From the Ethics of the Student of Knowledge By Dr Shaykh Salih bin Fawzan bin Abdillah alFawzan All Praise is to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. He created mankind, and He taught him what is clear, (evidence, proofs, related to the truth). He taught him with the pen, and He taught mankind what he did not know. He sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Deen of truth (way of life and religion) to proclaim it over all religion. He is sufficient with Allah as his witness. Concerning what follows so indeed seeking knowledge it is the first thing that is obligatory upon a slave before actions. He the Most High said: فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَاكُمْ سورة محمد: 19 So know (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that, La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshiped but Allah) , and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well you’re moving about and your place of rest (in your homes). Surah Muhammad: 19 Imam al Bukharee may Allah have mercy on him said (in the Book of Knowledge): the Chapter: “knowledge is before speech and action”, and he mention this verse: So know (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that, La ilahaillallah (none has the right to be worshiped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well you’re moving about and your place of rest (in your homes). Surah Muhammad, 19. And Allah started out with knowledge before speech and action. Because the knowledge is the foundation which is builds on speech and action. So action without knowledge is astray just as knowledge without action is also astray. And Magdoob (Allah’s Curse) on the Alim (learnt person in Islam) who does not act upon his knowledge. For this, He the Glorified and the Most High said the learnt person, is His slave, in the end of Surah alFatihah. اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ سورة الفاتحة: 7 The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error). , Surah al Fatihah : 7 So the grace is on them, those who gather between knowledge that is beneficial and righteous action. And the Magdoob (those who earn Allah’s Curse) is on them those who take knowledge and abandon action. And the Daleen (astray) are those who take actions and abandon knowledge. So that you ask Allah in every Rakat (of Salah) whenever you read this mighty chapter Surah al Fatihah that He guides you to the path (way) with (His) Grace is upon themfrom the Prophets and those who are Truthful , and the Martyrs and that He keeps you away from the path of the Magdoob (curses) is on them. Plus those Scholars whom they do not act upon their knowledge and the astray path and those whom they acts without knowledge. This is he who Allah sent His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and He sent His Messengers with the Guidance and the Deen or Truth. So the Guidance is knowledge that is beneficial and the Deen of Truth and is righteous action. So the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم was sent with knowledge that is beneficial and righteous action. These two coincides and those two do not separate Knowledge and Action is connected. There no separating those two. For this Allah the Glorified and Most High urges and urges His slaves on seeking knowledge and understanding in the Deen (way of Life of Islam). وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُواْ كَآفَّةً فَلَوْلاَ نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواْ قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُواْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ سورة التوبة: 122 And it is not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad ) all together. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil). Surah Tawbah: 122 So it is not proper to go forth, Allah Glorified and the Most High He urges for His slaves to take a group for seeking knowledge and understanding Allah’s Deen. Seeking the knowledge in any place and traveling to the knowledge in its places wherever present, and they understand (learn) Allah’s Deen. So they obtain the good news of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم for his saying – “ من يرد الله به خيرا يفقه في الدين “ - “Whoever Allah wants good for He gives him the understanding of the Deen”. Those with Allah on them are this virtue indeed they travel to seek knowledge in its place from the people of knowledge and they understand Allah’s Deen. Then if they understand Allah’s Deen they should return to their countries and people. So indeed they warn them and teach them this knowledge which they (the students of knowledge) carry and they become Caller to Allah upon Baseerah (knowledge and insight). They are those who have actions of their knowledge and the Callers to it. This is the path of the people who are saved and success. Indeed he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: he follows the path(of knowledge), he grasps with it the knowledge. Allah makes it easy for him the path of Paradise. And that the Angels humble (lower) their wings for the student of knowledge and please with what he makes for he who goes to seek knowledge he follows its path, for indeed Allah makes his path easy to Paradise for him. He is suffice with this glory and honor in this world and hereafter. Rather yet the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that the Ulimaa are inheritors of the Prophets and the Prophets do not leave behind no Dinar and Dirham (no wealth or money). Indeed they leave behind knowledge. So he who takes it, he takes a large portion. And knowledge is not obtained automatically without seeking. There is no escape from seeking knowledge. For mankind does not obtain knowledge automatically or by inspiration or on one’s accords, just as the people of Tasawuf (Sufism)concludes. Indeed knowledge needs to be pursued and obtained