Category Archives: What to avoid

Feb 2013 · Feb

ibn Qutaybah’s advice about taking knowledge from the sighaar

With regards to the quote from ibn Mas`ood radi Allaahu ‘anhu about seeking knowledge from the senior scholars as opposed to the sighaar (the lesser ones), `Abdus Salaam ibn Burjis (d.1425AH) rahimahullaah comments:

And ibn Qutyabah[1] rahimahullaahu ta’aala held the opinion that the sighaar (lesser ones) were the ones who were lesser in age. So he said about the narration of ibn Mas’ood mentioned above:

He (ibn Mas’ood) intended – that the people will not cease to be upon good as long as their scholars are the elders, and their scholars are not the youthful ones, because for the old man, the pleasure of youthfulness, and its self containment and its foolishness have disappeared from him. And he has taken on experience and knowledge as his companions.

So doubt does not come upon him in his knowledge; nor does desire get the better of him; nor does greed make him turn away and nor does Shaytan make him slip up with the errors of the young person. Thus with age there is dignity and honour and reverence.

And it may be these matters– matters which the old person is secure from – enter upon the youth; so when they enter upon him, and he gives fataawaa (Islamic rulings), he is destroyed and he destroys (others).

(to the end of his statement) [2]

(Awaa-iq ut talab of ‘Abdus Salaam ibn Burjiss rahimahullaah pages 24, translated by Nasser ibn Najam)

[1] Died 276AH

[2] ‘Naseehah ahl il hadeeth’ page 16

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Jan 2013 · Jan

Taking knowledge from our elders i.e. from the senior scholars

With regards to people seeking knowledge from the youngsters at the expense of seeking it from the senior scholars, `Abdus Salaam ibn Burjis (d.1425AH)  rahimahullaah comments:

And indeed the phenomenon of taking knowledge from the younger ones amongst the students of knowledge has become widespread in this era.

And in reality this phenomenon is a chronic disease, an enduring sickness, preventing the (true) student from what he intends and something by which he twists away from the correct path which would lead to knowledge.

And that is because taking knowledge from the younger people – those whose feet have not become firmly grounded in knowledge and whose beards have not become white in it (seeking knowledge), despite the presence of a person who is greater than them in age and one whose feet are more firmly grounded – then this weakens the foundation of the beginner and prevents him from taking benefit from the knowledge of the senior scholars, and from acquiring their manners which knowledge and time have made good – and other than that from the justifications that are suggested by the narration of ibn Mas`ood radi Allaahu `anhu when he said:

“The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they take knowledge from their senior ones and from their trustworthy ones and from their scholars.

So if they take it from their younger ones and their evil ones, they will be destroyed.”

Quoted in ‘Awaa-iq ut talab of ‘Abdus Salaam ibn Burjiss rahimahullaah page 23, translated by Nasser ibn Najam

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Jan 2013 · Jan

Let the student of knowledge beware of not acting on his knowledge

‘Alee radi Allaahu ‘anhu said:

Knowledge calls out for action, so either it is responded to or else it departs.

And Sufyaan ath Thawree rahimahullaah said:

Knowledge is only to be learned in order for Allaah to be feared and obeyed by it.

And Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad rahimahullaah said:

The person of knowledge does not stop being jaahil (ignorant) of what he knows until he acts on it. So when he acts on it, he is an ‘aalim (person of knowledge).

And ibn al Jawzee rahimahullaah said:

The true miskeen (impoverished person) is the one whose lifetime is lost in knowledge that he does not act upon. So he has missed out on the delights of the dunyaa and the treasures of the Hereafter.
Thus he will come (on the Last Day) as a bankrupt person, along with having a strong proof against himself.

Quoted in ‘Awaa-iq ut talab of ‘Abdus Salaam ibn Burjiss rahimahullaah pages 17 to 19, translated by Nasser ibn Najam

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Oct 2012 · Oct

The student of knowledge is careful when answering questions posed to him

With regards to the student of knowledge having the humility to tell the people that he does not know the answer to their question, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah comments:

And know for certain that if you open up the arena (when sitting with the people), then questions will come one after the other to you.

However you should beware of answering with that which you do not have knowledge of. Don’t be deceived by the people turning towards you and beginning to ask you (questions), then you reply with that which you do not have knowledge of!

This is a serious issue because Allaah, the Most High, said:

Say (O Muhammad): My Lord has made forbidden al fawaahish (filthy deeds), whether done openly or secretly, sins, transgression without due right, and that you ascribe partners to Allaah for which He has sent down no authority and that you say about Allaah that which you have no knowledge of.

Soorah al A’raaf (7) aayah 33

Do not say about Allaah that which you do not have knowledge of. If you are asked about a matter and you do not know about it, then say to him, “Wait, I will ask about it and I will (then) tell you,” or “I will look it up in the books and (then) I will tell you.”

