A Glimpse Into The Life Of Imaam Maalik رحمه الله

Name: Imaam Daar Al-Hijrah Abu ‘Abdillaah Maalik Ibn Anas Ibn Maalik Ibn Abi ‘Aamir Ibn ‘Amaru bin Haarith Bin Ghaimaan Al-Asbahii

Born: 93/94/95 (After Hijrah) <Ikhtilaaf>

His mother made him wear clothes resembling the people of Knowledge and made him wear a turban and encouraged him to seek knowledge. She said to Maalik ‘Go to Rabee’ah and learn from his etiquette before his knowledge‘.

He was part of the Golden Chain in Ahadeeth which is known as ‘Silsalatul Dhahab’. This is considered to be the most authentic transmission of Ahadeeth where Maalik reports Naafi’ who reports from Ibn ‘Umar who reports from the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

APPEARANCE:

Abu Mus’ab said: “Malik had the most handsome face of the people, the widest of eyes, the whitest skin, and was the greatest of them in height – all in the strongest body.”

(http://forums.islamicawakening.com/f20/physical-descriptions-of-the-four-imams-24841/)

TEACHERS:

Imaam Maalik benefitted from a lot of scholars. Some of them include Ibn Shihaab, Rabee’ah Muhsin, Naafi’, Aamir Ibn Abdullah Ibn Zubayr, Ibn Munkadir, ‘Abdullah Bin Deenar, Ibn Hurmuz, Yahya Ibn Sa’eed amongst many others.

It was reported that the people sat in circles of knowledge with him when he was only 17 years old and he never gave Fatwa (Legal verdicts) until, he was given permission by 70 scholars.

STUDENTS:

Muhammad Ibn Idrees Ash-Shaafi’i, ‘AbdurRahmaan ibn Qaasim, ‘Abdullah Ibn Wahhab, Sa’eed Ibn Shu’bah, Ibn Dhakwaan Abu ‘Abdillah At-Tirmidhee, ‘Abdullah Ibn Naafi’ Az-Zubayr, Waki’ Ibn Jarrah and others.

HIS RESPECT OF KNOWLEDGE 

Al-Haitham Ibn Jameel said: I heard Imaam Maalik RHM was asked 48 questions and approximately, 32 Questions, the Imaam (Maalik) replied ‘I do not know’.

A questioner came to Imaam Maalik RHM from Morocco (travelled on a 4-month journey to arrive in Madeenah) and he approached the Imaam with his question. The Imaam, upon hearing the question, replied ‘come back tomorrow’ (so, the Imaam can think about it). The man came back the next day and the Imaam replied ‘I do not know’. The questioner than said ‘The people of Morocco said ‘go to Madeenah and ask Imaam Maalik, as there is no one more knowledgeable on the face of this earth than him’. Imaam Maalik RHM replied ‘Go back to them and tell them that Maalik does not know’.

During the Imaams compilation of Ahadeeth (Al-Muwatta), it was said to him ‘There are already many Muwatta’s compiled, Why do you make another one?’, The Imaam replied ‘that which is for Allaah will remain’.

Imaam Ash-Shaafi’i: “There is no book, after the Book of Allah, more beneficial than Imaam Maalik ibn Anas’s book (the Muwatta).”

HIS PERSERVERANCE

“I was with Imaam Maalik رحمه الله while he was relating Hadith to us and a scorpion stung him ten times. Maalik changed color and grew ashen, but he did not interrupt the hadith of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم

When the people left him, I said ‘I have seen something wondrous from you today.’” he mentioned the story and Maalik said, “I was not steadfast out of fortitude, but out of respect for the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah        صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم .”

HIS ‘IBAADAH:

Abu Mus’ab: Maalik used to prolong his rukoo’ and sujood (in prayer) and when he used to stand in prayer, he would resemble a rigid plank of wood, not moving (due to his khushoo’)

Ibn Mubaarak: I saw Maalik and I saw him to be from the Khaashi’een (those who are humbly submissive).

TESTIMONIES:

Imaam Ash-Shaafi’i: If it was not for Sufyan Ibn Uyaynah and Imaam Maalik, the knowledge from Hijaaz would have disappeared.

Imam Ash-Shaafi’i: When it came to hadeeth, (then) Imaam Maalik was the star.

Imam Abu Hanifa: “My eyes have never fallen on anyone faster in understanding, correct in answering, and examining as Imam Malik.”

The Imaam (May Allaah have mercy upon him) passed away in the year 179 [After Hijrah].

