1. Major Shirk ejects one from the Religion and Minor Shirk does

not eject one from the Religion. 2. The one who commits Major Shirk will reside in the Fire, and the one who commits Minor Shirk will not reside in it, even if he enters it at first. 3. Major Shirk nullifies all good deeds, and Minor Shirk does not [27] Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (4/428) and AI-Baghawee (no. 4135), it was authenticated by Al -Al baa nee in Saheehul-Jaami' (no. 1555). [28] Bukhaaree (no. 2887) [Kitaabut-Tawheed (p. 11-13), slightly adapted] nullify all good deeds; it only nullifies those good deeds in which Riyaa ' , or an action done for the sake of worldly gain are mixed. 4. Major Shirk makes one's blood and wealth lawful, and Minor Shirk does not make these things lawful." [29 1 The Greatest Injustice lmaam lbnul-Qayyim AI-Jawziyyah (d .751H) .&l ..a1 said : "Allaah the Exalted informed that the purpose and affair of creation was to know His Names and to worship Him alone, without associates so that the people could become trustworthy (Qist), and that is the justice ('Adi) by which the heavens and the earth are established, as Allaah ~ says : "We have already sent our Messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Book and the balance that the people may maintain their affairs in justice." [AI-Hadeed (57): 25) So Alla ah ~ informed that he sent His Messengers and revealed His books to establish the people upon fairness (Qist) and that is justice ('Adi). And from the greatest fairness is Tawheed, and it is the head of justice, and its maintainer, and Shirk is injustice, as Allaah ~ says: (29] Kitaabut-Tawheed (p. 13-14). "Verily Shirk is a great injustice." [Luqmaan (31): 13] So Shirk is the greatest injustice and Tawheed is the best form of justice.

So what can be a greater denial than this meaning, I so it is the greatest of major sins; to the extent thaUt is said when Shirk itself negates something, it becomes the greatest of major sins absolutely. And Allaah has prohibited Paradise upon everyone who commits Shirk, and He has made his blood, wealth, and family permissible for the people of Tawheed, and that they may take them as slaves for themselves since they abandon His 'Uboodiyyah (worship)". To know of the dangers of Shirk should be of primary importance. Whether we are Muslim or not, we should realise that it is the crime of Shirk which has led to the destruction of our world. By taking man away from the worship of Allaah, it has led him to the worship of other men, leading to oppression and tyranny. By confining man to the narrowness of this world, it will deny him the vastness of the Hereafter, which leads to justice and success.

Therefore surely Shirk is the ultimate crime. 4 Obedience to Parents "And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.'' [Luqmaan (31}: 14] After Tawheed the next advice from Luqmaan to his son is being dutiful and obedience to the parents. Our parents are the passage through which we came into this world. They experienced hardship and difficulty in raising us, particularly, our mothers. Allaah ~ has mentioned kind treatment of parents alongside the command to worship Him alone. Allaah ~ says: "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.

And that you be dutiful to your parents". [Al-lsraa' [17]: 23] "'r"":.~l ~ ., ~~1:H" _ ~~Y':>.J, ,, t:.:1.. .... , _~ ·11~~~ '.>-1? ,, .J" ,,~>1 I ))~>1,,:i... l.) ,l,)l ~~~y "Worship Allaah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents ... " [An-Nisaa' (4): 36] This is indicative of the importance of honouring one's parents and treating them well. Honouring one's parents means obeying them, respecting them, praying for them, lowering one's voice in their presence, smiling at them, lowering the wing of humility to themr 3o1, not [30] Allaah % says: ~ ~~ 1~ <:~ i-49~~ ~~~ ~l G~ ~t 4_; ~~~ 1~ :)i t1 ~ ~ ~~ ]I ~D ~ ' .J~ ~11 c_(;. i: ~1 ~~ o ~~ --1; ( ~1 j~ G~ ~~ ~g~ f ~J ~J Jt~ H1 ~ "And your Rabb (Lord) has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: 'My Rabb!

Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young."' [A/-/sraa ' (17): 23-24] showing displeasure towards them, striving to serve them, fulfilling their wishes, consulting them, listening to what they say, not being stubborn towards them and respecting their friends both during their lifetime and after they have died. That also includes not travelling without their permission, not sitting in a place higher than theirs, not starting to eat before they do, and not showing preference to your wife or child over them .13 11 (31] Narrated by lbn Umar 4,: "The Prophet ;II!: said : c:, c:,Oc:, ; o c- ,,. J .,.. l o c : , , o c:, ,, \..~I 01 o_?l3 , ~Y ~ ~_,I 01 o.:,S-1 , ~.)) .r-, J~' :Ii . C,,f4 ~'.:J ~, 0·~ ~,· ~11 -' .1 . ~·~ y 1;:,~:... . :t·..~L . Ji µ:: .~:5 0~ -~1 ~ J>- rti~_, '-lb ~i ~ LS) ~ J l:J c_)~ ~ .J ~G..:.:I ~) G.W o "' f/1 J "" JO ,., ; \ _j, 0 .,,, 47 . ~L.....:JI ~ 03;. ~ ~) ~ ~I t_); , ~l.....:JI .i _f !;_ t:1 J ~LS" ~I ~li : ·l!JI Ju ; ~ _jjt5' I~ 1- • • • ~ .J ~ : 2''l; . ,,. ; ::- 1. 1\ ..:,'u;_; ~ ~. . 0 ,~LJ\ JL>-._y" I\ ~ . ;• t.{~I; .;L:.;.) ~~ ..:.:~ ~ .~:;:; ,.;~.) ~~ ~T " " ; , 4lll J1 ~\ ~ ~ : ..:..fo ~.; &,; ~lj \_jj , 4-! ,: : :5 i:iu• ~1 , ,~ < w1 ~ '1~ .:;: ..:. :~; ,;~; ':J1·r-' I.._ J '1.: • L:J >~t.; . :St...' ; ~~\ .i. Ui ..:. ij l; ; ~i µ;_; Lf' O ~ (_.r ~ .J ;. ~?-l:.:1 .~ :5 Jl ~11 :~':11 JuJ .~j ~ t_~ ,~ ·1....q : Ju ~I~ ~ :: ; ~ ~ > 1 ·;~ \" i ;.: \_jj , .).) ~ ~ -r.?:: > oi;.. o >o > ; >" ; > ; ,~sfa 4b- ~ ..:....;.~ i;.. ,,,,,... .il~jl Jjl ~ ,ci ~i, 4ii1 ;, : Jw .;~~ , ~1.).J 1~ ~ ~ ~ r~;I \ ~; JI. wil . :-.:....ili , ~ : ; ~-t...!j ·' 11.:.:: \J ; ''-I'* .

