From the works of Imam ibn al-Qayyim - Page 3

mujahida3001 · **Re: Troubles of Life -** 01-06-2007

mashallah excellent!

Khayal · *!* The Jewels of Ibn al-Qayyim *!* - 01-09-2007

ONE: How can anyone who has common sense trade Paradise and what is in it for the pleasure of one hour?

TWO: When you fear the creation, you feel repelled by it and run away from it, but when you fear the Creator, you feel close to Him and run towards Him.

THREE: If knowledge without action were of benefit, why did Allaah condemn the scholars of the People of the Book? And if action without sincerity were of benefit, why did He condemn the hypocrites?

FOUR: Repel the thought, for if you don't, it becomes an idea. So repel the idea, for if you don't it will become a desire. So fight against that (desire), for if you don't, it will become a determination and a passion And if you don't repel that, it will become an action. And if you don't replace it with its opposite, it will become a constant habit. So at that point, it will be difficult for you to change it.

FIVE: When a decreed matter occurs to Allaah's a'bd (slave), which he dislikes, then he should have six perspectives about it

First: The Perspective of Tawheed: And that Allaah is the One who decreed it and willed it and created it. And whatever Allaah wills comes to pass, and whatever He doesn't will doesn't come to pass

Second: The Perspective of Fairness: And that He ruled this event to occur in the past and that there is fairness in His Divine ordainment.

Third: The Perspective of Mercy: And that the person's mercy with regard to this thing that was decreed supercedes his anger and vengeance

Fourth: The Perspective of Wisdom: And that it was Allaah's infinite Wisdom that brought that about. He did not decree it in vain nor did He divinely execute it for no purpose

Fifth: The Perspective of Praise: And that to Allaah belongs the complete and entire praise for that thing that was decreed from every angle of it.
Sixth: The Perspective of Worship to Allaah ('Ubudiyyah): And that he is a pure worshipper of Allaah from every standpoint. His Master's Rulings and Decrees occur to him by virtue of his being Allah's possession and slave. So Allah administers him under His decreed rulings just as He administers him under His religious rulings. So it (i.e. the decreed event) becomes a place for these rulings to occur to him.

SIX:Little success (from Allaah), bad views, unawareness of the truth, corruption of the heart, laziness in making dhikr, wasting time, distaste for the creation, estrangement between the servant and his Lord, the prevention of the supplication from being answered, hardening of the heart, the termination of blessing from ones provision and lifespan, the prevention of knowledge, being covered in debasement, humiliation at the hands of the enemy, constricting of the chest, prolonged grief and sorrow, a wretched life of poverty, and a gloomy state of being are all produced from sins and neglecting to remember Allaah just as crops are produced from water and burning from fire. And the opposites of these things are produced from obedience to Allaah.

SEVEN: If your mind would free itself from the governorship of your desires, the state would return back to it.

EIGHT: You have entered into the abode of desires, so you have put your life at stake.

NINE: It was once to said to one devout worshipper of Allaah: "Until when will you continue to exhaust your soul?" So he responded: "It is its relaxation that I seek."

TEN: The women of this world were made beautiful to those who can see in order to test which of them prefers them over the women of the Hereafter So whoever knows the extent of differences, he will choose what deserves to be chosen.

Source: http://www.albani.co.uk/

.

FBI · **Re: *!* The Jewels of Ibn al-Qayyim *!* -** 01-09-2007

Good psot

Abu Sayyad · **-From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

[The Journey of Love - Rihlat al-Hubb]

by Imâm Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
Translated by Usâma Hasan

By Him whose House the loving pilgrims visit,
Responding with ihram at the appointed limit,
Uncovering their heads in total humility
Before One to Whom faces bow in servility.
They exclaim in the valleys,
"We have responded to You –
All Praise is Yours, and Kingdom too!"
He invited and they answered, with love and pleasure;
When they called upon Him, nearer came the Divine treasure.
You see them on their mounts, hair dusty and dishevelled,
Yet never more content, never happier have they felt;
Leaving homelands and families due to holy yearning,
Unmoved are they by temptations of returning.
Through plains and valleys, from near and far,
Walking and riding, in submission to Allâh.

