The Way

[izz al-Din]

Imam Ahmad Ridha Khan رضي الله عنه said,

" Many fountains will flow from the ocean of Shari'at al Kubra.
They will flow for a short distance and stop.

Only four fountains of the Madhahib-e-Arba'ah will continue to flow for a long distance.

Eventually, three of them will stop
and only the fountain of Hanafi Madhab will continue to flow til the end.''*


***

This was the prediction of the great Imams belonging to the Shafi'i School. May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى be pleased with them and shower His Blessings on all of them.*

[*al Malfuzat al Shareef Volume 2, pg 256, English Translation, Barkatur-Raza Publications, Durban, South Afrika]

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam alGhazali, Tahafut alFalsifah:

Greater harm is done to religion by an immethodical helper than by an enemy whose actions, however, hostile are yet regular. For, as the proverb goes, "a wise enemy is better than an ignorant friend.

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Dar alHijra,
Imam Malik ibn Anas,
(Rahmatullahi Ta'ala alayh) :

Ibn Hurmuz spoke very little,
and gave few fatwas.
He was the one I most wanted to take as an example.
He was the most knowledgeable in kalam
and in refuting innovators (meaning in theology). [*]
***
[*] Ibn Abi Zayd, Kitab al-Jami'.

 

[izz al-Din]

mountains in yeman

And what indicates to the religiosity and trustworthiness of Nu`aym [bin Hammad, (teacher of Imam alBukhari, Rahmat Allahi Taala alayh), who was killed, and, became shahid, by the mutazalites, because, of not accepting the createdness of the alQuran alHakim)]
is his returning to the truth
whenever he was told of his inadvertence
and made aware of his mistake,
as he never considered accepting the truth beneath himself
because returning to the truth is better than remaining in falsehood,
and the one who remains in falsehood will increase only in remoteness from the truth

(29/471, Tadheeb 'l-Kamal)

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Yunus ibn ‘Ubayd, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh:

“I have never seen anyone who was mindful of his tongue
except that it had a good effect on the rest of his deeds and actions!”*

***

Imam Yahya ibn Abi Kathir, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh:

“I have never witnessed the speech of any man to be good
except that I also found the rest of his deeds and actions to be good also.

And I have never witnessed the speech of any man to be bad
except that I also found the rest of his deeds and actions to be bad also.”*

Imam Abu Hatim ibn Hibban, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh:

“It is obligatory for every intelligent person to always remain quiet
until it becomes necessary for him to speak.
Because how often it is that one regrets
what he has said after he has said it,
but how seldom it is that one regrets
what he has said if he remained quiet.
And the people who remain unhappy the longest
and suffer the greatest trials are those
who are afflicted with a loose tongue and a hard heart.” *

Imam Abu Hatim ibn Hibban, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh:

“It is obligatory for the intelligent person
to use his ears twice as much as he uses his mouth,
and to realize that he was given two ears
and only one mouth so that he might listen
more than he speaks.
That is because if he speaks he may regret
what he said,
but if he remains quiet
then he will (have nothing to) regret.
After all it is easier to take back
what you have never said,
however once a word has been spoken
it owns its speaker
but if it is never spoken
it remains the property of the one who never spoke it.” *

Imam Abu Hatim ibn Hibban, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh:

“The tongue of the intelligent person is behind his heart
so that when he wants to say something he consults his heart.
If it is thought that he should speak he does so,
but if not he remains silent.
However,
the ignorant person’s heart is on the tip of his tongue
so he speaks without thinking.
And whoever does not guard his tongue
does not understand his religion (Islam).” *

Imam Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh:

Fight your tongue.
The tongue is quick to kill a man.
The tongue is the posting of the heart.
It shows man his intellect.*

***
*references: check internet

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Radhi Allahu Ta'ala anhu :

“The world has departed behind us,
and the hereafter has started towards us.
Each one of them has offspring.
So be from the sons of the hereafter,
and do not be from the sons of this worldly life.
Verily today (we do) deeds without any taking of account,
while tomorrow is the taking of account
and (we are unable) to do any deeds.”

***
ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalani, Fath alBari

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Ahmad Rida, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh::

"Aqeedah is everything.
Without the correct Aqeedah,
Salah is just exercise." [1]

Imâm Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh:

“The graves of ahl al-Sunnah
who committed major sins are gardens (from Paradise)

whilst the graves of the heretics (adherents of Bid’ah)
who were ascetics are pits (from the Fire).

