DISCLAIMER: Please use these notes with the recording itself as they are students notes and may perhaps be some mistakes in it. May Allah bless you all.
Ibn alQayyim: Provisions for the Hereafter
Taught by Sheikh Sajid Umar
Notes of a student
Session 2: 14th March 2015
Part 1
Assalaamu alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,
The Sheikh welcomes our first session of the ‘Provisions for the Hereafter.’ He begins by praising Allah and sending blessings upon the final messenger Muhammad (Khutbatul Haajah).
As discussed in the last session, Allah sent 124,000 prophets and from amongst them, He chose 313 to be His Messengers.
Furthermore, from these 313 messengers, Allah also gave a special rank to 5 of them.
And [mention, O Muhammad], when We took from the prophets their covenant and from you and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary; and We took from them a solemn covenant. [Ahzab:7]
These Messengers are mentioned in the above ayah. They are:
- Nuh (as)
- Musa (as)
- Eesa (as)
- Ibrahim(as)
- Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
Allah gave these prophets the title of ‘Ulul Azm’ – The Prophets of Absolute Resolve
Question: Didn’t Musa (as) come before Ibrahim (as)?
Answer: Yes, but I have listed Ibrahim (AS) after Eesa (as) for a reason.
From the barakah of Ibrahim (as) is that Allah made him the ‘Father of Prophets.’ Meaning, from his progeny came other prophets as they were connected in some way.
Allah then chose two prophets from these five who were titled ‘Khalilullah’ – ‘The Friends of Allah.’ The two prophets given this amazing title were:
- Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam)
- Ibrahim (as)
They were chosen to be titled with the title of “khaleel” and close friend of Allah. This was because their hearts were always connected to Allah and there was no room to exceed their love for Allah Almighty. This is what the term Khaleel refers to. The way these two prophets (as) were tested in all aspects of their lives and the conviction they continued to have is testimony to them deserving this status.
For them, even their waking of every day and sleeping at night was for Allah.
Look at Ibrahim (as), he was tested for 90 years (as per some of the scholars of tafseer) before Allah granted him the child that he had been asking for! After that, he was told to leave his wife in a barren valley and was tested to make his servitude known.
Question: Does this mean that Allah did not know the servitude of Ibrahim (as) before the test? And that Ibrahim (as) was tested so Allah Almighty could know?
Answer: NO. The test was not because Allah Almighty did not know what was going to happen. The reality is that Allah knows:
-All that was
-All that is
-All that will be
-All that which will not be
-How everything will be
-And even those matters which are not meant to be, then even how they will be
(Please revise recording to see the evidences to the last section citing the depth of Allah Almighty’s knowledge)
Question: If the answer is NO, then why would Allah Almighty command this?
Answer: One of many reasons is that the reality of Ibrahim’s (as) imaan can become manifest to us, as well as his strength, for Allah’s sake during every instance of his life.
He was tested a second time when Allah commanded him to put a knife to Isma’il’s (as) throat. What we learn is that Ibrahim’s (as) heart was filled with the love of Allah, hence he earned such an amazing rank titled Khaleel which the other messengers of absolute resolve were not awarded.
*(Sheikh Sajid shared an amazing insight related to the dhikr of Ibrahim (as) which we announce during the Eids. Please access the audio to receive this lesson.
To summarise: Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was the best of mankind, and he also earned this title khaleel. So Allah Almighty raised Ibrahim (as) and Muhammed (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) above the rest of the messengers of absolute resolve.
Footnote:
Question: What is the evidence that ‘if something isn’t meant to be, but was to be, Allah knows how it would be as well?’
Answer: There is a verse in the Qur’an that speaks about people who raised on the Day of Judgement will ask to go back to this world in order to do good deeds. However, Allah knows and He says that if this individual was to go back to the world, they would fall into the same deeds they used to perform before.
Also Rasoolullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) taught us that if there was to be a prophet after him (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) it would have been Umar (RA). This is not to be, but if it happened to be, we see Allah almighty’s Divine Knowledge encompassing this area as well.
This teaches us the depth and vastness of Allah’s knowledge!