And do not say that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed the hearing, the sight and the heart – each of these will be questioned by Allaah.

Soorah al Israa- (17) aayah 36

Quoted in Wasaayaa wa tawjeehaat li tullaab il ‘ilm pages 260, translated by Nasser ibn Najam

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Aug 2012 · Aug

The student of knowledge is from the people who spread salaam the most

With regards to the student of knowledge not holding back from giving salaam, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah comments:

Therefore I enjoin on you the spreading the salaam amongst yourselves such that you attain friendship and love and brotherhood and cheerfulness upon the face and happiness in the heart – along with abundant reward with Allaah, the Majestic and Most High.

As for nowadays, the people meet each other in the environment of the university, then, with great regret, you will not find giving salaam to each other.

And it may be that some of them say: the people are many in number – if I were to initiate the salaam with everyone I meet – and I were to meet, for example, one hundred men when walking around – then do I give salaam one hundred times?

We say: fear Allaah and obey Him as much as you are able to – just as we say, for example, commanding the good and forbidding the evil is something obligatory. However, if we were to walk in the marketplace we would find this person has his garment hanging too low (below his ankles), and this one is smoking and this one trims his beard, and the like of that, is it obligatory that we stop at each one and we advise him?

This (would be) difficult and would contain hardship; however we fear Allaah and obey Him as much as we are able to.

And I say: the spreading of salaam occurs (only) a little amongst the students at the University (and) other than the students at the University – such that nowadays, only a few of the students at the masaajid will spread the salaam. And all of this is either (a result) of ignorance or of being negligent.

So upon us, O brothers, is that we mould ourselves to have the manners of Islaam, seeking the reward of Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, (seeking) the rectification of our community.

(Quoted in Wasaayaa wa tawjeehaat li tullaab il ‘ilm pages 184 to 185, translated by Nasser ibn Najam)

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Jul 2012 · Jul

The student of knowledge does not act deceptively and if he does, despite being advised, he is informed on

With regards to the student of knowledge not behaving deceptively, and what to do if he persists upon this despite being advised, the Noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen rahimahullaah stated:

And I advise you also to stay away from behaving deceptively in the duroos (lessons), especially at the times of examinations. For indeed, behaving deceptively is from the characteristics of the hypocrites, and Allaah forbade it in His statement:

O you who believe, do not betray Allaahand the Messenger and do not knowingly betray your trusts. And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial and that with Allaah there surely is a tremendous reward.

Soorah al Anfaal (8)aayaat 27 to 28

So if you know of someone that they carry out this repulsive action, then it is upon you to advise him. So if he desists from it, then this is what is desired. If not then you tell on him. And this is from sincerity and sincere advice to him before every single thing – with the proof that the Messenger sall Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

Help your brother, be he the oppressor or the oppressed. They said: O Messenger of Allaah,this is (regarding) the oppressed one, but how do we help the oppressor? He said: You prevent him from the oppression, so that is your help for him.

Reported by al Bukhaaree (2443, 2444, 6952) from the hadeeth of Anas

Quoted in Wasaayaa wa tawjeehaat li tullaab il ‘ilm pages 144 to 145, translated by Nasser ibn Najam

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Jun 2012 · Jun

A person must be gentle without being weak

With regards to the student of knowledge being gentle in speech, the Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah comments:

This is from the most important of the manners of the student of knowledge, regardless of whether he is a taalib[1]– or a matloob[2], meaning a teacher – then (they should have) gentleness,  just as the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

“Indeed Allaah is Rafeeq (gentle), He loves gentleness in all the affairs.”

“Gentleness is not present in a matter except that it beautifies it and it is not taken out from a matter except that it disfigures it.”

However a person must be gentle without being weak. As for being gentle whilst being treated in a humiliating manner and not having his statement accepted and not being taken notice of, then this goes against al hazm (being determined and resolute).

But he should be gentle in the situations (necessitating) gentleness and stern in the situations (necessitating) sternness.

And there is no one more merciful than Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic; but along with that, He says with regards to the male and female fornicator:

Flog each one of them with a hundred lashes. And do not let pity hold you back in their case in (a punishment prescribed) in the Religion of Allaah.

Soorah an Noor (24) aayah 2

So for every situation there is (a correct) saying.

(Sharh hilyah taalib il ‘ilm p50 of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah, translator Nasser ibn Najam)

 

[1] One who seeks knowledge

[2] One from whom knowledge is sought

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May 2012 · May

The student of knowledge contemplates and is not hasty

With regards to the student of knowledge being thoughtful and not one who is hasty in speech and action, the Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah comments:

What is important is ta-ammul (being someone who contemplates) – meaning being patient and biding one’s time, and that you do not speak until you know what you are saying and what the result (of it) will be.