[At the Ka'bah]

When they see His House - that magnificent sight
For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight -
It seems they've never felt tired before,
For their discomfort and hardship is no more.
Now the eye of the Lover drowns in its streams,
It sees through its tears the goal of its dreams;
Now for Allâh, how many tears are issued,
Each one being followed by a multitude?
When the eye perceives the House, its darkness clears,
And from the sorrowful heart, pain disappears;
Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight:
Each glance returns with greater delight!
No wonder at this, for when the Merciful preferred
The House for Himself, it became most honoured.
He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment;
Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament!
The hearts all love the House therefore,
Awed and humbled, in respect and honour.

['Arafat]

Now to 'Arafat, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness
From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness;
Now for Allâh is that Magnificent Standing
Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning.
The Irresistible draws near, His Majesty manifest,
Boasting to His angels, for He is the Mightiest,

"My slaves have come to Me so lovingly,
I'll be Generous and Merciful, willingly.
I have forgiven their sins, - to this you are witness -
Fulfilled their hopes, and showered them with goodness."

So joyous news! O people of that standing,
When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading;
How many slaves are set completely free?
Whilst others seek a cure, and heal will He.
Now Satan is never known to lose such face:
He's blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace.
For he sees a matter that enrage him must:
He flees, slaps his face and covers it in dust!
Such Forgiveness he never did see
As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy!
He built his edifice from every temptation available
Till he thought it was complete, unassailable;
Then Allâh struck his building at its very foundation,
So it fell upon him, tumbling in devastation;
What worth has his structure, this evil ploy,
That he does build, and the Lord does destroy?

[Muzdalifah and Mina]

Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night
In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light;
Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need
To stone at the time of the Prayer of 'Id;
Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared,
Reviving the tradition of a Father revered.
If sacrificing themselves were Allâh's demand,
They would respond, submitting to the command;
Just as they'd expose their necks in Jihad
To Allâh's enemies, till these stream with blood;
They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave:
Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave.

[The Tawaf of Ifadah/Ziyarah]

So when they've removed those natural growths,
Completed their rites, and fulfilled their oaths,
He invites them again to visit His House:
What honour and welcome this visit allows!
By Allâh, they visit it in so much splendour,
Receiving their rewards and plenty of honour;
There Allâh bestows Grace, Favour and Kindness,
Showing Generosity, Mercy and Forgiveness.

[Mina]

Then they return to Mina, each to his tent,
Every minute wish is granted, and they are content;
They stay there a day, then another, then a third,
They're allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred;
They stone the pillars daily after the sun's decline,
With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine!
If only you could see their standing there:
Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy's share!

"O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do
That we hope for no-one, only You!
Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing,
We pray for Your Mercy overflowing."

[The Farewell Tawaf]

When they've achieved at Mina all their gains,
Once more they fill the valleys and plains:
To the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day,
To circle it seven times, and then to Pray.
When departure nears and they are certain
That the bond of proximity is about to loosen,
There's only a last stand for a final farewell:
Now for Allâh are the eyes that swell,
And for Allâh are the heavy hearts that turn
Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn;
And the passionate sighs whose heat so vigorous
Nearly melts the Lover, ecstatic, rapturous!
Now you see those bewildered, perplexed in the throng,
Whilst others chant their sorrowful song:

"I depart, but there remains for You my yearning,
My fire of grief is raging and burning;
I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins -
My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!"

No blame today for saying what you feel:
No blame for expressing what you used to conceal!

Imam Abu 'Abdillah Shams al-Din Muhammad b. Abi Bakr b. Ayyub al-Zar'i al-Dimashqi, also known as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (691-751 H).

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

"The doors of success have been closed upon the creation because of six things:
Their busying themselves with the blessings of Allah instead of thanking Allah for them,

their desire for knowledge while they abandon actions,

the hastiness to sin and delaying repentance,

the deception of having righteous companions and not taking them as examples,

the turning away of the dunya from them while they chase it,

and the approach of the afterlife towards them while they turn away from it."

____________________________________________________________________________________

The contemplative believer who remembers God will begin to enjoy solitude and places of seclusion where voices and movements are hushed... There he will find strength of heart and will, and he will no longer be worried or depressed... Then he will begin to taste the sweetness of worship, of which he cannot have enough. In it, he will find abundance of pleasure and comfort - more than what he used to find in diversion and play, or in the satisfaction of wordly desires...When he experiences this state, many of the wordly concerns will disappear, as he is in a completely different world from the rest of humanity.