J ~ .J '1 o J1 :..:.ii; ,,,. o ,,,. i;.. '1:, 4ii1 J1 o :Jw ,~1~1 ~} ,,,. l_ i;.. 0~ <;.11.;L; ~.L;.L; , ~l~J ~\ ~ ~ ' ~ \~\ 0 ; I > 0 :!It ; ,> 1J ~ >~ ; ~ 0 ~ ~I c.!11~ G.W Lf'·1 ..::...:.5 (_.r '~J 0 ., 0 ,... ,,. ,,. .. ;; . ; ~I Cr-' [o'\Vt :(?J WI] ( ( ~ '~ "While three persons were walking, rain began to fall and they had to enter a cave in a mountain. A big rock rolled over and blocked the mouth of the cave. They said to each other, 'Invoke Allaah with the best deed you have performed (so Allaah might remove the rockr One of them said, 'O Allaah! My parents were old and I used to go out for grazing (my animals). Honouring them also means visiting them, offering them gifts, nanking them for bringing you up and treating you kindly when ou were small and after you grew up.

It also means striving to reduce the arguments between them, !Y offering sincere advice and reminding them as much as you !lrn[321, and making excuses to the one who is wronged, and saying On my return I would milk (the animals) and take the milk in a vessel to my parents to drink. After they had drunk from it, I would give it to my children, family and wife. One day I was delayed and on my return I found my parents sleeping, and I disliked to wake them up. The children were crying at my feet {because of hunger). That state of affairs continued till it was dawn . 0 Allaah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, then please remove this rock so that we may see the sky.' So, the rock was moved a bit.

The second said, 'O Allaah! You know that I was in love with a cousin of mine, like the deepest love a man may have for a woman, and she told me that I would not get my desire fulfilled unless I paid her one-hundred Dinars (gold pieces). So, I struggled for it till I gathered the desired amount, and when I sat in between her legs, she told me to be afraid of Allaah, and asked me not to deflower her except rightfully (by marriage). So, I got up and left her. 0 Allaah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, kindly remove this rock.' So, two-thirds of the rock was removed. Then the third man said, 'O Allaah !

No doubt You know that once I employed a worker for one Faraq (three Sa's) of millet, and when I wanted to pay him, he refused to take it, so I sowed it and from its yield I bought cows and a shepherd. After a time that man came and demanded his money. I said to him : Go to those cows and the shepherd and take them for they are for you. He asked me whether I was joking with him. I told him that I was not joking with him, and all that belonged to him. 0 Allaah! If You regard that I did it sincerely for Your sake, then please remove the rock.' So, the rock was removed completely from the mouth of the cave.

" (Bukhaaree) 32] We should learn a lesson from the manners of Prophet lbraheem when he vas giving Da'wah to his father. Allaah 'M says : - 49 I and doing things to calm them down. No matter how your parents treats you, you should follow the good manners described above, so as to avoid everything that may make them angry or upset, so long as that does not lead to sin or disobedience towards Allaah, because the rights of Allaah "And mention in the Book (the Qur'aan) lbraheem. Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet. When he said to his father: "O my father!

Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything? "O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path.

"O my father! Worship not Shaytaan (Satan). Verily! Shaytaan has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allaah). "O my father! Verily!

I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allaah) overtake you, so that you become a companion of Shaytaan (Satan) (in the Hell-fire)." He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, 0 lbraheem? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you." lbraheem said: "Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious." [Maryam (19) : 41-47] come before the rights of other people.

Obedience is in That which is Good Parents are to be obeyed as commanded by Allaah. But obedience to them ceases when it involves disobedience of Allaah ~ - Allaah ~ says: ~ ~ --~ ~ ~ ~ ~ j~ j ~ .J1~ 01__;~ (. J~.,1..- ~. o :/ \ ./. (:t'..J ,~r/ D c~, · \, ~ ,-, // r~ JI, ()"' <..r.?:" >,/ ~..r'-" - ~ ~~.) > ~ / ~0_;1-:;, ;.r ~ M~ ~:; ~h ~ "But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do." [Luqmaan {31): 15]1331 (33] Obedience to Parents Clashing with the Obedience to Allaah Firstly: That the obligation of obedience to the parents and their rights is an obligation laid down by Allaah % in His Book and upon the tongue of His Messenger ~ that is the bas is for itnothing else i.e. it is an obligation because Allaah % made it such. Allaah % says: ~~~ / '=" .,/ ,,,,.~ / >/ _.,, '""">>'/ j~\ / .J./ ,,,,,.,~ "( l..i.::.;J t1-.1L,J ~_. , ·~l ':l l \J~ :1 4'.J ~yr "A a you Rabb (Lord) has decreed that you worship none but Him.

And that you be kind to your parents." [Al-lsraa' (17): 23] 5 Secondly: In the Aayahs where Allaah ~ orders good treatment of parents, He precedes it with the order to worship Him alone - He ~ says: "Worship none but Allaah; Treat with kindness your parents ..." [AIBaqarah (2): 83] and He says: ~ ( ,---;.i i~;i~~ 1{:1» ,ft \tP 1; ~\ G~t~ "Worship Allaah, and join not any partners with Him in worship; Be good to parents ..." [An-Nisaa' (4): 36] and He says: ~\~ <;.l ~~~~J 1{:~ ' !t ·~ ~'~ " ...join not anything as equal with Him; and do good to parents ... "[AIAn'aam (6) : 151] Thirdly: Obedience to parents just like obedience to those in authority is subservient to obedience to Allaah ~ and His Messenger ~ - Therefore if obedience to parents clashes with obedience to Allaah and His Messenger ~ then parents must be disobeyed on that point. Alee ~ reports that the Messenger ~ said: ((_j /~ / I\ / J.r,--' j ~ ~\.h. J\ l. JI• , ;(,a;~\ ~ ~\.1 'ill /0 / "There is no obedience to anyone in disobedience to Allaah, verily obedience is in that which is correct."(Bukhaaree) And as regards obedience to the Messenger ~ then the Aayahs obligating that are many, and Allaah ~ says: "We sent not a Messenger, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the Will of Allaah." [An-Nisaa' (4) : 64] And Abu Hurayrah ~ reports that Allaah's Messenger ~ said : ,Ji\ ~ .ill J~ /;.J 4'.ill t_l1i .ill ~l1i ;;n .ill ~\rl ~ 0-4.J ,~l1i .ill ~\rl ~ /;.J ((J~ "He who obeys me has obeyed Allaah and he who disobeys me has disobeyed Allaah, and he who obeys the Ameer has obeyed me and he who disobeys the Ameer has disobeyed me."(Bukhaaree) In Tafseerof Aayah 83 of Sooratul-Baqarah, lbn Katheer [[Rahl] says: "Allaah ~ reminds Ba nee lsraaeel of these orders which He gave them and took their covenant upon and that they had turned away from that, all of it, knowingly and deliberately - while remembering it - so He ordered them to worship Him alone and not to associate anything with Him, and He ordered that for all of the creation and that is the reason why He created them ...And that is the highest and greatest of the rights of Allaah the Blessed and Most High - that He alone should be worshipped, and then after that comes the rights of the creation, and the most important of these is the right of the parents and therefore He joins the two." So anything which Allaah ~ or His Messenger ~ have obligated must be carried out and if the parents try to prevent that then they must be disobeyed in that. lbn Taimiyyah ..iii vJ says in Majmoo al-Fataawaa, 14/339-340): "And part of giving thanks for the good that someone does is the thanks due to the parents and others who do good to you, since F p.. ~ ;;n ., ,.,, .:;; ., 0 ,,,. ((4'.i)\ ~ ~81 'He who does not thank the people does not thank Allaah.: however - the right of no person, nor his favours can ever reach the level that they be thanked with the disobedience to Allaah, or that they be obeyed in disobedience to Allaah - since Allaah is the One who sends down all the great blessings, which none of the creation are able to .