 

A Glimpse Into The Life Of Imaam Abu Haneefah رحمه الله

Name: Abu Haneefah Nu’man Ibn Thaabit Ibn Marzubaan

Born: 80 After Hijrah (Strongest opinion) in Kuufa (Iraaq).

He came from a dignified and rich family and had memorised the Qur’aan at a young age. He possessed acumen and righteousness. During the tender age of 16, he left with his father to perform Hajj and visit the Prophets Mosque (Masjid An Nabawi).

APPEARANCE:

Hamad bin Abi Hanifah said: “My father was very handsome, dark, had good posture, would wear a lot of perfume, was tall, would not speak except in reply to what someone else had said, and he – may Allah have Mercy upon him – would not involve himself in what did not concern him.”

(http://forums.islamicawakening.com/f20/physical-descriptions-of-the-four-imams-24841/)

TEACHERS:

Some of the works state that he learned from approximately 4000 teachers. His prominent teacher used to be Hammad Ibn Abee Sulayman. He also benefitted from the likes of Ibraheem ibn Yazeed An Nakha’ee, Ayyub As-Sukhtiyaani, Ibraheem Ibn Muhammad Al Muntashir, Haarith Ibn AbdurRahman Al Humdhaani, Sa’eed Ibn Masrooq, ‘Aasim ibn Kulayb ibn Shihaab and many others.

STUDENTS:

Abu Yusuf, Muhammad Ibn Hasan Ash-Shaybaani, Ibraheem Ibn Tahmaan, Asad Ibn ‘Amaru, Is-haaq Ibn Yusuf,   Abu Nu’aym, Zufra, ‘Abdur Razzaaq, Dawood At-Taa-ee, Waki’ and many more.

TAQWA

Once a man came into the masjid whilst, Imaam Abu Haneefah was giving a lesson and the man started to ridicule Imaam Abu Haneefah by calling him a mubtad’i (innovator) and zindeeq (sanctimonious). The Imaam (Rahimahullaah) replied ‘May Allaah forgive us both, I am not what you have described me as nor, have i wronged anyone to my knowledge due to the fear of Allaah, rather, I seek his reward and fear his punishment. (Imaam Abu Haneefah started to weep due to the remembrance of Allaahs punishment). The man apologised and sought forgiveness from the Imaam.

Another time, the Imaam was undertaking a transaction. The Imaam was buying a garment and the lady stated her price. The Imaam replied ‘it is worth more than that’. The lady upped her price and the Imaam said ‘It is worth more than that’. Eventually, this ”negotiation” went on until, the lady said ‘You are mocking me’. In the end, the Imaam payed a price for the garment that was deemed by him as satisfactory.

SHARPNESS

Once, a person from the Khawaarij (Those who believe that any sinful act makes one a Kaafir, unless, they repent) came to Imaam Abu Haneefah RHM with a sword. The Khaariji asked Imaam Abu Haneefah to repent for approving arbitration for the tiff that occurred between ‘Ali Ibn Abi Taalib RA and Mu’aawiyah RA. They believed this went against the command of Allaah –  ’Verily, legislation is only for Allaah’ (According to them, they went against this due to their asking for arbitration). Imaam Abu Haneefah requested that they have a dialogue regarding the issue. The man agreed. Thereafter, Imaam Abu Haneefah RHM told the Khaariji that if they cannot agree, then they will let someone else judge between their dialogue. The man agreed and Imaam Abu Haneefah chose a person to judge with the approval of the Khaariji.Once this occured, Imaam Abu Haneefah RHM said to the man ‘You have just approved of an arbitrator for our discussion! so, he proved that arbitration is permitted’!

HIS ‘IBAADAH:

It was reported that Imaam Abu Haneefah Rahimahullaah used to pray his Fajr prayer with the wudhu from the darkness (i.e. ‘Ishaa) for 30 years,

Abu ‘Aasim al-Nabeel said: “Abu Haneefah used to be called al-Watad (pole or pillar) because he prayed so much.”

Mis’ar Ibn Kidaam: I saw the Imaam (Abu Haneefah) praying in the early morning and then sitting for ‘ilm until Dhuhr Prayer, then he sat until the ‘Asr prayer, then until Maghrib was near, and then until ‘Ishaa..and I said to myself: ‘When will he finish his ‘Ibadah? And when the people subsided he left the Masjid and went to his house which was besides the masjid…and he stood erect in prayer until Fajr, and he then wore his clothes and this clothe (Thiyaab) was specially for the night prayer, until he went to the morning prayer and did what he had to do.

