'Do you deny any of these deeds?' He will reply: 'No, My Lord.' He will be asked: 'Do you have any excuse or any good deed?' The man who will be scared will say: 'No' It will be said to him: 'Yes you have some good deeds. No iniquity will befall you.'

A card wll then be shown to him, on it will be written: 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah, Muhammad Rasool Allah.' He will say: 'O Allah! What cards and records are these.' It will be said to him: 'No injustice shall befall you.' The (ninety-nine) records will then be placed in one pan of the scale and the card on the other. The card will then outweigh the records." [At-Tirmidhi and Al-Haakim]

All of These Merits of the 'Kalimah' Are Summarized by Ibn Rajab As Follows:
- Al-Jannah is its reward.
- Uttering it before death will cause one to be admitted to the Jannah.
- It is a refuge from the Fire of Hell.
- It is a cause for a Muslim to be forgiven.
- It is the best of good deeds.
- It wipes out sins.
- It traverses all bariers in order to be accepted by Allah, the Almighty
- It is a statement whose pronouncer will be accepted by Allah.
- It is the best proclamation ever uttered by the Prophets.
- It is the best celebration of His praises.
- It is the best of deeds and it multiplies into many good deeds.
- It is a protection against Satan.
- It is a safety from the darkness and the punishment of the graves and from the Day of Resurrection.
- The eight doors of Paradise will be accessible to its pronuncer.
- People who pronounce it will certain come out of the Fire of Hell, even after they have been cast into it for falling short of observing its obligations.

The Effects of Laa ilahah ilallaah


This kalimah (word) Laa ilaha ilallaah (that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah), if it said with truthfulness and sincerity from the heart, and acted upon in that which it necessitates - outwardly and inwardly - then its effect will indeed be praiseworthy upon both the individual and the society.


From the most important of its effects are:-

1) Uniting the word of the Muslims: This will result in strengthening the Muslims and assisting them in defeating their enemies - as long as they continue to follow and practise the same single religion, and as long as they adhere to the same single 'aqeedah (belief). Allaah - the Most High - said:


"And hold fast to the rope of Allaah and do not be divided." [3:103]
" It is He Who has strengthened you with His help and with the Believers, and moreover, He has put love and affection between their hearts. If you were to spend all that is in the earth, then never could you have united their hearts, but Allaah has united them. Indeed He is the all-Mighty, the all-Wise." [8:62-63]


And differing in matters of 'aqeedah (beliefs) is the cause for splitting, disunity and hostility, as Allaah - the Most High - said:


" Indeed those who split-up their religion and become sects, you have no part with them in the least." [6:159]
" But people have cut-off their affair of unity between them and have become sects, each party rejoicing in that which is with itself. " [23:53]


So people cannot truly be united except upon the correct concept of eemaan (faith) and the correct 'aqeedah of Tawheed, which are both direct implications of Laa ilaha ilallaah. One need only consider the conditions of the Arabs before and after Islaam.

2) Prevalence of safety and peace in a unified society, which believes in and abides by Laa ilaha ilallaah. Since the individuals in such a society will take care in doing only that which Allaah has made halaal (lawful) and abandoning that which Allaah has made haraam (unlawful) - acting in accordance with what the 'aqeedah necessitates upon them. So this will prevent people from enmity, oppression and injustice, whilst directing them towards co-operation, love and deep brotherhood for the sake of Allaah, acting upon His - the Most High's saying - :


" Indeed the Believers are but brothers." [49:10]


This is clearly reflected in the life of the Arabs before and after believing in Laa ilaha ilallaah. Before Islaam, they lived in hostility and insecurity, constantly fighting and killing each other. However, when they embraced Islaam all this changed, and the same people lived with each other in peace and an atmosphere of love and brotherhood prevailed, as Allaah - the Most High - said:


"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and those who are with him are strong and mighty against the unbelievers and merciful and kind amongst each other." [48:29]
" And remember the favour of Allaah upon you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became brothers " [3:103]


3) Achievement of happiness, attainment of the khilaafah (succesion of power and authority) in the earth, maintaining purity of the religion and being steadfast?ness against the onslaught of false beliefs and foreign ideologies. Allaah said:


" Allaah has promised to those among you who truly have eemaan (true faith and belief) and act in obedience to Allaah and His Messennger, that he will grant them rulership upon the earth, just as He granted it to those before them, and that He will establish their Religion for them and grant them the authority to practice their religion which He chose and ordered them with. And He will certainly change their situation to one of security, after their fear. Providing that they worship and obey Me, not associating anything else in worship with Me. Then, whoever rejects this favour by disobedience to their Lord - then they are the rebellious transgressors." [24:55]


So Allaah - the Most Perfect - has made achievement of these lofty goals conditional upon worshipping and obeying Him not associating any partners with Him. And this is the true meaning of Laa ilaha ilallaah.



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