From ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz bin ʿAbdillāh bin Bāz to my blessed and venerated brother in Islām, the Shaykh (initials: Ayn, Ḥā, Khā) — may Allāh guide him towards the acquisition and implementation of all that is pleasing to Him, and increase him in both knowledge and īmān. Āmīn
I have become acquainted with your written statements —may Allāh guide you — dated the 24th of Muḥarram, 1411 AH (5th of August, 1990 CE). Following my perusal of the matters mentioned therein, it behooves me to inform you that the aḥadīth pertaining to the precautions taken during times of fitnah have been interpreted by the…
A letter written by Shaykh ‘Abd al-Laṭīf b. ʿAbd al-Raḥman Āl al-Shaykh (d. 1293 AH) to Shaykh Ḥamd b. ʿAṭīq (d. 1301 AH):
“…The likes of you is followed in example. And Allāh has brought about much benefit by way of your rejection of and harshness towards the people of deviation…
You are aware of the condition of the people of your time from the students of knowledge; that they either openly reject the truth, due to confusion in the religion, or flatter and side with this one and that one, or remain silent and turn away from supporting the truth, believing that refraining (from speaking) i…
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…