And even favours done by any of the creation are from Him also. Allaah ~ says: 53 ·~nd you have no good thing but it is from Allaah:' [An-Nahl (16) :53] and He says: ,,(G. ·;.'11 s· C/~ 0/ ~ "'Z "/ '-t'j ;:~,1 s· ~ rJ {"-; P--'.J /~.,,.}._ l' "And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth." [AI-Jaathiyah (45): 13] And no one is able to recompense obedience, disobedience and Kufr but Him. Therefore it is not possible that anyone be obeyed in disobedience to the Creator as He ~ says : "And We have enjoined on man kindness to parents: but if they (either of them) strive (to force) thee to join with Me anything of which you have no knowledge; obey them not. You have (all) to return to Me, and I will tell You the truth) of all that you did." [AI-Ankaboot (29): 8] And the Messenger jj said: " The Muslim must hear and obey in hard and easy things and what he likes and dislikes, as long as he is not ordered with disobedience and if he is ordered with disobedience then there is no hearing and no obeying." And it occurs in AI-Bukhaaree and Muslim that he said: ((~_,~\ J ~l.hj\ ~pi "Verily obedience is in that wh ich is correct." and he said: ~ .~ 1_: '>li ~ 0':J -' 11 ; .:J// t 0-4 ~/ ~ ,,. / ; " y ~ '..r" "He who orders you with disobedience to Al/aah - among the rulers - then disobey him." Take Account before You Account Then Allaah ~ says: "O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allaah will bring it forth. Verily, Allaah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place)." [Luqmaan {31): 16] Luqmaan was telling his son that if a wrong action or a sin be equal to the size of a grain of mustard seed or an atom Allaah will bring it forth on the Day of Judgement when it is placed in the Scales of justice and everyone is rewarded or punished for his actions.

If they are good, he will be rewarded and if they are bad he will be punished. The belief in the Day of Resurrection is an article of faith and disbelief in it is Kufr. In His address Prophet Musaa iMI\ at the and he said : "There is no obedience to any creature in disobedience to the Creator." In Tafseer of Aayah 83 of Sooratul-Baqarah, AI -Baghawee says : "That is : We enj oined good conduct and kindness to them and obeying those commands of theirs which do not go against the commands of Allaah ~ -" And AI-Qurtubee says in Tafseer of Aayah 23 of Sooratul- /sraa ': "Disobedience to t hem is disobeying their lawful wishes, just as goodness to them is agreeing to their lawful wishes - as long as that does not involve disobedience to Allaah) ." valley of Toor after He had instructed him to worship Him and none else, Allaah ~ says: ,,.-;: I -' .,, ~\? ,".'.:_~t ( ~~{\ -'C/\ 5-,, \" ~~t /,(\ ~\~ Q ~ ~ ~ ~ <>~ ~ .:>b ~~ -.-L...:..I ui-"'f' ~2;~X 0~ eS~ ~ frJ:, ~ 0A ~ ~~ ~ "Verily, the Hour is coming and My Will is to keep it hidden that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives. Therefore, let not the one who believes not therein {i.e. in the Day of Resurrection, Reckoning, Paradise and Hell, etc.), but follows his own lusts, divert you therefrom, lest you perish.'' [Taa Haa (20}: 15-16] On that Day deeds will be weighed, good against the bad . Allaah ~ says: "And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it.

And Sufficient are We as Reckoners." [AIAnbiyaa' (21}: 47] Also, He ~ says: "So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom {or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant}, shall see it.'' [AzZalza/ah (99): 7-8] Every deed, however tiny, even if it were to be hidden inside a solid rock or anywhere in the heavens and the earth, Mlaah will bring them forth, because nothing is hidden from him, not even the weight of a speck of dust in the heavens or on the earth. Allaah ~ says: "Verily, Allaah is Subtle, Well-Aware.'' [Luqmaan (31): 16] Meaning, His knowledge is subtle, for nothing is hidden from Him, no matter how small, subtle and minute; even the footsteps of an ant in the darkest night. Apart from man accounting for his deeds, those who were wronged in this world would claim their rights on that Day.l34 •35 •36l Man should strive to do good deeds however insignificant it may be, and should not belittle any evil deed however infinitesimal because man does not know which of the good deeds would earn him the mercy of Allaah f37 l, nor does he know the evil deed that would lead to his eternal condemnation.r 3sJ [34] Narrated by Abu Hurayrah .:$,,: "Allaah's Messenger ~ said: ( ( f ~ I ~ 0J~_'.0\)) "Do you know who is poor" They (the Companions of the Prophet) said: A poor man amongst us is one who has neither Dirham with him nor wealth . He (the Prophet ~ ) said: 57 The best thing man should wish is not be called to account because whoever is called to account would perish .1391 The poor of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with prayers and fasts and Zakaah but (he would find himself bankrupt on that day as he would have exhausted his funds of virtues) since he hurled abuses upon others, brought calumny against others and unlawfully consumed the wealth of others and shed the blood of others and beat others, and his virtues would be credited to the account of one (who suffered at his hand). And if his good deeds fall short to clear the account, then his sins would be entered in (his account) and he would be thrown in the Hell-Fire."' [Muslim] (35] ls the Day of Judgement Near?

Allaah ~ says: "Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness." [AI-Anbiyaa' (21): 1] lbn Katheer said in his Tafseer: "Here Allaah is pointing out that the Hour is approaching and is at hand, and that people are unaware of it, i.e., they are not working and preparing for it. Similar is His saying that: "The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder." [AIQamar (54): 1] lbn Katheer said in his Ta/seer: "Here Allaah tells us of the approach of the Hour and the passing of this world. Allaah ~ says: ~~~ ~~\ "It is Allaah Who has sent down the Book (the Qur'aan) in truth, and the Balance (i.e., to act justly). And what can make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?" [Ash-Shooraa (42) : 17] The same urgency or nearness of the Hour is stressed in the Sunnah. The coming of the Prophet ~ is in itself a sign of the Hour as he said : ((~4,5 ii. Ul.,9 t.;i J ~~~)) "I have been sent, I and the Hour being like these two ...