TESTIMONIES:

Imaam Maalik Rahimahullaah: ”I’ve never seen a man debating like that. By Allah, if he told you that this iron rod is made out of gold, he would convince you.”

Sufyaan Ath Thawri Rahimahullaah: ”We were in front of Abu Hanifa like small birds in front of the falcon”.

Imaam Abu Yusuf Rahimahullaah: ”The used to say: Allaah had adorned Abu Haneefah in Fiqh, knowledge, generosity, giving and the etiquettes of the Qur’aan which was embedded in him”.

The Imaam (May Allaah have mercy upon him) passed away in the year 150 [After Hijrah].

 

Qalqalah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Qalqalah is a method of pronouncing certain letters that have a sukoon on them (or when one stops at these letters). They require the tone to be strong and produce an ‘echo’-like sound. In general, the Qalqalahs can be divided in to 2 parts – Qalqalah Sughra & Qalqalah Kubra (This part can be divided into 2 parts).

The letters of Qalqalah are:

د ج ب ط ق

These letters can be remembered by the following phrase:

قُطُبِجَدْ

Transliteration: Qutubi Jad

 

The above is a ‘Pyramid of Qalqalah’ which shows the magnitude of ‘Echo-like’ sound needed depending on the type of Qalqalah. The Orange section(s) is Qalqalah Kubra and the Yellow section is Qalqalah Sughra.

Qalqalah Kubrah:

The ‘Strongest’ version of Qalqalah is when one stops at one of the letters of Qalqalah whilst, the letter has a Shadda on it.

For instance:

هُنَالِكَ الْوَلَايَةُ لِلَّـهِ الْحَقِّ

(Surah Kahf: Verse 44)

Here the sound seems stronger as one makes clear that a shadda is present.

Another version of Qalqalah Kubra is when one stops at the letter of Qalqalah that is at the end of a word (without a shadda).

For instance:

مِّنَ اللَّـهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ

(Surah Ma’arij Verse 3)

Qalqah Sughrah:

In this case, the silent letter of Qalqalah appears in the middle of a word. This will create a minor echo as opposed to Qalqalah Kubra:

For instance:

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ

(Surah Talaq Verse 3)

In the above example, the echo on the Qaaf is small. Listen carefully, to hear the Qalqalah occurring in the middle of a word.

Recommended video to watch: (See if you can spot the rules of Qalqalah!….Check with passage below video)

تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ ﴿١﴾ مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ ﴿٢﴾ سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ ﴿٣﴾ وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ ﴿٤﴾ فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ ﴿٥﴾

Qalqalah Kubra in Red and Qalqalah Sughrah in Amber

 

The Rules of Laam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The Rules of Laam

Generally, a Laam is always Tarqeeq (Empty-mouth). The only time where it may become heavy is when Lafdh Al-Jalalah - لفظ الجلالة (The name of Allaah) is mentioned.

What is meant by the above is, the Laam on Lafdh Al-Jalalah will be either Tafkheem or Tarqeeq depending on the vowelling of the letter that precedes Lafdh Al Jalalah.

If the letter before Lafdh Al Jalalah has a Kasra, then the Laam on Lafdh Al Jalalah will be pronounced Tarqeeq.

For instance:

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

Here, the Baa before Lafdh Al Jalalah has a kasrah, and thus, the laam on Lafdh Al Jalalah will be pronounced as Tarqeeq.

Other examples of Laam as Tarqeeq:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّـهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ  

           (Surah Baqarah Verse 8)

وَادْعُوا شُهَدَاءَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّـهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

(Surah Baqarah Verse 24)

When the preceeding letter before Lafdh Al Jalalah has a Fatha or a Dhamma, then the Laam in Lafdh Al Jalalah will be pronounced Tafkheem:

وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ ۚ لَا تَدْرِي لَعَلَّ اللَّـهَ يُحْدِثُ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ أَمْرًا

(Surah Talaq Verse 1)

Other examples of Laam in Lafdh Al Jalalah being Tafkheem are:

يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّـهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ

(Surah Baqarah Verse 5)

إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّـهِ وَالْفَتْحُ

(Surah Nasr Verse 1)

Can you spot the ‘Rules of Laam’ in the following video?:

 

The Rules Of Raa

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As mentioned in the previous Tajweed post, the letters ل (Laam) and ر (Raa) will be heavy (Tafkheem) in some circumstances and Light (Tarqeeq) in some circumstances.