with patience, and with its accords. Just like that, knowledge is not taken from books only, neither is it taken from the learning (students who are learning or did not finish their studies). Those whom do not understand Allah’s Deen, intent be it that they read in the books and memorize a thing from the text but they do not understand the meanings of the text. They did not obtain it from the people of knowledge. So this path is harmful to him. Because knowledge is not taken from anyone except from the people of knowledge with obtaining knowledge from the scholars, generation after generation. To that Allah inherits the earth and all that on it (will be that will into the Day of Judgment). So from the foundation and fundamentals of learning that this affair is taken from the scholars who are Rabaniyoon (Ulimaa who are sound in knowledge and fear Allah) who are known for knowledge and which they inherit it from their Mashaykhs (scholars) and they pass the knowledge to their students and pass the inheritance (knowledge) out between them, to that Allah inherits the Earth and what is on it (to the last days, the Day of Judgment; the End of Times). So this is the foundation of seeking knowledge traveling to the Ulimaa (scholars) and contacting the Scholars in any place until you take from them the knowledge. And this is the path which, who follows it Allah makes it easy for him with the path to Paradise. From the foundation of learning is like that. Importance is people do not start seeking knowledge from its branches (like a tree) or from what is above it (high knowledge). Indeed he starts seeking the knowledge from its root. Step by step, and he obtains it step by step. From the books that are summarised in all fields (subjects), by memorizing and understanding, by the support of the Ulimaa (scholars). So do not read in the lengthy drawn out books, and do not begin with the books of Kilaaf (differencing/opposition to the Sunnah), and sayings. Indeed take knowledge step by step and its process step by step. And the knowledge is not taken all at once and it is not taken except from the path of process step by step. For that is from the foundation of seeking knowledge. The student of knowledge is not restricting to one subject like restricting to the field of jurisprudence (fiqh) for example, or restricting to the field of hadith for example, or the field of Tafseer (explanation of the Quran). Indeed it is taken from all summarized beneficial knowledge. Because the sciences of Deen are tied to other sciences (of fiqh, and hadeeth and tafseer he studies these fields etc). So it is a must the student of knowledge firstly read the Quran and he memorizes the Quran ,and he reads it well (with Tajweed) from that which he did not memorize. For the foundation is the Book of Allah, Glorified is He the Most High. And he reads what is easy from the Tafseer of the Quran until he understands the verses of Quran. And he does not read on his own accords, verily he reads it with the People of Knowledge (the Ulimaa) and the People (Ulimaa) of Tafseer and the student of knowledge obtains theTafseer of Quran from the Mufaseer (Ulimaa ofTafseer of Quran) who are known for being Ulimaa of Tafseer. Then also the student of knowledge reads in Hadith with memorizing and understanding on the support (with), of the Ulimaa of Hadith than are known for Hadith. Then also he reads in jurisprudence (fiqh,) and its rulings are extracted from the Book (Quran) and Sunnah (way of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم). The rulings of Jurisprudence (fiqh) of Shariah (Islamic Law) is derived from the Book (Quran) and Sunnah. He also reads in the books of Arabic grammar, because the Quran and Sunnah were both sent down in the Arab’s language. So it’s a must that he reads (studies) the Arabic grammar until he knows the meanings of the Verses (of Quran)and Hadiths (statements of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم). And he knows also to articulate speech from the direction of a linguistic (of the Arabic language, and master it). Until he sound from grammar mistakes (in Arabic language) and errors because knowledge or Arabic grammar helps him with understanding the Nasoos (text which is Quran and Sunnah). Like this all fields, there is for it a foundation and principle there is in Hadith, Mustalah Hadith the guideline of authentic Hadith, from Hassan (ratings good) from Daeef, (weak grading) from its categories (grading system of hadiths). It’s a must that you know what is abridge in Mustalah Hadeeth. Like this also from the summarization in foundation of fiqh and of the principles of fiqh. That you read it with a Scholar from the Scholars of Usool (Usool Fiqh, and Deen), like this it’s a must also that you abridge also the principles of Tafseer. Because Tafseer (sciences of Quran), for there is a principle and methodology, and this is what is named as Usool Tafseer (principles of Tafseer). So you read in the Usool Tafseer from the summarization of it and these are the keys of the science and the knowledge come from its door but it does not come from its branches: وَلَيْسَ الْبِرُّ بِأَنْ تَأْتُوْاْ الْبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنِ اتَّقَى وَأْتُواْ الْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا سورة البقرة: 189 It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness) that you enter the houses from the back but Al-Birr (is the quality of the one) who fears Allah. So enter houses through their proper doors, Surah al Baqarah 189 For all knowledge there is a door and it’s a must that you enter from this door, and these doors are summarizations (concise knowledge, abridge and summarized to be taught of different subjects). All praise is due to Allah the Ulimaa (Scholars) may Allah have mercy on them took great care in these summarizations of concise knowledge and they