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Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 68

Posted on Fri 29 Rabi Al Awwal 1448AH 11-9-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Question 150 – Allāh, the Most High, has informed us in His Book and upon the tongue of His Messenger, and from what we know of His Attributes, that He Loves those who do good, are pious and have patience; and He is Pleased with those who believe and do righteous deeds. And (we know) that He does not Like the disbelievers and the oppressors, and He is not Pleased with disbelief for His slaves nor does He Like mischief. However all this occurs by the Will and Wish of Allāh, and if He Wished none of that would occur and there would not be anything that He did not Desire in His Dominion. So what is reply to the one who asks, “How can He Will and Desire that which He is not Pleased with or Likes?”.

Question 151 – What is the evidence for the fourth level of eemān in al-Qadr? – and its answer.

Question 152 – What is the meaning of the statement of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “All the good is in Your Hands and evil is not ascribed to You”, alongside the fact that Allāh is the creator of everything (i.e. how do we resolve this)? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 68.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:
Lesson 68 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

Q150. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): Irādah (Will) in the texts has two meanings:

1. Irādah Kawniyyah (Universal Pre-Ordained Will) – this is the creational decree, there is no binding connection between this will and His Mahabbah (love) and Ridha (pleasure). This type of will, no one escapes from it, whether person of belief or person of disbelief. Evidences for this:
“And whomsoever Allāh Wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam; and whomsoever He Wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted.” (al-An’ām: 125)

“And whomsoever Allāh wants to put in al-Fitnah [error, because of his rejecting of faith), you can do nothing for him against Allāh. Those are the ones whose hearts Allāh does not want to purify (from disbelief and hypocrisy).” (al-Mā’idah: 41)

2. Irādah Deenatul Sharī’atun (The Religious Legislated Will) – this is the one which is tied to what Allāh loves and is pleased with. Allāh has commanded and prohibited certain things based on this Will. Evidences:

“Allāh Wishes for you ease, and He does not Wish to make things difficult for you.” (al-Baqarah: 185)

“Allāh Wishes to make clear to you and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allāh is All-Knower, All-Wise.” (an-Nisā’: 26)

and many other verses.

And this type of Will (Religious Legislated) cannot be enacted except by the one for whom the Universal Will has already preceded. So the Universal and Legislated Will combine for the obedient believer, whereas only the Universal Will is operative for the sinful evil-doer.

So Allāh, the One free from all imperfections, has invited all His slaves in general to His Pleasure and guided whoever He Wished amongst them to respond. As He, the Most High, said, “Allāh calls to the Home of Peace and guides whom He Wills to the Straight Path.” (Yūnus: 25)

So He, the One free from all imperfections, made the invitation general but specified guidance to whomever He wished, “Verily, your Lord it is He Who knows best him who goes astray from His Path, and He knows best him who receives guidance.” (an-Najm: 30)

Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh):

– Regarding Irādah Kawniyyah, the question arises: “Has Allāh desired disbelief to occur?” Answer is Yes, through His creational will. If He didn’t want people to disbelieve, He wouldn’t have willed it. If Allāh wills it, it will happen and it is not possible for His will to be opposed.

– Regarding Irādah Sharī’ah – Allah wants from His servants that which He is pleased with.

– The key differences between the two types:

1. Creational Will will absolutely occur whereas for the Legislative Will it is not binding it will occur.

2. Legislative Will is tied to what Allāh loves whereas the Creational Will is tied to what He loves and doesn’t love.

– Allāh allows displeasurable things to occur for a maslahah and hikmah.

– Things to take away from this:

1. If we know that nothing happens except by Allāh’s Mashee’ah (Will) this will lead us to take the ways and means, to have tawakkul (reliance in Allāh), be attached to Him and not to the creation.

2. We must act on the commands and prohibitions when we know this is what Allāh loves.

– Q151. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): Allāh, the Most High, said,

“Allāh is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakil (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things.”
(az-Zumar: 62)

“Is there any creator other than Allāh who provides for you from the sky (rain) and the earth?” (Fātir: 3)

“This is the creation of Allāh. So show Me that which those (whom you worship) besides Him have created.” (Luqmān: 11)

also: (ar-Rūm: 40), (as-Sāffat: 96), (ash-Shams: 7-8), (al-A’rāf: 178), (al-Hujurāt: 7), and many other verses.

It is reported by al-Bukhārī in ‘Khalq af’āl ul-‘Ibād’ from Hudhayfah in marfū’ form, “Allāh created every doer and his action.” [Reported by al-Bukhārī and others]

The Prophet (sallallāhu alaihi wasallam) said, “O Allāh, give my soul its taqwā and purify it, You are the best of those who purify. Verily, You are its Owner and Protector.” [Part of a long hadīth reported by Muslim]

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): This fourth level is really an implementation of whatever He has mentioned in the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfūz).