" and holding his hand he held out his middle and forefingers ." (Bukhaaree) The Messenger of Allaah ~ also said : "How can I enjoy life when the bearer of the horn (or trumpet) has put the horn to his lips and is listening, waiting for the command to blow?" It was as if this was difficult for the companions of the Prophet ~ to hear, so he said to them: "Say: Hasbuna A/laah wa niam al-wakeel, 'ala Allaah tawakkalnaa {Sufficient for us is Allaah, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs, in Allaah we put our trust)." (At-Tirmidhee) Portents of the Hour: Anas bin Malik ~ said: 'I shall tell you a Hadeeth which no one else will tell you after I am gone. I heard the Messenger of Allaah ~ say: ''Among the signs of the Hour are: knowledge will be reduced, ignorance will prevail, zinaa will be widespread, and there will be many women and few men, until for fifty women there will be one guardian." (Bukharee) The Messenger of Allaah ~ also said : ''At the end of time there will be earthquakes, slander, transmutation into animals (or disfigurement, deformity), when stringed instruments and female singers will be widespread, and wine will be permitted." [Saheeh AI-Jaami') All of these texts clearly indicate that the Hour is approaching and that an abundance of sin and evil is one of its signs. For any discerning observer, each single condition mentioned in the above Ahaadeeth have already occurred or are occurring. Yet, the Kuffaar (unbelievers) think that the Hour is unlikely to happen and that it is taking too long. So their preparations are in a different direction : make men live longer or even create human beings of their own through cloning; immerse mankind in a perpetual search for wealth with no thought for the Hereafter through globalization; enthrone one single culture on the world - a culture that celebrates everything that Allaah has made Haraam (music, free sex, no modesty, selfishness etc) and disdains that wh ich Allaah has made Halaal. But the fact of the matter is as Allaah ~ says: ,£1/,:: >,/ ~/ ( ,' >~•N •>~\ },._ "( ~! < I;.>..,...) 0 ~ f->.)_;: rt'~1' "Verily!

They see it (the torment) afar off, But We see it (quite) near.'' [AI-Ma'aarij {70): 6-7) aught at the End-Time: Whatever you do now, reform yourself and do good o that you will not be caught with the turmoil of the end of the world. The Messenger of Allaah ~ said: .;;; .;; ,,, ,,,,, l:,..;. ~ :ll ~ wl f~ :Jn ,,.... } ,,.... ((q" l:.ll "The Hour will only come upon the most evil of people." (Muslim) He also said : "The righteous people will vanish, the best first, then the next best and so on, and there will be left worthless chaff like the chaff of barley or dates, and Allaah will not care about them at all." (Bukhaaree) For as long as you and I are committed to doing good and obeying the comm ands of Allaah, then the Hour will not happen on us, lnsha Allaah! [3 6) Shaykh Muhammad AI-Saalih al-'Uthaymeen ..11..,,...) was asked : "How will the kaafir be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection when he is :,ot required to follow the obligations of Islam? He replied : This question is based on a misconception . The same is required of the Kaafir as is required of the believer, but he is not to be compelled to follow it in this world. The fact that it is required of him is indicated by the passage in which Allaah ~ says: "Except those on the Right (i.e. the pious true believers of Islamic Monotheism).

In Gardens (Paradise) they will ask one another, about AI-Mujrimoon (polytheists, criminals, disbelievers) (and they will say to them): 'What has caused you to enter Hell?' They will say: 'We were not of those who used to offer the Salaah (prayers), nor we used to feed AI-Miskeen (the poor); and we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah hated) with vain talkers. And we used to belie the Day of Recompense" [Al-Muddaththir (74) : 39-46] If they were not being punished for not praying and not feeding the poor, they would not have mentioned that, because there would be no point in mentioning it in this situation . This indicates that they are being punished for not doing the minor issues enjoined by lslaam. As this is implied by the texts, it is also implied by reasoning. If Allaah will punish His believing slave for what he failed to do of religious duties, how can He not punish the Kaafir? Moreover, the Kaafir will be punished for all the blessings that Alla ah bestowed upon him of food and drink, etc.

Allaah ~ says : "Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate (in the past), if they fear Allaah {by keeping away from His forbidden things), and believe and do righteous good deeds, and again fear Allaah and believe, and once again fear Allaah and do good deeds with /hsaan (perfection). And Allaah loves the good-doers.'' [AI-Maa'idah (5): 93] The apparent meaning of the Verse is that there is no sin on the believers for what they have eaten. What this implies is that there is sin on the Kuffaar for what they have eaten ." [Majmoo ' Fataawa AI-Shaykh lbn 'Uthaymeen (2/ question no. 164)] [37] Narrated by Abu Mas' ud Al-Ansari ~ : "Allaah's Messenger ~ said : ~\ ~ j ~ ;. ~ ' ~ 0\5 ~ j;.~ ~_,;) 0~ , (,~; 0tsj '-Y'o1 ~ ~ 0ts ~f '11 ,t~ 0 J. O .,,. 0 t i1 J t_; :J t.; , ~ __ : ' 11 ~~.;, I· /~ .J.).J . " 0i ;J~ / .r " G" ((~ I.Jjj ~ ,~ ~ \ j;_f :_;.:, :J~ 'A person from people who lived before you was called to account (by Allaah ~ on the Day of Judgment) and no good was found in his account except this that he being a rich man had (financial) dealings with people and had commanded his servants to show leniency to the straitened ones. Upon this Allaah ~ said: We have more right to this, so overlook (his faults) ."' (Muslim) arrated by Abu Hurayrah ~ : "Allaah's Messenger ~ said : 'While a man was walking on a road, he became very thirsty.

Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself: "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did." So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allaah thanked him for that deed and forgave him." Th e people asked, "O Allaah's Messenger ~ ! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He said : 2£ $ ' a .r:- ~· .) ~; ul~< .I,·)) u" ' i u; / -lS "(Yes} There is a reward for serving any animate {living being}."' (Bukhaaree) [38] Narrated by Abu Hurayrah 4,: "Allaah's Messenger ~ said that a woman was thrown into Hell-Fire because of a cat whom she had tied and did not provide it with food, nor did she set it free to eat insects of the earth until it died inch by inch." Zuhree .J.i1.....,.. J said : (These two Hadeeths) show that a person should neither feel confident (of getting into Paradise) because of his deeds, nor should he lose (all hopes) of getting into Paradise." (Muslim) 39 [ J Narrated by lbn Abu Mulaika 4, : "Whenever 'Aa'ishah (the wife of the Prophet ~ ) heard anything which she did not understand, she used to ask again till she understood it completely.

Aa'ishah said: " Once the Prophet :i said : ((J.j\~ '-11 ~Ull / / ~~ j_;.i / l)) ./ . iY- . . r..r:: "Whoever will be called to account (about his deeds on the Day of Resurrection) will surely be punished." I said, 'Doesn't Allaah ~ say: "He surely will receive an easy reckoning." [Al-lnshiqaaq (84). 8] The Prophet ~ replied : ((.SI\~ / ~ uL> J\ . / /.-~ ~/ ~ <l , '·':: l\ ~~ LJ\))~ ~ y ,J (.)""';-'..., ~ ..r' / / "This means only the presentation of the accounts but whoever will be argued about his account, will certainly be ruined." (Bukhaaree) Establish Salaah, Establish Goodness "O my son! Aqim-is-Salat (perform As-Salaah), enjoin (people) for AI-Ma'ruf (lslaamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from A/-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allaah, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befall you. Verily! These are some of the important commandments ordered by Allaah with no exemption." [Luqmaan (31): 17] After Luqmaan had drawn the attention of his son to the accountability on the Day of Judgement, the next thing Luqmaan advised his son to do was the establishment of Salaah . Sa/aah is the next in importance after Tawheed. Allaah ~ says: "The Mosques of Allaah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allaah and the Last Day; perform As-Sa/aah {lqamat-as-Sa/atV401 and give Zakaah and fear none but [40] The Importance of Prayer The importance of the prayer in lslaam cannot be understated .