-Ibn Al Qayyim, Madaarij As_Salikeen

____________________________________________________________________________________

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is what is meant by the words of one of the salaf: ‘A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.’ They said: ‘How is that?’ He said: ‘He may commit a sin and continues to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers his sin, so he feels ashamed and repents and seeks forgiveness and regrets it, so that will be the means of his salvation. And he may do a good deed and continue to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with self-admiration and pride, so it is the cause of his doom. So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude so that he fears Allaah and feels shy before Him and feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allaah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself and looks down on others, and who thinks that he is doing Allaah a favour. Even if he says words that indicate something other than that, Allaah is the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he were to examine himself honestly, he would see that clearly."

-Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/299

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

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 Worldy 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, l ooking at their Lord...} (al-Qiyaamah:22-3)

[from the amazing and beautiful book Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il-Afraah by Ibn al-Qayyim, pg. 193]

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

"When a person spends his entire day with no other concern but Allaah alone, Allaah, may He be glorified, will take care of all his needs and take care of all that is worrying him; He will empty his heart so that it will be filled only with love for Him, free his tongue so that it will speak only in remembrance of Him (dhikr) and cause all his faculties to work only in obedience to Him. But if a person spends his entire day with no other concern but this world, Allaah will make him bear its distress, anxiety and pain; He will leave him to sort himself out, and cause his heart to be distracted from the love of Allaah towards the love of some created being, cause his tongue to speak only in remembering people instead of remembering Allaah, and cause him to use his talents and energy in obeying and serving them. So he will strive hard, labouring like some work-animal, to serve something other than Allaah… Everyone who turns away from being a true slave of Allaah and obeying Him and loving Him will be burdened with servitude, love and obedience to some created being. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 'And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allaah), We appoint for him a shaytaan (devil) to be a qareen (intimate companion) to him.' [al-Zukhruf 43:36"]
- Al-Fawaa'id, p. 159

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

Ibn al-Qayyim - rahimahullaah- said:

"There are six stages to knowledge:

Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner.

Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively.

Thirdly: Understanding well.

Fourthly: Memorising.

Fifthly: Teaching.

Sixthly: and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to its limits.

Miftaah Daarus-Sa 'aadah ( p.283).

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

People who have memorised the Qur'aan should be known by the night when people are sleeping and he is awake, and by the morning when people are not fasting but he is, by his sadness when they are happy, by his crying when they are laughing, by his silence when they are slandering, and by his piety and humility when they are arrogant. He who has memorised the Qur'aan should be tearful, sad, wise, patient and calm. He should not be rude, inattentive, loud or cruel.

- Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullaah.

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

إن في القلب شعث لا يلمه إلا الإقبال على الله ، وفيه وحشة لا يزيلها إلا الأنس بالله ، وفيه حزن لا يذهبه إلا السرور بمعرفته وصدق معاملته ، وفيه قلق لا يسكنه إلا الاجتماع إليه والفرار منه إليه ، وفيه نيران حسرات لا يطفئها إلا الرضا بأمره ونهيه وقضائه ، وفيه طلب شديد لا يقف دون أن يكون هو وحده مطلوب ، وفيه فاقة لا يسدها إلا محبته ودوام ذكره والإخلاص له ، ولو أعطي الدنيا وما فيها لم تسد تلك الفاقة أبداً .

"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love from him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him and if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness."

-Ibn Al-Qayyim

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

"The heart will rest and feel relief if it is settled with Allaah and it will worry and be anxious if it is settled with people."

- Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah).

"Loving Allaah resembles a brook in a desert with no millstone, and that is why there are few water-drawers. The lover usually wants to be isolated with his lover in privacy in order to find delight, the same as the whale resorts to water, and a child seeks his mother."

-Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullaah.