abridged it for the students and they set its composition and outline until it was memorized and explained for the students of knowledge on the support of the Ulimaa (scholars). These sciences (fields and subjects in Islam) correlate all together, as mentioned. Knowledge of Fiqh correlates with knowledge of Tafseer and the knowledge of Hadith and knowledge of Nahu (Arabic grammar), it all correlates with all knowledge, which correlates with other knowledge. So the student of knowledge is not restricted in one field (subject/science if Islam they all correlate with each other). And these summarizations of concise knowledge are easy for those whom Allah gives them comprehension, and progress with it step by step. On the support of the People of knowledge (Scholars) it be studied either by syllabus, with a school, or in an institute, or a faculty, on the support of the teachers who put together the curriculum in all fields. Either you read it with the Ulimaa (Scholars) in the circles of knowledge, in the Masjids, or in centers of knowledge that are known. Knowledge is not sought in secret; knowledge is public (for everyone). What is sought secretly in the secret sittings or seeks it recreational or in a place hidden. Indeed knowledge is sought publicly and its benefits those who are present from the laymen and other than them. So knowledge is publicized and not in secret. Because Allah sent it down for the people and did not send it down for a special group of people. So it is necessary from that, an invitation(quest, pursue) to knowledge is made public in the Masjids or a place that is public which are schools for learning. For this is the foundation of seeking knowledge. So the Ulimaa (Scholars) says “he who loses the foundation; access is denied (or achieve is forbidden {prevented-out of reach})” if you lost this foundation and you are aggressive upon knowledge from other than its path. For indeed you are forbidden it, he who losses the foundation, “access is denied” so it’s an obligation on the student of knowledge that he remains on this principle and he obtains knowledge from its foundation and principle and he does not obtain it from its branches (high knowledge). Indeed he who loses it and he does not obtain a thing. For it is essential for the student of knowledge that he has patience and it is imperative for the student of knowledge that he has patience with the obstacles (hardship) of seeking, and long periods, and patience, and steadfast on the path of knowledge. If it’s long he does not become fed up (bored): “Seek Knowledge, nor do you become fed up/bored - the student’s illness is being fed up/bored. Do you not see the rope tied repeatedly on a mass bolder indeed it left a trace?” So you do not become despaired or consider it hard seeking knowledge or its long phases. So be patient and there is for you a reward. For the student of knowledge then the Angels seek forgiveness for him and lower their wings for him, the student of knowledge and are pleased with what he does. It’s a must to seek knowledge from hardships; it is necessary to be preserved and patient and he do not even taste the meekness of learning for an hour, and you swallow the cup of ignorance for a length of your life. It is upon you to have patience and upon you to continue to seek and do not expect (anything) until you reach your goal by Allah’s permission. And he who goes on the path connects (to knowledge by Allah’s permission), for this is an excerpt in the etiquette of seeking knowledge. Then also in the important direction, assisting you with seeking knowledge and growing with your information (knowledge in sciences, fields of studies in Islam); it is action (deeds acting out what you learnt). Acting out what Allah taught you, for all the things you learned from that knowledge, then from that knowledge you act on it until He (Allah) increases you in knowledge, and there are blessings and good in it. In the wisdom: he acts on the knowledge Allah gave him, knowledge which he did not know (off and Allah taught him). Allah the Mighty and Majestic said: وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللّهُ وَاللّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ سورة البقرة: 282 So fear Allah; and Allah teaches you. And Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything. Surah al Baqarah: 286 Upon you is acting on the knowledge you are learning (and learnt) you do not take knowledge and disgrace it by not acting on it. That this knowledge has no blessings in it and it’s a proof against you on the Day of Judgment. So knowledge without actions is like a tree without fruit and a poet says, “An Alim (learnt Scholar in Islam) with his knowledge and he does not act upon it, is punished before he who worship idols”. Because on the day of Standing (Day of Judgment), the first who the fire will burn on the Day of Judgment is the Alim (learnt Scholar in Islam), who did not act on his knowledge, he will be the first the fire will blaze on the Day of Judgment. So this affair is very important and on the seeker of knowledge that they take knowledge from its foundation and principle from its people (who are the people of Knowledge the Ulimaa {Scholars of Islam}), and they act on this knowledge and they teach the people: وَإِذَ أَخَذَ اللّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلاَ تَكْتُمُونَهُ سورة آل عمران: 187 And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it…. Surah Al-e- Imaraan: 187 So it is upon the student of knowledge that he acts on his knowledge first, then he teaches knowledge to the people. And he spreads the knowledge to the people. In a Hadith it states “إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث صدقة جارية أو علم ينتفع به أو ولد صالح يدعو له” “When the people are dead his deeds are caught off except three continuous charity or knowledge that which is benefited by