The Rules of Raa

The general rule is that whenever ر has a  Fatha or a Dhamma, the Raa will be pronounced heavy/full mouthed (Tafkheem). For instance:

تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجً۬ا وَجَعَلَ فِيہَا سِرَٲجً۬ا وَقَمَرً۬ا مُّنِيرً۬ا

Additionally, another general rule is whenever ر has a kasra, the Raa will be pronounced in empty-mouthed/light manner (Tarqeeq). For instance:

إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقَوۡلُ رَسُولٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ۬

Other examples of ر being Tarqeeq is:

 لِكُلِّ ٱمۡرِىٍٕ۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ شَأۡنٌ۬ يُغۡنِيهِ     (80:37)

وَبُرِّزَتِ ٱلۡجَحِيمُ لِمَن يَرَىٰ     (79:36)

What happens if Raa is silent (has a sukoon on it)?

When Raa is silent, the Raa will be Tafkheem/Tarqeeq depending on the vowel on the letter preceding it. For example:

فِرۡعَوۡنَ                 Here, the letter Raa is silent but, the letter before it (Faa) has a Kasra, so, therefore, the Raa will be pronounced Tarqeeq (Light/Empty-mouthed).

قُرۡءَانٌ۬ مَّجِيدٌ۬               Here the silent letter Raa is preceded by a letter (Qaaf) with a Dhamma, therefore, the Raa will be Tafkheem (Heavy/Full-mouthed)

ٱلۡأَرۡضُ                         Here the Silent Raa is preceded by a letter (Alif) with a Fatha, therefore, the Raa will be pronounced Tafkheem (Heavy/Full-mouthed)

 

The Virtues of Knowledge, It’s People and It’s Nobility.

Allah, The Most High has said,

يَرۡفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬‌ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ۬

‘Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.’ (Surah Mujadilah:11).

Ibn Abbas has said (May Allah be pleased with him), ‘The scholars are above the believers by seven hundred levels, and between each level is the distance of one hundred years.’

And Allah, The Most High said,

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۚ

‘Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge – [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice.’ (Surah Ale-Imran: 18)

This verse begins with the testification of himself, then he mentions the angels, then the people of knowledge. And this suffices as a recognition of their nobility and virtue.

And Allah, The Most High says,

قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ‌ۗ 

‘Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?”‘ (Surah Zumar:9)

And He, The Most High says,

 فَسۡـَٔلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّكۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ

‘So ask the people of the message if you do not know.’ (Surah Nahl:43)

And He, The Most High says,

وَمَا يَعۡقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡعَـٰلِمُونَ 

 ’but none will understand them except those of knowledge.’ (Surah Ankaboot: 43)

بَلۡ هُوَ ءَايَـٰتُۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌ۬ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ‌ۚ

‘Rather, the Qur’an is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge.’ (Surah Ankaboot:49)

إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَـٰٓؤُاْۗ 

‘It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.’ (Surah Fatir:28)

 أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمۡ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ.  جَزَآؤُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّہِمۡ جَنَّـٰتُ عَدۡنٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡہَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَآ أَبَدً۬ا‌ۖ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَنۡ خَشِىَ رَبَّهُ

‘those are the best of creatures. Their reward with Allah will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.’ (Surah Bayyinah :7-8)

So the two verses necessitates that they are the people who fear Allah, and that those who fear Allah are the best of His creation, and that results that they are the best of creation. The Prophet (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) said, ‘If Allah wishes good for a person, he gives him understanding in the religion.’

And likewise, he (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) said, ‘The learned ones are the inheritors of the Prophets.’ This is sufficient as a honour, and eminence as well as being enough for nobility. Just like there is no level above prophethood (amongst humans), there is nothing more noble than inheriting directly from this level.

It is related that it was mentioned to the Prophet (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) that there were two men, one of them a worshipper and the other a scholar, he said: ‘The virtue of the scholar over the worshipper is like the virtue of me over the weakest amongst you.’

He (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) related, ‘Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make for him many paths to Paradise, and indeed the angels lower their wings due to Allah being pleased with him. And indeed, for the scholar, everything in the heavens and the earth, even the fish in the depths of the sea seek forgive for him. The virtue of the scholar over a worshipper, is like the virtue of the full moon over the rest of the stars. Indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, and the prophets did not leave behind them dinar or dirhams (i.e. wealth) but they left behind knowledge, so whoever takes a portion from it has taken a large portion.’