The sinners from ahl al-Sunnah
are the beloved (awliyâ`) of Allâh,

whereas the ascetics of ahl al-Bid’ah
are the enemies of Allâh (Azza wa Jall).”[2]]

***
[1] an Imam from Beraili, India, the Hanafi Muhaqiq and Qadri Shaykh.
known as Ala Hadrat.
[2] Imam ‘Abdullâh, Rahmat Allahi Ta'ala alayh,
the son of al-Imâm Ahmad ibn Hanbal reporting from his father,
Ibn Abî Ya’lâ, "Tabaqât Al-Hanâbilah" Vol. 1 p182.

 

[izz al-Din]

Mentioning the name of the Prophet: Muhammad,

ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ

is a means by which to purify one’s heart.[1]

Imam Ahmad Rida, رحمه الله

from Makkah alMukkaramah to Madina alMunawwarah, close to the Hijra road of the Sahaba alKiraam, رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ عنهم

Whoever surrenders his heart to Allah,

عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

Allah will take care of his limbs.[2]

Imam Sahl alTustari, رحمه الله

***

[1] an Imam from Beraili, India,
the Hanafi Muhaqiq, Muhadith, and Qadri Shaykh, known as Ala Hadrat رحمه الله,
who recieved his Isnad, in twenty Ulum,
from Imam Wali Allah alDehlvi رحمه الله, through,
Imam 'Abd al'Aziz alDehlavi رحمه الله,
and then through the teacher of Imam Ahmad Radha, Imam Naqi Ali رحمه الله .
[2] Husn Tanabbuh, Imam Najm alDin alGhazzi رحمه الله.

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Ibn Hibbaan رحمه الله said:
None behaves haughtily
unless he becomes self-amazed
and considers himself more virtuous than the other.[1]

Imam Shafi’i رحمه الله said,

”If self-amazement is concealed within your deeds,
then recall the one whose pleasure you are seeking,
which blessings you desire and which outcome you fear.
The one who ponders upon this,
his actions will become small in his presence.”[2]

Imam Ibn Sad, رحمه الله mentions in alTabaqaat

about Imam 'Umar ibn 'Abdu alAziz, رحمه الله that:

Whenever he delivered a khutbah on the mimbar,
and feared being amazed by himself;
he would terminate it (i.e. the khutbah)
And whenever he wrote a letter
and feared amazement by way of it;
he would tear it.
And he would say:

”O Allaah! I seek refuge in you from the evil of my nafs.’‘[3]

Imam alFudayl ibn Iyad, رحمه الله, said:

”O miserable one!
You are disobedient yet you see yourself as a good-doer;
you are ignorant yet you see yourself as a scholar;
you are miserly yet you see yourself as a generous person;
you are an idiot yet you see yourself as a sensible person,
and your lifespan is short yet your hopes are prolonged”[4]

Imam alDhahabi, رحمه الله said,

”I swear by Allaah, (Fudayl) spoke the truth!
You (O miserable one) are an oppressor
yet you see yourself as one who is oppressed;
you eat haraam yet you see yourself as one who fears (Allaah);
you are a rebellious evil person yet you see yourself as someone who is just;
you seek knowledge for the sake of the worldly things
yet you see yourself as one who seeks it for the sake of Allaah”. [5]

Imam Ka’b Al-Ahbar, رحمه الله said to a man who came to him, seeking after Hadeeth,

”If your knowledge filled what is between the heavens and the earth,
whilst (you are afflicted with) Self-Amazement,
it will not increase you except in lowliness and deficiency”.[6]

Imam Ibrahim Ibn Adham, رحمه الله, said,

"The highest level of loving Allah (a: Azza wa Jall)
is to cut yourself off from everything
that will distance you from Him,
all for the sake of your Lord,
to seek intimacy with Him with your heart,
intellect and the rest of your limbs.
Make your love of Him firm in your heart
so that you give nothing precedence over it.
If you are fortunate enough to reach this point,
then it won’t matter to you
if you were on land
or at sea
or in ease
or difficulty!" [7]

***

[1] Rawda al Uqala
[2] alFawaid
[3] Siyar A’lam alNubulaa:
[4] alFawaid
[5] Siyar A’lam alNubulaa
[6] Hilyat alAwliyaa
[7] al-Qa’idat Fi al-Mahabbah.

 

[izz al-Din]

near ta'if, darab altibaana

Imam Ahmad Ridha رَحْمَةُ الله عليه :

Moulana ‘Arif Billah Roomi رَحْمَةُ الله عليه writes
in his Mathnavi Sharif
that when
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه
freed Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه,
he came to the Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ and said,

“We are the servants of your streets,
and we have freed him (Hadrat Bilal) for your sake.”