– Q152. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): Allāh’s actions, all of them, are pure good. There is no evil in Allāh doing His actions. Why? Allāh is the Just, all of His actions comprise wisdom and justice, He puts everything into its proper place. Any evil is only in relation to the servant such as harm or suffering. Person has only earned what happens of evil due to his own sins. Evidences:

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He Pardons much.” (ash-Shūrā: 30)

“We wronged them not, but they were the dhālimun (polytheists, wrongdoers).” (az-Zukhruf: 76)

“Truly! Allāh wrongs not mankind in aught, but mankind wrong themselves.” (Yūnus: 44)

Posted in Aqidah, Tawheed | Tagged abu iyaad, actions, allah, amjad rafiq, Aqeedah, belief, daleel, decree, divine decree, evidence, evil, fate, fourth level, good and evil, mashee'ah, Ordainments, qadar, qadr, qudrah, quran, Quran and sunnah, Signposts propagated sunnah, will | Leave a comment

Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 67

Posted on Wed 22 Safar 1448AH 5-8-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Conclusion of answer to question 148 regarding what does the Pre-Ordainment of happiness or misery necessitate.

Question 149 – What is the evidence for the third level – belief in the Mashee’ah (will of Allāh)? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 67.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 67on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Q148. Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): This piece by Hāfidh Al-Hakamī is very important, ‘what is the action of today?’, ‘what is the point in acting?’. The answer: “Work (do good deeds) for each one (every person) will be facilitated for that which they were created.” [authentic hadīth – mentioned previously]

– Pre-Ordainment of happiness: “As for him — (Abū Bakr) — who gives (in charity) and fearfully keeps his duty (to Allāh). And believes in al-Husnā (the statement of monotheism) (or: the obligations of prayer, fasting and charity) (or: the promise of Allāh) (or: Paradise and its reward). Then We will make easy for him (the path to) (further) righteousness (or: to Paradise).” [al-Lail(92):5-7, source: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/92_5-7].

– Pre-Ordainment of misery: “But as for he — ( Umayyah bin Khalaf) — who is miserly (with respect to his wealth and Allāh’s right upon him) and considers himself self-sufficient (from his Lord). And rejects al-Husnā (the statement of monotheism) (or: the obligations of prayer, fasting and charity) (or: the promise of Allāh) (or: Paradise and its reward). Then We will make easy for him (the path to) evil (or: Hellfire).” [al-Lail(92):8-10, source: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/92_8-10]

– Some people do deeds that appear outwardly to other people to be from the deeds of Paradise, but they are from the people of Hellfire. Hadīth regarding this has previously been mentioned.

– Two contrasting examples from the Sunnah:

1. Abdullāh bin Mas’ūd (رضي الله عنه) reported that Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “…verily one of you does the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is only a cubit between him and it (Paradise), then that which has been written regarding him overtakes him and he does the deeds of the people of Hell-Fire and enters into it (the Hell-Fire).” [Sahih Muslim 2643a, Kitāb al-Qadar]

Narrated Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه): “We witnessed along with Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) the Khaibar (campaign). Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) told his companions about a man who claimed to be a Muslim, “This man is from the people of the Fire.” When the battle started, the man fought very bravely and received a great number of wounds and got crippled. On that, a man from among the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) came and said, “O Allāh’s Apostle! Do you know what the man you described as of the people of the Fire has done? He has fought very bravely for Allāh’s Cause and he has received many wounds.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “But he is indeed one of the people of the Fire.” Some of the Muslims were about to have some doubt about that statement. So while the man was in that state, the pain caused by the wounds troubled him so much that he put his hand into his quiver and took out an arrow and committed suicide with it. Off went some men from among the Muslims to Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said, “O Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Allāh has made your statement true. So-and-so has committed suicide.” Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “O Bilāl! Get up and announce in public: None will enter Paradise but a believer, and Allāh may support this religion (Islām) with a wicked man.” [Sahīh al-Bukharī 6606, Kitāb al-Qadar].

2. Narrated al-Barā’a (رضي الله عنه): “A man whose face was covered with an iron mask (i.e. clad in armour) came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “O Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Shall I fight or embrace Islām first? “The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Embrace Islām first and then fight.” So he embraced Islām, and was martyred. Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, A Little work, but a great reward. (He did very little (after embracing Islām), but he will be rewarded in abundance)”. [Sahīh al-Bukharī 2808, Book of Jihād]

– From this the companions understood the necessity of taking the ways and means. Qadar doesn’t prevent a person from acting. One should make du’ā to Allāh to grant him (or her) firmness.

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): To abandon the ways and means, and actions is foolishness. Allāh’s wisdom is such that everything which occurs is because of a cause, either it is known to us or it is not. There are ways and means, and causes and effects. We take the ways and means of happiness. Tawakkul cannot be except by the ways and means, doing what has been commanded and staying away from what has been prohibited.

– Q149. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): Allāh, the Most High, said, “But you cannot will, unless Allāh wills.” [al-Insān(76):30]

“And never say of anything, “I shall do such and such thing tomorrow.” except (with the saying), “If Allāh wills!”” [al-Kahf (18):23-24]

Evidences also in:

[al-An’ām(6):39]

[al-Mā’idah(5):48 and an-Nahl(16):93]

[ash-Shū’ara(26):8]

[Muhammad(47):4]

[al-Burūj(85):16]

[Yā-Sīn(36):82]

[an-Nahl(16):40] and

[al-An’ām(6):125]

And there are many other verses, which cannot be enumerated.