Footnotes:
Our decrees were written 50,000 years before the heavens and the earth. These decrees are written based on Allah’s divine wisdom and knowledge.
Question: So why make Du’aa, if our destinies are already written? How can Du’aa change anything?
Answer: The reality is that with regards to us – Du’aa can change destiny!
And with regards to Allah Almighty, the reality is that Allah knows you would make a Du’aa, and that He would accept this Du’aa, and that it would change a Qadr, and all this was written in the divine decree! As the Divine Decree is based on the Divine Knowledge of Allah and Allah Almighty knows what will happen before it happens. Allah’s knowledge doesn’t have the concept of past, future, and present like our knowledge does.
Consider the example:
You watch an entire documentary and sit with a person who hasn’t watched it and doesn’t know what will happen. And whilst they watch it- you begin telling this person what will happen before the screen shots come into play (spoiling it for them!). How is it possible that you can do this?!
Because what they are about to see, you’ve already seen.
Similarly, the life we are living, Allah has seen already.
Back to Ibrahim (as) – The Friend of Allah…
Even the children that Ibrahim (as) had asked for were for the sake of Allah. Not for fame, or popularity or status. He loved Allah more than his children and family.
The Takbir we pronounce during Eid is the takbir of Ibrahim (as), which he announced when he was preparing himself to follow the command of Allah and put the knife on the throat of his son Ismaeel (as).
Pearl: (Some Scholars say that Allah gave Ibrahim (as) Ishaaq, 10 years after Ismaeel (as) – i.e when Ibrahim (as) was 100 years of age!)
Ibrahim (as) announced this Takbir because he was fighting the whispers of Shaytaan and his Nafs. We resemble Ibrahim when we pelt the shaytaan on Hajj, who was trying to swerve Ibrahim from the path of righteousness.
(Please listen to the audio for this lesson on the Takbeer of Eid and the dhikr of Ibrahim (AS). It was more detailed and resonated with everyone in so many ways.)
Imagine as a father what he was feeling and the thoughts that were going through his mind as he was sharpening his knife. Can you imagine all Shaytaan was doing to stop him from getting the title ‘Khalilullah’?
Yet, Ibrahim (as) was reminding himself that Allah is greater than anything and everything he had. Allah knows what he didn’t know and He does what is best. Remember Ibrahim wasn’t an angel, he was a human being who had a heart, emotions, feelings and a mind! So he was fighting these thoughts by saying this Takbir – the best of praises to Allah!
Thus Allah raised his rank, and the rank of Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam), and gave them a precedence over the other messengers.
Allah also raised the rank of one out of them.
It was Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). The greatest man to walk this earth. A man who never wrote a biography himself, but has hundreds of biographies written about him. A man who took an entire Arabian peninsula and took them from the darkness and shackles of shirk and put them on the podium of Tawheed and submission to one Allah.
The aayah that makes up this introduction is that which teaches us that it is Allah who chooses who He gives rank to, and Allah Almighty gave the highest rank out of all of the prophets and messengers to Muhammed (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam).
More reflections from the introductory ayah:
After reflecting upon it further, we learn that this ayah is indeed a sign of the greatness of Allah and how He raises the rank of some over others.
When we come off the platform of discussing the messengers and prophets of Allah, then let us go to those after them; The Children of Ismaa’eel.
Allah chose the children of Ismaa’eel and gave them a rank, and from them he chose Bani Kinanah and gave them a rank, and they were from Khuzaymah. He chose from Bani Kinanah, the Quraysh and gave them a rank, from the Quraysh He chose Banu Hashim and gave them a rank, and from Banu Hashim He chose Muhammad (saw).
The companions of the Messenger (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
Allah created them and gave a special rank to some of them over others. Thus he gave a special status to the earlier Muslims.
Allah speaks about them in His book and praises them.
{والسابقون الأولون}
Then, Allah gave precedence to the people of Badr and the people of Bay’atul Ridhwaan. Two amazing events in the history of Islam.
Allah created all nations and raised one nation above the rest in rank, and that is the nation of Muahmmed (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
In the Hadith of Mu’awiyah (ra): Rasoolullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) says: “You are a completion to 70 nations, and you are the best of all nations and you are the most honorable of nations to Allah.”