Look as to what Siddiq Akbar رضي الله عنه had to say
in the first stanza to the Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ .*

Imam WaliAllah alDehlevi رَحْمَةُ الله عليه :

'Amīr al-Muminīn Umar Farooq رضي الله عنه
stood on the Mimbar and said:

“I used to be in the presence of the Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ
and I was his ‘Abd and his servant.”'*

***

*al-Amnu wa al‘Ulā

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Abd Allah ibn alMubarak رَحْمَةُ الله عليه

Seize the two rak'ats of nearness if you are free and at rest.
When you desire to speak about the false,
put glorification in its place.
Seizing silence is better than plunging,
even if you are eloquent in speech.*

***
* Imam 'Iyad alAndalusi رَحْمَةُ الله عليه , Tartib alMadarik

 

[izz al-Din]

Sayyiduna Imam ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, رضي الله عنه said:

“Ask Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)
for help
against your evil whims and desires
just as you ask Him for help
against your enemies.”*

Sayyiduna 'Umar ibn alKhattab, رضي الله عنه said:

"Sit in the company of those who repent excessively
because their hearts
are the most soft among the people."*

Imam Abu alMinhal رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said:

“There can not possibly be a better neighbour
for the slave in
his grave
than abundant istighfaar.”*

Sayyiduna Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, رضي الله عنه said,

Suspicion is for the person who is destroyed
even though he has the means to be free.
It was asked:
What is that?
He said:
Tawbah and Istighfar.

Imam Ahmad Ibn ‘Aasim, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

“Surely, this is the easy task,
clean up
the rest of your life
and you will be forgiven for your past.”*

One of the Salaf, رضي الله عنهم said:

“Once it was said to Sa’id Ibn alJubayr, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه

‘Who from the people is of the most worship?‘

He answered,

‘The man who has committed sins

and whenever he remembers his sins,

he looks down on his [good] deeds.'"*

One of the Salaf , رضي الله عنهم said:

“I have not seen anyone more fearful of Allah عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

and more intelligent

than Abu Hanifa.”* رَحْمَةُ الله عليه

“Most of the time,

he used to recite the entire Quran in one Rak’at.

His nightly crying,

which could be heard outside his house

invoked sympathy and pity of his neighbors”.*

 

[izz al-Din]

i

Sayyiduna Imam `Umar ibn alKhattab,رضي الله عنه said,

while standing on a platform,

"A man might have white hair in Islam (i.e. reaches in old age while Muslim),

yet has not completed even one prayer for Allah, the Exalted!"

He was asked,

"Why is that?"

He said,

"He does not perfect the prayer's required Khushu` ( solemness)

and attending to Allah with his heart."*

Sayyiduna Imam `Umar ibn alKhattab, رضي الله عنه became unconscious

after he was stabbed,

and according to Sayyduna alMiswar ibn Makhramah, رضي الله عنه

it was said:

"Nothing would wake him up except the call to prayer,

if he is still alive.

" They said to him,

"The prayer has finished,

O Chief of the Faithful!"

He woke up and said,

"The prayer, by Allah!

Verily, there is no share in Islam for whoever abandons the prayer."

He performed the prayer while his wound was bleeding.

Imam Hasan al-Basri رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

“Iman is not outer decoration,

nor mere hope.

Rather,

it is what settles in the heart

and what is affirmed by actions”.

Imam Hasan alBasri رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said:

“By Allah! (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)

Hastening to the prayer is not accomplished by the feet.

Indeed they were prohibited from coming to prayer

without tranquility and dignity.

Rather, it is about the hearts,

the intention, and the submission.”*

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Sufyan alThawri رَحْمَةُ الله عليه used to offer prayer

and then turn towards the youth and say:

“If you don’t offer prayer today,

then when?”*

alHasan alBasri رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said:

"When salah is the least of your concerns,

then what is your most important concern?

As much as you fix your salah, your life will be fixed.

Did you not know that salah was equated with Success:

‘Come to Prayer,

Come to Success.’

How can you ask Allah for success

when you are not responding to His right upon you?"*

alMakkah alMukkaramah

Imam Mu`awiyah ibn Murrah, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said

"I lived during the time of seventy of the Companions رضي الله عنهم of (Sayyiduna) Muhammad ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ
and had they lived among you today,
they would not recognize any of your acts except the Adhan!"

Moreover, he said,

"If a man from the Salaf رضي الله عنهم was resurrected
among you today,
he would only recognize your Qiblah."

Sayyiduna Adi ibn Hatim,رضي الله عنه said,

"Ever since I became Muslim,

I always made sure to have Wudu when the Adhan is called."

Sayyidiuna Adi ibn Hatim , رضي الله عنه said:

"Every time the prayer time falls,

it falls while I am eager for it

and ready to perform it (i.e. having wudhu)."

