Imām Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal said, “According to Ahl al-Sunnah, the fundamental principles of the sunnah are to adhere to what the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) were upon…” This is contrary to the People of Innovation who only follow their own desires, relying upon their corrupt intellects, while claiming reliance on the Arabic language (i.e., linguistic arguments) or other false analogies.
As for Imām Aḥmad and those who preceded him from the Companions, the Tābiʿīn (i.e., their successors and students), and the Imams of Islām, the religion they adhered to is based on the Boo…
[Q]: O’ Shaykh Ṣāliḥ, is there a difference between bathing for the removal of ritual impurity and bathing for the purpose of cooling oneself or maintaining cleanliness?
[A]: Yes. Bathing for the sake of cooling down or maintaining cleanliness is not an act of worship. In contrast, bathing due to major ritual impurity (janābah), menstruation (ḥayḍ), or post-partum bleeding (nifās) is obligatory, as it serves to remove the state of ritual impurity. Similarly, recommended baths—such as bathing for the Friday prayer or to enter Makkah’s sanctuary—are considered acts of worship as they are perfo…
[Q]: Is it permissible to recite the Qurʾān whilst lying down in bed? Otherwise, what is the correct interpretation of the noble āyah:
الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ
“Those who remember Allāh (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides…”
(Āl-ʿImrān, 3:191)
[A]: There is nothing wrong with reciting the Qurʾān whilst lying down, whether on a bed or the ground. If one is reciting from memory, he may do so in whatever state he may be: standing, sitting or lying down, regardless of his state of wuḍūʾ. However, if one is reciting…
[Q]: There is not a single practicing Muslim, ascribed to righteousness amongst my friends. Considering this, what is my obligation towards them? In an attempt to keep my friendship, they advised me that regularly visiting them could be a source of relaxation and joy.
[A]: It is not permissible for a Muslim to befriend those who sin openly, unless he offers them advice and rebukes them for their sins, hoping that they may be guided by means of this friendship. Otherwise, he must abandon them completely. He is not to befriend or visit them, except if they repent to Allāh from their sins.
All…
[Q]: What is your advice pertaining to acting in accordance with the knowledge one learns?
[A]: It is necessary that one acts by their knowledge, for the fruit of possessing Islamic knowledge is its implementation. Otherwise, were one to not act in accordance with their knowledge, they would be among the first people used to fuel the blazing Fire of Hell on the Day of Judgement.1 It was previously said:
A scholar who doesn’t act upon his knowledge will be punished before the idol worshippers.
Not acting in accordance with one’s knowledge knowledge will result in failure, lack of blessings…
Allāh says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“O’ you who believe, do not put yourselves ahead of Allāh and His Messenger and fear Allāh. Verily, Allāh is all-Hearing, all-Knowing.”
(Al-Ḥujurāt, 49:1)
This verse mentions the proper etiquette to be observed with Allāh—the Exalted—and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), and the appropriate veneration, respect and honour he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is deserving of. Allāh commands His believing servants with what their belief in Allāh and His Messen…
[Q]: What is the difference between a Qudsī ḥadīth and the regular ḥadīths of the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم)?
[A]: The Qudsī ḥadīth is that which the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) narrates from Allāh, in both wording and meaning.
The non-Qudsī ḥadīth is that whose meaning comes from Allāh by way of revelation, but its wording is from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). As Allāh said:
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ ﴿٣﴾ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ ﴿٤﴾
“Nor does he speak out of the desire (of his own soul) (and forge revelation thereby). It is nothing but revelation revealed to him.”
(A…
[Q]: How does the correct ʿaqīdah (creed) reflect in the Muslim’s life and actions?
[A]: If the ʿaqīdah is correct, the rest of the Muslim’s actions will be correct. That is because the correct ʿaqīdah evokes the Muslim to perform righteous actions, directing him to goodness and praiseworthy deeds. If one were to testify that none has the right to be worshipped in truth but Allāh (Lā Illāha Illá Allāh)—that testimony being founded upon knowledge, certainty and awareness of what it entails—then it would direct him to perform righteous actions. For the testimony of Lā Illāha Illá Allāh is not…
[Q]: How can one attain sincerity when seeking Islamic knowledge?
[A]: Sincerity when seeking knowledge is attained by means of the following:
That one intends to fulfil Allāh’s command by way of that, because Allāh commanded the pursuing of Islamic knowledge, for He said:
فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ
“So (be firm in your) knowledge (O’ Muḥammad) that none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh (alone). And seek forgiveness for your shortcomings…”
(Muḥammad, 47: 19)
He—the Most High—has encouraged seeking Islamic knowledge, stipulating that He…