And therefore they say, “Do not place your foot down except (somewhere) that you know of safety (for it).”

Meaning a person walks and he does not put his foot upon anything about which he does not know whether it is a hole or a thorn or a pebble or ice – until he know where (for certain) he is putting his foot.

So this type of ta-ammul is of great importance. And do not be hasty unless there is a necessity which calls you to that…

Therefore, the issue lies between (two aspects) – do I bide my time and remain patient – or do I act with haste and lead the way?

Which of the two is to be given precedence?

The first is – because a word and an action cannot be taken back once they have come out from you. However, as long as you have not spoken or done an action, then you are still free.

So reflect on what you are saying and what will be the benefit  – the benefit of (your) speech?

And, therefore, the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

Whoever believes in Allaah and in the Last Day, then let him speak good or remain silent. [1]

(Sharh hilyah taalib il ‘ilm p51 to 52 of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah. Translator Nasser ibn Najam)

[1] Reported by al Bukhaaree (5672), Muslim and others

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May 2012 · May

The student of knowledge is careful to not accustom himself to comfort and luxury

With regards to the student of knowledge not chasing after the luxuries and comforts of this world,  Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah comments:

(The author’s advice), “do not accustom yourself to comfort and luxury”.

This is advice to be said to the student of knowledge and (also) to other than the student of knowledge – because accustoming oneself to that is contrary to the guidance of the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. For indeed he used to forbid from an abundance of luxuriousness and he would command with walking barefoot sometimes.

And a person who has become accustomed to a luxurious life will find it difficult when he encounters (certain) matters – because sometimes there will come to him matters in a form where he is not able to have the luxury (he is used to) along with him.

And let us strike an example, with the example which we have mentioned in the hadeeth: he would command with walking barefoot sometimes. Some people do not walk barefoot – always there is a sock upon him, and upon it a leather sock, and upon it a shoe. You will not find him walking, this man, if a temporary impediment were to occur to him and he were to be told to walk 500 metres without any protection for the foot; you would find that extremely difficult upon him. And sometimes his foot would bleed from the contact with the ground.

However if he were to accustom himself to a roughness and to leaving off always having comfort, then he would attain much good.

So if the (person’s) body is not accustomed to the like of these matters (of forsaking luxury), then he will have no manaa’ah (strength and toughness). You will find him feeling pain from anything from that (affair which is difficult).

However if he has manaa’ah then he will not be bothered by it.

(Sharh hilyah taalib il ‘ilm p43 of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah, translated by Nasser ibn Najam)

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Mar 2012 · Mar

The student of knowledge does not have al hasad; rather he loves that knowledge be spread by himself and by other than himself

The noble scholar Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen rahimahullaah commented:

And if you were asked about (the meaning) of al hasad (envy), then the answer would be:

That from the scholars are those who said:

Al hasad is to wish for Allaah’s blessing upon someone to come to an end.

This is how most of the scholars have explained it.

And Shaykh ul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah said:

Al hasad is that he hates that which Allaah has blessed someone else with, even if (the one with hasad) does not wish that (blessing) to come to an end.

So if a person hates that which Allaah has blessed someone else with, by way of knowledge or status or wealth or offspring or family, then this is al hasad, this is al hasad  – that you hate that which Allaah has blessed someone other than you with.

If you wish that you should have this blessing – meaning that you have the like of that which Allaah has blessed someone other than you with, then listen carefully to the reply:

Allaah,the Most High, said:

And do not wish for that with which Allaah has blessed some of you over others. For the men is the reward of that which they have earned, and (likewise) for women is the reward for that which they have earned. And ask Allaah of His Bounty.

Soorah an Nisaa (4) aayah 32

This is the solution. That with which Allaah has blessed some of us with over others, then we should not wish that we have it to the exclusion of people other than us – nor should we hate that which Allaah has blessed (that other person) with.

But rather ask Allaah of His Bounty – the One who gave to someone other than you has Full Ability to give the like of that to you (as well).

So if you see that Allaah has given knowledge to a person then do not hate that, especially if that is knowledge of the Sharee’ah  – because if Allaah has bestowed the blessing of Sharee’ah knowledge upon a servant and he fulfils that which is obligatory upon him by way of spreading the knowledge and calling people to goodness, then this is from Allaah’s blessing upon you yourself.

This is because you (also) love that the Sharee’ah of Allaah should be propagated amongst the servants of Allaah – is this not the case?

So if it is propagated by you or by other than you, then this is (all) good –so why should you hate it?

But if Allaah has favoured him over you with knowledge and calling to goodness,then ask Allaah from His Bounty.

(Quoted in Wasaayaawa tawjeehaat li tullaab il ilm p48 – 49 of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah, translated by Nasser ibn Najam)

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