Giving Something up for the Sake of Allah

  

Imaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

Ponder over the condition of our third father Ibraaheem, the Imam of the monotheists, the chief of the Prophets, the pillar of the world, the intimate friend of the Lord of existence from the progeny of Adam. Think over what led to his trial, his patience and his sacrifice to Allah. Reflect on how it resulted in the sacrifice of himself to Allah and his support to the religion of Allah until He took him as an intimate friend and ordered His Messenger and intimate friend, Muhammad to follow his religion. I will inform you of one trait from that which made Allah to honor him in his trial concerning the slaughtering of his child. Allah the most High rewarded him for surrendering his child to His command by blessing his lineage and making it plenty such that it filled the plain and mountain.

Allah the most High has not honored anyone above him, as He is the Most Generous of the generous. Thus, whoever abandons something for His sake or does something for His sake, Allah will grant him double and multiples of what he abandoned and reward him with manifolds of what he did for His sake. When He ordered Ibraaheem to slaughter his son, he hastened to the command of Allah, his son agreed with his father out of pleasure and submission from both of them and Allah recognized the truthfulness and the devotion from them, so He ransomed him with a great sacrifice and He granted them what He gave them of virtue.

Part of the gift He bestowed on them was that He blessed them in their offspring to the extent that they filled the earth, because the aim of having a child is to procreate and produce offspring. Hence, Ibraaheem said: “My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.” [Soorah as-Saaffaat: 100] He also said: “O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salaah (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and (also) from my offspring.” [Soorah Ibraaheem: 40]

Hence, the utmost of what he should be cautious and fearful of in slaughtering his child is the extinction of his lineage. However, when he offered his son for sacrifice and the son submitted himself, Allah multiplied his progenies for him, blessed them and made them plenty until they filled the world and He placed Prophethood and revelation among his offspring, among whom was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Source: Miftaah Daar as-Sa‘aadah wa Manshoor Wilaayah Ahl al-‘Ilm wal-Iraadah, by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah; translated by Abdus-Samee Abdus-Salaam.

 

Fasting in the Month of Allaah

 

Abu Maalik Kamaal bin As-Sayyid Saalim wrote:

It is recommended to observe a lot of fasting in the month of al-Muharram based on the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The best fast after Ramadaan is in the month of Allaah[1] al-Muharram and the best prayer next after the prescribed prayers is prayer at night.”[2]

 It is highly recommended to fast on the 10^th of al-Muharram (Aashoora’). Aboo Qataadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Fasting the day of Aashoora’ (is of great merits). I hope that Allaah will accept it as expiation for the sins committed in the previous year.”[3] When Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked about fasting on the day of Aashoora. He said: ‘I do not know Allaah’s Messenger singling out any day’s fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Aashoora), and this month, meaning the month of Ramadaan.”[4]

 It is also recommended to fast on the 9^th of al-Muharram based on the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) fasted on the day of Aashoora and instructed people to observe it. Then they said: “It is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate. Thereupon the Messenger of Allaah said: “When the following year comes, Allaah willing, we shall fast on the ninth.” He (Ibn ‘Abbaas) said: “However, the death of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) came before the following year.”[5]

 Imaam Maalik, ash-Shaafi’ee and Ahmad were of the view that it is recommended to fast both 9^th and 10^th of al-Muharram in order to avoid resembling the Jews in singling out the 10^th of al-Muharram for worship.

 Note: Some scholars have stated that it is recommended to fast the 11^th of al-Muharram along with the 9^th and 10^th using as proof what was reported from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Fast the day of Aashoora and be different from the Jews; fast a day before it and a day after it.” However this hadeeth is very weak.  So, it does not contain proof recommending fasting of the 11^th of Muharram. So take note.

Source: Saheeh Fiqh as-Sunnah, Vol. 2, p. 135 by Abu Maalik Kamaal bin As-Sayyid Saalim. Translated by Abdus-Samee’ Abdus-Salaam.

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[1] The phrase ‘the month of Allaah’ is indicative of the veneration this month deserves, as it is attributed to Allaah (in a genitive or idaafah phrase).

[2] Recorded by Muslim, an-Nasaa’ee in al-Kubra and Ibn Maajah

[3] Recorded by Muslim

[4] Recorded by Muslim

[5] Recorded by Muslim

 

The Best Knowledge That Should Be Sought

 

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

The best knowledge, deeds and condition is knowledge about Allah, His Names, His Attributes, and His actions; doing things for His pleasure, and turning the heart towards Him with love, fear and hope. These are the noblest of what the world contains, and their rewards are the noblest of what is in the Hereafter. The most splendid goal is knowledge about Allah, loving Him, feeling His closeness, yearning to meet Him and enjoying His remembrance. This is the most sublime happiness of this worldly life and the Hereafter and is the main objective that should be sought in itself.

Source: Uddah as-Saabireen wa Dhakheerah ash-Shaakireen by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah; translated by Abdus-Samee’ Abdus-Salaam