Difference of opinion in Juristic Issue cannot divide the Ummah

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:

“…So nothing can unite the people except the sound creed. But if they should differ in their creed, they will never be united forever. As for difference of opinion in juristic issues that are based on legal deductions to which the evidences may point, such will have no [negative] effect on the Muslim Ummah; it will not bring about division and enmity because such deductions are within latitude.

However, the differences concerning the ‘Aqidah in unacceptable; the differing party will never be united upon it. People who differ in ‘Aqidah will never be united, no matter the attempt of whoever (attempts to unite them) because he wants to bring opposing things together; and it is impossible to bring opposing or contradicting things together.

Source: A Gift to the Reader in Annotation of Sharh As-Sunnah, vol. 1, p. 22 by Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)

Practice the Guide to Happiness Once Every Day before Bed

Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) wrote:

Avoid those ways that will necessitate the torment of the grave. One of the most beneficial means is that a man should sit for a while for Allah’s sake when he intends to sleep and call his soul to account over his gains and losses during the day. Then he should renew his sincere repentance between him and his Lord and sleep in that state of repentance.

He should make a firm resolve not to go back to committing the sin if he wakes up. He should do this every night. So if he dies during that nighttime, then he would have died in the state of repentance, and if he wakes up, he will wake up to face his action happily due to the postponement of his term until he meets his Lord, and he makes up for what has eluded him.

There is nothing more beneficial to the servant than this sleep especially if one ends that with the remembrance of Allah and the observance of the Sunnah that has been reported from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) before sleeping. He does these until he falls asleep. Whoever Allah wants good for, He will aid him towards that. There is no power except with Allah.

Source: Ar-Rooh by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

 

The Evil of Craving for Wealth and Leadership

Ibn Rajab (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

From what we have mentioned, it will be clear that love of wealth and leadership and craving after them destroys a person’s religion to the point that nothing except what Allaah wills remain of it, just as the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) informed. The root of love of wealth and status is love of this world, and the root of love of this world is following desires. Wahb ibn Munabbih said, “From following desires comes desire for this world, and from desire of this world comes love of wealth and status, and from love of wealth and status comes making lawful that which is forbidden.”

This is a fine saying, since love of wealth and status is caused by desire for this world, and desire for this world is brought about by following one’s desires. This is because one’s desires call to desire for this world and love of wealth and status in it. But taqwaa prevents one from following desires and prevents love of this world. Allaah the Most High said: “So as for he who transgressed. And preferred the life of the world. Then indeed, Hellfire will be [his] refuge. But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination. Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.” [An-Naazi’aat: 37-41]

Source: The Evil of Craving for Wealth and Status, p.33 by al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee.