“Hide your good deeds (from the people) just like you hide your evil deeds.”
- Salamah Bin Dinar
[Abu Nu’aym, Bayhaqee]
- Salamah Bin Dinar
[Abu Nu’aym, Bayhaqee]
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took my hand and said: “Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, created the earth on Saturday, and He created the mountains on Sunday. He created the trees on Monday, He created disliked (bad) things on Tuesday, He created light on Wednesday, He scattered the animals in it on Thursday, and He created Adam (peace be upon him) after ‘Asr on Friday, the last of creation in the last hour of Friday, between ‘Asr and nightfall.”
📚 Sahih Muslim (2789).
🎓 Shaykh al-Albaani ﺭﺣﻤﻪﺍﻟﻠﻪ said,
"It is not contrary to the Qur’an in any way whatsoever, in contrast to what some people may think. The hadith explains how things were created on the face of the earth, and that that happened in seven days. The statement of the Qur’an, that the creation of the heavens and the earth occurred in six days, is not contrary to that, because it is possible that these six days were something other than the seven days mentioned in the hadith.
It – I mean the hadith – is speaking of one stage in the development of creation on the face of the earth, until it became fit for habitation. This is supported by the fact that the Qur’an states that some days with Allah, may He be exalted, are as a thousand years, and some are as fifty thousand. So why shouldn’t these six days be like that? And the seven days could be like the days that we know, as the hadith clearly states. In that case there is no contradiction between this hadith and the Qur’an."
📚 Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh (3/1597)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took my hand and said: “Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, created the earth on Saturday, and He created the mountains on Sunday. He created the trees on Monday, He created disliked (bad) things on Tuesday, He created light on Wednesday, He scattered the animals in it on Thursday, and He created Adam (peace be upon him) after ‘Asr on Friday, the last of creation in the last hour of Friday, between ‘Asr and nightfall.”
📚 Sahih Muslim (2789).
🎓 Shaykh al-Albaani ﺭﺣﻤﻪﺍﻟﻠﻪ said,
"It is not contrary to the Qur’an in any way whatsoever, in contrast to what some people may think. The hadith explains how things were created on the face of the earth, and that that happened in seven days. The statement of the Qur’an, that the creation of the heavens and the earth occurred in six days, is not contrary to that, because it is possible that these six days were something other than the seven days mentioned in the hadith.
It – I mean the hadith – is speaking of one stage in the development of creation on the face of the earth, until it became fit for habitation. This is supported by the fact that the Qur’an states that some days with Allah, may He be exalted, are as a thousand years, and some are as fifty thousand. So why shouldn’t these six days be like that? And the seven days could be like the days that we know, as the hadith clearly states. In that case there is no contradiction between this hadith and the Qur’an."
📚 Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh (3/1597)
“Knowledge is understanding and comprehension, not mere memorisation of hadith and narrations.”
Imam Khateeb, Al-Jaami’ Li Akhlaaq Ar-Raawee Wa Aadaab As-Saami’, 2/174.
Imam Khateeb, Al-Jaami’ Li Akhlaaq Ar-Raawee Wa Aadaab As-Saami’, 2/174.
To complain to people (about your suffering) by speech or behaviour.
This is contradictory to patience.
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله ‘Uddāt as-Ṣābirīn wa Dhākiratū ash-Shākirīn (p. 7)
This is contradictory to patience.
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله ‘Uddāt as-Ṣābirīn wa Dhākiratū ash-Shākirīn (p. 7)
The Messenger of Allaah [ﷺ] said:
«لو يعلم الناس في الوحدة ما أعلم، ما سار راكب بليل وحده [أبداً]»
❝If the people knew what I know about being alone, no one would ever travel alone at night.❞
[Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah of al-Albaanee, (1/130, No. 61) | Translated By Abū Ruqayyah 'Abd us-Samad]
-
Translator's Note:
I asked Shaykh Badr bin Muhammad al-Badr [حفظه الله]:
❝The Hadeeth: ‘If the people knew what I know about being alone, no one would ever travel alone at night.’