It is the first pillar of lslaam that the Prophet ~ mentioned after mentioning the testimony of faith, by which one becomes a Muslim. It was made obligatory upon all the prophets and for all peoples. Allaah ~ has declared its obligatory status under majestic circumstances. For example, when Allaah % spoke directly to Moses, He ~ says: "And I have chosen you, so listen to that which is inspired to you. Verily, I am Allaah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance." [Toa Hoa (20): 13-14] Similarly, the prayers were made obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad ~ during his ascension to heaven.

Furthermore, when Allaah ~ praises the believers, such as in the beginning of Surah AI-Muminoon, one of the first descriptions He states is their adherence to the prayers. Once a man asked the Prophet ~ about the most virtuous deed. The Prophet ~ stated that the most virtuous deed is the prayer. The man asked again and again. The first three times, the Prophet ~ again answered: "The prayer," then on the fourth occasion he stated: "Jihaad in the way of Allaah." [This is from a Hadeeth recorded by Ahmad and lbn Hibban . According to AI-Albaanee, the Hadeeth is hasan .

Muhammad Naasiruddeen AI-Albaanee, Saheeh At-Targheeb Wa At-Tarheeb (Beirut: AI-Maktab al-lslaamee, 1982), vol. 1, p. 150] The importance of prayer is demonstrated in many of the Prophet's ~ statement. For example, the Prophet ~ said : li; ~ 0~ ~~ j:J1 ~ ~~ ~ J~f ~in ((~j ~L:;. li; 0.i:J 01.J ~ ~fj ~f "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded by AI-Tabaranee. According to AI-Albaanee, it is Saheeh . AIAlbaanee, Saheeh AI-Jaami', vol.1, p. 503 .

The importance of the prayers lies in the fact that no matter what actions one performs in his life, the most important aspect is one's relationship to Allaah, that is, one's faith (Eemaan), God-consciousness (Taqwaa), sincerity (ikh/aas) and worship of Allaah ('Jbaadah) . This relationship with Allaah is demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by the prayer. Therefore, if the prayers are sound and proper, the rest of the deeds will be sound and proper; and if the prayers are not sound and proper, then the rest of the deeds will not be sound and proper, as the Prophet ~ himself stated . In reality, if the prayer is performed properly with true remembrance of Allaah and turning to Him for forgiveness it will have a lasting effect on the person. After he finishes the prayer, his heart will be filled w ith the remembrance of Allaah. He will be fearful as well as hopeful of Allaah .

After that experience, he will not want to move from that lofty position to one wherein he disobeys Allaah. Allaah has mentioned this aspect of the prayer when He says: "Verily, the prayer prevents one from the great sins and evil deeds." [AIAnkaboot: (29) 45] . Nadwi ..iii <2J has described this effect in the following eloquent way: "Its aim is to generate within the subliminal self of man such spiritual power, light of fa it h and awareness of God as can enable him to strive successfully against all kinds of evils and temptations and remain steadfast at times of t rial and adversity and protect himself against the weakness of the flesh and the mischief of immoderate appetites." (Nadwi, Four Pillars of Islam, p. 24) The overall effect that the properly performed prayers should have upon humans is described in other Verses in the Qur'aan : ~ 1~0 o ~_;_ ~1 t:.: 1~l o ~~ ~ ~J1 i1~ ~~;,J; F-f>lo ~ ~ ~J1 o ~ \ ~b O ~;: ~ "Verily, man was created impatient, irritable when evil touches him and niggardly when good touches him. Except for those devoted to prayer those who remain constant in their prayers." [AI-Ma 'arij (70) :19-23]. As for the Hereafter, Allaah's forgiveness and pleasure is closely related to the prayers. The Messenger of Allaah ~ said: , z;..;-1 0-° j;:-J;i41 ~?\ ylj.l.o ~ 0 , 4 , 0 -: )) ,,, 4~ ~ J,,,.. .;; _,..:..>-.J ~ ,, } ' .) ~i_, 091 ~~J 0 z;:; J,,,.. ~~Y.J '·, "Allaah has obligated five prayers.

Whoever excellently performs their ablutions, prays them in their proper times, completes their bows, prostrations and khushoo ' (maintaining calmness and concentration in Salaah) has a promise from Allaah that He will forgive him. And whoever does not do that has no promise from Allaah. He may either forgive him or punish him." (Recorded by Malik, Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nasaaee and others. According to al-Al baa nee, it is sahih. Al-Al baa nee, Saheeh Al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 616.) The prayers are a type of purification for a human being. He turns and meets with his Lord five times a day.

As alluded to above, this repeated standing in front of Allaah should keep the person from performing sins during the day. Furthermore, it should also be a time of remorse and repentance, such that he earnestly asks Allaah for forgiveness for those sins that he committed. In addition, the prayer in itself is a good deed that wipes away some of the evil deeds that he performed . These points can be noted in the following Hadeeth of the Prophet ~ : "If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?" The people said, "No filth would remain on him whatsoever." The Prophet ~ then said: ((\,;\..k; JI - <tJ , ,, ~I , ,, ~ ~..::_11 ..:..,l ~ ' I ~-11 ' 1;: , _,.,......,,.., ~ dJJ_;)) , , "That is like the five daily prayers: Allaah wipes away the sins by them." [Bukhaaree and Muslim] In another Hadeeth, the Prophet ~ said: , µ 1 .Si) ~In ..:.,I~ '~~~ Allaah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance." [At-Tawbah (9): 18] When the Messenger of Allaah ~ was sending Mu'aadh bin Jabal ~ to Yemen he asked him to call them to Tawheed first then Salaah. Narrated by lbn Abbas ~ : "When Allaah's Messenger ~ sent Muadh ~ to Yemen, he said (to him): "You are going to people of a (Divine) Book.

First of all invite them to worship Allaah (alone) and when they come to know Allaah, inform them that Allaah has enjoined on them, five prayers in every day and night; and if they start offering these prayers, inform them that Allaah has enjoined on them, the Zakaah. And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them; and if they obey you in that, take Zakaah from them and avoid (don't take) the best "The time between the five prayers, two consecutive Friday prayers, and two consecutive Ramadans are expiations for all that has happened during that period, provided that one has avoided the grave sins." [Muslim] (Commentary on the Forty Hadith of An-Nawawi, vol. 1 pp 359-362, Jamaal Al-Din Zarabozo) property of the people as Zakaah." l41 J Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil And Allaah ~ says: {_fjf if ~1 --)_y_ ;:I~ ;t~ " ... enjoin (people) for AI-Ma'ruf (all that is good), and forbid (people) from AI-Munkar (all that is evil and bad) ... " [Luqmaan (31): 17] Establishing Salaah is an individual responsibility. No other person can do it on behalf of another. Unlike Salaah, enjoining good and forbidding evil is both individual and communal responsibility. At least a group of people in a community should take up the responsibility.

