💎[Don’t Dwell on Abusive Speech; Rise Above it With Dignity]

The eminent scholar ‘Abd al-Rahman Al-Saadi (d. 1376 AH رحمه الله) said in "Al-Wasa'il Al-Mufida":

"ومن الأمور النافعة أن تعرف أن أذية الناس لك وخصوصًا في الأقوال السيئة، لا تضرك بل تضرهم، إلا إن أشغلت نفسك في الاهتمام بها، وسوغت لها أن تملك مشاعرك، فعند ذلك تضرك كما ضرتهم، فإن أنت لم تضع لها بالًا لم تضرك شيئًا".

"Among the beneficial matters is knowing that the harm people inflict upon you, especially through bad words, does not harm you but harms them, unless you preoccupy yourself with paying attention to it and allow it to dominate your feelings. In that case, it harms you as it harms them. If you do not pay attention to it, it will not harm you at all."

💎[Behind Good Men are Good Women Pushing them to Greatness]

📖Ibn Qutaybah al-Dinawari said (in "Al-Mujalasa wa Jawahir al-Ilm"):

"قَالَ بَعْضُ حُكَمَاءِ الْعَرَبِ: "مَا أَعَانَ عَلَى نَظْمِ مُرُوءَاتِ الرِّجَالِ كَالنِّسَاءِ الصَّوَالِحِ"

Some of the wise men of the Arabs said, "Nothing helps to organize the dignified virtues of men like righteous women" (4/495).

💎Golden Advice:

✍🏻 Sheikh Muhammad bin Ghalib Al-Umari - may Allah preserve him - said:

“Seasons of goodness, such as the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, are not only opportunities for righteous deeds; they are also moments to remind oneself of forgiveness and to dispel the Shaytan's schemes from our hearts.

For hearts are prepared for this during these seasons, so do not let the devil overcome you in the matter of forgiveness.

Forgive,
Overlook,
Forget disputes,
Eliminate the estrangement caused by the Shaytan,
And seek the reward from Allah, the Oft-Pardoning, the Most Generous.

Your souls will find peace,
Your hearts will be content,
And you will enjoy peace of mind.”

🆕 AMAZING INSIGHTS INTO ALLAH’S EXCLUSIVE SOVEREIGNTY (MULK) & PRAISEWORTHINESS (HAMD)

The best form of glorification on the Day of ‘Arafat and every other day includes affirming absolute sovereignty and praiseworthiness for Allah. Imam Ibn al Qayyim (رحمه الله) provides a penetrating analysis of the inseparable connection of Allah’s dominion/sovereignty over His kingdom and His unrestricted praiseworthiness.

Read more here: https://www.umarquinn.com/articles/amazing-insights-into-allahs-exclusive-sovereignty-mulk-amp-praiseworthiness-hamd

💎[The Best Du’ā on the Day of ‘Arafat & Every Other Day]1️⃣

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

«خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَخَيْرُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي: لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ»

"The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah, and the best thing I and the Prophets before me have said is: 'None deserve worship but Allah alone, without partner. His is the dominion, and His is the praise, and He is over all things competent'" (Hasan, reported by Al-Tirmidhi).

In another narration:

«أَفْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَأَفْضَلُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي: لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ»

"The most virtuous supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah, and the most virtuous thing I and the Prophets before me have said is: 'None deserve worship but Allah alone, without partner'" (Hasan, reported by Malik in Al-Muwatta).

Abdullah ibn Amr (رضي الله عنهما) reported:

كَانَ أَكْثَرُ دُعَاءِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ: «لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ، وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ»

The most frequent supplication of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the Day of Arafah was: "None deserve worship but Allah alone, without partner. His is the dominion, and His is the praise, in His hand is all good, and He is over all things competent" (Hasan, reported by Ahmad).