Is this action [i.e. travelling alone at night] Haraam?❞
The Shaykh said:
❝It is disliked [i.e. Makrooh].❞
«لو يعلم الناس في الوحدة ما أعلم، ما سار راكب بليل وحده [أبداً]»
❝If the people knew what I know about being alone, no one would ever travel alone at night.❞
[Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah of al-Albaanee, (1/130, No. 61) | Translated By Abū Ruqayyah 'Abd us-Samad]
-
Translator's Note:
I asked Shaykh Badr bin Muhammad al-Badr [حفظه الله]:
❝The Hadeeth: ‘If the people knew what I know about being alone, no one would ever travel alone at night.’
Is this action [i.e. travelling alone at night] Haraam?❞
The Shaykh said:
❝It is disliked [i.e. Makrooh].❞
The virtue of Al-Baqarah!
The Prophet ﷺ said:
❝Recite Soorat Al-Baqarah in your homes, because the devil does not enter a home where Soorat Al-Baqarah is recited.❞
(Al-Haakim; As-Saheehah, 1521)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
❝Recite Soorat Al-Baqarah in your homes, because the devil does not enter a home where Soorat Al-Baqarah is recited.❞
(Al-Haakim; As-Saheehah, 1521)
JUST A REMINDER
• Imaam Maalik رحمه الله:
"Knowledge is sought, it does not come to you".
[al-Bidaayah wa an-Nihaaya v.10 p.174]
• Imaam Maalik رحمه الله:
"Knowledge is sought, it does not come to you".
[al-Bidaayah wa an-Nihaaya v.10 p.174]
Ibn al-Qayyim [رحمه الله] said:
❝Having the correct understanding of the Deen is light which Allaah throws into the heart of the slave of Allaah, which is increased by having the Taqwa of Allaah and having good intent.❞
[Ilaam al-Muaq'een, (1/69) | Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya Miraath al-Anbiyya]
❝Having the correct understanding of the Deen is light which Allaah throws into the heart of the slave of Allaah, which is increased by having the Taqwa of Allaah and having good intent.❞
[Ilaam al-Muaq'een, (1/69) | Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya Miraath al-Anbiyya]
Only the confused debate
A man came to Hasan al-Basree and said:
ﻳﺎ ﺃﺑﺎ ﺳﻌﻴﺪ، ﺇﻧﻲ ﺃﺭﻳﺪ ﺃﻥ ﺃﺧﺎﺻﻤﻚ
“O Abu Sufyaan, Let me debate with you about the Religion”
Hasan al-Basree 110 AH replied,
ﺇﻟﻴﻚ ﻋﻨﻲ ، ﻓﺈﻧﻲ ﻗﺪ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ ﺩﻳﻨﻲ، ﻭﺇﻧﻤﺎ ﻳﺨﺎﺻﻤﻚ ﺍﻟﺸﺎﻙ ﻓﻲ ﺩﻳﻨﻪ
“Get away from me! As for me, I know my religion, if you have lost your Religion then go and look for it.”
Source: Al-Aajurry collected it in his book “ash-Shareeah” and al-Lalikaaee in his “Usool ‘Itiqaad”
A man came to Hasan al-Basree and said:
ﻳﺎ ﺃﺑﺎ ﺳﻌﻴﺪ، ﺇﻧﻲ ﺃﺭﻳﺪ ﺃﻥ ﺃﺧﺎﺻﻤﻚ
“O Abu Sufyaan, Let me debate with you about the Religion”
Hasan al-Basree 110 AH replied,
ﺇﻟﻴﻚ ﻋﻨﻲ ، ﻓﺈﻧﻲ ﻗﺪ ﻋﺮﻓﺖ ﺩﻳﻨﻲ، ﻭﺇﻧﻤﺎ ﻳﺨﺎﺻﻤﻚ ﺍﻟﺸﺎﻙ ﻓﻲ ﺩﻳﻨﻪ
“Get away from me! As for me, I know my religion, if you have lost your Religion then go and look for it.”