And he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “The hearts of the slaves are between the two Fingers of the Most Merciful, as one heart. He turns them how He wills.” [Sahīh Muslim. at-Tirmidhī and Ahmad]

And he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Do not say, “What Allāh wishes and what so and so wishes.”, rather, say, “Whatever Allāh Wishes.” only.” [Abū Dawūd, Musnad Ahmad and al-Baihaqī]

And he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “…Whoever Allāh Wishes good for, He gives him understanding of the Deen.” [Bukharī, at-Tirmidhī and Musnad Ahmad]

Other ahadith mentioned.

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): Everything that happens is only because Allāh wills it. Allāh’s own actions occur by His will, actions of the servants occur by His will.

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): The will of the servant is not independent of the will of Allāh. This is where the Qadariyyah went astray, “How can Allāh punish people for their deeds?” they claimed. Allāh’s proof is established, He sent Messengers, Books, and gave them hearing, sight, faculties, ability to think, choose, act, etc. Allāh showed them the right and wrong way so the hujjah is established. Allāh does not wrong any of His servants, “Allāh wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant)…” [an-Nisā'(4):40]

– Dhulm (oppression) is to place a right in other than its proper place. A servant falling into Shirk is dhulm because that right (of being deserving of worship) belongs only to Allāh.

– Need action of the heart, belief of the heart only is not sufficient. Iblīs knows the truth but disbelieves due to arrogance.

Posted in Aqidah, Tawheed | Tagged abu iyaad, actions, allah, amjad rafiq, Aqeedah, belief, daleel, decree, divine decree, evidence, fate, happiness, mashee'ah, Ordainments, qadar, qadr, qudrah, quran, Quran and sunnah, Signposts propagated sunnah, third level, will | Leave a comment

Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 66

Posted on Thu 9 Safar 1448AH 23-7-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Question 143 – What is the evidence for the decree that is eternal (Eternal Pre-Ordainment)? – and its answer.

Question 144 – What is the evidence for the decree that relates to the Meethāq (when Allāh took covenant from Children of Ādam, saying to them: “Am I not Your Lord?”)? – and its answer.

Question 145 – What is the evidence for the decree related to when the nutfah is first created? – and its answer.

Question 146 – What is the evidence for the yearly decree (Pre-Ordainment) on the night of Laylatul-Qadr? – and its answer.

Question 147 – What is the evidence for the daily decree (Pre-Ordainment)? – and its answer.

Question 148 – What does the Pre-Ordainment of happiness or misery necessitate? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 66.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 66 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Q143. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decree (al-Lawh ul-Mahfūdh) before We bring it into existence.” [al-Hadīd (57):22]

Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allāh wrote the Decree of the creation fifty-thousand years He created the heavens and the earth, and His Throne is upon water.” [Sahīh Muslim, at-Tirmidhī, Musnad Ahmad]

He (ﷺ) said: “The first thing that Allāh created was the Pen and He said to it, “Write!” It (the Pen) asked, “O Lord! What shall I write?” He said, “Write the Decree of everything (that will occur) until the Hour is established.” [Tirmidhī, Musnad Ahmad, Abu Dawūd, authenticated by Shaykh Albānī due to other supporting narrations]

And he (ﷺ) said, “O Abū Hurairah, the Pen has dried (after writing) that which would occur.”
[Bukharī, Musnad Ahmad with checking of Shaykh Ahmad Shākir (rahimahullāh) who said chain is sahīh]

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): Allāh’s prior knowledge never changes.

– Q144. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

“And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Ādam, from their loins, their seed (or from Ādam’s loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (Saying), “Am I not your Lord?” [al-A’rāf (7):172]

And Ishāq ibn Rahīwiyyah reported that a man said, “O Messenger of Allāh, are deeds to be initiated, or is everything already ordained?” He (ﷺ) replied, “When Allāh, the Most High, brought forth the Children of Ādam from his loin, He made them testify against themselves, then He put then in His Palm and said, “These are for Paradise and these are for the Hell-Fire.” So the people of Paradise are facilitated to do the deeds of the people of Paradise, and the people of the Hell-Fire are facilitated to do the deeds of the people of the Hell-Fire.” [ad-Durr al-Manthūr fit-Tafsīr bil-Ma’thūr (3/743), Ibn Kathīr (2/229) and mentioned by Ibn Abī Āsim in Kitāb as-Sunnah with the checking of Shaykh Albānī (rahimahullāh) who mentioned that its chain is sahīh and all its narrators are reliable].

Hadiths in Muwattā of Imām Mālik and at-Tirmidhī also mentioned as evidence.

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): Shaykh brings another hadīth regarding Ādam (‘alaihis-salām) giving some of this life to Dāwūd (‘alaihis-salām).

– Q145. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

“He knows you well when He created you from the earth (Ādam), and when you were foetuses in your mothers wombs. So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He Knows best him who fears Allāh and keeps his duty to Him i.e. those who are al-muttaqūn (the pious).” [al-Najm (53):32]

Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Verily one of you has his creation put together in the womb of his mother for forty days as a nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then as an ‘alaqah (clot) for a similar period, then as a mughdah (lump of flesh) for a similar period. Then an angel is sent to him and he blows the soul into him, and he is ordered (to write) four things: his provision, his lifespan, his deeds, whether he will be miserable or happy. So by the One besides whom there is no other deity worthy of worship, verily one of you does the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is only a cubit between him and it (Paradise), then that which has been written regarding him overtakes him and he does the deeds of the people of Hell-Fire and enters into it (the Hell-Fire). And verily one of you does the deeds of the people of the Hell-Fire until there is only a cubit between him and it (the Hell-Fire), then that which has been written regarding him, overtakes him and he does the deeds of the people of Paradise and enters it (Paradise).” [two Sahīhs]

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): there are several hadīths relating to the Decree for when the nutfah is first created in the womb with 40 days, 40 nights, 42 nights and 120 days all mentioned. The Shaykh mentions how this can be reconciled?