🔘 Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said:

ﻓﺠﻤﻊ ﻓﻲ ﻫﺬا اﻟﺤﺪﻳﺚ ﺑﻴﻦ " ﺃﻓﻀﻞ اﻟﺪﻋﺎء ﻭﺃﻓﻀﻞ اﻟﺜﻨﺎء ﻓﺈﻥ اﻟﺬﻛﺮ ﻧﻮﻋﺎﻥ: ﺩﻋﺎء ﻭﺛﻨﺎء ﻓﻘﺎﻝ: ﺃﻓﻀﻞ اﻟﺪﻋﺎء ﺩﻋﺎء ﻳﻮﻡ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ. ﻭﺃﻓﻀﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺖ ﻫﺬا اﻟﻜﻼﻡ ". ﻭﻟﻢ ﻳﻘﻞ ﺃﻓﻀﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺖ ﻳﻮﻡ ﻋﺮﻓﺔ ﻫﺬا اﻟﻜﻼﻡ. ﻭﺇﻧﻤﺎ ﻫﻮ ﺃﻓﻀﻞ ﻣﺎ ﻗﻠﺖ ﻣﻄﻠﻘﺎ

“This hadith combines the best supplication and the best praise. Remembrance is of two types: supplication and praise. He said: "The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah, and the best thing I have said is this phrase." He did not say the best thing I have said on the Day of Arafah is this phrase. Rather, it is the best thing I have said in general.”

🔘 Al-Khattabi commented (in Sha’n Al-Du’a):

"ﻣﻌﻨﺎﻩ: ﺃﻛﺜﺮ ﻣﺎ ﺃﻓﺘﺘﺢ ﺑﻪ ﺩﻋﺎئي ﻭﺃﻗﺪﻣﻪ ﺃﻣﺎﻣﻪ ﻣﻦ ﺛﻨﺎﺋﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻠﻪ -ﻋﺰ ﻭﺟﻞ- ﻭﺫﻟﻚ ﺃﻥ اﻟﺪاﻋﻲ ﻳﻔﺘﺘﺢ ﺩﻋﺎءﻩ ﺑﺎﻟﺜﻨﺎء ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻠﻪ ﺳﺒﺤﺎﻧﻪ ﻭﻳﻘﺪﻣﻪ ﺃﻣﺎﻡ ﻣﺴﺄﻟﺘﻪ،

“Its meaning is that the best way to begin supplication is by praising Allah - Mighty and Sublime - and presenting it before one's request.

ﻓﺴﻤﻰ اﻟﺜﻨﺎء ﺩﻋﺎء؛ ﺇﺫ ﻛﺎﻥ ﻣﻘﺪﻣﺔ ﻟﻪ ﻭﺫﺭﻳﻌﺔ ﺇﻟﻴﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺬﻫﺒﻬﻢ ﻓﻲ ﺗﺴﻤﻴﺔ اﻟﺸﻲء ﺑﺎﺳﻢ ﺳﺒﺒﻪ".

Thus, praise is called supplication because it precedes and leads to it, in line with the view that things are named after their causes.”

🔘 Al-Tibi (رحمه الله) commented on the phrase "in His hand is all good" by saying:

(أي: هذه الأشياء التي يطلبونها من الخَيرِ في يده، وهو على كُلِّ شيءٍ قدير). فهو سُبْحَانَهُ الْغَنِيُّ بِذَاتِهِ عَمَّنْ سِوَاهُ، وَلَهُ الْكَمَالُ الْمُطْلَقُ فِي ذَاتِهِ وَصِفَاتِهِ وَأَفْعَالِهِ، فَمُلْكُهُ مُلْكٌ كَامِلٌ وعَظِيمٌ.  

“This means the things they seek of goodness are in His hand, and He is capable of everything. He is self-sufficient in His essence, and He has absolute perfection in His essence, attributes, and actions. His dominion is complete and great. “

فهذا أكثَرُ الذِّكرِ، وأكثَرُ الدُّعاءِ بركةً، وأعظَمُه ثواباً، وأقْرَبُه إجابةً؛ لوقوعِه من أفضَلِ الناس؛ وهم الأنبياء، ووقوعِه في أفضَلِ أيَّام السَّنة؛ وهو يومُ عرفة.  

Therefore, this remembrance is the most blessed and beneficial supplication, the greatest in reward, and the closest to being answered because it is made by the best of people, the Prophets, on the best day of the year, the Day of Arafah.

💎[The Best Du’ā on the Day of ‘Arafat & Every Other Day]2️⃣

The Prophet (ﷺ) said about the Day of Arafah

«مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ عَبْدًا مِنَ النَّارِ مِنْ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَدْنُو ثُمَّ يُبَاهِي بِهِمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ؛ فَيَقُولُ: مَا أَرَادَ هَؤُلاَءِ»  (رواه مسلم)."

There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He draws near and then boasts about them to the angels, saying: 'What do these want?'" (Muslim).

فالإكثارُ مِنْ هذا الذِّكْرِ، ومِنَ الدُّعاء - في يوم عرفة - مُسْتَحَبٌ للحاجِّ وغيرِ الحاج.