Know that there is no level above the level where angels seek forgiveness, make supplication for that person and lower their wings.

 

Letters of Isti’laa – الحروف المستعلية

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Characteristics of the Letters of Isti’laa: – The letters of Isti’laa are 7:

خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ

الحروف المستعلية  أي  الحروف التي تتصعّد في الحنك الأعلى

The characteristics of these letters require the tongue to be escalated to the upper palate and hence, the sound produced is تفخيم  (Heavy-mouthed).

 The letters of Isti’laa can be remembered via the phrase:

خصَّ ضغطٍ قظ

Phrase transliterated: Khussa Daghtin Qidh

The remaining letters are known as Huroof Al-Istifaal, whereby, the letters are ترقیق (Empty-mouthed) except, Laam (ل) and Raa (ر) in certain circumstances which will be discussed in the future InshaAllaah.

THESE LETTERS WILL ALWAYS BE HEAVY MOUTHED.

Recommended video to watch to learn the articulation of the letters of Isti’laa:

 

Etiquettes of the Student of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

تذكرة السامع والمتكلم في أدب العالم والمتعلم

 The Reminder for the One who Listens and the One who Speaks in the Etiquettes of the Teacher and the Student

مقدمة – Introduction

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

[And with Him lies my success]

(O Allah send salam and blessings upon the Prophet (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam), upon his family and his companions.)

(The Shaykh, leader of the knowledgable (The Example) the scholar (Judge of Judges, Ruler of rulers, Scholar of scholars of Islam, Helper of the truth, sign of the sunnah), Badr ud-Deen (Barakat ul-Muslimeen), Abu Abdillah ibn (The Scholar, The leader, the knowledgable, the ascetic) Burhaan ud-Deen Abi Ishaaq Ibrahim ibn Sa’idillah ibn Jamaa’ah al-Kinaani ash-Shaafi’ee, may Allah make his days last long and return his blessings onto us, said;

All praise is due to Allah, The Beneficent One, The All-Merciful, The Encompassing One, The All-Knowing, Possessor of Great Bounty. May Allah mention Muhammad (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) in the best of gatherings and send the most complete safeguarding upon our sayyid, the Noble (Prophet) Muhammad (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam), to whom it was revealed regarding,

 وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

And Indeed, you are of a great moral character. (Surah Qalam (84:4))

And upon his family and those who will be next to him on the Day of Pleasure.

To Proceed:

Indeed, from the most important things for the intelligent one is that he should strive in his youth, and that he should attain in his life, good morals and etiquettes. That which, both the law and the intellect bear witness to the virtue of it. And likewise the opinions and statements are all agreed upon this from the people of morals and etiquettes. And those who deserve to have these beautiful qualities and have the right to this status are the people of knowledge. Those who buy it, have reached the peak of glory and splendour. They have obtained the inheritance of the Prophets due to them knowing the beautiful etiquettes of the Prophet (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) and manners. Also, the sirah of the pure imams of this Ummah from his (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam)’s family and companions, and that which the Ummah of the salaf are upon, and those who followed them from the scholars of the successors (khalaf).

Ibn Sireen said, ‘They used to learn guidance (i.e. manners), just like they used to learn knowledge.’

Al-Hasan (al-Basree) said, ‘Indeed, a man would leave for years and years just to gain etiquettes.’

Sufyan ibn Uyaynah said, ‘Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (sallahu ‘alayhi wa salam) is the major scale by which we weigh up things against, according to his manners, lifestyle, guidance and etiquettes. Whatever agrees with him, then it is the truth and whatever disagrees with him is falsehood.’

Habeeb ibn Shaheed said to his son, ‘O my son, accompany the scholars, learn from them and take from their etiquettes, for indeed that is more beloved to me than to learn many ahadith.’

Some of them said to their son, ‘O my son, for you to learn an aspect of etiquettes is more beloved to me than you learning seventy odd branches of knowledge.’

Mukhalid ibn al-Hussain said to Ibn Mubarak, ‘We are in more need of etiquettes than we are in need of hadith.’

It was said to Imam as-Shafi’ee (May Allah, the Most High, be pleased with him), ‘How strong is your desire for etiquettes?’ He said, ‘I would hear one bit about etiquettes, and I would wish that my limbs would have ears so that they could enjoy listening to this one aspect of etiquettes.’ So it was said, ‘How is your search for etiquettes?’ He said, ‘My seeking of it is like a woman who is lost astray, looking for her child and she has nobody else with her.’