Allaah ~ says: ~. . i . . ..J\>\ J/. I u_y-J., ,: .> .,,. >~-;{ ~J-.• ~ , , · , , ~ ~I • · · ~ '.J .,,,..... ~ . / {0~1 ~ ~jl_; µ, i.} "Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (lslaam), enjoining Al-Ma 'ruf (al/ that lsfaam orders one to do) and forbidding AI-Munkar (al/ that lsfaam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful." [Aal lmraan (3): 104] Once a section of the community has taking the responsibility the rest are excused . But if nobody takes up the task, then, it is a sin upon the whole community. [41] AI-Bukhaaree 7 Allaah tm says by way of description of Prophet Muhammad ~ : _:.,1 J-i:.J L__ .>i" · ;....::Jt -t >/ ~ \ if,, ~ ~>,-"// . J '-J) :, »>t~ ~..,..... - 1' "He orders them with that which is good and forbids them that which is bad. And he makes allowed for them that which is clean and good, and forbids them that which is unclean and detestable." [Al-'A'raaf (7): 157) This illustrates the perfection of the message of the Prophet Muhammad ~ .

He is the one on whose tongue Allaah ~ has enjoined all that is good, forbidden all that is bad, allowed every clean thing and prohibited every unclean or harmful thing. Allaah ~ has made enjoining good and forbidding evil a distinctive characteristic of this Ummah . Allaah ~ says: 0*~) ~.J_;:i~ 5__,~13 ~Q ~j-i tJ 7; ~ t} !i ., .,,. s;/j~ ~r ~ {.&\ ,; -;,; "You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma' ruf (all that lslaam has enjoined) and forbid AI-Munkar (all that lslaam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah." [Aal 'lmraan (3): 110) It is equally part of the qualities of believers. Allaah ~ says: "The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) AI-Ma'ruf (all that lslaam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from AI-Munkar (all that lslaam has forbidden)." The responsibility of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil should be carried out according to individual ability. Abu Sa ' eed AI-Khudree ~ reported: Messenger of Allaah ~ said: 'o...G ~~_J ' ~.r~) / / "Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith." r42 1 This Hadeeth contains a very important prescription to prevent t he Muslim society from all things which are forbidden in lslaam. So long as Muslims adhered to it and ceaselessly and fearlessly performed their obligation of enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong, their society was largely safe from many evils and sins.

The Hadeeth also shows the different levels of people with respect to enjoining good and forbidding evil. Enjoining good and forbidding evil is done sometimes with the heart, sometimes with t he tongue, and sometimes with the hand (i.e. physical force). As for practicing it with the heart, it is obligatory upon everyone in every time and situation, since its practice brings no hardship. Whoever fails to do even that is not even a believer. [42] Muslim 73 The Messenger of Allaah ~ said: ((~~~\ ~ l ~;J '~~j ~ ~ 0~ ,~1 /l} "Whoever of you sees wrong being committed, let him rectify it with his hand, if he is unable, then with his tongue, and if he us unable, then with his heart, and this is the weakest of faith - or in another version : ((~;_:,;.~~~)'I~~; ~IJJ ~Jll beyond this there is not a single mustard seed's weight of faith (Eemaan)."143 1 Enjoining good and forbidding evil demands sufficient knowledge of the Sharee'ah, forbearance, patience, regard for that which is beneficial and that which has more harm than benefit and that which is possible and that which is not possible. The benefit of enjoining good and forbidding evil is shared by both individual and the whole community. Likewise is the evil emanating from lack of enjoining good and forbidding evil.

Nu ' maan bin Basheer ~ reported: "The Prophet ii said : [43] Muslim ' "The likeness of the man who observes the limits prescribed by Allaah and that of the man who transgresses them is like the people who get on board a ship after casting lots. Some of them are in its lower deck and some of them in its upper (deck). Those who are in its lower (deck), when they require water, go to the occupants of the upper deck, and say to them: 'If we make a hole in the bottom of the ship, we shall not harm you.' lfthey (the occupants of the upper deck) leave them to carry out their design they all will be drowned. But if they do not let them go ahead (with their plan), all of them will remain safe." l44 J We learn from this hadeeth that the consequences of committing acts which are forbidden in lslaam are not confined only to those persons who commit them, but the whole society has to suffer for them. It is, therefore, essential that the people who are in the habit of committing sinful acts and violate Divine injunctions, should be checked to save the whole society from destruction. If this is not done, the entire society will have to face the Divine punishment.

Allaah ~ says: "And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial, etc.) which affects [44] Bukhaaree 7 not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that Allaah is Severe in punishment." [AI-Anfaal (8): 25] We should never Shirk the responsibility of enjoining what is good and forbidding evil so as not be cursed by Allaah ~ as He did to the Ahlul-Kitaab (the people of the book: Jews and Christians). Allaah ~ says: ~~1; ~l....-::J - / r ifJ5=. ~Jr ;t~. '1~1- ~~ i.:r - a~ - "Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawood and Eesaa, son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed (Allaah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do." [AI-Maa'idah (5): 78-79] Be Patient!

And Allaah ~ says: {JJ::If v ~ ~ t~ 4Q c ~ ~~~ " ... and bear with patience whatever befall you. Verily! These are some of the important commandments ordered by Allaah with no exemption." [Luqmaan (31): 17] Luqmaan followed the advice of enjoining good and forbidding evil w ith patience because in the process of enjoining good and forbidding evil one encounters some difficulties and insults from people to whom the message is addressed. In addition, patience is a necessary factor in achieving success both in this world and the hereafter. It is a distinctive trait of the beloved servants of Allaah. The Messengers sent by Allaah were patient and that is why they were successful.

Allaah ~ says: "Verily, (many) Messengers were denied before you (0 Muhammad ), but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt, till Our Help reached them, and none can alter the Words (Decisions) of Allaah. Surely there has reached you the information (news) about the Messengers (before you)." [AI-An'aam (6) : 34] Patience is divided into three: • Patience in obeying the commands of Allaah, • Patience in refraining from the prohibitions of Allaah and • Patience during the time of trials Patience in Obeying the Commands of Allaah "Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, so worship Him (Alone) and be constant and patient in His worship." [Maryam (19) : 65] Also, He ~ says : "And those who remain patient, seeking their Lord's Cnuntenance, perform As-Salaah (lqamat-as-Salaah), and spend out nf that which We have bestowed on them, secretly and openly, and defend evil with good, for such there is a good end ... " [Ar-Ra'd (13): 22] r451 [45] Khabbab bin AI-Aratt ~ reported : We complained to the Messenger of Allaah ~ regarding the persecution inflicted upon us by the disbelievers while he was lying in the shade of the Ka ' bah, having made a pillow of his cloak. We submitted: "Why do you not supplicate for our prevalence (over the opponents)?" He replied: c::° y} } .:.:l~ .. ~ ~ ~ J, J \11 J J ~ .L,:.y. ~ ~ )\ 0\.5 0y, l. A ~J.:l-1 .1~~ ~ .J ~.) y, ..!)J; o ~ l. A ~~ ~ o,....,i) ~ J;- J"' \111..l.l> 41 A 41.J ~., y, ..!ll; o ~ lA ~ } ~ (.r" ~ .J o..,.:J:. ~ ~.u1 .J 41 ~l w~ ~ u.,... ~ Jl ..

