Total Number of the Names & Attributes of Allah (SWT) May 27, 2006
Posted by muslimminds in Aqeedah.3 comments
Many of the Muslims think that Allah (SWT) has 99 Names & Attributes; which is a limited number. They don't even bother to ask themselves, how could Allah (SWT) be limited to something? If He is the Creator and Owner or all the things, how could He be limited to having 99 names only? Insha-Allah, in this post, I'll try to give some evidences behind the point that Allah (SWT) is not limited to 99 Names and Attributes.
There are numerous authentic narrations from the Prophet (PBUH) regarding the Names and Attributes of Allah (SWT). There is a hadeeth that can be found in both Sahih Muslim and Sahih Al-Bukhari in which Prophet (PBUH) states, "Allaah has ninety-nine names, one hundred less one. Whoever learns them will enter Paradise". This hadeeth was narrated by Abu Hurayra (RA).
However, there is a consensus among the Scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jam'ah that Allah's (SWT) Names and Attributes are not limited to the number 99. The evidence they use is the following:
Narrated by Ahmad (3704) from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no-one who is afflicted by distress and grief, and says: ‘Allaahumma inni ‘abduka ibn ‘abdika ibn amatija naasyati bi yadika, maada fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadaa’uka. As’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika aw ista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilm il-ghayb ‘indaka an taj’al al-Qur’aana rabee’ qalbi wa noor sadri wa jalaa’ huzni wa dhihaab hammi (O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of Your maidservant; my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qur’aan the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety),’ but Allaah will take away his distress and grief, and replace it with joy.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allaah, should we learn this?” He said: “Of course; everyone who hears it should learn it.”
This hadeeth has been classed as Sahih by Shaykh Nasiruddin al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 199.
The phrase “or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You” indicates that there are beautiful names of Allaah that He has kept with Him in the knowledge of the Unseen, and which none of His creation has come to know. This indicates that there are more than ninety-nine Names.
Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] said concerning this hadeeth in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (6/374):
"This indicates that Allaah has more than ninety-nine names".
I hope this post was beneficial to the reader(s). May Allah (SWT) bless us with the correct understanding of His Deen.
- I admire the Pious but I'm not one of them.
The Excellence of the Scholars May 24, 2006
Posted by muslimminds in Uncategorized.add a comment
by Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah
Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says in the Noble Qur'aan:
"Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (Oolul-'llm) (also bear witness to this; (He is always) maintaining His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He. the All-Mighty. the All-Wise." (Soorah Aal-'Imraan (3):18)
This verse shows the superiority of knowledge ("ilm) and its people; the following points can be inferred from this verse:
1. Allaah chose the people of knowledge (Oolul 'ilm) to bear witness to His Oneness (Tawheed) over and above the rest of His creation.
2. Allaah honoured the people of knowledge by mentioning their testimony along with His testimony.
3. He raised high the status of the scholars by associating their testimony with the testimony of the angels.
4. This verse bears witness to the superiority of those who possess knowledge. Allaah does not make any of His creation bear witness except the upright amongst them.
There is a well-known narration from the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam), who said: "The upright in every generation will carry this knowledge, rejecting the distortions of the extremists, the false claims of the liars, and the (false) interpretations of the ignorant." (hasan)
5. Allaah, the One free from all defects. Himself bears witness to His Oneness, and He is the greatest of witnesses. Then He chose from His creation the angels and the scholars – this is sufficient to show their excellence.
6. Allaah made the scholars bear witness with the greatest and the most excellent testimony and that is, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah." Allaah, the One free of all defects and the Most High, does not bear witness except to matters of great importance and only the greatest from Allaah's creation bear witness to this.
7. Allaah made the testimony of the people of knowledge a proof against the rejecters. Thus they are its proofs and its signs, indicating His Oneness (Tawheed).
8. Allaah, the Most High, used a single verb (shahida) to refer to His testimony and the testimony of the angels and the scholars. He did not use an additional verb for their testimony; thus he connected their testimony to His. This shows the strong link between their testimony and Allaah's testimony, as if He himself bore witness to His Oneness upon their tongues and made them utter this testimony.
9. Allaah, the One free from all defects, made the scholars fulfil His right (that none has the right to be worshipped but Him) through this testimony and if they fulfill it then they have fulfilled and established this right of Allaah upon them. Then it is obligatory upon mankind to accept this testimony which is the means to reach happiness in this life and in their final return (to Allaah). Whosoever takes this guidance from the scholars and accepts this truth because of their testimony, then for the scholars there is a reward equal to them. And none knows the value of this reward but Allaah.
- The brotha from anotha motha.