– Q146. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

“Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments. Amran (i.e. a Command or this Quran or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers).” [ad-Dukhān (44):4-5]

And Ibn Abbās (radi’Allāhu ‘anhumā) said, “On the Night of Qadr, the deaths or births, the provision, the rain, and even the pilgrims of the (forthcoming) year, such that it is said so and so will perform Hajj, are written from the Umm ul-Kitāb (al-Lawh ul-Mahfūdh).”
[ad-Durr al-Manthūr (6/25)]

Hadīth in al-Hākim also mentioned.

– Q147. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

Allāh said, “Every day He is (engaged) in some affair (such as giving honour or disgrace to some, life or death to some, etc.)!” [ar-Rahmān (55):29]

– Q148. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

All the divine books and prophetic ways are agreed upon the fact that Pre-Ordainment does not negate doing deeds, nor does it necessitate reliance, rather it necessitates striving and enthusiasm for righteous actions, and thus when the Prophet (ﷺ) informed his companions about Pre-ordainment, and the occurrence of the Divine Decree and the drying of the Pen due to (the writing of) it, some of them said, “Should we not rely upon what has been written for us and leave off doing (good) deeds, for each (person) will be facilitated (to do that which has been written for him).” [Sahīh] Then he recited, “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allāh and fears Him. And believes in al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. And belies al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of evil.” [al-Layl (92):5-10]

Allāh, the One free from all imperfections, has decreed the destinies and prepared the means for them, and He is the All-Wise in the means He has set up for this life and the next. And He has facilitated for all His creation that which He created them for in the world and the Hereafter. So He is the One who prepares (the means) and the One who facilitates (those means).

So if the slave knows that the benefits of his Hereafter are linked to the means set for it in this present life, then he strives harder in acting upon (the means) and establishing them, to a greater extent than the means he acts upon for his present life and the benefits of his worldly affairs.

And this matter was understood in the complete sense by the Companion who said upon hearing the narrations regarding Pre-ordainment, “I have never been more diligent (to do good deeds) than I am at present.”

And the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Be enthusiastic for that which benefits you and seek the help from Allāh, and do not be weak.” [Sahīh, part of a long hadīth]

And he (ﷺ) was asked, “What do you think of medicine we take as treatment and the ruqyah which we use? Does any of that repel the Decree of Allāh? So he (ﷺ) replied, “These things (medicine and ruqyah) are from the Decree of Allāh.” [Ibn Majāh and at-Tirmidhī, sahīh] Meaning, that it is Allāh who Decreed the good and bad, and causes for each one of them.

Posted in Aqidah, Tawheed | Tagged abu iyaad, actions, allah, amjad rafiq, Aqeedah, belief, daily decree, daleel, decree, divine decree, evidence, fate, happiness, Lawh ul-Mahfudh, Laylatul-Qadr, lifepan, Ordainments, preserved tablet, qadar, qadr, qudrah, quran, Quran and sunnah, Signposts propagated sunnah, womb, yearly decree | Leave a comment

Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 65

Posted on Thu 2 Safar 1448AH 16-7-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Question 140 – What is the evidence for the first level (of Qadr) i.e. Knowledge? – and its answer.

Question 141 – What is the evidence for the second level (of Qadr) i.e. Writing of decrees? – and its answer.

Question 142 – How many levels decrees enter into this particular (second) level? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 65.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 65 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Q140. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): The evidences:

“He is Allāh, beside Whom Lā ilāha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen…” [al-Hashr(59): 22]

…and that Allâh surrounds all things in (His) Knowledge”. [at-Talāq(65): 12]

“Those who disbelieve say: “The Hour will not come to us.” Say: “Yes, by my Lord, the All-Knower of the unseen, it will come to you.” not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant) or less than that or greater, escapes His Knowledge in the heavens or in the earth, but it is in a Clear Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfūz)”. [Saba(34)’: 3]

Also:
[al-An’ām(6): 59]
[al-An’ām(6): 124]
[an-Nahl(16): 125 & al-Qalam(68): 7]
[al-An’ām(6): 53]
[al-‘Ankabūt(29): 10]
[al-Baqarah(2): 30]
[al-Baqarah(2): 216]

And it is reported in the Sahīh that a man asked, “O Messenger of Allāh! Can the people of Paradise be known (differentiated) from the people of the Fire?” He replied, “Yes”. The man said, “Then why do the people (try to) do (good) deeds?” The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied, “Everyone will do the deeds for which he has been created to do or he will do those deeds which will be made easy for him to do.” [al-Bukharī in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: The Pen has dried (after the Writing has been completed) with Allāh’s Knowledge (7/210) (Eng. Trans. no. 6596) and Muslim in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: The way in which the human is created in the womb of his mother (8/48).

