The Merit of Khadeejah and 'Aa’ishah

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said: I asked our Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) [concerning Khadeejah and Aa’ishah] and he said: “Each of them has her own merit that is specific to her. So the influence of Khadeejah was at the beginning of Islaam, because she used to comfort the Messenger Allaah, make him steadfast, calm him down and sacrifice her wealth for him. Thus, she achieved the honor of Islaam and endured harm for the sake of Allaah and His Messenger. Her support to the Messenger of Allaah was at the greatest time of need. So she has the merit of support and sacrifice that no one beside her has. As regards Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), her influence was at the later part of Islaam. She has the merit of understanding of religion, conveying it to the Ummah and benefitting the Ummah with what she gave to them of knowledge that no one beside her has.”

This is the meaning of his word. I say, from among the special merit of Khadeejah is that Allaah – exalted be He – and Jibreel sent greetings to her and the Messenger of Allaah conveyed that to her.  Al-Bukhaaree recorded in his authentic collection that Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported: “Jibreel came to the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allaah! This is Khadeejah coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (i.e. Allaah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a Qasab palace in Paradise wherein there will be neither any noise nor any fatigue (trouble).”[1] By the eternal existence of Allaah, this is a special merit that no one beside her has.

As for 'Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) angel Jibreel greeted her through the tongue of the Prophet. Al-Bukhaaree recorded that 'Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) narrated:  “Once Allaah’s Messenger said (to me), “O ‘Aish ('Aa’ishah)! This is Jibreel greeting you.” I said, “Peace and Allaah’s Mercy and Blessings be on him, you see what I do not see.” She was referring to Allaah’s Messenger.[2]

Among the distinctions of Khadeejah (may Allaah be pleased with her) is that she never caused him harm nor annoyed him and he never deserted her for once nor boycotted her nor censured her. This is sufficient as excellence and merit for her. In addition, among her merits is that she was the first woman to believe in Allaah and His Messenger in this Ummah.

Jalaa’ al-Afhaam fee as-Salaah was-Salaam ‘alaa Khayr al-Anaam, p. 117-118 by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

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[1] Recorded by al-Bukhaaree (3820) and Muslim (2432)

[2]  Recorded by al-Bukhaaree (3767) and Muslim (2447)

The Companion of the Tunnel

One of the amazing stories of the sincere ones is what occurred to the companion of the tunnel. The Muslims besieged a fortress but it was difficult for them to attack the enemies. Then one of the Muslims got up, dug a tunnel and the Muslims became victorious. He opened the gate for the Muslims and they fought. No one recognized who the man was.

Meanwhile Maslamah wanted to know who the man was in order to reward him, but when he cannot find him, he asked him in Allaah’s Name to come and see him. So he (that is, the man) visited him in the night and told him he will inform him who the man was on the condition that he will never search for the person afterwards.

Then Maslamah promised him [he would abide by the condition]. So he informed him that he was the man. Maslamah used to say: “O Allaah, resurrect me in the company of the companion of the tunnel.” This is because he saw an amazing sincerity in his action.

Source: Silsilah A'maal al-Quloob, pp. 24-25 by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid.

The Reward for Being Sincere to Allaah..

A Bedouin came to the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil), believed in him, followed him and said: ‘I want to migrate with you.’ So the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil) kept him in the custody of some of his companions (to teach him Islaam). During the battle of Khaybar, Allaah’s Messenger won some spoils and divided it and apportioned for the Bedouin. He gave his companions what he apportioned for him because he was out grazing their animals. When they met him, they gave it to him.

Then he asked: ‘What is this?’ They replied: ‘It is your own portion allotted to you by the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil).’ Thereupon, he collected it and went to the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil) and said, ‘What is this?’ The Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil) said: ‘I allotted this portion to you.’ He said: ‘This is not the reason why I followed you. However, I followed you so that I would be shot right here - and he pointed at his neck- with an arrow, so I will die and enter Paradise.

Then the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil) said: ‘If you are true to Allaah, Allaah will be true to you (by making your wish come true).’ After a short while, the fighting resumed and the man was later brought to the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil), because he had been hit with an arrow where he had [earlier] pointed. So the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil) said: ‘Is he the same man?’ They said, ‘Yes’. He said: ‘He was true to Allaah, so Allaah was true to him.’ Thereafter, the Prophet (may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from evil) shrouded him, placed him in the front and prayed over him. Part of what was apparent from his prayer was: “O Allaah, this is Your slave.  He left his home migrating for Your cause and was killed as a martyr. I bear witness to this”.[1]

Source: Silsilah A'maal al-Quloob, p. 27 by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid

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[1] Collected by An-Nasaa’ee (1953) and Shaykh al-Albaanee classified it saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (1415)

Sincere Repentance can Avert Stoning to Death

Waa’il bin Hujr (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that a woman once went out to performed Salaah and met a man [on the road] who covered her with her garment and raped her and ran away. A man then walked up to her, so she said to him: ‘A man did such and such to me.’ Then the man went in search of the man who raped her. Thereafter, a group of people from among the Ansaar walked up to her and stood by her, so she said to them: ‘A man did such and such to me.’ So they (also) went in search of the man who raped her. [After a while], they came with the man who had gone in search of the man who raped her and took him to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).

The woman then said [to the Prophet]: ‘He is the one.’ When the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed that he should be stoned to death, the man who actually raped her said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, I am the one.’ Thereupon, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to woman: ‘Go, Allaah has forgiven you of you sin.’ And he said good words to the man [who was guilty of the rape]. Thereafter, it was said: ‘O Prophet of Allaah, will you not stone him? He said: Indeed he repented a repentance (of such high order) that if the inhabitants of Madeenah were to repent, it would be accepted from them.’ See as-Saheehah (900)

Shaykh al-Albaanee said: This hadeeth contains an important benefit, which indicates that the prescribed punishment can be dropped from the one who repents sincerely. This is the opinion of Ibn Qayyim in al-I’laam 3/17-20

See as-Saheehah (2/569)

Advice to the Youth - Shaykh al-Albaanee

Question: What are the books you recommend for the youth who is just growing up in his Islamic knowledge and which knowledge should he start with? Do you recommend the reading of tafseer al-Jalaalayn?

Response: We do not recommend the reading of tafseer Jalaalayn. If the youth is a beginner, we recommend that he should read Fiqhus-Sunnah of Sayyid Saabiq, while seeking assistance from some of its references, like Subulus-Salaam Sharh ahaadeeth al-Ahkaam of Ibn Hajar. And if he looks into some of the parts we have published of Tamaamul-Minnah fee Ta’leeq alaa Fiqh as-Sunnah then that will be stronger for him. I also recommend Ar-Rawdatun-Nadiyyah by Siddiq Hasan Khaan.

With regard to tafseer, he should always read tafseer Ibn Katheer because it is the most authentic book of tafseer today, though some issues are lengthy therein. Further, with respect to books of admonitions and heart-softening narrations, he should read Riyaadus-Saaliheen of Imaam An-Nawawee. Then in general, as it relates to ‘aqeedah, he should read al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah and he should seek assistance from my comment and explanation to it.

Furthermore, in general, he should habitually study the books of Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah and his student Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah because I believe that they are from the rare scholars of the Muslims who followed the methodology of the righteous predecessors in their understanding, with fear of Allaah and righteousness.  And we do not purify anyone over Allaah.

Source: al-Haawee min Fataawaa ash-Shaykh al-Albaanee, p. 404 compiled by Aboo Yoosuf Muhammad bin Ibraaheem