Rights of Allah May 24, 2006
Posted by muslimminds in Uncategorized.add a comment
by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-`Uthaymeen
Allah's Rights upon His creation are the rights that must be kept the most. Allah is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the Almighty who created everything with absolute wisdom. Allah is the One who initiated every being from nothing. He is the One who protects humans in their mothers' wombs, as infants, as children and as adults. He, alone, sustains all humans and provides them with food and every aspect of life. Allah said, what translated means, "And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allah)." [16:78]
If Allah refuses sustenance to anyone he will be instantly destroyed. Allah's mercy is what keeps humans and everything else alive.
Allah's control over his slaves is perfect. His bounties are countless. If this is His role in the life of humans, then His rights are what one must keep the most. Allah does not need sustenance from His slaves. He said, what translated means: "We ask not of you a provision. We provide it for you. And the good end is for the Muttaqeen (the ones who fear Allah)." [20:132]
Allah only wants one thing from His slaves. "And I (Allah) created not the Jinn and mankind except they should worship Me (alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong." [51:56-58]
Allah only wants mankind to worship Him alone and ascribe no partners with Him in worship, and truly be His slaves. He wants them to surrender to His will, as they surrender to His control for the means of their lives. It is only fair to worship only the One who holds the existence of everything and everyone is in His Hands. One should thank Allah who, alone, provides for him by worshipping Him alone. Allah said, what translated means: "And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help." [16:53]
What Allah requires His slaves to do is easy. He does not want hardship to come to those striving to worship Him. He said, what translated means: "And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity). He has chosen you (to convey Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Abraham (Islam). It is He (Allah) who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger (Mohammad) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind. So offer prayer perfectly, give Zakat (compulsory charity), and hold fast to Allah, He is your Lord, what an excellent Lord and what an excellent helper!" [22:78]
What Allah wants from us is to worship Him with sincerity, and to perform religious deeds. Five prayers a day bring forgiveness from Him and purity in the heart. Muslims must try to perform prayer in the best form: "So keep your duty to Allah as much as you can." [64:16]
The Prophet said, what translated means, "Stand while praying, if you cannot then while sitting, and if you cannot then while laying on your side." [Al-Bukhari] Allah also wants His slaves to pay a small amount of their money to the poor, the needy, strangers who have no money, the indebted and to others who are eligible to take money from Zakat. Zakat is so minimal that it does not harm the rich, yet it provides tremendous benefits for the poor. Allah also requires fasting in the lunar month of Ramadhan. He said, what translated means: "So whoever of you sights the (crescent on the first night of the) month (of Ramadhan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days he misses) from other days." [2:185]
Also, Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah once in lifetime is obligatory upon all Muslims, if they are able to do so. In general, we have the obligation to abide by all of Allah's orders, and stay away from all He had made forbidden upon us.
Above mentioned are the duties of Allah's slaves towards Him. They are not difficult to perform. The reward outweighs the requirements by far. The reward is "And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception." [3:185]
- The brotha from anotha motha.
World’s First Auto Wudu’ Machine to Go on Sale May 19, 2006
Posted by muslimminds in News & Views.3 comments
An electronic prayer mat manufactured in Turkey had previously been rejected by the Mufti of Saudi Arabia. That mat illuminated on all sides, and it task was to informs the worshipper as to how many prostrations he or she has completed.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Alsheikh, the mufti of Saudi Arabia, called that prayer mat unacceptable, because it distracts the attention to the worshipper, indicating that the concentration is one of the requirements of a Muslim’s prayer. As to the act of forgetting, Sheikh Abul Aziz said this is but natural, and even the Prophet (salla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa salaam) used to forget at times. But when there is absolute concentration, he said, it is difficult to forget.
Now we have the World's First Auto Wudu' Machine!
By Ahmad Maher and Sayed Amin, IOL Staff
CAIRO, May 19, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – The world's first automatic wudu' (ablution) and drying machine will see the light soon with an impressive efficiency of water and time.
"We are in the process of concluding agreement to distribute Auto Wudu' Washers (AWWs) to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain as well as we have got 600 requests from all over the Muslim world," Anthony Gomez, inventor and designer of the new infrared-operating machines, told IslamOnline.net over the phone from Australia.
The AWWs is made of a purpose built ear, mouth and facial washer unit, a forearm and elbow washing unit and a foot and ankle washing unit all of which are incorporated in a single system.
Gomez, the Chairman and Managing Director of Australian AACE Worldwide PTY Ltd. Company, said no price has not been fixed yet for the machine, but it would be "affordable."
"It will not be only for the well-off but for everybody as we are trying to make it affordable as possible," said Gomez, an Australian citizen of Malaysian origin.