And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was asked about the children of the Mushrikīn so he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Allāh Knows best about what they would have done (were they to live).” [Bukharī in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: Allāh Knows best about what they would have done (7/210), Eng. Trans. no. 6597 and Muslim in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: The meaning of the statement that every newborn is born on the natural disposition and the ruling of the dead children from the disbelievers and the Muslims (7/54)].

And it is reported in Sahīh Muslim that the Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Verily Allāh created people of Paradise while they were in the loins of their fathers, and he created people for the Hell-Fire while they were in the loins of their fathers.” [Muslim in the Book of Qadr (7/55), Abu Dawūd (no. 4713) and Musnad Ahmad (6/208).

And he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Verily a man performs the deeds of the people of Paradise, as it appears to the people, yet he is from the people of Hell-Fire. And verily a man performs the deeds of the people of Hell-Fire, as it appears to the people, yet he is from the people of Paradise.” [Bukharī in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: Actions are (judged by) their final outcome (7/213) and Muslim (8/49)

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): All of these are evidences for the first level.

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): Provides more ayāt as evidence. Whoever denies the first level is a disbeliever as they are denying what Allāh and His Messenger has revealed.

– The opposite of knowledge is ignorance or forgetfulness.

“My Lord does not err nor does He forget”– “err” relates to future and “forget” relates to what has past.

– Q141. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

Allāh, the Most High, said, “…and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book.” [Yā-Sīn(36): 12]

“…Verily, it is (all) in the Book (al-Lauh ul-Mahfūz)…” [al-Hajj(22):70]

He, the Most High, said regarding the debate between Mūsa and Fir’awn, “He (Fir’awn) said, “What about the generations of old?” Mūsa said, “The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord neither errs nor does He forget.” [Tā-Hā(20): 51-52]

Allāh, the Most High, said, “…And no female conceives or gives birth but with His Knowledge. And no aged man is granted a length of life nor a part cut off from his life (or another man’s life), but is in a Book (al-Lauh ul-Mahfūz). Surely, that is easy for Allāh.” [Fātir (35): 11]

And there are many other verses.

He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “There is no a soul, except that Allāh has written its place in Paradise or Hellfire. And it has been written whether it will be miserable or happy.” [Agreed upon. Reported by al-Bukharī in the Book of Tafsir, Chapter: The tafsīr of the Sūrah, “By the night and when it envelops…” (6/84) (Eng. Trans. no. 4944) without the addition of Surāqah. And reported by Muslim in full in the Book of Qadr, Chapter: How the human being was created. (8/47-48).

And in it Surāqah bin Malik bin Ju’shum said, “O Messenger of Allāh, explain our deen to us as if we had been created just now. Whatever deeds we do today, are they because of the fact that the pens have dried and the destinies have begun to operate or do these actions have effects in the future. Then he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “The pens have dried and the destinies have begun to operate.” Surāqah asked, “If this is so, then what is the use of doing good deeds?” He replied, “Do good deeds for each one will be facilitated.” And in another narration, “Each does will be facilitated upon his deed.” [ibid]

And there are many other narrations.

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): These evidences show that the actions from the servants, all of it has been enumerated (encompassed and preserved) in al-Lauh al-Mahfūz. All the specifics (from birth to death such as for example, which graveyard one will be buried in) are in a Record, nothing small or large is missing from it. Allāh knows whether servant is happy (so from the people of Paradise) or wretched (so from the people of Hellfire).

– Everyone is in danger as he/she doesn’t know what will come to them, maybe some tribulation comes to them and they flip, and the tribulations in this time are many.

– Du’ā mentioned in which one seeks refuge from the tribulation of Hellfire, punishment in the grave, life and death, and from the false messiah (Dajjāl).

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): Regarding the hadith which mentions: “Write” and “What shall I write?”, this is everything from that moment to the establishment of The Hour. When embryo is in the womb and four months have passed, angel writes sustenance, lifespan and deeds (whether happy or wretched).

– Q142. Answer of Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh): Five taqadīr which enter into the writing:

Writing which took place (50,000 years) before the creation of the heavens and the earth.
Life, when Allāh took meethāq (covenant, “Am I not Your Lord?”).
Embryo in womb, decree written at that point in time.
Yearly decree which takes place in Laylatul-Qadr.
Daily decree which is bringing everything to occur, Allāh brings it for it to occur.

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azīz Aal ash-Shaykh: The first three types never change. Regarding 4), this is in al-Lauh al-Mahfūz, mentioned in a conditional and connected sense, attached to someone, if servant keeps ties of kinship then their lifespan is increased. If servant does this, then this will happen. Regarding 5), this is something that changes, Allāh affirms or erases.