L,.;...,,, U" ~1)1 ~ 0~~ "Among those people before you, a man would be seized and held in a pit dug for him in the ground and he would be sawed into two halves from his head, and his flesh torn away from his bones with an iron comb; but, in spite of this, he would not wean away from his Faith. By Allaah, Allaah will bring this matter to its consummation until a rider will travel from Patience in Refraining from the Prohibitions of Allaah ~ Allaah ~ says: "And keep yourself (O Muhammad ~ ) patiently with those who call on their lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost." [Al-Kah/ (18) : 28] Patience during the Time of Trials Allaah ~ says: .!i,~1~ y:.:\ir ~ v::-- J ~.J ,, · ~ _:~,J ~~ w . ~ ~~ ~ ·-:if ~ • ~ .-r: k'~j·}' ~ ~ ~~ r . ~r "And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give San 'a' to Hadramout fearing none except A/laah, and except the wolf for his sheep, but you are in too much of a hurry." (Bukhaaree) 79 glad tidings to As-Sabireen (the patient ones, etc.)." [AIBaqarah (2): 155] Those who exercise patience during the time of adversity and trial are praised by Allaah ~ thus : ~~ & Ji ~) ~0, ce-' ~t ;r:01 ~ Etpt~ ,£_,- ,>,:) ' -' )) / ,..,,,i,, " cJ_p\ ~ ,sl; I.J!J " ... and who are As-Sabireen (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are AI-Muttaquun (the pious)." [AIBaqarah (2): 177] Abu Sa 'id and Abu Hurayrah ~ reported that the Prophet ~ said: ~ ~\ ~ ) '1~, ~_,; W ¥~ ~ ~µ 1<-~~~) ((~ ~ ~ L;. jf -~J; "Never is a believer stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allaah will expiate his sins on account of his patience." l45l This Hadeeth mentions the special Grace and Mercy of Allaah for the Muslims. It relates how Allaah ~ turns the hardships and troubles suffered by a Muslim into a means of expiation for his sins. But this is only possible if the believer exercises patience. However, if he starts wailing instead of showing patience, then (46] Bukhaaree & Muslim beside suffering hardships, he would be deprived of the reward which lies in bearing them patiently.

Thus, he shall have to take the burden of additional sins also. Allaah's assistance is sought through patience and He gives support to those who are patient. He ~ says: "O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Sa/aah (the prayer). Truly! Allaah is with As-Saabireen (the patient ones, etc.)" [AI-Baqarah (2): 153] 1471 (47) For more information on patience see Be Patient and Paradise Will be Yours, no. 5 of this Golden Advice Series. 81 Pride and Humility Ride Yourself of Pride and Arrogance [..,..... .,..,,,,, , ).. , . ; 4.Y u: ~l, "And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth.

Verily, Allaah likes not each arrogant boaster. "And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the asses." [Luqmaan (31) : 18-19] Pride and arrogance are blameworthy characteristics which are the features of lb/ees and his cohorts in this world, those on whose hearts Allaah ~ has placed a seal. The first one who showed arrogance towards Allaah ~ and His creation was the accursed lblees, when Allaah commanded him to prostrate to Adam ~I, he refused and was arrogant. Allaah ~ says : !,,, ~ ~ G1 j~ ~::i )~ ~ ~t .~1~~_; ~ j~~ "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.'' [AI-A'raaf (7): 12] Allaah ~ says: "And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, 'Prostrate yourselves to Adam', and they prostrated themselves, except lblees (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrated themselves. (Allaah) said: 'What prevented you {O lblees) that you did not prostrate yourself, when I commanded you?' lblees said: 'I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay"' [AI-A'raaf (7): 11-12] Arrogance is one of the characteristics of lblees, so whoever wants to be arrogant should realize that he is acquiring a characteristic of the devils, and that he is not acquiring a characteristic of the noble angels who obeyed their Lord and fell down prostrate.

Moreover, arrogance may be the cause of a person being deprived of Paradise and may mean that the Lord of Glory will not even look at him, as it says in the following two Ahaadeeth: It was narrated from 'Abd-Allaah bin Mas'ood ~ that the Prophet ~ said: J; · -: ~ t;. J~..o/ ~ " ? ~ ,,. · 0l5' 0-4~ / &ll /:, c.l ·\~. :G ']ii . u .. "No one who has an atom's-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise." A man said, "O Messenger of Allaah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?" He said: "Allaah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people." [4 s1 It was narrated that 'Abd-Allaah bin 'Umar ~ said: The Messenger of Allaah ~ said: ((~Wj\ /./ ~\ ~\ _);..~~ : I ~~ ~.·j :. ;_. ~.;ii / -/ i ~ /. ~ / - 1 - ../ J · u "Whoever lets his garment drag along the ground out of pride, Allaah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection." Abu Bakr said: "Sometimes my garment slips down on one side, [48] Muslim unless I pay attention to it." The Messenger of Allaah ~ said: "You are not doing that out of pride." r49 J Secondly: Pride is an attribute that is not befitting for anyone except Allaah ~ - Whoever seeks to compete with Allaah in that, Allaah ~ will destroy him, wreak vengeance on him and make things difficult for him . It was reported from Abu Sa'eed AI-Khudree ~ and Abu Hurayrah ~ that the Messenger of Allaah ~ said: Allaah ~ says: "Might is My garment and pride is My cloak; whoever seeks to compete with Me concerning them, I will punish him." [soi An-Nawawee ..iii "-?- J said : "This is how it is narrated in all texts. The pronoun in the words 'His garment' and 'His cloak' refers to Allaah, and there is something omitted; what is meant is 'Allaah says, 'whoever seeks to compete with Me concerning them, I will punish him'.

What is meant by 'seeks to compete with Me' is seeking to acquire that characteristic in the sense of sharing in it. This is a stern warning against arrogance which clearly demonstrates that it is Haraam."l51l [49] Bukhaaree [SO] Muslim [51] Sharh Muslim, 16/173. Everyone who tries to be arrogant and put himself above others, Allaah ~ will bring him down among the lowest of the low, and will humiliate him, because he is going against reality, so Allaah ~ will punish him by thwarting his aims; the punishment is to fit the crime. The one who is arrogant towards the people will be trampled beneath the feet of the people on the Day of Resurrection, as a punishment for his arrogance. It was narrated from 'Amr bin Shu'ayb via his father and grandfather that the Prophet ~ said: "On the Day of Resurrection, the arrogant will be gathered like ants in the form of men. Humiliation will overwhelm them from all sides.