Gomez, whose company is specialized in manufacturing aircraft components, said the new machine is fully computerized.
"You don't have to touch any tap but it is operated by infrared sensors based on Australian technology," he explained, adding that the assembly line is based in Malaysia.
"In the next stage, we are going to produce a domestic AWW, which will be like a huge refrigerator," he said.
Read the full story: http://islamonline.net/English/News/2006-05/19/article01.shtml
Whats next?
- Got the looks of a Shaykh but ain't one of them.
The Creed of Imam Malik Ibn Anas (Rahimahullah) (2) May 3, 2006
Posted by muslimminds in Aqeedah, Lives of the Salaf.add a comment
Insha-Allah, this will be the second post in the series of Aqeedah of the Four Imams. I hope you benefited from the first one.
Statements of Imam Malik concerning Tawheed:
4. Aboo Nu'aym relates from Ja'far Ibn 'Abdullah who said, "We were with Malik Ibn Anas when a man came and said, 'O Abaa `Abdulllah,
الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى
"The Most Merciful has ascended above His Throne" (Surah Taa Haa 20:5)
How did He ascend?'
So anger overcame Malik like none had ever seen from him. He looked down at the ground and scratched it with a piece of wood he was holding until he began to sweat profusely. Then he raised his head and tossed the wood aside, and said, 'The specific details are incomprehensible, however ascending is something that is not unknown, having faith in it is obligatory, and questioning about it is an innovation. And I believe that you are a person of innovation.' He then ordered him out, and he was removed.I
5. Again Aboo Nu'aym relates from Yahya Ibnur-Rabee' who said, 'I was with malik Ibn Anas when a man came to him and said, 'O Abaa `Abdullah, what is your position on someone who says the Qur'an is created?'
Malik replied, '(This questioner is) a heretic (zindeeq)II, so kill him.'III
Then he said, 'O Abaa `Abdullah, I have only mentioned something that I heard (from others).'
He (Malik) said, 'You are the first person I ever heard this from.' Then he explained the gravity of the statement."IV
6. And it is related by Ibn `Abdil-barr from `Abdullah Ibn Naafi' who said, "Malik Ibn Anas used to say, ' Whoever says that the Qur'an is created, he is to be beaten severly and jailed until he repents'." V
7. It is related by Aboo Dawood from Abdullah Ibn Naafi' who said, "Malik said, 'Allah is above the sky and His Knowledge is everywhere'."VI
Reference:
___________________
[I] Related in al-Hilyah (6/325-326), and it is also related by as-Saboonee in `Aqeedatus-Salaf wa As-haabil Hadeeth (p, 17-18) by way of (chain of narration) Ja'far Ibn 'Abdullah from Malik.
[II] az-Zindeeq: It is a word that came into Arabic from Persian, it was first used by the Muslims to refer to those who believe in two origins: light and darkness, like the Manawiyyah and others. Then its meaning according to their usage evolved to include those who believe in reincarnation, atheists, and anyone else who had misguided beliefs. Then it began to be applied to doubt and anyone who deviated from the rulings of the Religion in beliefs or actions. Refer to al-Mawsoo'atul Muyassarah (1/929), and Tareekhul-Ilhad (p. 14-32) of `Abdur Rahman Badawee.
[III] Here Imam Malik is ordering to carry out Islamic punishments for blasphemy, apostasy, and the likes that is only done in a land ruled by Islam, by the Imaam of the Muslims or one of his official representative.
[IV] Related in al-Hilyah (6/325). The proper understanding regarding this is that the Qur'an is the Speech of Allah and thus not Created. Allah (SWT) spoke before the creation of Man and it is an Attribute of Him like many others.
[V] Al-Intiqaa' (p. 35). Note: Islamic punishments are to be applied in the lands under Muslim rule by the appropriate authorities only.
[VI] Related by Abood Dawood in Masa'ilul-Imaam Ahmad (p. 263).
- I admire the Pious but I'm not one of them
Description Of Paradise May 3, 2006
Posted by muslimminds in Paradise.9 comments
From the book: Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il-Afraah, pg. 193
By: Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah)
"And if you ask about its ground and its soil, then it is of musk and saffron.
And if you ask about its roof, then it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.
And if you ask about its rocks, then they are pearls and jewels.And if you ask about its buildings, then they are made of bricks of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its trees, then it does not contain a single tree except that its trunk is made of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its fruits, then they are softer than butter and sweeter than honey.
And if you ask about its leaves, then they are softer than the softest cloth.
And if you ask about its rivers, then there are rivers of milk who's taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is delicious to those who drink it, and rivers of honey that is pure, and rivers of water that is fresh.
