Pearls of Wisdom of the Salaf

From the poetry of the Companion, Hasan ibn Thabit, r.a.:

With Allaah's leave, I bear witness that Muhammad
is the Prophet of the One Who is above the Heavens;
that both John and his father
did good things that pleased God;
that the Son of Mary, whom the Jews denied
was a prophet sent by the Lord of the Throne;
that the prophet who was sent to the people of Ahqaf
called them to submit to Allaah and did justly.

Upon hearing these lines, the Messenger of Allaah saw said: "I also bear witness."*

Diwan Hassan Ibn Thabit (Walid Arafat, ed.; Dar Sadir, 1394/1974), p. 403

*The saying of the Messenger of Allah was narrated in a mursal tradition. See Adh-Dhahabi, As-Siyar, 2: 518-519

Bismillaah!

- Expectations of the Mercy of Allah (SWT) -

There once lived a pious man who was enslaved to a wicked master. The righteous slave wanted to teach his master a lesson that he would not forget, a lesson that would make him change his ways.

The Master told him one day to plant wheat. The slave took the opportunity. He went and collected seeds of barley and planted them. As the season drew near, the master was enraged to see that after all this work and time the slave had planted the wrong seed. In his thrashing rage, he scolded the slave saying, "Why did you do this?"

The righteous slave said, "I had hope that the barley seeds would come out as wheat."

The Master said, "How can you plant barley seeds and expect it to come out as wheat?"

The slave stopped and said quietly, "How can you disobey Allah and expect for His bounteous mercy? How can you openly challenge his Deen and hope for Jannah."

The Master was stunned and silent. He understood. "You have taught me something today that I had never realized. You are free for the sake of Allah."

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Bismillaah!

- Advice of Sufyan Al-Thawri (rh)-

Sufyân ath-Thawrî (rh) wrote to ’Abbâd ibn ’Abbâd al-Khawwâs al-Arsûfî (rh) saying:
To proceed: You are in a time which the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) used to seek refuge from reaching, and they had the knowledge that we do not have, and they had precedence which we do no. So how is it for us, when we reach that, having little knowledge, little patience, few helpers upon what is good, corruption of the people and pollution of this world?! So take to the original state of affairs and cling to it. I advise you to remain unknown, since this is the age for remaining anonymous (khumûl). And remain aloof and mix little with the people, since before, when the people met, they would benefit from each other. But today that has gone and your safety - in our view - lies in abandoning them. Beware of the Rulers. Beware of coming near to them and of mixing with them in any of the affairs. Beware of being deceived, so that it is said to you: Intercede [for me], so that you help one oppressed, or repel an act of oppression - because that is from the deception of Iblîs, which the wicked reciters have taken as a means to attain a favorable position. It used to be said: Beware of the trial of the ignorant worshipper and the wicked scholar, because the trial of these two is indeed a trial for everyone put to trial.

If you find questions and need for fatwâ, then take take advantage of it - but do not compete desirously for it. And beware of being like the one who loves that his saying is acted upon, or that his saying is publicised or listened to, and if that is abandoned, the effects of that are seen upon him.

And beware of the love of leadership, since leadership may be more beloved to a man than gold and silver - but it is something difficult and obscure; and this will not be understood except by wise Scholars. So seek after your lost soul and work with correct intention and know that there has come near to the people a matter which a person would be desirous of death.
Was-salâm




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format_quote Originally Posted by Khayal

Bismillaah


- The wisdom behind delaying the answer for a supplication -

It is puzzling your insistence on asking for your desires and when ever they were delayed your insistence increases without thinking that your are not granted what you ask for because of:

1. Your benefit (for what you have asked could be a harm to you in a way)

2. Your sins (for the sinner's prayers are not answered).

If it was the second reason, you will have to clear the path of answering from the stains of sins. If it was the first reason then look at what you ask for:

Is it to strengthen your religion, or just a plain earthly desire? If it was only an earthly desire, then know that it is the kindness and the mercy of Allah that delayed it for you, and by your insistence, you are like a child that asks for what harms him and he is denied that for his own good. And if you think that what you asked for is for the benefit of your religion then your benefit could be in delaying it, or the well-being of your faith is by the nonexistence of it.

In other words, the planning of the Truth the Almighty (Allah) is better for you than your own planning, and He could deprive you from what you ask to test your patience. So let Him see from you a determined patience and you will soon see from Him what will give you joy. And when you have cleaned the paths of answering (of supplication) from the stains of sin and was patient about what He has chosen for you, then every thing that happens to you is better for you whether you were given or deprived of what you have requested. [Imaam Ibn al-Jawzee (rh) ]


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JazakAllah khayr sis!

bismillaah!