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Abu Bakr alMuzani, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said:

"Who is like you, O son of Adam?

Whenever you wish,

you use water to make Ablution,

go to the place of worship

and thus enter the presence of your Lord (i.e. start praying)

without a translator

or a barrier between you and Him!"

When Imam 'Ali bin alHusayn Zayn alAbidin, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه

used to perform Wudu,

his color would change.

His family asked him why this happened to him every time he performed Ablution,

he said,

"Do you know before Whom I am about to stand (in prayer)?"

Zawiya of Imam 'Idris ibn 'Abd Allah ibn alHasan ibn alHasan ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib,رضي الله عنهم Zerhoun, morocco

Imam alHasan alBasri, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

“If a man from amongst the Salaf,

(i: (al-Salih), Righteous Predecessors- Sahaba alKiraam,
and ahl alBayt), رضي الله عنهم

were to be sent forth today,

he would not recognize anything from Islam.”

He put his hand on his cheek and added,

“Except this prayer (salâh).”

Then he said,

“But by Allâh, (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)

this does not apply to the person

who lives in this unfamiliar time,

never having seen the Righteous Predecessors, رضي الله عنهم

but who sees [instead] the innovator

calling to his bid’ah,

and the follower of worldly wealth

calling to his materialism,

but Allâh protects him from all this

and makes his heart love

and aspire to those Righteous Predecessors, رضي الله عنهم

asking about their way,

searching and trying

to follow in their footsteps,

and adhering to their path.

Such is a person who will be recompensed

with an immense and great reward.

So be you all like this,

by the permission of Allah, ( عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)”. *

One the Salaf رضي الله عنهم would would say,

‘Take refuge with Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)

from hypocritical

khushu .’

When asked what it was, he replied,

‘That you see the

body humble and submissive

while the heart is not .’*

Sayyiduna Imam ‘Umar ibn alKhattab, رضي الله عنه

saw a person with his head lowered and said,

‘O such-and-such raise your head

for khushu ' does not

extend beyond what is in the heart.’*

One of the Salaf, رضي الله عنهم was asked,

"Should we make a roof for our mosque?"

He said,

"Purify your hearts

and your mosque will be sufficient for you."*

'blue Mosque'

Sayyiduna 'Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud, رضي الله عنه said,

‘There are people who recite the Qur’an

yet it does not descend beyond their throats;

were it to reach the heart

and take root therein,

it is then that it would benefit .’

Imam Malik ibn Dinar, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

‘I swear to you,

no servant believes in this Qur’an

except that it causes his heart to burst .’*

One of the Salaf, رضي الله عنهم , said:

“I have three qualities,


which I wish I could keep up all the time,

(i: two are mentioned, here),

then I would really be something.

When I am praying,

I do not think about anything except the prayer I am doing;

if I hear any hadith from the Messenger of Allah, ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ

I do not have any doubts about it..."

inside the Ka'ba

Imam Hatim alAsaam, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه , said,

“I carry out what I am commanded;

I walk with fear of Allah in my heart;

I start with the [correct] intention;

I magnify and glorify Allah;

I recite at a slow and measured pace,

thinking about the meaning;

I bow with khushu;

I prostrate with humility;

I sit and recite the complete tashahhud;

I say salaam with the [correct] intention;

I finish with sincerity towards Allah;

and I come back fearing lest [my prayer] has not been accepted from me,

so I continue to strive until I die.” *

inside the Ka'ba

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه was asked about Qabd,

(or placing one hand over the other),

and he replied,

"It is to be subservient before the Almighty ."

Imam Bishr alHafi, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

‘For forty years have I wished to

place one hand on the other, (i:Qabd),

in the prayer

and the only thing that prevented me from doing so

was that I would have then shown a khushu

greater than

that in my heart.’

(i:meaning, Sadl, (leaving the hands loose on the sides),

was followed by him,

in accorandance to the Sunna alMutaharah)*

Imam 'Uthman bin Abi Dahrash, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

"I never performed a prayer

without invoking Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)

afterwards to forgive me

for falling into shortcomings in the way I performed it."*

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Talq bin Habib رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

"The Rights of Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ)
are greater
than the slave's capacity
and ability to fulfill them.
Therefore,
reach the morning in a state of repentance
and reach the night in a state of repentance."*

One of the Salaf, رضي الله عنهم said,

“I can not think of any deeds that are more virtuous than patience

except for being pleased [with Allah عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ and His Qadar]

and similarly

I don’t know of a level higher

and nobler than being pleased [with Allah عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ and His Qadar],

and it is the principal part of loving Allah.”*عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

Imam Muwarriq ibn Mushmarij alTabi':

I do not find any more apt metaphor

for the believer in this world

except that of a man clinging to a piece of wood

in the sea saying,

'O Lord! O Lord!'