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

Your life in the present moment is in between the past and the future. So what has preceded can be rectified by tawbah (repentance), nadam (regret) and istighfar (seeking Allaah’s forgiveness). And this is something that will neither tire you, nor cause you to toil as you would with strenuous labour. Rather it is an action of the heart. Then as regards the future (then it can be corrected) by withholding yourself from sins. And this abandonment is merely the leaving of something and to be at ease from it. This also is not action of the limbs, which requires you to strive and toil. Rather this is a firm resolve and intention of the heart – which will give rest to your body, heart and thoughts. So as for what has preceded, then you rectify it with repentance. And as for the future – then you rectify it with firm resolve and intention. Neither of these involves any hardship or exertion of the limbs. But then your attention must be directed to your life in the present - the time between two times. If you waste it, then you have wasted the opportunity to be of the fortunate and saved ones. If you look after it, having rectified the two times – what is before and after it, as we have said – then you will be successful and achieve rest, delight and ever-lasting bliss. However, looking after it is harder than that which comes before and after it, since guarding it involves keeping to that which is most befitting and beneficial for your soul, and that which will bring it success and well-being.

[Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah - al-Fawaa’id, pp 151-152]

- Qatada - · **Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- -** 01-13-2007

'Unlawful desires are usually associated with ugliness. They leave behind a lingering sensation of pain and guilt. Hence, whenever you are tempted, think about liberating yourself. Think about all the remorse that would accompany the realisation of those desires, and then make up your mind. Struggling your way through obedience is not an easy task. It is, however, associated with goodness and soothing pleasures. Whenever you overburden yourself (with unlawful desires) think about how nice it would be to repent and set yourself free. Think about the pleasures that lawful desires will provide and try to make the correct choice. The dilemma you will experience should be reduced by remembering the sweet pleasure and the ultimate happiness that your obedience (to Allah) will provide. Also make your struggle less of one by picturing the punishment that follows disobedience to Allah. Logically your mind should opt for the more rewarding option and help you to endure the pain of denying yourself the realisation of such desires.'

[On Following Desires - Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah - Al-Fawaaid] [May Allah reward the unknown translator]

	(#31 (permalink))
mujahida3001 Member Status: Offline Posts: 41 Reputation: 33 Rep Power: 0 Join Date: Jan 2007 Way of Life: Undisclosed	Re: Troubles of Life - 01-06-2007 mashallah excellent!

	(#32 (permalink))
Khayal A tHoUgHt Status: Offline Posts: 4,712 Reputation: 11609 Rep Power: 37 Join Date: May 2005 Location: iN tHoUgHtS Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	! The Jewels of Ibn al-Qayyim ! - 01-09-2007 ONE: How can anyone who has common sense trade Paradise and what is in it for the pleasure of one hour? TWO: When you fear the creation, you feel repelled by it and run away from it, but when you fear the Creator, you feel close to Him and run towards Him. THREE: If knowledge without action were of benefit, why did Allaah condemn the scholars of the People of the Book? And if action without sincerity were of benefit, why did He condemn the hypocrites? FOUR: Repel the thought, for if you don't, it becomes an idea. So repel the idea, for if you don't it will become a desire. So fight against that (desire), for if you don't, it will become a determination and a passion And if you don't repel that, it will become an action. And if you don't replace it with its opposite, it will become a constant habit. So at that point, it will be difficult for you to change it. FIVE: When a decreed matter occurs to Allaah's a'bd (slave), which he dislikes, then he should have six perspectives about it First: The Perspective of Tawheed: And that Allaah is the One who decreed it and willed it and created it. And whatever Allaah wills comes to pass, and whatever He doesn't will doesn't come to pass Second: The Perspective of Fairness: And that He ruled this event to occur in the past and that there is fairness in His Divine ordainment. Third: The Perspective of Mercy: And that the person's mercy with regard to this thing that was decreed supercedes his anger and vengeance Fourth: The Perspective of Wisdom: And that it was Allaah's infinite Wisdom that brought that about. He did not decree it in vain nor did He divinely execute it for no purpose Fifth: The Perspective of Praise: And that to Allaah belongs the complete and entire praise for that thing that was decreed from every angle of it. Sixth: The Perspective of Worship to Allaah ('Ubudiyyah): And that he is a pure worshipper of Allaah from every standpoint. His Master's Rulings and Decrees occur to him by virtue of his being Allah's possession and slave. So Allah administers him under His decreed rulings just as He administers him under His religious rulings. So it (i.e. the decreed event) becomes a place for these rulings to occur to him. SIX:Little success (from Allaah), bad views, unawareness of the truth, corruption of the heart, laziness in making dhikr, wasting time, distaste for the creation, estrangement between the servant and his Lord, the prevention of the supplication from being answered, hardening of the heart, the termination of blessing from ones provision and lifespan, the prevention of knowledge, being covered in debasement, humiliation at the hands of the enemy, constricting of the chest, prolonged grief and sorrow, a wretched life of poverty, and a gloomy state of being are all produced from sins and neglecting to remember Allaah just as crops are produced from water and burning from fire. And the opposites of these things are produced from obedience to Allaah. SEVEN: If your mind would free itself from the governorship of your desires, the state would return back to it. EIGHT: You have entered into the abode of desires, so you have put your life at stake. NINE: It was once to said to one devout worshipper of Allaah: "Until when will you continue to exhaust your soul?" So he responded: "It is its relaxation that I seek." TEN: The women of this world were made beautiful to those who can see in order to test which of them prefers them over the women of the Hereafter So whoever knows the extent of differences, he will choose what deserves to be chosen. Source: http://www.albani.co.uk/ . __________________ Even a Smile is charity!