- To love someone for the sake of Allaah(SWT) -

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates: Rasoolillah (SAW) said: A person set out to visit his (Muslim) brother in another village and Allah sent an angel to wait for him on his way. (When this man reached the angel) the angel asked: Where are you heading? He replied: I am heading for a brother of mine in this village. The angel asked: Does he owe you something, which you want to get back? The man replied: No. I just love him for the sake of Allah. The angel said: I am Allah's courier (informer) to you, to inform you that Allah loves you just as you love him for His sake.



[Sahih Muslim]


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- Remaining faithful to Allaah(SWT) -

A qualified medical worker from India emigrated to Canada to live a better life. This Muslim brother had a beard. He applied to many different places for a job and was called for interviews. Though he was highly qualified for the jobs, the interviewers hesitated to hire him because of his beard. One by one, he was rejected from all the companies. One interviewer actually mentioned to him indirectly that his beard was an obstacle to getting the job. Trully, it was a big test for him from Allah. Hopeless and exhausted, the brother decided to remove the obstacle, which was to shave off his beard. Then he returned to that company and requested for another interview. When the interviewer saw him without a beard this time, he refused to give him the job again. The brother became confused and asked to know the reason. The interviewer said "If you are not faithful to your God, how will you be faithful to us?"

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Bismillaah!

- The hardest advice -

"To advise others is an easy matter, the difficulty is accepting advice since it is bitter for those who follow their own inclinations and desires."

[Abu Hamid]

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- The sincere person... -

"The sincere person is the one who hides his good deeds just like he hides his evil deeds."
(by Yaqub al-Makfoof)

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- The victorious ones -

Imaam Ahmad(rh) said: "All praise and thanks are due to Allaah, who in every age and interval between the Prophets, raises up a group from the People of Knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance and patiently bear ill-treatment and harm. With the Book of Allaah they give life to the dead, and by Allaah's light they give sight to the blind. How many a person killed by Iblees have they revived. How many people astray and wandering have they guided. How beautiful their effect has been upon the people and how vile people have been towards them. They expel from the Book of Allaah the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant ones- those who uphold the banner of innovation and let loose the trials and discord, who differ about the Book, oppose the Book and agree to oppose the Book. Those who speak about Allaah and His Book without knowledge, argue about what is ambigious in the Book and deceive the ignorant with such ambiguities. We seek refuge in Allaah from the trials of the misguided ones."
[ar-Radd 'alaal-Jahmiyyah waz-Zanaadiqah]

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You are not aware of the consequences that would result (if you were granted what you desire) because what you seek might be to your detriment. (O soul) be conscious that your Master is more aware about your well-being than you are.

~Ibn Al-Jawzee

'It is Allah we implore, and whose answer we await, to watch over you in this life and the next. To shower you with His graces, outwardly and inwardly, and to make you among those who; when blessed, give thanks; when tried, persevere; and when sinful, seek forgiveness. For these three conditions are tokens of the servants’ happiness...'
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Bismillaah!

- The believers prison -

'Abdullah ibn Mubarak (may Allah have mercy on him) would say, "The world is the believer's prison. The best action in the prison is patience and control of one's anger. The believer has no country in the world. His land will be there tomorrow in the Afterlife."

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Bismillaah!






The following three are from patience: Do not speak about a calamity that has befallen you. Do not speak about your pain and do not praise yourself"
[Sufyan-Al Thawri(rh)]





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1. 'Uthmaan (radiAllahu anhu) said: “Knowledge is better than wealth; Knowledge protects you and you (have to) protect wealth.” (al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih - Volume 1, Page 15; Mabaahith fee Ahkaam al-Fatwa - Page 12)

2. Abu Zur’ah ar-Raazee (rahimahullah) (died 264A.H.) said:“My ears have never heard anything of knowledge except that it has rested upon my heart (i.e. I have memorized it). Whilst I would walk through the market of Baghdad , I could hear the sound of female singers from the rooms, so I would put my fingers in my ears (to block out the sound) out of fear that it may rest upon my heart (i.e. I may end up memorizing the words.”(al-Hifth – Ahammiyyatuhu, ‘Ajaa.ibuhu, Tareeqatuhu, Asbaabuhu – Page 19 Taareekh Baghdaad – Volume 15, Page 333)

3. Muhammad ibn Muslim az-Zuhree (rahimahullah) (died 125A.H.) narrated: “There is nothing I have (ever) memorised and then (later) forgotten.” (al-Hifth – Ahammiyyatuhu, ‘Ajaa.ibuhu, Tareeqatuhu, Asbaabuhu – Page 15 Hilyatul-Awliyaa. – Volume 3, Page 364 al-Jaami’ lil-Khateeb – Volume 2, Page 264)

bismillaah!