Perhaps Allah will rescue him.*

Sayyiduna Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib,رضي الله عنه said:

"Carry out the obligatory duties [Fard Ayn]

for the pleasure of Allah

and Allah will surely lead you straight to Paradise [Jannah]."*

Imam al-Awza'i, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

"At the time of Fajr,
or a while before it,
the Salaf, رضي الله عنهم
would be as if birds
were sitting on their heads:
(still) concentrating
on themselves [and their worship],
so much so that
even if one of their closest friends
came to them after having been parted from them,
they would not notice him.

They would remain in this state
until just before sunrise.

Then, they would meet each other and sit in the circles.

The first thing they would discuss is
the matter of their afterlife
and what would become of them in the hereafter.

Then they would begin the circles of Quran and Fiqh study. "*

Sayyiduna Imam 'Umar ibn alKhattab, رضي الله عنه said,

“Sit with those who love God,

for that enlightens the mind.”*

"Learn dignity and tranquility.”*

"My heart is at ease knowing

that what was meant for me will never miss me

and that what misses me

was never meant for me.”*

“Patience is the healthiest ingredient of our life.”*

"Be dignified, honest, and truthful.”*

“When one’s intention is sincere,

God will suffice his needs, protect him,

and guide him in his dealings with the people.”*

“Don’t forget your own self while preaching to others.”*

“Acquire knowledge and teach it to people.”*

“The wisest man is he who can account for his actions.”*

"Learn the Arabic language;

it will sharpen your wisdom.”*

alMasjid alAqsa

Imam Malik ibn Anas, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said,

maa salaha li akhiri hadhihi'l-ummah illa ma saluhat li awwaliha

"Only what was right for the first of this ummah
will be right for the last of it."*

Imam Malik ibn Anas, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said

"Lan ya'tiya akhiru hadhihi al-ummati bi afdhala mimma jaa' bihi awwaluha"

"The last of this ummah
is unable to come up with something better
than what the first of this ummah came up with"*

Sayyiduna 'Abdullah ibn al-Salam, رضي الله عنه said

"Broken hearts refers to those
that have
broken for the love of Allah, Mighty and Magnificent,
rather than the love of anything else.””

jabal alRahma

***
* references

 

[izz al-Din]

Imam Ibn Kathir alDimishqi, رَحْمَةُ الله عليه (alTafsir alQur'an alAdhim), said:


مَا سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ - قَالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ الْمُصَلِّينَ - وَلَمْ نَكُ نُطْعِمُ الْمِسْكِينَ

("What has caused you to enter Hell?"
They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer the Salah,
nor did we feed the poor.")

meaning, 'we did not worship Allah,
nor did we do good to His creatures of our own species (i.e., other people).'

نَخُوضُ مَعَ الْخَائِض

(And we used to speak falsehood with vain speakers.)

meaning, 'we used to speak about what we had no knowledge of.'

Qatadah رَحْمَةُ الله عليه said, "It means that every time someone went astray we would go astray with them."

وَكُنَّا نُكَذِّبُ بِيَوْمِ الدِّينِ - حَتَّىٰ أَتَانَا الْيَقِينُ

(And we used to deny the Day of Recompense,
until the certainty (Al-Yaqin) came to us.) meaning, death.

 

[izz al-Din]

The Men of Allah (awliyā’)

have declared,

‘There is no teacher in the entire creation superior

(or equal to)

the Messenger of Allah; ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم )

and no student greater

than Abu Bakr.’ (رضي الله عنه)

-Imam Aḥmad Riḍā (رحمه الله),

City Walls of alQuds alSharif Damascus gate, Bilad alSham

***

“Abu Bakr, (رضي الله عنه)

was not favored over people

because of an abundance of fasting and prayer.

Rather, he was only favored over them because of something that settled in his heart.”

-Imam Ibn AbdAllah alMuzani

Some scholars said while commenting on this statement:

“What was in the heart of Abu Bakr is the love of Allah Almighty,

and sincere advice to people.”

***

no one can,

"estimate the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم )

as he deserves except Allah, (عز وجل)

and each knows him,

only to the extent of what he himself possesses.

Thus the most knowledgeable in the Community

about the Prophet's, ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم )

rank is

Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)

because he was the best of the Umma,

and Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)

knows the Prophet, ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)

only according to Abu Bakrs (رضي الله عنه) strength.