It is recommended to frequently engage in this remembrance and supplication on the Day of Arafah for both pilgrims and non-pilgrims.

🔘 Ibn Abd al-Barr (رحمه الله) said (in Al-Tamhīd):

(دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ، وَفِي ذَلِكَ دَلِيلٌ عَلَى فَضْلِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ، وَفِي فَضْلِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ دَلِيلٌ أَنَّ لِلْأَيَّامِ بَعْضِهَا فَضْلًا عَلَى بَعْضٍ...

“The supplication of the Day of Arafah is better than any other supplication, indicating the virtue of the Day of Arafah over other days. It also indicates that some days have virtues over others...

وَفِي الْحَدِيثِ أَيْضًا دَلِيلٌ عَلَى أَنَّ دُعَاءَ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ مُجَابٌ كُلُّهُ فِي الْأَغْلَبِ، وَفِيهِ أَيْضًا أَنَّ أَفْضَلَ الذِّكْرِ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ).  

The hadith also shows that the supplication of the Day of Arafah is mostly answered, and the best remembrance is: 'There is no deity but Allah.'

🔘 Imam al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) said:

(يُسْتَحَبُّ الإِكثارُ من هذا الذِّكر والدُّعاء، ويَجتهدُ في ذلك، فهذا اليوم أفْضَلُ أيامِ السَّنَة للدُّعاء، وهو مُعْظَمُ الحَجِّ ومَقْصُودُه، والمُعَوَّلُ عليه،

“It is recommended to frequently engage in this remembrance and supplication and to strive hard in it. This day is the best day of the year for supplication. It is the main part of Hajj and its most important objective.

فينبغي أنْ يَسْتَفْرِغَ الإنسانُ وُسْعَهُ في الذِّكر والدُّعاءِ وفي قراءةِ القرآنِ، وأنْ يدعوَ بأنواعِ الأدعية، ويأتي بأنواعِ الأذكار، ويدعو لِنَفْسِه ووالديه وأقارِبِه، ومشايِخِه وأصحابِه وأصدقائِه وأحبابِه، وسائِرِ مَنْ أحْسَنَ إليه، وجميعِ المسلمين).  

Therefore, one should devote all their effort to remembrance, supplication, and recitation of the Quran, and pray for themselves, their parents, relatives, teachers, companions, friends, benefactors, and all Muslims.”

[The Combination of Al Mulk (Dominion) and Al Hamd (Praiseworthiness)]

Ibn al Qayyim (رحمه الله) said (in Shifā al ‘Alīl):

“إن كمال ملكه بأن يكون مقارنا بحمده فله الملك وله الحمد، …

Know that the perfection of His sovereignty is coupled with His praise, for to Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs all praise…

والمقصود أن عموم ملكه يستلزم إثبات القدرة، وأن لا يكون في ملكه شيء بغير مشيئته فالله أكبر من ذلك وأجل

The point is that the universality of His dominion necessitates the affirmation of power and that nothing exists in His dominion without His will. Allah is greater and more exalted than that.

وعموم حمده يستلزم أن لا يكون في خلقه وأمره ما لا حكمة فيه ولا غاية محمودة يفعل لأجلها ويأمر لأجلها فالله أكبر وأجل من ذلك."

The universality of His praise necessitates that there is nothing in His creation or command that lacks wisdom or a praiseworthy end for which it is done or commanded. Allah is greater and more exalted than that."

[For a broader explanation of the inseparable connection of Allah’s sovereignty over His kingdom and His unrestricted praiseworthiness read more here: https://www.umarquinn.com/articles/amazing-insights-into-allahs-exclusive-sovereignty-mulk-amp-praiseworthiness-hamd ]

💎[The Best Du’ā on the Day of ‘Arafat & Every Other Day]3️⃣

This form of dhikr can be said daily and has a tremendous reward. It is narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

((مَنْ قال لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له المُلْك، وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير، في يوم مائة مرة، كانت له عدل عشر رقاب، وكُتبت له مائة حسنة، ومُحيت عنه مائة سيئة، وكانت له حرزًا من الشيطان يومه ذلك حتى يُمسي،

"Whoever says 'None deserve worship but Allah alone, without partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is over all things competent' one hundred times in a day, it will be equivalent to freeing ten slaves, a hundred good deeds will be written for him, a hundred bad deeds will be erased, and it will be a protection for him from Satan that day until evening.