it or a pious child that supplicates for him” The best of the three is knowledge that is benefit by it, because continuous charity which has its time perhaps it will be cut off (at some time point) and perhaps become waste. The pious son will die but knowledge will be continuous and it is beneficial for its companion. What remains behind is his knowledge in his students and in his writings; his knowledge remains and comes a reward for it on him when he is dead. So knowledge, within it is blessings and good but itis imperative that he takes his knowledge from its foundation and on its principle and from its people (the scholars). It is a must that he is steadfast and he increases with pious actions. On the student of knowledge that he makes his intention sincere for Allah in seeking knowledge, nor does he pursue knowledge for showing off or fame (reputation), nor does he pursue knowledge to say he is an Alim (Scholar), or pursue knowledge for the worldly matters, or for an employment, or to gain some type of profit. Indeed seeking knowledge is for the Face of Allah Glorified (to please Allah) is He the Most High. Because seeking knowledge, performing righteous action and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم statement: إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” So the student of knowledge makes his intentions sincerely for Allah the Mighty and Majestic is his pursuit for knowledge. Concerning if he seeks knowledge for the reason of him being praise for it so indeed stated in a Hadith: أنه يؤتى بالعالم يوم القيامة فيقول الله له ماذا عملت فيقول يا رب تعلمت فيك العلم وعلمته فيقول الله كذبت وإنما تعلمت ليقال هو عالم وقد قيل ثم يؤمر به إلى النار يسحب إلى النار “That there shall come an Alim (Scholar in Islam) on the Day of Judgment so Allah will say to him what did you do so he the Alim will say ‘O Lord I learnt knowledge for your sake and I taught it’. So Allah will say you lied and indeed you learnt to for people to say he is an Alim (Scholar) so verily it was said as a result of that be order to be drag into the fire.” Allah forbids. He does not seek knowledge for the purpose of the pleasure of this world and indeed he seeks knowledge for the pleasure of Allah’s rewards. He desires for the rewards and tokens for seeking knowledge for the purpose of him utilizing and benefiting. Concerning if he sought knowledge for the purpose of an employment or the purpose of wealth, so Allah the Exalted the Most High said he who wants the life of this world and its decor, (that which is in the world) it meant he needs the worldly life for righteous action or pursuing knowledge: مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لا يُبْخَسُونَ* أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ النَّارُ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُوا فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ سورة هود: 15 Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire, and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do. Surah Hood:15 ,16. The knowledge is more honorable than that, and more honorable than the world and what is in it. So the student of knowledge pursues knowledge for the Face of Allah (pleasure of Allah for Allah to be pleased with him) and he seeks knowledge for acting upon it and seek it to abandon ignorance. This is from the foundation of seeking knowledge that the student begins after the Book of Allah; he starts with Aqeedah (Islamic Creed), the knowledge of Tawheed. He begins with the knowledge of Tawheed so he knows Tawheed, and he knows Shirk (polytheist beliefs of all type), and he knows Tawheed for the purpose he acts upon it. And he knows Shirk for the purpose of staying away from Shirk. So he makes it his foremost concern of seeking knowledge, the knowledge of correct Aqeedah, and he makes it the headmost of his concerns of seeking (knowing) correct Aqeedah. He, making it the foremost of his interests of his pursuit of all knowledge, (its subjects like fiqh, hadith, tafseer, Nahu), knowing the correct Aqeedah for the purpose he is steadfast upon it and he bases his deeds all of it upon the correct Aqeedah. For the purpose that he calls to correct creed (Aqeedah) with insight and knowledge, and he is enlightening the people so he concerns oneself with Aqeedah. We do not say to restrict the studies of Aqeedah but with making it the first intention, and nor does he make it a secondary affair, or delay seeking knowledge of Aqeedah for the end. Rather he begins with Aqeedah and its importance. Because Aqeedah is the base (foundation of knowledge) on which you build upon it the remaining actions of the slave (of Allah). So he is concern with the creed (Aqeedah) of Tawheed so he singles out Allah in worship and is aware of what opposes it, from what is prohibited or weakens Major Shirk or Minor or Nifaq (hypocrisy). He knows this well until he base his knowledge upon the correct foundation rather he bases his action also on the correct foundation. For this sentence is from the manners of the student of knowledge and the method of pursuing knowledge. So it is upon the student of knowledge that he takes this into account and he concerns himself with knowledge. This is the foundation of seeking knowledge. Just as we showed in the past and present that knowledge is not taken from anybody indeed it is taken from the Ulimaa that fear Allah, and they are known for that. Some of the Salaf said: “That this knowledge is Deen so look at whom you concern to take your Deen from”. So choose from the Ulimaa that Allah the Mighty and Majestic made them most fearful and Allah the Mighty and Majestic made them more knowledgeable (compared to other Scholars), about Allah. Until the student treads the correct path, you neither take knowledge from the ignorant, nor take knowledge from the astray, nor do you take knowledge from the innovator. Take knowledge