They will be driven to a prison in Hell called Bawlas, with the hottest fire rising over them, and they will be given to drink of the juice of the inhabitants of Hell, which is Teenat AI-Khabaal." 1521 Thirdly: Arrogance is of several types, including the following: 1 - When a person does not accept the truth and produces [52] At-Tirmidhee 87 false arguments against it, as we have mentioned in the hadeeth of 'Abd-Allaah bin Mas'ood ~ , "Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people." r53 J 2 - When a person admires himself for his beauty or handsomeness, or the fineness of his food or clothing, so he feels proud and arrogant and feels superior to people. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah ~ said: The Prophet ~ said (or Abu'I-Qaasim ~ said): "Whilst a man was walking, dragging his garment with pride, with his hair nicely combed, Allaah caused the earth to swallow him and he will go on sinking in it until the Day of Resurrection." [54 l A similar case is the story of the friend of the man whose companion spoke to him arrogantly. Allaah ~ says: [53] Muslim [54] Bukhaaree & Muslim "And he had property (or fruit) and he said to his companion, in the course of mutual talk: 'I am more than you in wealth and stronger in respect of men"' [AI-Kahf (18}: 34] It may be that he was boasting about his tribe and lineage. Fourthly: One of the remedies for arrogance is to think of yourself as being just like other people and realize that they are like you, they were born from a mother and a father just as you were, and that Taqwaa (piety, fear of Allaah) is the true criterion of superiority. Allaah ~ says: "Verily, the most honourable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwaa [(the pious)]" [AI-Hujuraat (49) :13] The arrogant Muslim should realize that no matter what he achieves, he is still too weak to attain a stature like the mountains in height neither rend nor penetrate the earth (cf. Al-/sraa' 17:37}, as Allaah ~ says: "And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth.

Verily, Allaah likes not any arrogant boaster. And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the asses" [Luqmaan {31):18-19] AI-Qurtubi said: "The phrase " ... nor walk in insolence through the earth ..." is a prohibition of arrogance and is enjoining humility. [551 Marah [55] Different Kinds Of Humility Humility is one of the greatest blessings that Allaah ~ can bestow upon His slave. He ~ says: ~ 'kSy_;~ ~;ia;·.~.)~if 1§ LW Ll'j; ~~~1:;;hq~ C " ), i,. "And by the Mercy of Allaah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you" [Aal 'lmraan (3): 159] "And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character" [A/-Qa/am (68): 4] "This refers to the Prophet ~ being a true slave of Allaah in many ways and his treating all people with the utmost kindness.

His character was one of complete humility based on sincerity towards Allaah and compassion towards the slaves of Allaah, which was the complete opposite of the characteristics of the proud and arrogant." (AI-Majmoo' AI-Kaamilah Ii Mu'al/afaat AI-Shaykh AI-Sa'dee, 5/442, 443] There are many means of attaining humility, which no Muslim adopts but he will attain this characteristic. They were explained by Imam lbn AI-Qayyim as follows: " Humility comes from knowing about Allaah and His names and attributes, - and His greatness, venerating Him, loving Him and being in awe of Him; and also from knowing about oneself and one's faults, and weaknesses. From that may develop the attitude of humility, which means feeling helpless before Allaah, and being humble and compassionate towards His slaves, so that the person does not feel superior towards anyone, or think that he has any rights over anyone else; rather he thinks that others are better than him, and that t heir rights come before his. This is a characteristic that Allaah gives to those w hom He loves, honours and draws close to Him ." (AI-Rooh, p. 233) There are many reports which speak of the reward of humility. For example: It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah ~ that the Messenger of Allaah ~ said : ~\ ~\~ [;J ,~[; ~ ~~ , ! ;;,~; [;)) ((~\ LlJ ~b~ l;.f 21) [;J '\~ "Wealth does not decrease because of charity, and Allaah increases His slave in honour when he forgives others. And no one humbles himself before Allaah but Allaah will raise him (in status)." Narrated by Muslim, 2588.

An -Nawawee ..iii u-.; included it in a chapter entitled : " The recommendation of forgiveness and humility." An-Nawawee .&1u-.; said : "The Prophet ~ said : (~\ Ll/J ~\; /JJ/ l;.f (::'Y / /. \/~ [;:)) .,. ''And no one humbles himself before Allaah but Allaah will raise him (in status)." "This is· understood in two ways: the first is that He wi,11 raise him (in status) in th is world, and give him status in people's hearts because of his humility, and give him a high st atus in people's eyes. The second is that what is meant is his reward in the Hereafter, where his status will be raised because of his humility in this world . The scholars said: It may be that both are meant, (and that his status will be raised) both in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allaah knows best." (Sharh Muslim, 16/142) 91 Humility may mean various things, such as: 1. A person humbling himself to the commands and prohibitions of Allaah, doing what He commands and avoiding what He forbids . lbn AI-Qayyim .iii o-2J said: "Because a person may hesitate to obey His commands out of laziness, thus behaving in a reluctant way in an attempt to flee from servitude towards Allaah, and his soul may have the desire to commit Haraam actions, but when the person humbles himself to the commands and prohibitions of Allaah ~ , he will humble himself to true submission ('Uboodiyyah) ." (AI-Rooh p. 233) 2.

Humbling Oneself Before the Might, Majesty and Power of Allaah lbn AI-Qayyim ..iii..,,.. J said : "Every time he feels that he is great, he remembers the might of Allaah and that might belongs to Him only, and he remembers His intense anger against those who compete with Him in that, then he humbles himself before Him and submits to the might of Allaah. This is the ultimate humility and inevitably includes the first type of humility mentioned above, but the converse can never apply (i.e., this type of humility inevitably leads to the first type, but a person may submit to the commands and prohibitions of Allaah but he does not humble himself before His might). The one who is truly humble is the one who is blessed with both. And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek." [AI-Rooh, p. 233] 3. Humility In One's Dress And Manner Of Walking It was narrated from lbn 'Umar ~ that the Prophet ~ said : • 0 \1 I,.j· ~ ' 1. .:.

L ::: ~ /' : ~ ~ / · ~ ~ ')(.;J I / ~ / I ~ I i ' / '\~_ / ~ n , f .) .J. ~ U'.) ~.) / . . •. "Whilst a man was letting his garment drag out of pride, he was swallowed up by the earth and will continue sinking in it until the Day of Resurrection." Narrated by AI-Bukhaaree, 3297. It was also narrated by al-Bukhaaree (5452) and Muslim (2088) from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah ~ - According to the version narrated by AI-Bukhaaree : "Whilst a man was walking in a garment admiring himself with his hair nicely combed, Al/ooh caused (the earth) to swallow him up and he will continue sinking in it until the Day of Resurrection."