Posted in Aqidah, Tawheed | Tagged abu iyaad, actions, allah, amjad rafiq, Aqeedah, belief, daleel, decree, eemaan, evidence, fate, four levels of Qadr, good and evil, qadar, qadr, qudrah, quran, Quran and sunnah, Signposts propagated sunnah | Leave a comment

Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 64

Posted on Wed 23 Muharram 1448AH 8-7-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Conclusion of answer to question 139 regarding the four levels of belief in al-Qadar.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 64.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 64 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh):

Abdul-Wahid bin Sulaim said:
“I arrived in Makkah and met Ata bin Abi Rabah. I said: ‘O Abu Muhammad! Some people with us speak about Al-Qadar.’ Ata said: ‘I met Al-Walid bin Ubadah bin As-Samit and he said: “My father narrated to me, he said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allāh saying: “Verily the first of what Allāh created was the Pen. He said to it: “Write.” So it wrote what will be forever.’”
[Jamī’ at-Tirmidhī 3319, Sahīh]

Could refer to a single pen or genus of pens. It was commanded to write despite there being no scribe. This is from the knowledge of Allāh.

– Whatever afflicts people, it is not except by Allāh’s permission, He is All-Knowledgeable over all affairs. Allāh gave humans; tongues, limbs, ability to know, think, reflect, ability to choose and He sent Books and Messengers. Thus, Allāh’s hujjah (proof) is established so we can’t use Qadar as an excuse (for sins and disobedience).

“…Work, for everyone will be facilitated for that whcih they were created, so that whoever belongs to the company of the blessed will have good works made easier for him and whoever belongs to the unfortunate ones will have evil acts made easier for him…” [Sahīh Muslim, 2647a]

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azīz Aal ash-Shaykh: of these four (levels), two of them are before the creation of the heavens and the earth:
1) ‘Ilm of Allāh.
2) Writing of all things in the Preserved Tablet.

Allāh’s prior knowledge of all things is eternal. ‘Abdullāh b. ‘Amr b. al-‘Ās reported:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “Allāh ordained the decrees of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, as His Throne was upon water.” [Sahīh Muslim, 2653b]

“Do you not know that Allāh knows what is in the heaven and earth? Indeed, that is in a Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfūz). Indeed that, for Allāh, is easy.” [22:70]

3) Allāh’s will (Mashee’ah), whatever He wills, will happen, whatever He doesn’t will to happen, doesn’t happen. Good and evil is in relation to man, all of that occurs by the Will of Allāh.

“But you cannot will, unless Allāh wills. Verily, Allāh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [76:30]

Nothing happens from actions of servant except that is occurs by the will of Allāh. Allāh has willed both good and the evil. Has given permission for good to occur and evil to occur from the affairs of the creation. What about from the angle of creation or legislation? Allāh prohibited from Shirk, Kufr, disobedience, oppression, and commanded with Tawheed, eemān, obedience, justice, etc. Must distinguish between what Allāh wants to happen in His creation and what He loves, is pleased with and wants from His servants. Need to make a distinction between Irādah al-Kawniyyah (will/wish relating to creation) and Irādah ad-Deeniyyah (will/wish relating to the Deen i.e. Legislative Will).

Irādah al-Kawniyyah is the same as Mashee’ah, it is not tied to His love and pleasure whereas Irādah ad-Deeniyyah is tied to His love and pleasure, it may not happen as Allāh not willed it to happen.

“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you…” [39:7]

Nothing happens except by His knowledge, will, permission and far-reaching wisdom. The praiseworthy and blameworthy things are from Irādah Kawniyyah. Praiseworthy things and good only from Irādah Deeniyyah, this is what He commanded, loves and is pleased with.

4) Allāh is the Creator of everything. Things Allāh created come under the Qadar of Allāh.

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ

“While Allah has created you and what you make!” [Muhsin Khan, 37:96]
“While Allah created you and that which you do?” [Sahīh International, 37:96]

The two ways the particle ما (mā) in this āyah can be interpreted. Refer to this page (https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/37_96) for elaboration as to the meaning and also how it is a proof against the Muʿtazilites, atheists and materialists.

Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 63

Posted on Thu 17 Muharram 1448AH 2-7-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Conclusion of answer to question 138 regarding the evidence for belief in al-Qadar in a broad general sense.

Question 139 – How many levels of belief in al-Qadar are there? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 63.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 63 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Q138. – Commentary of Shaykh Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): al-Qadar – what does it mean? It is taqdīr (prior determination, something Allāh has already decreed):

“Verily, all things. We created (them) with Qadar (their prior determination).” [54:49]

“We determined, and most excellent a determiner are We.” [77:23]

– al-Qadā’ linguistically means judgement, al-Hukm. The scholars say that if these two words are used separately, away from each other, they are synonymous i.e. mean the same. If used in the same sentence, then the meaning is different. al-Qadā’ wal-Qadar, if mentioned together, they separate in their meaning, if mentioned separately they unite in their meaning. If mention Qadā’ separately, it includes Qadar. If mention Qadar only, then includes Qadā’.

– Some say al-Qadā’ comes first, then al-Qadar, others say it’s the other way round:

“…He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements (or gave it its determination).” [25:2]

How come creation is mentioned first then prior determination comes next? The answer or response is from one of two ways which the Shaykh elaborates upon.

– Belief in al-Qadar is obligatory. It is one of the six pillars of eemān as mentioned in the hadīth of Jibrīl (‘alaihis-salām).