from its people who are known for it and are known for being steadfast with it and they are known for fearing Allah Glorified and the Most High. And there are many all praise is due to Allah if you sought them out or searched for them, until that if they are not present in your country you travel to them and you seek the knowledge from them by contacting them. And today all praise due to Allah, the measure of commutation is available (communications with the scholars are available), and the means of transportation is available and quick too. So there is no excuse for us being lazy regarding pursuing knowledge. For indeed Allah made it easy for us all, the way to seek knowledge, but the condition is with dedication and direction. We are, just as you know now are severe tribulations; there is no Might or Power except with Allah, and in the future time the tribulations shall increase just as the Prophet informed us صلى الله عليه وسلم the trials in the Deen and in the world’s trials from all direction. There is not deliverance from these tribulations except with beneficial knowledge. This is from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. For this he صلى الله عليه وسلم said to his companions: “فإنه من يعش منكم فسيرى اختلافا كثيرا فعليكم بسنتي وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين من بعدى تمسكوا بها وعضوا عليها بالنواجذ وإياكم ومحدثات الأمور فإن كل محدثة بدعة وكل بدعة ضلالة وفى رواية وكل ضلالة في النار” So indeed he who lives from amongst you shall see much differencing so upon you all is my Sunnah (way) and the Sunnah (way) of the rightly guided Kulafaaa ( the successors of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم) from after me so hold on to it and bite upon with your molar teeth. On you is the warning of innovations in the affairs of the religion so all innovations in the religion is bidah ( an innovation ) and all bidah is astray and all astray is in the fire, in another narration all kinds of astray is in the fire. So there is no protector from tribulations except with the Success of Allah the Mighty and the Most High and His Guidance. Then with beneficial knowledge that you take it from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messengerصلى الله عليه وسلم. If it be that you are ignorant and encompass all around you tribulations and trials, for indeed you do not know how to remove yourself from it, but if Allah gives you success and bestowed on you knowledge of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger; for verily you shall be guided to leaving from these trials and tribulations by the permission of Allah Glorified is He and the Most High. This will not be unless with learning beneficial knowledge for the purpose that you are delivered from trials because of beneficial knowledge from the restless trials and tribulations. Which these surging trials and tribulations you all know them. The possibility that the surging tribulations and trials increase, and the events of trials you do not understand it, so there is no deliverance for us from these tribulations and trials except with beneficial knowledge and righteous actions and hold on to the rope of Allah Glorified is He and the Most High: وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ سورة الأنعام: 153 “And verily, this (i.e. Allah’s Commandments) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqun (pious) Surah al Anaan:153 And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم just like you heard he said: “…so upon you all is my Sunnah (way) and the Sunnah (way) of the rightly guided Kulafaaa (the successors of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم) from after me..: So this is the deliverance out of tribulations and trials with our support (and efforts) all praise is due to Allah, but the condition in that we know tribulation and trials is by us understanding it details, so trials and tribulation there is no deliverance from it except by holding on to the Book of Allah Glorified is He and Most High and with the Sunnah of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم with moving on the methodology of the Pious Predecessors and the best of that generation is the Companions (of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم), then the Tabeen(those who came after the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم), and those whom follow them and the guided Imams (scholars of ahul sunnah wajammat). He the most High said: وَالسَّابِقُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُواْ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ سورة التوبة: 100 And the foremost to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkahto Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirun ) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. Suratah Tawbah:100 Those who follow them and follow the Muhajiroon and the Ansar from the Companions of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلمfollow them with perfection which is precision. And do not follow the Pious Predecessors with perfection except that you learn their methodology and their ways and their suitable affiliation (statement that coincide with the Quran and Sunnah). We say I am Salafi, I follow the Salaf and you do not know the methodology of the Salaf and you do not know the Mathab of the Salaf. So this thing is mandatory on you, it is imperative that you follow them with perfection which is perfection and awareness and knowledge of their methodology and their biographies until you are on their methodology. That we ask Allah for us and for you Tawfeeq(success) for beneficial knowledge and righteous action and may Allah peace and blessings be upon our Messenger Muhammad and his family and all his Companions. Translated by Abul Baraa Muhammad Abdullah bin Earl bin Earl A’l Alister al-Amreeki
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 19:11:26 +0000