[This hadith is in the Musnad of Imam Ahmed]
Footnote:
*When it says ‘AlMusnad’ it refers to a hadith compilation done by Imam Ahmed. If another Musnad is being referred to it would be stipulated. Otherwise by default, this term goes back to the gathering of hadeeth by Imam Ahmed (ra).
*The ‘Marfoo’ form refers to – ‘ a narration that has a chain of narrators that goes up to a companion, and a companion says something that he couldn’t have said from himself. I.e. – It is as good as the Messenger (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) having said it.’
For e.g.- Ibn Abbas’s narration related to the revelation of the Qur’an on the Night of power.
(Please refer to audio for more details about this).
Marfoo’ in general also refers to a narration that goes back to Rasoolullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) such as the Hadith of Mu’awiyah that was discussed.
For further studies into these terminologies please look out for the science known as, ‘Usul Al-Hadith’.
Moving on:
Summary: Allah revealed the BEST book, to the BEST prophet, via the BEST Angel (Jibreel), during the BEST night, during the BEST month, in the BEST language, in the BEST of places, and in this BEST revelation, Allah says: “You are the best of nations.”
Advice for those in the Da’wah:
When you’re in the Dawah, you need to do your best and have high aspirations. Allah says we are the best of people, but why? “You invite towards good, and warn against evil, and you believe in Allah.” A belief that is dressed with action. So we must follow the teachings that we learn (the sunnah of Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)).
Sheikh Sajid made du’aa that Allah Almighty forgives our weaknesses and advised us to become better and not lose hope in Allah, but rather seek forgiveness for our mistakes and have good hope in Allah and continue aiming high.
Part 2
Sunan Hadith refers to Hadith sourced from the collections of: At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaai, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah –
Note: The sheikh did not intend any particular order, however academically they are mentioned in order depending on the researcher. Some researchers choose to list them based on the era of the Imam whilst others prefer to list them based on the level of authenticity of narrations in the compilation.
When it is said, “In the Saheeh”, this refers to narrations found in the Hadith collections of Bukhari and Muslim.
Moving on: The Nation of Muhammed (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
“The people of Jannah will be 120 rows, 80 of these rows will be the Ummah of Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam), and 40 of these rows will be people of the other nations.”
(Narrated by Buraydah Bin Al – Husayb Al – Aslami and recorded by Imam Al-irmidhi)
“By the One in whose Hands my life is in, I have a wish and desire for you to be half of the people of Jannah.” (Sahih Muslim)
Footnote:
There is no contradiction in these hadith. One narration discusses the wish of the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the other explains what Allah has chosen for this ummah, which is to make 80 rows for the nation of Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)– more than what the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had wished for.
The lands which Allah Almighty has created
Whilst the make-up of the lands is the same, Allah has given a special precedence to some parts of the globe over other parts; the sacred lands have a special status.
Makkah was chosen to be the place where Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was born, and He chose it to be the place of pilgrimage and a place where His Ka’bah would be established in. Thus, we see till the Day Of Judgement, people will visit this place for the sake of Allah.
There is no other place you would travel to, intending Allah, like you do when you travel to Makkah.
Makkah was a barren valley in the middle of nowhere. This is a sign of the completeness of the Lordship of Allah- only He can choose- If we were choosing a place, would we really choose the middle of a valley in the middle of nowhere?
Here, Allah chose, and no angels or anyone else had a say in the matter. Allah chose Makkah to be a land that would be visited by people from all parts of the world whether they would come walking, in a car, ship or by plane.
Allah said to Ibrahim (as): ‘You announce the Hajj and We will convey the message.’ This should increase our imaan. The message has reached us thousands of years later and we answer that call going to Makkah and announcing the Talbiyah.
Indications of how special Makkah is:
In Makkah, nobody is allowed to cut down its trees, or hunt in the haram or pick up lost property unless you are going to look for the person who lost it. No matter how small it is, no one is allowed to take anything with the intention of acquisition. Allah has chosen this for the Haram!
Allah has made the one who intends Makkah, someone who is forgiven.