– Benefits of believing in al-Qadar:
1) from completion of eemān as eemān can’t be complete without this.
2) from perfection in belief in Allāh’s Rubūbiyyah (Lordship). Actions (such as guiding, misguiding, etc.) are from His Rubūbiyyah.
3) person returns all affairs to His Lord and submits to Him. Whenever person encounters hardship or harm, he returns back to His Lord, trusts in Him, he attributes bounties and favours bestowed upon him to Allāh.
4) person knows his own true worth, they don’t boast when they achieve anything any good. They don’t develop arrogance or pride as everything is already determined.
5) calamities and hardships in life will be easy for the servant as knows Allāh decreed them, so made light for him. Belief in al-Qadar is necessary for guidance.
6) person ascribes bounties and favours that come to them to the One who is the true and real originator of these favours and bounties.
7) person then understands the hikmah of Allāh. When we reflect in creation of Allāh, we see amazing things such as for example, a people living in security then all of a sudden they are hit by a tsunami.

– What is good (khayr) and what is evil (sharr’)? Evil in al-Qadar is that which a person is not inclined to it, is averse to it as some harm or loss will be incurred. Khayr is that which is good within his constitution and nature, there is ease, joy, relaxation and agreement with his soul. There is that which is agreeable to us and that which is disagreeable, that which gives us pleasure and that which gives us pain.

– How can we say in the Qadar of Allāh there is evil? If on the one hand evil can’t be ascribed to Allāh (due to the hadīth which mentions: “Evil cannot be ascribed to Allāh”), how then do we believe in the evil in al-Qadar? Khalq (creating) can refer to act of creation or the created thing e.g. heavens and the earth. With Qadar it is the same, there is Qadar with the act of decreeing and Qadar for the thing which is decreed (maqdūr). In Allāh’s action of decreeing there can be no evil, Allah’s action is not evil but as for the thing decreed e.g. death, illness, poverty, Kufr, Shirk, creating Iblis, devils among the Jinn, all of this, in those things is evil and harm but in Allāh’s act of creating them there is no evil, He created them for a far-reaching wisdom.

“Evil (or corruption) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).” [30:41]

– Corruption has appeared, its cause is sins and disobedience of men. The wisdom behind it: that men may return. Allāh gives them a taste of punishment so they will return to right guidance. Evil is only as a result of men and what they experience as disagreeable to their souls. If Allāh had not decreed Shirk, Kufr and disobedience, then what would be the point of the legislations and the sending of the Messengers? This would mean there is no purpose to creation.

– Qadā is of two types:
1) Kawnī (Creational ordainment): must happen. If Allāh decreed it, must happen.
2) Shar’iyy (Legislative ordainment): that which has been decreed by way of legislation. He wants Tawhīd from servants, charity, prayer, righteousness, keeping away from; Shirk, stealing and gambling, etc. This is something a person may or may not do. If what person does agrees with the legislation then Allāh is pleased with it.

Must distinguish between these two things.

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islām), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf and forbidding Al-Munkar. And it is they who are the successful.” [3:104]

Even though Allāh decreed evil, we are still commanded to prohibit it. Evil is not in the act of creation but in the thing itself.

– Q139. – Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (d.1377H, rahimahullāh):

Four levels:
1) All-Encompassing knowledge of Allāh of everything, not even a speck or an atom escapes His knowledge in the heavens or the earth.
2) Writing in all of that, He wrote all of what He pre-decreed. Included in this is belief in Lawh al-Mahfūz and Qalam.
3) Allāh’s operative will which takes effect and His All-Encompassing power – Mashee’ah and Qudrah. What Allāh wills it will happen by or through His power, will absolutely happen. That which He did not will to happen, it is not that He didn’t have the power and ability to do it.
4) Allāh is the Creator of everything and that there is no speck or atom in the heaven or earth except Allāh is their creator. There is no other creator besides Him, no Lord other than Him. Nothing is outside of His creative power.

They Used to Say, “It Is Obligatory to Adhere to the Evidence, Not to Adhere to Ahmad”.

Posted on Wed 16 Muharram 1448AH 1-7-2026AD by islamtees

Posted in Qur'aan, Sunnah | Tagged blind following, daleel, evidence, Imam Ahmad, proof, quran, revelation, sunnah, Taqleed, text, wahy | Leave a comment

Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 62

Posted on Fri 11 Muharram 1448AH 26-6-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Question 136 – Will a person enter into Paradise or be saved from Hellfire by way of his actions? – and its answer.

Question 137 – How do we reconcile between the hadīth: “…Not even I, but that Allah wraps me in His Mercy…” and the āyah: “This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world).“? – and its answer.

Question 138 – What is the evidence for belief in al-Qadr in a broad general sense? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 62.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 62 on SoundCloud

Notes (produced by Abū Yahyā Imrān Rafīq):

– Q136. – This is an important discussion.

– Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (رحمه الله) brings ahadīth such as:

“… and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.” [Sahih Bukharī, 6464]

“…and be happy for none would be able to get into Paradise because of his deeds alone. They (the Companions of the Holy Prophet) said: Allah’s Messenger, not even you? Thereupon he said: Not even I, but that Allah wraps me in His Mercy, and bear this in mind that the deed loved most by Allah is one which is done constantly even though it is small.” [Sahih Muslim, 2818a]

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): What is taken from this is that action is a cause for entering into Paradise, not the cause.You need action to enter Paradise, it is not the thing itself that is the cause, it is the mercy and bounty of Allāh. If a person is upright, fears Allāh and rectifies, he hopes with the best of hopes. “Actions are not a cause for Paradise, but they are a cause for acquiring [Allāh’s] mercy by which a servant enters Paradise.” [Al-Fawā’id al-Manthūrah (p.344)]

– Commentary of Shaykh Sālih ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azīz Aal ash-Shaykh: rather it is only by Allāh’s pardon and mercy. Action is a cause or reason:

وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

“This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world).” [43:72]

The letter ب (bā) has been used as a preposition. Can be used for different reasons:
1) sababīyah (a cause)
2) muqābalah (an equivalent exchange)
which ب is being used? It is the ب of sababīyah.