-Imam Abu alHasan alSubki, (رحمه الله )

***

Sayyiduna Imam Abû Bakr alSiddîq (رضي الله عنه) said:

I will not leave anything the Messenger of Allah (i: صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم ) did,

except that I will also do it;

for I fear that if I were to leave any of his ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم ) commands and ways

I would deviate.

***

Sayyiduna Imam`Umar alFaruq, (رضي الله عنه), said:

“ The Iman of Abu Bakr outweighs
the iman of the entire Umma.”

***

Sayyidunna Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه), said:

“The one who has the greatest reward amongst the people
is Abu Bakr because he was unique in compiling the Quran.”

***

Upon hearing the sad news, (i: Sayyidunna Abu Turab, Imam) ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (i: alMurtada, (رضي الله عنه) hurried towards (i: Sayyidunna) Abu Bakr’s, (رضي الله عنه) , house, all the while saying,
“Verily we belong to Allah, and to Him is our return.”

(i: Sayyidinna Imam) ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) then stood outside the house in which (i: Sayyidunna) Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه ) had died, and made the following long speech, which he addressed to (i: Sayyidunna) Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) himself:

“O Abu Bakr, may Allah have Mercy upon you.

You were the closest companion and friend of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم);
you were a comfort to him;

you were the one he trusted most.

If he had a secret, he would tell it to you;
and if he needed to consult someone regarding a matter,
he would consult you.

You were the first of your people to embrace Islam,
and you were the most sincere of them in your faith.

Your faith was stronger than any other person’s,
as was the degree to which you feared Allah.

And you were wealthier then anyone else
in terms of what you acquired from the religion of Allah (عز وجل) (The Posessor of Might and Majesty).

You cared most for both the Messenger of Allah
(صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم), and Islam.

Of all people, you were the best Companion to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم);
you possessed the best qualities;

you had the best past;

you ranked the highest;

and you were closest to him.

And of all people you resembled the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
the most in terms of his guidance and demeanor.

Your ranking was higher than anyone else’s,
and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) honored you
and held you in higher esteem than anyone else.

On behalf of the Messenger of Allah and Islam,
may Allah reward you with the best of rewards.

When the people disbelieved in the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
you believed in him.

Throughout his life,
you were both his eyes with which he (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم),
and his ears with which he heard.

Allah has named you truthful in his book when He said:

“And he (Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) who has brought the truth (this Qur’an and Islamic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein, those are Al-Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons)” (Qur’an 39:33)

When people were stingy in their support for the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
you comforted him.

And when people sat still,
you stood side by side with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم),
facing the same hardships that he faced.

In times of hardship,
you were truly a good and noble Companion of his.
You were the ‘second of two’, his Companion in the Cave;
and the one upon whom alSakeenah descended.

You were his Companion during the migration
and you were his successor regarding the religion of Allah and His nation.

And truly good sucessor
you proved to be when the people apostatized.
You did what no other Khaleefah of a Prophet did before you.

You stood up firmly and bravely
when his other Companions
lost their resolve and became soft.

And when they became weak,
you adhered to the methodology of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) .

You truly were as the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) said:
weak in your body,
but strong regarding the commands of Allah;
humble in yourself,
but lofty in your ranking with Allah;
well-esteemed in the eyes of people,
honored and great in their hearts.

Not a single one of them had any reason to dislike you,
to be suspicious of you,
or to hold you in contempt.

The weak and humble
you have always treated as strong and honorable,
making sure you gave them what was rightfully theirs.
And in this regard,
you have treated relatives and strangers equally.
Of all people,
you respect those who are most obedient to Allah
and who fear Him the most.

In your overall character,
you embody truth and compassion.
Your speech has always been characterized
by the qualities of wisdom and decisiveness.
And you have always struck a noble balance
between gentleness and firmness.
You have always based your decisions on knowedge,
and once you have made your decisions,
you have always kept a firm resolve to execute them.

Verily to Allah do we belong, and to Him is our return.
We are pleased with, and we submit to, Allah’s decree.
And by Allah,
other than the death of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
Muslims have never been afflicted with a greater calamity
than the calamity of your death.

You have always been a protector,
a sanctuary,
and source of honor for this religion.
May Allah (عز وجل) make you join
the company of His Prophet, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
and may He not deprive us of your reward.
And may He not lead us astray after you.”

People had gathered around (i: Sayyidunna Imam) ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه)
and listened to his speech until he was finished.
Then they all cried with raised voices,
and they all responded in unison to
(i: Sayyidunna Imam) ‘Ali’s speech, saying,

“Indeed, you have spoken the truth.”