ولم يأتِ أحدٌ بأفضل ممَّا جاء به إلا أحد عمل أكثر من ذلك))

No one will have done anything better except one who does more than that" (Bukhari, Muslim).

🕋 Eid Reminder [The Enormous Blessing of Eating from Sacrificial Meat, Especially on the Days of Eid]

💎Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab (d. 795 AH رحمه الله) said in "Al-Lata'if":

فأباحَ اللهُ تَعالى [ذبحَ] هذهِ البهائمِ المطيعةِ الذَّاكرةِ لهُ لعبادِهِ المؤمنينَ حتَّى تَتَقَوَّى بها أبدانُهُم وتَكْمُلَ لذَّاتُهُم في أكلِهِمُ اللحومَ؛

“Allah Almighty has permitted [the slaughtering of] these obedient and remembering animals for His believing servants so that their bodies may be strengthened and their enjoyment in eating meat may be complete.

فإنَّهـ[ــــا]، مِن أجلِّ الأغذيةِ وألذِّها، معَ أن الأبدانَ تَقومُ بغيرِ اللحمِ مِن النَّباتاتِ وغيرِها، لكنْ لا تَكْمُلُ القوَّةُ والعقلُ واللذَّةُ إلَّا باللحمِ،

Meat is one of the finest and most delicious foods, and while bodies can be sustained by plants and other sources, true strength, intellect, and pleasure are only achieved through meat.

فأباحَ للمؤمنينَ قتلَ هذهِ البهائمِ والأكلَ مِن لحومِها، لِيُكْمِلَ بذلكَ قوَّةَ عبادِهِ وعقولَهُم،

Therefore, Allah permitted the believers to kill these animals and eat their meat to enhance their strength and intellect.

فيَكونَ ذلكَ عونًا لهُم على علومٍ نافعةٍ وأعمالٍ صالحةٍ يَمْتازُ بها بنو آدَمَ على البهائمِ ؛ وعلى ذكرِ اللهِ عَزَّ وجَلَّ وهوَ أكبرُ مِن ذكرِ البهائمِ،

This, in turn, aids them in acquiring beneficial knowledge and performing righteous deeds that distinguish humans from animals and enable the remembrance of Allah, which is greater than the remembrance of animals.

فلا يَليقُ بالمؤمنِ معَ هذا إلَّا مقابلةُ هذهِ النِّعمِ بالشُّكرِ عليها والاستعانةِ بها على طاعةِ اللهِ تَعالى وذكرِهِ حيثُ فَضَّلَ ابنَ آدَمَ على كثيرٍ مِن المخلوقاتِ وسَخَّرَ لهُ هذهِ الحيواناتِ. قالَ تَعالى: {فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ} [الحج: ٣٦].

It is only fitting for the believer to respond to these blessings with gratitude and to use them in obedience to Allah and in His remembrance, as He has favored the son of Adam over many of His creations and made these animals subservient to him. Allah says: "So eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful" [Al-Hajj: 36].

فأمَّا مَن قَتَلَ هذهِ البهائمَ المطيعةَ الذَّاكرةَ للهِ تَعالى، ثمَّ اسْتَعانَ بأكلِ لحومِ ها على معاصي اللهِ تَعالى ونَسِيَ ذكرَ اللهِ؛ فقد قَلَبَ الأمرَ وكَفَرَ النِّعمةَ، فلا كانَ مَن كانَتِ البهائمُ خيرًا منهُ وأطوعَ.

As for those who kill these obedient, remembering animals and then use their meat to commit sins against Allah and forget His remembrance, they have reversed the matter and denied the blessing. Such people are worse than and less obedient than the animals.

نَهارُكَ يا مَغْرورُ سَهْوٌ وَغَفْلَةٌ … وَلَيْلُكَ نَوْمٌ وَالرَّدى لَكَ لازِمُ

Your days, O deluded one, are filled with heedlessness and forgetfulness,
And your nights are spent in sleep, while death is ever-present.

وَتَتْعَبُ فيما سَوْفَ تَكْرَهُ غِبَّهُ … كَذلِكَ في الدُّنْيا تَعيشُ البَهائِمُ

You toil for what you will regret in the end,
Thus do animals live in this world.”

🕋💎The Days of Tashriq are Like Paradise

The days of Tashriq following the Day of Sacrifice, are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of Allah. This is the eternal condition of the people of Paradise.