	(#33 (permalink))
FBI LI Oldtimer Status: Offline Posts: 682 Reputation: 2108 Rep Power: 11 Join Date: Nov 2006 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	*Re: !* The Jewels of Ibn al-Qayyim ! -** 01-09-2007 Good psot

	(#34 (permalink))
Abu Sayyad Back! Status: Offline Posts: 6,272 Reputation: 32302 Rep Power: 66 Join Date: Mar 2005 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	-From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 [The Journey of Love - Rihlat al-Hubb] by Imâm Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah Translated by Usâma Hasan By Him whose House the loving pilgrims visit, Responding with ihram at the appointed limit, Uncovering their heads in total humility Before One to Whom faces bow in servility. They exclaim in the valleys, "We have responded to You – All Praise is Yours, and Kingdom too!" He invited and they answered, with love and pleasure; When they called upon Him, nearer came the Divine treasure. You see them on their mounts, hair dusty and dishevelled, Yet never more content, never happier have they felt; Leaving homelands and families due to holy yearning, Unmoved are they by temptations of returning. Through plains and valleys, from near and far, Walking and riding, in submission to Allâh. [At the Ka'bah] When they see His House - that magnificent sight For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight - It seems they've never felt tired before, For their discomfort and hardship is no more. Now the eye of the Lover drowns in its streams, It sees through its tears the goal of its dreams; Now for Allâh, how many tears are issued, Each one being followed by a multitude? When the eye perceives the House, its darkness clears, And from the sorrowful heart, pain disappears; Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight: Each glance returns with greater delight! No wonder at this, for when the Merciful preferred The House for Himself, it became most honoured. He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment; Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament! The hearts all love the House therefore, Awed and humbled, in respect and honour. ['Arafat] Now to 'Arafat, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness; Now for Allâh is that Magnificent Standing Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning. The Irresistible draws near, His Majesty manifest, Boasting to His angels, for He is the Mightiest, "My slaves have come to Me so lovingly, I'll be Generous and Merciful, willingly. I have forgiven their sins, - to this you are witness - Fulfilled their hopes, and showered them with goodness." So joyous news! O people of that standing, When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading; How many slaves are set completely free? Whilst others seek a cure, and heal will He. Now Satan is never known to lose such face: He's blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace. For he sees a matter that enrage him must: He flees, slaps his face and covers it in dust! Such Forgiveness he never did see As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy! He built his edifice from every temptation available Till he thought it was complete, unassailable; Then Allâh struck his building at its very foundation, So it fell upon him, tumbling in devastation; What worth has his structure, this evil ploy, That he does build, and the Lord does destroy? [Muzdalifah and Mina] Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light; Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need To stone at the time of the Prayer of 'Id; Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared, Reviving the tradition of a Father revered. If sacrificing themselves were Allâh's demand, They would respond, submitting to the command; Just as they'd expose their necks in Jihad To Allâh's enemies, till these stream with blood; They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave: Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave. [The Tawaf of Ifadah/Ziyarah] So when they've removed those natural growths, Completed their rites, and fulfilled their oaths, He invites them again to visit His House: What honour and welcome this visit allows! By Allâh, they visit it in so much splendour, Receiving their rewards and plenty of honour; There Allâh bestows Grace, Favour and Kindness, Showing Generosity, Mercy and Forgiveness. [Mina] Then they return to Mina, each to his tent, Every minute wish is granted, and they are content; They stay there a day, then another, then a third, They're allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred; They stone the pillars daily after the sun's decline, With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine! If only you could see their standing there: Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy's share! "O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do That we hope for no-one, only You! Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing, We pray for Your Mercy overflowing." [The Farewell Tawaf] When they've achieved at Mina all their gains, Once more they fill the valleys and plains: To the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day, To circle it seven times, and then to Pray. When departure nears and they are certain That the bond of proximity is about to loosen, There's only a last stand for a final farewell: Now for Allâh are the eyes that swell, And for Allâh are the heavy hearts that turn Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn; And the passionate sighs whose heat so vigorous Nearly melts the Lover, ecstatic, rapturous! Now you see those bewildered, perplexed in the throng, Whilst others chant their sorrowful song: "I depart, but there remains for You my yearning, My fire of grief is raging and burning; I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins - My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!" No blame today for saying what you feel: No blame for expressing what you used to conceal! Imam Abu 'Abdillah Shams al-Din Muhammad b. Abi Bakr b. Ayyub al-Zar'i al-Dimashqi, also known as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (691-751 H). __________________ ...بَلْ أَتَيْنَاهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ • مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَهٍ Rather, We have brought them the truth, and indeed they are liars. Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [al-Muminoon: 90-91] O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You will judge between Your servants concerning that wherein they differ. Guide me with regard to that wherein there is dispute concerning the truth by Your leave, for You guide whomsoever You will to the straight path. Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I misguide others, or I am misguided by others, lest I cause others to err or I am caused to err, lest I abuse others or be abused, and lest I behave foolishly or meet with the foolishness of others.

