Condition of True Eemaan

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”[1]

Commenting on the above hadeeth, Shaykh Muhammad Bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said: “This means that a person cannot be considered a true believer whose eemaan is complete except by fulfilling this condition, which is to desire for his brother what he desires for himself of good; and he should dislike for his brother that which he dislikes for himself. This is a true believer. If an individual relates with his brothers in this manner, he will not cheat them or betray them or lie against them or transgress against them since he would not wish that the like of that be done to him.

And this hadeeth indicates that whoever dislikes for his brother that which he desires for himself or desires for his brother what he dislikes for himself is not a believer. That is, he is not a believer with a complete eemaan. And it also indicates that it is one of the major sins to desire for your brother that which you dislike for yourself or to detest for him what you love for yourself.

On the basis of this, it is obligatory upon you my Muslim brother to nurture your soul upon this: to desire for your brothers what you desire for yourself so that true eemaan would be achieved. It is authentically established from the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) that he said: “Whoever wishes to be delivered from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise should die with eemaan in Allaah and the Last Day, and should treat the people as he wishes to be treated by them.”[2]

Source: Sharh Riyaad as-Saaliheen, vol. 1, p. 738-739 by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah shower his mercy on him)

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[1] Recorded by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim

[2] Recorded by Muslim, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa’ee and Ibn Maajah

The Sunnah of Wiping over the Shoes when Performing Ablution

Shaykh al-Albaanee (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“With regard to wiping over the shoes [when performing ablution], it is well-known among the contemporary scholars that it is not permissible to wipe over them. And we do not know of any proof that supports this opinion of theirs except what al-Bayhaqee said in his Sunan (1/288): ‘The foundation is the obligation of washing the feet except that which the established Sunnah has specified or a consensus in which there is no differing. And wiping over the shoes and socks is not included in any one of them. And Allaah knows best.’ This is what he said.” Refer to Tamaam an-Nas’h fee Ahkaam al-Mas’h, p. 82 

The following are the authentic narrations concerning the permissibility of wiping over the shoes:

1. Al-Mugheerah bin Shu‘bah stated: “The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) made ablution and wiped over the leather socks and na‘alayn (sandals or shoes).”  Graded saheeh by al-Albaanee.

2. al-Bazzaar reported on the authority of Naafi’ that Ibn ‘Umar used to perform ablution while his shoes were on his feet and he would wipe over them saying: ‘This is what the Messenger of Allaah used to do.” Shaykh al-Albaanee said it is saheeh based on the condition of Muslim.

3. Ahmad and at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer recorded that Aws bin Abee Aws said: “One day I saw my father performing ablution and he wiped over the shoes. So I said, ‘Why did you wipe over them? He said: “This is what I saw the Messenger of Allaah doing.” Shaykh al-Albaanee said its chain is saheeh.

4. at-Tabaraanee and others recorded on the authority of Aboo Zibyaan that he saw ‘Alee urinating while standing. Then he called for water, performed ablution and wiped over his shoes.  Thereafter, he entered the mosque, removed his shoes and prayed.” Shaykh al-Albaanee said the chain is saheeh based on the condition of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.

Shaykh al-Albaanee stated further: “Once you have known this, it is not permissible to hesitate in accepting this concession after it has been established in the hadeeth.” Refer to Tamaam an-Nas’h fee Ahkaam al-Mas’h, p. 83 

Ruling on Performing Tayammum with a wall

Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated: “‘Abdullaah bin Yasaar, the freed slave of Maymoonah the wife of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and I entered upon Aboo Juhaym bin al-Haarith bin as-Simmah al-Ansaaree. Then Aboo al-Juhaym said, ‘The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was returning from the direction of Bir Jamal[1] and a man met him and greeted him. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not return the greetings until he turned to a wall (with his hands) and wiped his face and hands and then he returned his greetings.”[2]

Shaykh Abdul-‘Azeem Badawee said: ‘It does not matter if the wall is made of clay or stone, plastered with oil or not. This is the verdict that was given to me by our Shaykh al-Albaanee. Then he said, ‘And your Lord does not forget.’

Source: al-Wajeez fee Fiqh as-Sunnah wal-Kitaab al-‘Azeez, p.57 by Dr. Abdul-‘Azeem Badawee

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[1] A place close to Madeenah

[2] Recorded by al-Bukhaaree, Muslim in a mu'allaq form, Aboo Daawood and an-Nasaa’ee