Al Hāfidh Ibn Rajab (رحمه الله) said:

فإن الدنيا كلها أيام سفر كأيام الحج، وهو زمان إحرام المؤمن عما حرم عليه من الشهوات. فإذا انتهى سفر عمره، ووصل إلى منى المنى، فقد قضى تفثه،

For the entire world is like the days of travel, akin to the days of Hajj, which is a time when the believer in a state of consecration (ihram) refrains from what has been forbidden in terms of desires. When the journey of his life ends and he reaches the wished for destination (i.e., akin to Mina), he has completed his rites.

فصارت أيامه كلها (في الجنة) كأيام التشريق أيام أكل وشرب وذكر لله، وصار في ضيافة الله وجواره أبد

Thereafter, all his days (in Paradise) become like the days of Tashreeq—days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah. He will be in the hospitality and proximity of Allah forever.”

🕋💎[The Days of Tashreeq are Some of the Best Days for Good Deeds]

Imam Al Bukhārī included a chapter in his Sahih:

فَضْلِ الْعَمَلِ فِي أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ

The virtue of actions during the days of Tashreeq

وَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ أَيَّامُ الْعَشْرِ وَالْأَيَّامُ الْمَعْدُودَاتُ أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ

Ibn Abbas said, "And remember Allah during the well-known days" refers to the days of the ten (Dhul-Hijjah), and "the numbered days" refers to the days of Tashreeq.

وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ وَأَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ يَخْرُجَانِ إِلَى السُّوقِ فِي أَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ يُكَبِّرَانِ وَيُكَبِّرُ النَّاسُ بِتَكْبِيرِهِمَا وَكَبَّرَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ خَلْفَ النَّافِلَةِ

Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah used to go to the market during the days of the ten and make takbeer (saying 'Allahu Akbar'), and the people would make takbeer with their takbeer. Muhammad ibn Ali would make takbeer after the nafl (voluntary) prayer.

🔘 Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Jamrah al Andalusi (d. 599 AH رحمه الله) said in his explanation of Sahih Al Bukhārī:

"العمل في أيام التشريق أفضل من العمل في غيره، ولا يُعكّر على ذلك كونها أيام عيد؛ لأن ذلك لا يمنع العمل فيها، بل قد شُرع فيها أعلى العبادات وهو ذكر الله تعالى،

"Actions during the days of Tashreeq are better than actions on other days, and the fact that they are days of Eid does not diminish this, as this does not prevent work during them. In fact, the highest forms of worship, which is the remembrance of Allah, have been prescribed during these days.

وسر كون العبادة فيها أفضل من غيرها: أنّ العبادة في أوقات الغفلة فاضلة على غيرها، وأيام التشريق أيام غفلة في الغالب؛ فصار للعابد فيها مزيدُ فضلٍ على العابد في غيرها" .

The secret to why worship during these days is better than other times is that worship during times of heedlessness is more virtuous than at other times. The days of Tashreeq are generally times of heedlessness, so the worshipper has additional merit over the worshipper at other times."

[Quoted by Ibn Hajr in Fath Al Bāri]

💎[It is Innate (Fitrah) to Love Pleasantness, Positivity, Optimism & Beauty]

Ibn Battal (d. 449 AH رحمه الله) said:

"جعلَ اللهُ في فطرةِ الناسِ محبةَ الكلمةِ الطيبةِ، والفألَ الصالحَ. والأُنسَ به،

"Allah has placed in the nature of people the love of goodly speech, feeling optimistic from good signs, and finding comfort thereby,

كما جعلَ فيهم الارتياحَ للبُشرى والمنظرِ الأنيقِ،

Just as He has placed in them comfortability due to glad tidings and splendid scenery.

وقد يمرُّ الرجلُ بالماءِ الصافي فيعجبهُ وهو لا يشربهُ، وبالروضةِ المنثورةِ فتسرهُ وهي لا تنفعهُ".

A man may pass by clear water and be pleased by it even if he does not drink it, and by a blooming garden and be delighted by it even if it does not benefit him."

[Explanation of Sahih Al-Bukhari by Ibn Battal (9/437)].

💎Realistically Manage Your Expectations; Expect Nothing from Others & You’ll Never be Disappointed 1️⃣:

They Aren’t Content with Upright Kings & They Aren’t Pleased with Allah!