Source: Al-Aajurry collected it in his book “ash-Shareeah” and al-Lalikaaee in his “Usool ‘Itiqaad”
Be Mindful of Allah and Allah will Protect You❗️
🔆Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas(ra) reports:
“One day I was riding (a horse/camel) behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said, ‘Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of Allah. If you need help, seek it from Allah. Know that if the whole world were to gather together in order to help you, they would not be able to help you except if Allah had written so. And if the whole world were to gather together in order to harm you, they would not harm you except if Allah had written so. The pens have been lifted, and the pages are dry.’ ”
Related by Tirmidhi
🔆Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas(ra) reports:
“One day I was riding (a horse/camel) behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said, ‘Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of Allah. If you need help, seek it from Allah. Know that if the whole world were to gather together in order to help you, they would not be able to help you except if Allah had written so. And if the whole world were to gather together in order to harm you, they would not harm you except if Allah had written so. The pens have been lifted, and the pages are dry.’ ”
Related by Tirmidhi
Forwarded from Muslim Marriage Tips
“Sustenance & death are two matters whereof there is no doubt.”
Ibnul-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said:
Concern yourself with that which you were ordered to take care of, and do not be concerned with something that was not guaranteed for you. Sustenance and the matter of death are two matters whereof there is no doubt.
As long as one is living sustenance is guaranteed. And if Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى, according to His wisdom, closed the way to some means, He will, according to His mercy, open another means for you, which will be more useful.
Let us consider the state of the embryo. It receives its nourishment, which is blood from one means which is the naval, and when it comes out of its mother’s womb and this only means is closed, another two means are opened to it, which are better and sweeter than the first!
The second means is pure and nourishing milk. When he finished his suckling period and these two means are closed because of weaning, Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى opens four more perfect means: two kinds of foods and two kinds of drinks.
The two foods are from animals and plants and the two drinks are from water and milk, as well as whatever he likes from among other pleasures.
When he passes away, his four means are closed but Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى will open to him, if he was pious, eight doors of Paradise in order to enter Paradise from anyone of them, according to his wish.
So we notice that whenever Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى prevents His believing servant from something during this worldly life, He will bestow upon him something which is better and more useful to him. It should be noted that this is only granted to the believers. Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى preserves His servant from low and mean misfortunes and is not pleased when such fortunes come to him, as He gives him a better and more valuable one.
The servant does not always recognize the generosity of Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى, His wisdom and kindness, nor does he always know the significant difference between what he was granted and what he was protected from.
He is fond of matters being decided immediately even if they are mean, and refuses the latter ones even if they are better. If the servant could just treat Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى justly he would have known that the pleasures of this world that Allaah has protected him from are better for him than those things which Allaah may have granted him from these pleasures.
Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى prevented him from some of them in order to bestow upon him something that is better. He, the Almighty, may have allowed him to be afflicted in order to protect him, tested to absolve him from sins, put him to death to resurrect him, and took him out of this world so as to stand in front of Him and follow the path that will bring him to Allaah.
{al-Fawâid, A Collection of Wise Sayings, pg.88}
Telegram channel | @MuslimMarriageTips
Ibnul-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said:
Concern yourself with that which you were ordered to take care of, and do not be concerned with something that was not guaranteed for you. Sustenance and the matter of death are two matters whereof there is no doubt.
As long as one is living sustenance is guaranteed. And if Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى, according to His wisdom, closed the way to some means, He will, according to His mercy, open another means for you, which will be more useful.
Let us consider the state of the embryo. It receives its nourishment, which is blood from one means which is the naval, and when it comes out of its mother’s womb and this only means is closed, another two means are opened to it, which are better and sweeter than the first!
The second means is pure and nourishing milk. When he finished his suckling period and these two means are closed because of weaning, Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى opens four more perfect means: two kinds of foods and two kinds of drinks.
The two foods are from animals and plants and the two drinks are from water and milk, as well as whatever he likes from among other pleasures.
When he passes away, his four means are closed but Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى will open to him, if he was pious, eight doors of Paradise in order to enter Paradise from anyone of them, according to his wish.
So we notice that whenever Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى prevents His believing servant from something during this worldly life, He will bestow upon him something which is better and more useful to him. It should be noted that this is only granted to the believers. Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى preserves His servant from low and mean misfortunes and is not pleased when such fortunes come to him, as He gives him a better and more valuable one.