– Does a servant deserve to enter Paradise because of what he has brought? No, this can’t be the case, all of what Allāh has given you (blessings, bounties, favours, etc.) in this life is not equal to what you have brought or done. Guidance is from Allāh. Actions are a cause but not the reason for entering Paradise as equal compensation. No one will enter Paradise except by the mercy of Allāh.

– This is different to Mu’tazilah as they say entering into Paradise is because of equal consideration, compensation, the just reward Allāh owes to His servants. There’s a reason they say this, it’s tied to their belief in Qadr, they say Allāh doesn’t will or create His servant’s actions. They say people do deeds on their own (independently), they are the creator of their own actions. No, Allāh has prior knowledge of the deeds of servants, He decreed for them to occur. Some people He abandons as they have turned away.

– Q137. – Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (رحمه الله): There is no contradiction because what is affirmed in the āyah is the ب of sababīyah. What is negated in the hadīth is the ب of thamaniyyah (cost/price). Are righteous actions an equal sufficient price for Paradise? No.

And say (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)): “My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!” [23:118]

An example: cultivation and tilling is required for a harvest.

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): Actions are a must, part of the reason for entering Paradise, actions are not the price for Paradise. Paradise is too lofty for it to be equal consideration for your actions. Actions are a cause for earning the mercy of Allāh, Allāh’s mercy is what enters you into Paradise. Allāh shows mercy to the one who does righteous deeds and obeys Him. Actions are not a direct cause for entering Paradise. The essence of the point:Actions are not the direct cause of entering Paradise, it is a way of earning the mercy of Allāh.

– Commentary of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sālih al-ʿUthaymīn (d.1421H, rahimahullāh): Same point, the ب used does not mean compensation but means a sabab as actions are a sabab. Paradise is not an ‘iwad (an equal compensation). ب negated in hadīth is ب of ‘iwad, ب affirmed is ب of sababiyah.

– Q138. – Note: now discussing 6th pillar of eemān. Questions 102-137 (starting from lesson #48) covered the 5th pillar (the Last Day).

– Shaykh Hāfidh Al-Hakamī (رحمه الله) brings āyāt and ahadīth such as:

“…that Allāh might accomplish a matter already ordained (in His Knowledge)” [8:42]

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” [42:30]

The hadīth of Jibrīl: “…that you believe in Qadr, the good and the bad of it.”

“…If anything befalls you, do not say, “if only I had done such and such” rather say “Qaddarallāhu wa mā shā‘a fa‘al (Allāh has decreed and whatever he wills, He does).” For (saying) ‘If’ opens (the door) to the deeds of Satan.'” [Sunan Ibn Mājah, 79]

– Commentary of Shaykh Ahmad al-Najmī (d.1429H, rahimahullāh): whatever Allāh wishes and decrees, it will happen, whatever He did not will, does not happen. Belief in al-Qadr is a condition for eemān to be valid, without it eemān is invalid.

Posted in Aqidah, Tawheed | Tagged abu iyaad, actions, allah, amjad rafiq, Aqeedah, belief, daleel, decree, eemaan, evidence, fate, hellfire, paradise, qadar, qadr, quran, Quran and sunnah, shafaa'ah, Signposts propagated sunnah | Leave a comment

Signposts of the Propagated Sunnah – Lesson 61

Posted on Mon 7 Muharram 1448AH 22-6-2026AD by islamtees

Covered in this lesson:

Question 135- How many types of intercession are there and what is the greatest type of intercession? – and its answer.

Listen to the lesson/download here:
Lesson 61.mp3

or on SoundCloud here:

Lesson 61 on SoundCloud

Notes:

– The 7/8 various types of (affirmed) intercession, the greatest type being the major intercession which will happen in the mawqif.

– The meaning of Shafā’ah, the two types of Shafā’ah and the two conditions of Shafā’ah. This was also covered in the previous lesson.

– Regarding intercession for major sinners – this is where there is disagreement between Ahlus-Sunnah and other groups.

– Intercession not unique to Prophets, others for whom intercession will be granted include angels, scholars, righteous, believers and martyrs, thus intercession is general.

– Christians, Pagan Arabs (at time of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), and others all speak with the same voice:

“…And those who take Awliya’ (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah…” [39:3]

– The person interceding has to be living and able. Every request from the dead or someone not in your vicinity or without the power, enters into Shirk.

– Pagan Arabs wouldn’t seek intercession from the dead in graves directly, they would show devotion in worship hoping that this would lead to them to interceding for them. Some people of knowledge say this is a type of bid’ah. Although, it is technically a bid’ah, doesn’t mean it is also Shirk as well. Some use this (it is only bid’ah) as a doubt.