In his book-length letter to a king of his time, the great Maliki Jurist Abu Bakr al-Tartūshi (d. 520 AH رحمه الله) advised with an indispensable advice pertinent to any Muslim charged with any degree of leadership, authority or responsibility for others:

"اعلم أيها الملك أنك إن كملت فيك الخصال المحمودة والأخلاق المشكورة والسيرة المستقيمة، وخالفت نفسك وقهرت هواك ووضعت الأشياء مواضعها، ثم إن الرعية اهتضمت حقك وجهلت قدرك ولم توفك حظك، وبلغك منهم ما يسؤك ورأيت منهم ما لا يعجبك،

“Know, O King, that even if you possess commendable qualities, praiseworthy morals, and an upright conduct, and if you oppose your own desires, overcome your whims, and put things in their proper places, the subjects will still oppress your rights, they will be ignorant of your worth, they will not fulfill your due, and you will hear from them what displeases you and see from them what you do not like.

فاعلم أنك لست بإله

So know that you are not a deity.

فلا تطمع أن يصفو لك منهم ما لا يصفو منهم للإله.

So do not hope to receive from them what they do not give to Allah.

وفصل الخطاب في هذا الباب أن تعلم أن الله خلق الخلائق أجمعين وأنعم عليهم بأنواع من النعم،

The decisive point in this matter is to know that Allah created all creatures and bestowed upon them various blessings.

فأكمل حواسهم وخلق فيهم الشهوات ثم أفاض عليهم نعمة فكملت لهم اللذات،

He perfected their senses and created desires within them, then He poured out His blessings upon them, perfecting their pleasures.

وبعد هذا فما قدروا الله حق قدره ولا عظموه حق عظمته،

Despite this, they did not appreciate Allah as He deserves, nor did they exalt Him as He should be exalted.

بل قالوا فيه ما لا يليق به ووصفوه بما يستحيل عليه، وأضافوا إليه ما يتقدس عنه وسلبوه ما يجب له من الأسماء الحسنى والصفات العلى،

Instead, they said about Him what is not fitting, described Him with what is impossible, attributed to Him what He is sanctified from, and stripped Him of the beautiful names and lofty attributes that are His due.

فمنهم من قال هو ثالث ثلاثة، ومنهم من قال له زوجة، ومنهم من قال له ابن، ومنهم من قال له البنات… ومنهم من يشبهه،

Some said He is the third of three, some said He has a wife, some said He has a son, some said He has daughters…, some likened Him to the creation.

ومنهم من أنكره رأسا وقالوا ما للخلق صانع كما حكاه الخالق عنهم فقال: نموت ونحيا وما يهلكنا إلا الدهر

Some denied Him entirely, saying there is no creator for the creation as He narrated about them, saying: "We die and live and nothing destroys us but time."

وهو مع ذلك يحييهم ويميتهم ويصح أجسامهم وحواسهم ويرزقهم وينعمهم ويقضي مآربهم وأوطارهم، ويمتعهم متاعا حسنا ويبلغهم آمالهم في معظم ما يحتاجون إليه،

Yet He gives them life and death, gives them health in their bodies and senses, provides for them, grants them blessings, fulfills their needs and desires, gives them goodly enjoyment, and allows them to achieve their hopes in most of what they need.

فمعاصيهم إليه صاعدة وبركاته عليهم نازلة، كل يعمل على شاكلته وينفق مما عنده، وكل ذي حال أولى بها.

Their sins ascend to Him while His blessings descend upon them, each acting according to his way and spending from what he has. Each one in his condition is more ennoscriptd to it.

وفي مناجاة موسى عليه السلام أنه قال: إلهي أسألك أن لا يقال في ما ليس في! فأوحى الله تعالى إليه: يا موسى ذلك شيء ما فعلته لنفسي فكيف أفعله لك؟

In a supplication of Moses, peace be upon him, he said: "My God, I ask You that it is not said about me what is not in me!" Allah revealed to him: "O Moses, that is something I did not even do for Myself, so how can I do it for you?"

وفي هذه السيرة عبرة لمن اعتبر وذكرى لمن تذكر، مع أنك إن التمست رضاء جميع الناس التمست ما لا يدرك، وكيف يدرك رضاء جميع المخلوقين؟

In this is a lesson for those who consider and a reminder for those who remember, for if you seek the approval of all people, you seek what is unattainable. How can you achieve the approval of all creatures?

💎Realistically Manage Your Expectations; Expect Nothing from Others & You’ll Never be Disappointed 2️⃣:

Al-Tartushi continues:

فيا أيها الملك الذي كتب الله عليه الفناء والعمر القصير والزمان اليسير والأيام المعدودة والأنفاس المحصورة، كيف أردت أن يصفو لك من الرعية ما لم يصف منهم لخالقهم ورازقهم ومحييهم ومميتهم؟

So, O king, who is destined by Allah to perish, having a short lifespan, limited time, counted days, and numbered breaths, how did you expect from the subjects what they did not even give to their Creator, Sustainer, Giver of life and death?