The servant does not always recognize the generosity of Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى, His wisdom and kindness, nor does he always know the significant difference between what he was granted and what he was protected from.
He is fond of matters being decided immediately even if they are mean, and refuses the latter ones even if they are better. If the servant could just treat Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى justly he would have known that the pleasures of this world that Allaah has protected him from are better for him than those things which Allaah may have granted him from these pleasures.
Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى prevented him from some of them in order to bestow upon him something that is better. He, the Almighty, may have allowed him to be afflicted in order to protect him, tested to absolve him from sins, put him to death to resurrect him, and took him out of this world so as to stand in front of Him and follow the path that will bring him to Allaah.
{al-Fawâid, A Collection of Wise Sayings, pg.88}
Telegram channel | @MuslimMarriageTips
Shaykh Ibn As-Si'di رحمه الله said: "Real poverty is to be bankrupt from good deeds."
● [مجموع المؤلفات ١٧٨/٦]
● [مجموع المؤلفات ١٧٨/٦]
A bad trait, even amongst some who profess and proclaim Salalfiyyah
Imam Abdul-Ghani Al-Maqdasi رحمه الله said:
"Undoubtedly, being preoccupied with circulating bad news, magnifying people’s mistakes, and determined to hunt and follow up on one’s errors spreads disorder and causes stress. As a result of this culture, people become frustrated and hopeless. This increases fitnah people easily to fall victim to."
Explanation of Hadith ul-Ifk, Abdul Ghani Al-Maqdasi page 83
Imam Abdul-Ghani Al-Maqdasi رحمه الله said:
"Undoubtedly, being preoccupied with circulating bad news, magnifying people’s mistakes, and determined to hunt and follow up on one’s errors spreads disorder and causes stress. As a result of this culture, people become frustrated and hopeless. This increases fitnah people easily to fall victim to."
Explanation of Hadith ul-Ifk, Abdul Ghani Al-Maqdasi page 83
TABARRUJ? ??
Muqatil bin Hayyan said:
"Tabarruj is when a woman puts a Khimar on her head but not fastening it properly so her necklaces, earrings and neck, and all of that can be seen. As a result of this, these are all exposed from her. This is Tabarruj"
(Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn katheer, volume 3, page 94)
Muqatil bin Hayyan said:
"Tabarruj is when a woman puts a Khimar on her head but not fastening it properly so her necklaces, earrings and neck, and all of that can be seen. As a result of this, these are all exposed from her. This is Tabarruj"
(Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibn katheer, volume 3, page 94)
*Ash-Shaikh Al-Allaama Saalih Al Fawzaan* (May Allah Preserve him) said:
It is *not permissible* to take knowledge (ilm) from those who warn against the *Dawah At-Tawheed* because their aqeedah is corrupted
(Sharh Fath Al-Majeed 23/04/1437)
Translated by: Abu Abdullah Saqib Khan
قال الشيخ العلامة صالح الفوزان -حفظه الله-: «لا يجوز أخذ العلم عمن يحذر من دعاة التوحيد لأن عقيدتهم فاسدة»
)شرح فتح المجيد 23-04-1437هـ(
It is *not permissible* to take knowledge (ilm) from those who warn against the *Dawah At-Tawheed* because their aqeedah is corrupted
(Sharh Fath Al-Majeed 23/04/1437)
Translated by: Abu Abdullah Saqib Khan
قال الشيخ العلامة صالح الفوزان -حفظه الله-: «لا يجوز أخذ العلم عمن يحذر من دعاة التوحيد لأن عقيدتهم فاسدة»
)شرح فتح المجيد 23-04-1437هـ(
Forwarded from Sαℓαf Athαr
From al-Miqdaam bin Ma’ad Yakrib al-Kindee who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah [ﷺ] say:
«ما ملأ آدمي وعاء شرا من بطن بحسب ابن آدم أكلات يقمن صلبه فإن كان لا محالة فثلث لطعامه وثلث لشرابه وثلث لنفسه»
❝A human does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat food that would keep his back straight. If it is inevitable [that he eats a full meal] then a third is for his food, a third for his drink and a third for air.❞
[Silsilah Ahadeeth Saheehah, (No. 2265) | Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya Miraath al-Anbiyya]
«ما ملأ آدمي وعاء شرا من بطن بحسب ابن آدم أكلات يقمن صلبه فإن كان لا محالة فثلث لطعامه وثلث لشرابه وثلث لنفسه»
❝A human does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat food that would keep his back straight. If it is inevitable [that he eats a full meal] then a third is for his food, a third for his drink and a third for air.❞
[Silsilah Ahadeeth Saheehah, (No. 2265) | Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya Miraath al-Anbiyya]
AbdurRahman.Org
Islamic Knowledge – Islam, Sunnah, Salafiyyah
Correcting the two strengths of knowledge and action – Ibn al Qayyim
Shaykh ul –Islaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
Taken from ‘Miftah dar as-Sa’ada’ (key to the land of happiness)
Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya
The saying of Allaah Ta’ala :
((By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience.))