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 "The doors of success have been closed upon the creation because of six things: Their busying themselves with the blessings of Allah instead of thanking Allah for them, their desire for knowledge while they abandon actions, the hastiness to sin and delaying repentance, the deception of having righteous companions and not taking them as examples, the turning away of the dunya from them while they chase it, and the approach of the afterlife towards them while they turn away from it." ____________________________________________________________________________________ The contemplative believer who remembers God will begin to enjoy solitude and places of seclusion where voices and movements are hushed... There he will find strength of heart and will, and he will no longer be worried or depressed... Then he will begin to taste the sweetness of worship, of which he cannot have enough. In it, he will find abundance of pleasure and comfort - more than what he used to find in diversion and play, or in the satisfaction of wordly desires...When he experiences this state, many of the wordly concerns will disappear, as he is in a completely different world from the rest of humanity. -Ibn Al Qayyim, Madaarij As_Salikeen ____________________________________________________________________________________ Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is what is meant by the words of one of the salaf: ‘A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.’ They said: ‘How is that?’ He said: ‘He may commit a sin and continues to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers his sin, so he feels ashamed and repents and seeks forgiveness and regrets it, so that will be the means of his salvation. And he may do a good deed and continue to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with self-admiration and pride, so it is the cause of his doom. So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude so that he fears Allaah and feels shy before Him and feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allaah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself and looks down on others, and who thinks that he is doing Allaah a favour. Even if he says words that indicate something other than that, Allaah is the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he were to examine himself honestly, he would see that clearly." -Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/299

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 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 Worldy 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, l ooking at their Lord...} (al-Qiyaamah:22-3) [from the amazing and beautiful book Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il-Afraah by Ibn al-Qayyim, pg. 193]

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "When a person spends his entire day with no other concern but Allaah alone, Allaah, may He be glorified, will take care of all his needs and take care of all that is worrying him; He will empty his heart so that it will be filled only with love for Him, free his tongue so that it will speak only in remembrance of Him (dhikr) and cause all his faculties to work only in obedience to Him. But if a person spends his entire day with no other concern but this world, Allaah will make him bear its distress, anxiety and pain; He will leave him to sort himself out, and cause his heart to be distracted from the love of Allaah towards the love of some created being, cause his tongue to speak only in remembering people instead of remembering Allaah, and cause him to use his talents and energy in obeying and serving them. So he will strive hard, labouring like some work-animal, to serve something other than Allaah… Everyone who turns away from being a true slave of Allaah and obeying Him and loving Him will be burdened with servitude, love and obedience to some created being. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 'And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allaah), We appoint for him a shaytaan (devil) to be a qareen (intimate companion) to him.' [al-Zukhruf 43:36"] - Al-Fawaa'id, p. 159

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 Ibn al-Qayyim - rahimahullaah- said: "There are six stages to knowledge: Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner. Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively. Thirdly: Understanding well. Fourthly: Memorising. Fifthly: Teaching. Sixthly: and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to its limits. Miftaah Daarus-Sa 'aadah ( p.283).