هيهات هيهات بعيد ما طلبت ومستحيل ما أملت!

Far-fetched, far-fetched is what you seek, and impossible is what you hoped for!

[Allah is the Best Example for Treatment of Others]

فلك في الله أسوة حسنة أن ترضى منهم ما
رضي الله تعالى منهم، وتسير فيهم بسيرة ربهم فيهم،

You have a good example in Allah that you be content with them in the way that Allah is content with them and conduct yourself among them as their Lord does.

ألم تر كيف أحسن إليك ورضي منك باليسير من العمل، وأكثر لك من النعم والأموال والخول؟

Do you not see how He has favored you and is pleased with little from you, has multiplied His blessings, wealth, and gifts for you?

وانظر كيف يستر زلاتك ويغفر هفواتك، ولا يفضحك في خلواتك،

Look at how He covers your faults, forgives your slips, and does not expose your private indiscretions.

ففي هذا ما يمهد النفوس ويهذب ذوي العقول ويهدي إلى الصواب، ويوضح طريق الرشاد.

In this is what softens the souls, refines the intellects, guides to correctness, and clarifies the path of guidance.

ولله در عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه، لقد كان راغبا لما تلوته عليك، فإنه روى عنه أنه كتب إلى عمرو بن العاصي: كن لرعيتك كما تحب أن يكون لك أميرك?

How excellent is Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, for he desired what I have reported to you. It is narrated that he wrote to Amr ibn al-Aas: "Be to your subjects as you love your ruler to be to you!"

💎[“I wish I could be to my friends as he is to his enemies”] — Inspiring Examples of Graciousness from the Life of Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله)

1️⃣ Ibn al Qayyim (رحمه الله) says about having exceptional graciousness towards all people, friend or foe:

من أراد فهم هذه الدرجة-كما ينبغي-فلينظر إلى سيرة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مع الناس: يجدها هذه بعينها . ولم يكن كمال هذه الدرجة لأحد سواه , ثم للورثة منها بحسب سهامهم نت التركة .

“Whoever wants to understand this level, as it should be, should look at the biography of the Prophet (ﷺ) with the people. They will find it precisely like this. The perfection of this level was not for anyone other than him, then for his heirs according to their shares from the inheritance.

وما رأيت أحدا قط أجمع لهذه الخصال من شيخ الإسلام ابن تيمية - قدس الله روحه - وكان بعض أصحابه الأكابر يقول:

I have never seen anyone embody these qualities more than Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah sanctify his soul). One of his prominent companions used to say:

وددت أني لأصحابي مثله لأعدائه وخصومه، وما رأيته يدعو على أحد منهم قط، وكان يدعو لهم.

"I wish I could be to my friends as he is to his enemies and opponents. I never saw him invoke Allah against any of them; rather, he would pray for them."

وجئت يوما مبشرا له بموت أكبر أعدائه، وأشدهم عداوة وأذى له، فنهرني وتنكر لي واسترجع،

One day, I came to him with the news of the death of one of his greatest enemies, the most hostile and harmful to him. He rebuked me, showed displeasure, and said “indeed we belong to Allah and shall return to Him.”

ثم قام من فوره إلى بيت أهله فعزاهم، وقال:

Then he immediately went to the house of the deceased’s family to offer his condolences, saying:

إني لكم مكانه، ولا يكون لكم أمر تحتاجون فيه إلى مساعدة إلا وساعدتكم فيه. ونحو هذا من الكلام.

"I am here in his place for you, and there will be no matter in which you need assistance except that I will help you in it."

فسروا به ودعوا له، وعظموا هذه الحال منه. فرحمه الله ورضي عنه".

They were pleased and prayed for him, and they greatly appreciated his gesture. May Allah have mercy on him and be pleased with him.“

2️⃣ Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said about Ibn Makhlouf, who imprisoned him:

"وأنا والله مِن أعظم الناس معاونة على إطفاء كل شر فيها وفي غيرها، وإقامة كل خير،

"By Allah, I am among the greatest in helping extinguish all evil here and elsewhere and establishing all good.