Ash-Shafiee – may Allaah be pleased with him – said: ‘If all the people reflected over this Soorah it would be sufficient for them.’
The explanation of this is that this Soorah has four levels, and by completing these, a person can achieve the highest goal in being complete.
The first is: Knowing the truth.
The second: his acting upon the truth.
The third: Him teaching the one who is deficient in the truth.
The fourth: Being patient in learning the truth, and acting upon it, and teaching it.
Allaah Ta’ala mentioned these four levels in this Soorah, and AllaahSubhanahu testified in this Soorah by al-Asr (the time) that everyone is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous, good deeds and they are those who knew the truth, and they testified to the truth.
So the above is a level.
They did righteous, good deeds and they are those who performed worship with what they knew about the truth.
So this is a level.
They advise with the truth; they advise one another, teaching and guiding each other.
So this is the third level.
They advise with patience; they were patient with the truth, and they advised each other with patience upon the truth, and to be steadfast.
And this is the fourth level.
This is the end of completeness; indeed completeness is that a person is complete in himself, and completes others. His completeness is by correcting his two strengths, the strength of knowledge and the strength of actions. Correction of the strength of knowledge is with Emaan, and correction of the strength of actions is by doing righteous deeds, and by completing people other than himself, and by learning this knowledge, and being patient upon it, and his recommending with patience upon knowledge and action.
So this Soorah, even though it is brief, is one of the most collective soorahs of the Qur’aan for goodness from all its different angles.
Praise be to Allaah Who has made the Qur’aan sufficient for everything, a cure from every disease, a guidance to all that is good.
All Praise belongs to Allaah, may His peace and blessings be upon our final Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow his guidance.
‘Miftah dar as-Sa’ada’ vol.1 p.238
(key to the land of happiness)
Islamic Knowledge – Islam, Sunnah, Salafiyyah
Correcting the two strengths of knowledge and action – Ibn al Qayyim
Shaykh ul –Islaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
Taken from ‘Miftah dar as-Sa’ada’ (key to the land of happiness)
Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya
The saying of Allaah Ta’ala :
((By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience.))
Ash-Shafiee – may Allaah be pleased with him – said: ‘If all the people reflected over this Soorah it would be sufficient for them.’
The explanation of this is that this Soorah has four levels, and by completing these, a person can achieve the highest goal in being complete.
The first is: Knowing the truth.
The second: his acting upon the truth.
The third: Him teaching the one who is deficient in the truth.
The fourth: Being patient in learning the truth, and acting upon it, and teaching it.
Allaah Ta’ala mentioned these four levels in this Soorah, and AllaahSubhanahu testified in this Soorah by al-Asr (the time) that everyone is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous, good deeds and they are those who knew the truth, and they testified to the truth.
So the above is a level.
They did righteous, good deeds and they are those who performed worship with what they knew about the truth.
So this is a level.
They advise with the truth; they advise one another, teaching and guiding each other.
So this is the third level.
They advise with patience; they were patient with the truth, and they advised each other with patience upon the truth, and to be steadfast.
And this is the fourth level.