Abu Hurayrah narrates a hadith from the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam):
“The one who intends this house, and is not vulgar in his speech, action and ways, then he will return home as though it is the day his mother gave birth to him.” (narrated by AlBukhari )
In the narration of Abdullah bin Mas’ood (RA) “Recur the observance of Hajj and Umrah, for indeed they are a means of lifting poverty and sins just like a bellow lifts the impurities of steel, gold and silver, and there is no reward for an accepted Hajj besides Jannah.”
Note: The general rule is that these hadeeth refer to minor sins being forgiven. For major sins require seeking repentance.
Allah even takes an oath by Makkah twice, showing its special significance:
I swear by this city, Makkah – [90:1] and at the beginning of Surah At-Teen.
There is no place on this earth that it is compulsory to travel to besides Makkah (for Hajj). The majority of the scholars also view Umrah as compulsory once in the lifetime of a believer.
There is also a special stone in Makkah that has a special rank and status – the Hajr Al-Aswad, which Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) kissed, and the companions kissed and the Ummah tries to kiss.
With regards to this stone- There was quarreling before the advent of the messenger (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) with regards to who would place this stone in the Ka’bah. It is the only stone people love to kiss and hold in high regard.
Umar (ra) said:
“By Allah, you are just a stone. If I didn’t see the messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) kiss it, I wouldn’t have kissed it.”
Understand, there is no other place on earth where you pray your Salaah and you are rewarded 100,000 times for every salaah.
The Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) teaches us that for the Salah in his Masjid, you get rewarded 1,000 for every Salaah prayed (besides masjid haram which is 100,000 x for each Salaah).
When the prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had to leave Makkah, he said:
“By Allah, you are the best of the lands of Allah and the most beloved of lands to Allah, and if it wasn’t that I was kicked out by your people, I wouldn’t have left.”
(Recorded by Imam Ahmed and Al-Tirmidhi and others (ra)).
Madinah is also a sacred land. It is the land in which our beloved Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed away in.
Ash-Shaam is also a blessed and sacred land.
*Note: Ash-Shaam refers to the region commonly known as the Levant, not just Syria.
No doubt, the most special place is Makkah.
Allah made Makkah the Qiblah of the Muslims. This once empty valley is a direction of prayer for over a billion!
According to Imam Ibn AlQayyim, even when relieving oneself, one shouldn’t face or turn their back to the Ka’abah, further teaching us the importance of Makkah.
He also holds the view that this is not permissible even when relieving oneself in a lavatory in a building.
Even on an etiquettes level, we find manners pertaining to Makkah. Again, this teaches us the rank of Makkah.
The first ever Masjid established on earth was Masjid Al Haram.
There was 40 years between the building of Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Aqsa.
Note: Some have understood that the person who built Masjid Al Aqsa was Prophet Sulayman.
The correct opinion is that Sulayman renovated Masjid Al Aqsa. However, Ya’qub Ibn Ishaq (as) established Al-Aqsa. (Based on authentic hadith).
Based on this, the above hadeeth is clear as it cites 40 years between the two masjids and Ya’qub bin Ishaaq is the grandson of Ibrahim (as).
Allah also termed Makkah as ‘Umm Al Qura’ – The Mother of All Cities. Anything titled ‘mother’ means it is the most important of all.
There is an aspect, which further teaches us how special Makkah is, and that is when we enter Makkah we have to enter in Ihraam, a sacred state.
In the Hanafi Madhab, this is even for the one who visits Makkah regularly with exception of the resident of Makkah who exists regularly.
Also, normally if you intend to do a sin, and don’t do it, Allah will reward you. In Makkah, if you intend to do Haraam, then you will be taken to account. Imam Ibn AlQayyim uses this aayah as evidence.
Indeed, those who have disbelieved and avert [people] from the way of Allah and [from] al-Masjid al-Haram, which We made for the people – equal are the resident therein and one from outside; and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] or wrongdoing – We will make him taste of a painful punishment. [22:25]
Last but not least – a person who does good in these sacred lands, their rewards are multiplied in quality and quantity. However, if they sin in these lands, the severity of the sin, and the weight of it, will be increased, however the quantity will not be increased.
May Allah shower His mercy upon Imam Ibn alQayyim.
End of class.
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