A man may fulfil the commands of Allāh solely because of the creation’s gaze towards him, or out of seeking a place of high standing or repute before them. Likewise, he may refrain from engaging in that which is forbidden solely out of fear of losing his position of honour before them or out of fear of the prescribed punishments of this worldly life set by the legislator for the perpetrator of certain crimes. The actions that are carried out, and those that are abandoned by such a person are borne not out of exaltation of the orders and prohibitions themselves, nor do they come from exaltatio…
Imām Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751 AH) said:
There is no possible cause in existence that is completely independent in its ability to exert an effect.1 Rather, all causes will cease to have any effect at all until it is joined by another cause that works in tandem with it and any preventive factor that prevents its effect is neutralised. This rule is inclusive of the causes that we see and acknowledge, those that are unseen, and metaphoric. For example, the effect of sunshine on animals and plants is predicated on many other causes. This includes, for example, the place that is exposed to that sunsh…
The Ruling of Praying Missed Ṣalāhs in Order and its Evidence
The one who has missed several ṣalāh should pray them in order. For example, if he has missed all five prayers, he should pray Ẓuhr, then ʿAṣr, then Maghrib, then ʿIshāʾ, and then Fajr. The evidence of praying in order is the following:
The saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “The one who misses a ṣalāh due to sleep or forgetfulness must pray it when he remembers it.”1 This command is comprehensive of the ṣalāh itself, the manner with which it is prayed2 , as well as its place in relation to the other ṣalāhs. So, it must…
If one does not find water at the start of the prayer time but hopes to find it towards the end of that ṣalāh’s appointed time, then it is better for him to delay performing tayammum until that later time. This is because if water becomes available to him, he will pray having purified himself with it. However, there is also nothing wrong with him performing tayammum at the start of the time period for that ṣalāh and praying it.
Circumstances in Which Delaying of Tayammum Is Recommended
Know that this issue has several circumstances. Delaying tayammum is recommended in two of them:
If one i…
[Q]: What are the means and avenues by which the love of Allāh—which is the highest and most lofty of stations—is attained?
[A]: Allāh did not create a goal except that He also created a means by which it is attained. Among the greatest means by which one may attain love of Allāh is complete avoidance of that which severs one’s connection with Him, whether in the form of speech, actions, or abhorrent, lowly thoughts. Also, it is attained by remembering Him frequently with a contemplative, present heart. Also, by deep contemplation of the words of the Most Generous and acquainting oneself wit…
[Q]: [At work], we have an open space that has been provided for us that is approximately twenty to thirty kilometres away [from town]. My brother and I go there after ʿAṣr ṣalāh, and we stay there to pray Maghrib. I lead him in the ṣalāh. Sometimes, we also form a congregation with some of my muslim brothers and friends that join us. I am not able to go to the local masjid because all of the masājid that are in my locale belong to a certain group from among the people of innovation. They also consistently pray late and [if we were to join them], we would not be able to easily return to our l…
Pure negation denotes nought but completion or perfection. For this reason, regarding the places in the Qurʾān that are meant to praise, negation serves two contextual purposes:
complete negation of the deficiency being addressed
confirmation of its opposite or antithesis
This rule applies to many passages. The greatest of them is that Allāh has negated from Himself many things that are contrary to His perfection. For example, He has negated Him taking partners in many places, which stipulate His Oneness in complete perfection. That He possesses no partners in His Lordship, His right to…
In al-Ṣaḥīḥayn [al-Bukhārī and Muslim] as narrated by Anas (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, son, and all of mankind”.
Imām al-Qurṭubī comments:
This ḥadīth, despite its brevity, mentions the various categories of love. They are:
Respect and reverence-based love. Like love for one’s father, the scholars or people of righteousness.
Love that stems from compassion and mercy. Like the love one possesses for his offspring.
Love for one’s colleagues or compatriots with whom he bears similariti…
Allāh—the Most High—said:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢﴾
“O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allāh. Verily, Allāh is the One Who accepts repentance, Mos…