If Allah (SWT) answers your prayers, He is increasing your "Faith"; If He (SWT) delays, He is increasing your "Patience"; If He (SWT) does not answer, He has "Something better for you"

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Anas bin Malik(RA) narrates that Rasoolillah (SAW) said "A mans faith is never perfect until his heart is straight and a mans heart is never perfect until his tongue is straight"
(Ahmed)

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The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: ""Blessed is the person who God has made a key for good and a lock for evil."



[Al-Tirmidhi]

Bismillaah!

-Take 5 things from me-

Take 5 things from me: Let none of you fear anything but his wrong actions; Let him hope for nothing but His Lord; Let someone who does not know, not be ashamed of saying "Allah knows best"; Patience has the same relation to Iman as the head does to the body; When patience goes then Iman goes, for when the head goes so too does the body"
[Ali (RA)]

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Bismillaah!

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Allah the Exalted revealed to Musa ibn Imran (Moses) in the Torah that the source of all mistakes are three - arrogance, envy and greed.
Another six diseases were born out of these three, and thus they became nine - satiety, excessive sleep, excessive rest, love of wealth, love of praise, and love of leadership.'
[Preparing for the Day of Judgement by Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani]

ash-Shaafi'ee (rahimahullah) said: “Knowledge is that which benefits, not that which is memorized.” (Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa. - Volume 10, Page 89)

Bismillaah!

Allah(SWT) does not inspire seeking forgiveness in a servant whom He wishes to punish"
[Ali (RA)]

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On the authority of Sufyaan ath-Thawree (rahimahullah) who said: “We do not know of anything better than seeking knowledge with (a sincere) intention (for the sake of Allah)” (Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa. - Volume 7, Page 244)

Taken from the various compilations of Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah] and his
famous student Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah [rahimahullah] :

How sound is your knowledge and action?

* This whole religion revolves around knowing the truth and acting by
it, and action must be accompanied by patience.(1)

* Guidance is not attained except with knowledge and correct
direction is not attained except with patience.(2)

To what extent do you practice real servitude?

* Whoever desires everlasting bliss, let him adhere firmly to the
threshold [entrance] of servitude [the state of being a slave].(3)

* The Jihad [utmost striving] against the soul is the foundation for
the Jihad against the disbelievers and hypocrites.( 4)

How well do you worship Him?

* Worship is founded upon the Legal Law [called Shari'ah] and
following it, not upon ones base desires and innovation.( 5)

What are you prepared for?

* Every Punishment from Him is pure justice and every blessing from
Him is pure grace.(6)

* The Lord loves to be Loved.(7)

References:

(1) Taken from Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah] 's famous fataawa series
Majmoo al-Fataawa, 10/38.

(2) Taken from Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah] 's famous fataawa series
Majmoo al-Fataawa, 10/40.

(3) Taken from Ibn al-Qayyim [rahimahullah] 's famous book al-Madaarij
us-Saalikeen, 1/531.

(4) Taken from Ibn al-Qayyim [rahimahullah] 's famous book ar-Rawdaah,
page 478.

(5) Taken from Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah] 's famous fataawa series
Majmoo al-Fataawa, 1/80.

(6) Taken from Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah] 's famous fataawa series
Majmoo al-Fataawa, 10/85.

(7) Taken from Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah] 's famous fataawa series
Majmoo al-Fataawa, 1/54.

An Imaam from the Salaf Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (d. 187, rahimahullaah) said:

'If Allaah (the Mighty and Majestic), knows that a man hates a person of innovation, He will forgive him even if his actions are few. A person of Sunnah would not help an innovator except due to hypocrisy. Whoever turns his face away from an innovator, Allaah will fill his heart with faith. Whoever frightens an innovator away, Allaah will grant him safety on the Day of Great Terror and whoever debases an innovator, Allaah will raise him in Paradise by a hundred ranks, so, for Allaah, never shelter an innovator'

[Source: (Ittihaaful Qaaree Bitta'liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree (rahimahullaah). Vol 2: page:325-326]

The soul is a temptress and loves to look at beautiful forms and the eye is the guide of the heart. The heart commissions its guide to go and look to see what is there and when the eye informs it of a beautiful image it shudders out of love and desire for it. Frequently such inter-relations tire and wear down both the heart and the eye as is said:

When you sent your eye as a guide,
for your heart one day, the object of sight fatigued you.
For you saw one over whom you had no power,
Neither a portion nor in totality, instead you had to be patient.

- Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (rahimullah) in ‘al-Muntaqâ min Ighâthatul Lufhân fî Masâyid ash-Shaytân’

Not a quote from the Salaf...but it's seriously profound.