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 People who have memorised the Qur'aan should be known by the night when people are sleeping and he is awake, and by the morning when people are not fasting but he is, by his sadness when they are happy, by his crying when they are laughing, by his silence when they are slandering, and by his piety and humility when they are arrogant. He who has memorised the Qur'aan should be tearful, sad, wise, patient and calm. He should not be rude, inattentive, loud or cruel. - Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullaah.

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 إن في القلب شعث لا يلمه إلا الإقبال على الله ، وفيه وحشة لا يزيلها إلا الأنس بالله ، وفيه حزن لا يذهبه إلا السرور بمعرفته وصدق معاملته ، وفيه قلق لا يسكنه إلا الاجتماع إليه والفرار منه إليه ، وفيه نيران حسرات لا يطفئها إلا الرضا بأمره ونهيه وقضائه ، وفيه طلب شديد لا يقف دون أن يكون هو وحده مطلوب ، وفيه فاقة لا يسدها إلا محبته ودوام ذكره والإخلاص له ، ولو أعطي الدنيا وما فيها لم تسد تلك الفاقة أبداً . "Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love from him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him and if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness." -Ibn Al-Qayyim

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 *"The heart will rest and feel relief if it is settled with Allaah and it will worry and be anxious if it is settled with people."* - Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah). "Loving Allaah resembles a brook in a desert with no millstone, and that is why there are few water-drawers. The lover usually wants to be isolated with his lover in privacy in order to find delight, the same as the whale resorts to water, and a child seeks his mother." -Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullaah.

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 Your life in the present moment is in between the past and the future. So what has preceded can be rectified by tawbah (repentance), nadam (regret) and istighfar (seeking Allaah’s forgiveness). And this is something that will neither tire you, nor cause you to toil as you would with strenuous labour. Rather it is an action of the heart. Then as regards the future (then it can be corrected) by withholding yourself from sins. And this abandonment is merely the leaving of something and to be at ease from it. This also is not action of the limbs, which requires you to strive and toil. Rather this is a firm resolve and intention of the heart – which will give rest to your body, heart and thoughts. So as for what has preceded, then you rectify it with repentance. And as for the future – then you rectify it with firm resolve and intention. Neither of these involves any hardship or exertion of the limbs. But then your attention must be directed to your life in the present - the time between two times. If you waste it, then you have wasted the opportunity to be of the fortunate and saved ones. If you look after it, having rectified the two times – what is before and after it, as we have said – then you will be successful and achieve rest, delight and ever-lasting bliss. However, looking after it is harder than that which comes before and after it, since guarding it involves keeping to that which is most befitting and beneficial for your soul, and that which will bring it success and well-being. [Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah - al-Fawaa’id, pp 151-152]

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- Qatada - Ummah Under 1 Banner Status: Offline Posts: 10,208 Reputation: 38769 Rep Power: 77 Join Date: May 2005 Location: ...travelling to the hereafter.. Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: -From the works of Imam Ibn al Qayyim- - 01-13-2007 'Unlawful desires are usually associated with ugliness. They leave behind a lingering sensation of pain and guilt. Hence, whenever you are tempted, think about liberating yourself. Think about all the remorse that would accompany the realisation of those desires, and then make up your mind. Struggling your way through obedience is not an easy task. It is, however, associated with goodness and soothing pleasures. Whenever you overburden yourself (with unlawful desires) think about how nice it would be to repent and set yourself free. Think about the pleasures that lawful desires will provide and try to make the correct choice. The dilemma you will experience should be reduced by remembering the sweet pleasure and the ultimate happiness that your obedience (to Allah) will provide. Also make your struggle less of one by picturing the punishment that follows disobedience to Allah. Logically your mind should opt for the more rewarding option and help you to endure the pain of denying yourself the realisation of such desires.' [On Following Desires - Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah - Al-Fawaaid] [May Allah reward the unknown translator]