Due to the high rank of etiquettes and the special quality that it has, and the fact that the means of obtaining it was very obscure, pushed me (to write this). It was due to what I saw from the need of the students, and that they were either to shy, thus preventing them from attending or they were dry people (i.e. people of pride) which made them stay away from seeking knowledge from certain people. So this is what pushed me to gather this work together, as a reminder to the scholar and an alert for the student concerning what is binding upon him, as well as what both require in terms of etiquettes. Also, what behaviour he must have with dealing with his books, and his etiquettes in where the students reside. Likewise, I have gathered agreed upon ahadith, or what I have heard from my teachers, or what I have come across in some books, or what I have benefited from certain booklets without mentioning the chains of narration of the evidences, so that it doesn’t become too long and hard-going on the reader, or that he will become bored.

 

The Lofty Status Of The Book of Allaah – القرآن الكريم

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

If We had sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.

Ibn Katheer RHM mentions in his tafseer, his explanation of this verse that If this is the case with a mountain which is hard and huge, that if it was made able to comprehend and understand this Qur’an, will feel humble and crumble from fear of Allaah the Exalted, then what about you — O mankind Why do your hearts not feel softness and humbleness from the fear of Allaah, even though you understand Allaah’s command and comprehend His Book.

Do we not know, the virtues of the verses of the Qur’aan? Let the Muslim know, that Allaah ta’ala will preserve the Muslim because of his relationship with the Qur’aan. For the believer, he draws near to Allaah, knowing that he is NOT reciting just ordinary words, rather, he is reciting the words of Allaah Jallaahu ‘ala – his creator. Let the believer know, that he is enjoining upon an action that was the habit of the righteous predecessors – those who are the jewels of the great nation.

عن عقبة بن عامررضي الله عنه، قال:

خرج رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ونحن في الصفة، فقال:
أيكم يحب أن يغدو كل يوم إلىبطحان أو إلى العقيق فيأتي منه بناقتين كوماوين زهراوين في غير إثم ولا قطع رحم؟ فقلنا
يا رسول الله! كلنا يحب ذلك،
فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم: أفلا يغدو أحدكم إلىالمسجد فيتعلم أو فيقرأ آيتين من كتاب الله عز وجل، خير له من ناقتين وثلاث خير منثلاث، وأربع خير من أربع، ومن أعدادهن من الإبل    -     رواه مسلم وأبوداود

 On the authority of ‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Aamir RA who said that the the prophet Sallallaahu ‘alaihi Wassalam came out of the masjid and he said to the people: Does any of you love that he wakes up every day and goes to But-haan or Al-’Aqeeq and he attains 2 fat camels without committing any sin nor cut off any ties of relation? So, we said ‘Oh Messenger of Allaah, we surely would like that! So, the prophet Sallallaahu ‘alaihi Wassalam said: ”Will not any of you go to the masjid and learn, or read 2 verses from the book of Allaah ‘Azza wa Jal. For that is better than 2 she-camels, and 3 verses are better than 3 camels and 4 verses are better than 4 camels. And the number of verses read in total are better than the same number of camels’‘. (Muslim and Abu Dawood)

 

Status of the Parents

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allaah ta’ala has bestowed upon all of us –  the gift of life and through his wisdom and mercy, he gave us our parents. These very individuals – who loved us from the minute we were born, taught us important values, sacrificed their time and exerted effort into shaping us into the best possible human beings that their ability permitted – deserve our utmost love, respect and companionship.

Indeed, what we witness throughout society is a far different spectacle. Do we not know that Allaah Jallahu ‘ala has given so much honour to the parents? Do we not know how much respect is due upon our parents? Do we not take heed of the words of the prophet SAW? - 

 عن عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنه قال صلى الله عليه وسلم

( رضا الرب في رضا الوالدين وسخطه في سخطهما )

رواه الطبراني (صحيح) انظر حديث رقم: 3507 في صحيح الجامع.السيوطي / الألباني

”The pleasure of Allaah lies within the pleasure of the parents, and his displeasure lies within the displeasure of them (parents)” [Tabaranee]

Indeed, Allaah has commanded us to be dutiful to our parents. As the scholars of Tafaseer mention that often Allaah combines  the message of Tawheed with the message of being dutiful to ones parents. This indicates the lofty status of the parents. An example being the verse of Allaah Jallahu ’ala in Surah Isra Verse 23

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱل ۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنًا‌

”And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents”.