-Imam Ibn alJawzi

***

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said,

"I have never prostrated to an idol.

As I approached adulthood,

my father led me to a chamber of idols (Kaaba).

His father said: “These are your grand elevated gods.”

After saying this,

my father departed to attend to some other business.

I advanced to an idol and said:

“I am hungry can you feed me?”

It didn't answer. I said:

“I am in need of beautiful clothes;

bestow them on me.”

It didn't answer.

I threw off a rock upon it,

and it fell down."

Thereafter,

Abu Bakr, (رضي الله عنه),

never went to the chamber of idols in Ka'ba

to pray to the idols."

Sayyidunna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

“I knew my Lord through my Lord.”

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

The more knowledge you have,
the greater will be your fear of God.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

Our abode in this world is transitory,

our life therein is but a loan,

our breaths are numbered

and our indolence is manifest.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

“Friends of Allah are of three kinds.

Each kind may be known through three signs

The first kind of friend fears Allah.

These are always modest

they are always aiming to increase their charity;

they always see their small sins as large

because they see a divine rule as a divine rule
.
Friends of the second kind hope for the reward of Allah
.
They display virtue and beauty in all their acts
;
they spend bountifully in the way of Allah
;
and they do not denigrate anyone
.
Friends of the third kind are the wise

who worship Allah with love and compassion.

They give away what they love most in the way of Allah;

they aim at Allah’s pleasure in all their acts

and disregard the reproaches of the ignorant
;
and they fulfill the commands

and observe the prohibitions of Allah

even if their lower selves dislike it.”

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

Knowledge is the life of the mind.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

When knowledge is limited – it leads to folly…

When knowledge exceeds a certain limit,

it leads to exploitation.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

The greatest truth is honesty,

and the greatest falsehood is dishonesty.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

The true believer is rewarded in every thing,

even in affliction.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

Muslims should live like brothers.

There is greatness in the fear of Allah,

contentment in faith of Allah,

and honour in humility.

 

[izz al-Din]

The Men of Allah (awliyā’)

have declared,

‘There is no teacher in the entire creation superior

(or equal to)

the Messenger of Allah; ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم )

and no student greater

than Abu Bakr.’ (رضي الله عنه)

-Imam Aḥmad Riḍā (رحمه الله),


View attachment 7543

City Walls of alQuds alSharif Damascus gate, Bilad alSham

***

“Abu Bakr, (رضي الله عنه)

was not favored over people

because of an abundance of fasting and prayer.

Rather, he was only favored over them because of something that settled in his heart.”

-Imam Ibn AbdAllah alMuzani

Some scholars said while commenting on this statement:

“What was in the heart of Abu Bakr is the love of Allah Almighty,

and sincere advice to people.”

mountain of 40 Prophets, alQasyoun

***

no one can,

"estimate the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم )

as he deserves except Allah, (عز وجل)

and each knows him,

only to the extent of what he himself possesses.

Thus the most knowledgeable in the Community

about the Prophet's, ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم )

rank is

Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)

because he was the best of the Umma,

and Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)

knows the Prophet, ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)

only according to Abu Bakrs (رضي الله عنه) strength.

-Imam Abu alHasan alSubki, (رحمه الله )

***

Sayyiduna Imam Abû Bakr alSiddîq (رضي الله عنه) said:

I will not leave anything the Messenger of Allah (i: صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم ) did,

except that I will also do it;

for I fear that if I were to leave any of his ( صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم ) commands and ways

I would deviate.

***

Sayyiduna Imam`Umar alFaruq, (رضي الله عنه), said:

“ The Iman of Abu Bakr outweighs
the iman of the entire Umma.”

***

Sayyidunna Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه), said:

“The one who has the greatest reward amongst the people
is Abu Bakr because he was unique in compiling the Quran.”

***

alMadina alMunawwarah

Upon hearing the sad news, (i: Sayyidunna Abu Turab, Imam) ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (i: alMurtada, (رضي الله عنه) hurried towards (i: Sayyidunna) Abu Bakr’s, (رضي الله عنه) , house, all the while saying,
“Verily we belong to Allah, and to Him is our return.”

(i: Sayyidinna Imam) ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) then stood outside the house in which (i: Sayyidunna) Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه ) had died, and made the following long speech, which he addressed to (i: Sayyidunna) Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) himself:

“O Abu Bakr, may Allah have Mercy upon you.

You were the closest companion and friend of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم);
you were a comfort to him;

you were the one he trusted most.

If he had a secret, he would tell it to you;
and if he needed to consult someone regarding a matter,
he would consult you.

You were the first of your people to embrace Islam,
and you were the most sincere of them in your faith.