This is the end of completeness; indeed completeness is that a person is complete in himself, and completes others. His completeness is by correcting his two strengths, the strength of knowledge and the strength of actions. Correction of the strength of knowledge is with Emaan, and correction of the strength of actions is by doing righteous deeds, and by completing people other than himself, and by learning this knowledge, and being patient upon it, and his recommending with patience upon knowledge and action.
So this Soorah, even though it is brief, is one of the most collective soorahs of the Qur’aan for goodness from all its different angles.
Praise be to Allaah Who has made the Qur’aan sufficient for everything, a cure from every disease, a guidance to all that is good.
All Praise belongs to Allaah, may His peace and blessings be upon our final Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow his guidance.
‘Miftah dar as-Sa’ada’ vol.1 p.238
(key to the land of happiness)
The heart is the container where knowledge is stored. If the container is firm, it will store and protect what is placed in it, and if the container is damaged, it will lose what is placed in it.
The Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) made the heart the foundation of everything, as he said:
“Verily, there is a morsel of flesh in the body that if it is correct, the entire body will be correct, and if it is corrupt, the entire body will be corrupt. Indeed, it is the heart.”
An upright heart comes about through awareness of Allaah and knowledge of His Names, Attributes and Actions. It also comes about by way of reflecting on His signs and creations, and by pondering on the Qur’aan. An upright heart also comes about due to one constantly prostrating (in prayer) and frequently observing the night prayer.
One should also avoid the things that corrupt and sicken the heart, since if these things are present in the heart, it will not be able to carry the knowledge. And even if the heart does carry it, it will not be understood, as Allaah says about the hypocrites – those with diseased hearts:
“They have heart with which they do not comprehend.” [Surah Al-Araaf: 179]
The diseases of the heart are of two types: Desires and Doubts
Desires are such as love for this worldly life and its pleasures and being preoccupied with that; love for unlawful images; listening to unlawful things such as musical voices and instruments; and looking at the forbidden.
Doubts are such as corrupt beliefs; innovated actions; and ascribing to innovated ideological movements.
Some other diseases of the heart that also serve as obstacles before knowledge are: jealousy, spite and pride.
Some other things that corrupt the heart are: excessive sleep, excessive speech and excessive eating.
Therefore, one should avoid these diseases and corruptors in order to rectify the heart and make it upright.
Posted from : Ten Guidelines for Obtaining Knowledge – Shaykh Abdullaah Adh-Dhufairee
The treatise has been introduced and praised by Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmee, one of the elder scholars in Saudi Arabia, thus indicating its importance and benefit.
The Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) made the heart the foundation of everything, as he said:
“Verily, there is a morsel of flesh in the body that if it is correct, the entire body will be correct, and if it is corrupt, the entire body will be corrupt. Indeed, it is the heart.”
An upright heart comes about through awareness of Allaah and knowledge of His Names, Attributes and Actions. It also comes about by way of reflecting on His signs and creations, and by pondering on the Qur’aan. An upright heart also comes about due to one constantly prostrating (in prayer) and frequently observing the night prayer.
One should also avoid the things that corrupt and sicken the heart, since if these things are present in the heart, it will not be able to carry the knowledge. And even if the heart does carry it, it will not be understood, as Allaah says about the hypocrites – those with diseased hearts:
“They have heart with which they do not comprehend.” [Surah Al-Araaf: 179]
The diseases of the heart are of two types: Desires and Doubts
Desires are such as love for this worldly life and its pleasures and being preoccupied with that; love for unlawful images; listening to unlawful things such as musical voices and instruments; and looking at the forbidden.
Doubts are such as corrupt beliefs; innovated actions; and ascribing to innovated ideological movements.
Some other diseases of the heart that also serve as obstacles before knowledge are: jealousy, spite and pride.
Some other things that corrupt the heart are: excessive sleep, excessive speech and excessive eating.
Therefore, one should avoid these diseases and corruptors in order to rectify the heart and make it upright.
Posted from : Ten Guidelines for Obtaining Knowledge – Shaykh Abdullaah Adh-Dhufairee
The treatise has been introduced and praised by Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmee, one of the elder scholars in Saudi Arabia, thus indicating its importance and benefit.