وابن مخلوف لو عمل مهما عمل، والله ما أقدر على خير إلا وأعمله معه ولا أعين عليه عدوه قط، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله،

Ibn Makhlouf, no matter what he does, by Allah, I will do any good I can with him and will never assist his enemy against him. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.

هذه نيتي وعزمي مع علمي بجميع الأمور فإني أعلم أن الشيطان ينزغ بين المؤمنين، ولن أكون عونًا للشيطان على إخواني المسلمين"

This is my intention and determination with full knowledge of all matters (pertinent to his imprisonment), for I know that Satan sows discord among the believers, and I will never be a helper to Satan against my Muslim brothers" (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa).


3️⃣ Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) used to say:

فلا أحب أن يُنتصر مِن أحدٍ بسبب كذبه علي أو ظلمه وعدوانه، فإني قد أحللت كل مسلم وأنا أحب الخير لكل المسلمين،

"I do not wish retribution be exacted against anyone for lying against me or for their injustice and aggression towards me, for I have absolved every Muslim, and I wish good for all Muslims.

وأريد بكل مؤمن من الخير ما أحبه لنفسي، والذين كذبوا وظلموا فهم في حلٍّ من جهتي".

I desire for every believer the good that I desire for myself. As for those who have lied and wronged me, they are forgiven on my part."

4️⃣ He (رحمه الله) also said:

"هذا وأنا في سعة صدر لمَن يخالفني فإنه وإن تعدى حدود الله فيّ بتكفير أو تفسيق أو افتراء أو عصبية جاهليه، فأنا لا أتعدى حدود الله فيه،

"I am at peace of heart towards those who oppose me. Even if they exceed the limits of Allah against me by declaring me a disbeliever, a sinner, or slandering me and treat me with fanatical barbarism, I do not exceed the limits of Allah against them.”

💎[Learning At an Early Age to Ignore Antagonizers & Provocation]

The Prophet’s (ﷺ) statement:

«إنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ فِي الْأَمْرِ كُلِّهِ:»

"Indeed, Allah loves gentleness in all matters"

Waliyyud-Dīn al ‘Irāqī (d. 826 AH رحمه الله) comments:

هُوَ مِنْ عَظِيمِ خُلُقِهِ - عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ - وَكَمَالِ حِلْمِهِ

Is from the magnificent character of the Prophet (عليه الصلاة والسلام) and his perfect forbearance.

وَفِيهِ حَثٌّ عَلَى الرِّفْقِ وَالصَّبْرِ وَالْحِلْمِ وَمُلَاطَفَةِ النَّاسِ مَا لَمْ تَدْعُ حَاجَةٌ إلَى الْمُخَاشَنَةِ.

It encourages gentleness, patience, forbearance, and kindness towards people as long as there is no need for harshness.

وَفِيهِ اسْتِحْبَابُ تَغَافُلِ أَهْلِ الْفَضْلِ عَنْ سَفَهِ الْمُبْطِلِينَ إذَا لَمْ يَتَرَتَّبْ عَلَيْهِ مَفْسَدَةٌ

It also contains a recommendation that people of virtue overlook the foolishness of wrongdoers if no greater harm will result from it.

وَفِي التَّنْزِيلِ {وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ} [الأعراف: ١٩٩]

It says in the revelation (the Quran): {And turn away from the ignorant} [Al-A'raf: 199].

وَقَالَ الشَّافِعِيُّ - رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ - الْكَيِّسُ الْعَاقِلُ هُوَ الْفَطِنُ الْمُتَغَافِلُ

Imam al-Shafi'i (رحمه الله) said: "The prudent, intelligent person is the shrewd one who overlooks."

وَمِنْ كَلَامِ بَعْضِهِمْ، عَظِّمُوا مَقَادِيرَكُمْ بِالتَّغَافُلِ

And some have said, "Enhance your status by ignoring [such matters]."

Waliyyud-Dīn al ‘Irāqī (رحمه الله) then comments:

وَهَذَا الْكَلَامُ مِمَّا كَانَ وَالِدِي - رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ - يُؤَدِّبُنِي بِهِ فِي مَبْدَأِ شَبَابِي حِينَ يَرَى غَضَبِي مِنْ كَلِمَاتٍ تَرِدُ عَلَيَّ.

This was something my father (the great Hadīth scholar, al Hāfidh Zain al-Dīn al ‘Irāqī رحمه الله) used to teach me of manners at the beginning of my youth when he saw my anger at words directed towards me.”

[Tarh al-Tathrīb fī Sharh Taqrīb al Asānīd vol. 8, p. 111]