And if you ask about their food, then it is fruits from whatever they will choose, and the meat of whatever birds they desire.
And if you ask about their drink, then it is Tasneem, ginger, and Kaafoor. And if you ask about their drinking cups, then they are crystal-clear and made of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its shade, then a fast rider would ride in the shade of one of its trees for a hundred years and not escape it.
And if you ask about its vastness, then the lowest of its people would have within his kingdom and walls and palaces and gardens the distance that would be traveled in a thousand years.
And if you ask about its tents and encampments, then one tent is like a concealed pearl that is sixty miles long.
And if you ask about its towers, then they are rooms above rooms in buildings that have rivers running underneath them.
And if you ask about how far it reaches into the sky, then look at the shining star that is visible, as well as those that are far in the heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly reach.
And if you ask about the clothing of its inhabitants, then they are of silk and gold.
And if you ask about its beds, then its blankets are of the finest silk laid out in the highest of its levels.
And if you ask about the faces of its inhabitants and their beauty, then they are like the image of the Moon. And if you ask about their age, then they are young ones of 33 years in the image of Adam, the father of humanity. And if you ask about what they will be hearing, then it is the singing of their wives from among the Hoor al-'Ayn, and better than that are the voices of the Angels and the Prophets, and better than that is the Speech of the Lord of the Worlds.
And if you ask about their servants, then they are young boys of everlasting youth who resemble scattered pearls.
And if you ask about their brides and wives, then they are young and full-breasted and have had the liquid of youth flow through their limbs; the Sun runs along the beauty of her face if she shows it, light shines from between her teeth if she smiles; if you meet her love, then say whatever you want regarding the joining of two lights; he sees his face in the roundness of her cheek as if he is looking into a polished mirror, and he sees the brightness from behind her muscles and bones; if she were to be unleashed upon the World, she would fill what is between the Heavens and the Earth with a beautiful wind, and the mouths of the creation would glorify, praise, and exclaim greatness, and everything between the East and the West would be adorned for her, and every eye would be shut from everything but her, and the light of the Sun would be outshone just as the light of the Sun outshines the light of the stars, and everyone on the face of the Earth would believe in the Ever-Living, the one who Sustains and Protects all the exists.
And the covering on her head is better than the World and all that is in it, and she does not increase with age except in beauty; free from an umbilical cord, childbirth and menses, and pure of mucous, saliva, urine and other filthy things; her youth never fades, her clothing is never worn out, no garment can be created that matches her beauty, and no one who is with her can ever become bored; her attention is restricted to her husband, so she desires none but him, just as his attention is restricted to her so she is the sole object of his desire, and he is with her in utmost safety and security, as none has touched her before of either humans or Jinn. And if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of the all-Mighty, all-Wise, and the sight of His Face – free from any resemblance or likeness to anything – as you see the Sun in the middle of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, then listen on the day that the caller will call:
'O People of Paradise! Your Lord – Blessed and Exalted – requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!' So they will say: 'We hear and obey!'
Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet – and none of them will turn down the request of the caller – the Lord – Blessed and Exalted – will order His Chair to be brought there.Then, pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone, gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure in their places, and the caller calls:
'O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allaah in which He wishes to reward you!' So they will say: 'And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us away from the Fire?'And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light shines that encompasses all of Paradise. So, they raise their heads, and, behold: the Compeller – Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names – has come to them from above them and majestified them and said:'O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you!' So, this greeting will not be responded to with anything better than: 'O Allaah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace! Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor!'So the Lord – Blessed and Exalted – will laugh to them and say:
'O People of Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!'So, they will all give the same response:'We are pleased, so be pleased with us!' So, He will say: 'O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask of Me!' So, they will all give the same response: 'Show us your Face so that we may look at it!'
So, the Lord – Mighty and Majestic – will remove his covering and will majestify them and will cover them with His Light, which, if Allaah – the Exalted – had not Willed not to burn them, would have burned them. And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that his Lord – the Exalted – will speak to him and say:'Do you remember the day that you did this and that?' and He will remind him of some of his bad deeds in the Worldly life, so he will say: 'O Lord! Will you not forgive me?' So, He will say: 'Of course! You have not reached this position of yours (in Paradise) except by my forgiveness.'So, how sweet is this speech to the ears, and how cooled are the righteous eyes by the glance at His Noble Face in the Afterlife…
{Some faces that Day will be shining and radiant, looking at their Lord…}
(al-Qiyaamah:22-3)
May Allaah (SWT) make us from the dwellers of Jannah. Ameen.
- Got the looks of a Shaykh but ain't one of them.