Your faith was stronger than any other person’s,
as was the degree to which you feared Allah.

And you were wealthier then anyone else
in terms of what you acquired from the religion of Allah (عز وجل) (The Posessor of Might and Majesty).

You cared most for both the Messenger of Allah
(صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم), and Islam.

Of all people, you were the best Companion to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم);
you possessed the best qualities;

you had the best past;

you ranked the highest;

and you were closest to him.

And of all people you resembled the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
the most in terms of his guidance and demeanor.

Your ranking was higher than anyone else’s,
and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) honored you
and held you in higher esteem than anyone else.

On behalf of the Messenger of Allah and Islam,
may Allah reward you with the best of rewards.

When the people disbelieved in the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
you believed in him.

Throughout his life,
you were both his eyes with which he (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم),
and his ears with which he heard.

Allah has named you truthful in his book when He said:

“And he (Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) who has brought the truth (this Qur’an and Islamic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein, those are Al-Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons)” (Qur’an 39:33)

When people were stingy in their support for the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
you comforted him.

And when people sat still,
you stood side by side with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم),
facing the same hardships that he faced.

In times of hardship,
you were truly a good and noble Companion of his.
You were the ‘second of two’, his Companion in the Cave;
and the one upon whom alSakeenah descended.

You were his Companion during the migration
and you were his successor regarding the religion of Allah and His nation.

And truly good sucessor
you proved to be when the people apostatized.
You did what no other Khaleefah of a Prophet did before you.

You stood up firmly and bravely
when his other Companions
lost their resolve and became soft.

And when they became weak,
you adhered to the methodology of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) .

You truly were as the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم) said:
weak in your body,
but strong regarding the commands of Allah;
humble in yourself,
but lofty in your ranking with Allah;
well-esteemed in the eyes of people,
honored and great in their hearts.

Not a single one of them had any reason to dislike you,
to be suspicious of you,
or to hold you in contempt.

The weak and humble
you have always treated as strong and honorable,
making sure you gave them what was rightfully theirs.
And in this regard,
you have treated relatives and strangers equally.
Of all people,
you respect those who are most obedient to Allah
and who fear Him the most.

In your overall character,
you embody truth and compassion.
Your speech has always been characterized
by the qualities of wisdom and decisiveness.
And you have always struck a noble balance
between gentleness and firmness.
You have always based your decisions on knowedge,
and once you have made your decisions,
you have always kept a firm resolve to execute them.

Verily to Allah do we belong, and to Him is our return.
We are pleased with, and we submit to, Allah’s decree.
And by Allah,
other than the death of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
Muslims have never been afflicted with a greater calamity
than the calamity of your death.

You have always been a protector,
a sanctuary,
and source of honor for this religion.
May Allah (عز وجل) make you join
the company of His Prophet, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم)
and may He not deprive us of your reward.
And may He not lead us astray after you.”

People had gathered around (i: Sayyidunna Imam) ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه)
and listened to his speech until he was finished.
Then they all cried with raised voices,
and they all responded in unison to
(i: Sayyidunna Imam) ‘Ali’s speech, saying,

“Indeed, you have spoken the truth.”

-Imam Ibn alJawzi

***

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said,

"I have never prostrated to an idol.

As I approached adulthood,

my father led me to a chamber of idols (Kaaba).

His father said: “These are your grand elevated gods.”

After saying this,

my father departed to attend to some other business.

I advanced to an idol and said:

“I am hungry can you feed me?”

It didn't answer. I said:

“I am in need of beautiful clothes;

bestow them on me.”

It didn't answer.

I threw off a rock upon it,

and it fell down."

Thereafter,

Abu Bakr, (رضي الله عنه),

never went to the chamber of idols in Ka'ba

to pray to the idols."

Sayyidunna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

“I knew my Lord through my Lord.”

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

The more knowledge you have,
the greater will be your fear of God.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

Our abode in this world is transitory,

our life therein is but a loan,

our breaths are numbered

and our indolence is manifest.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

“Friends of Allah are of three kinds.

Each kind may be known through three signs

The first kind of friend fears Allah.

These are always modest

they are always aiming to increase their charity;

they always see their small sins as large

because they see a divine rule as a divine rule
.
Friends of the second kind hope for the reward of Allah
.
They display virtue and beauty in all their acts
;
they spend bountifully in the way of Allah
;
and they do not denigrate anyone
.
Friends of the third kind are the wise

who worship Allah with love and compassion.

They give away what they love most in the way of Allah;

they aim at Allah’s pleasure in all their acts

and disregard the reproaches of the ignorant
;
and they fulfill the commands

and observe the prohibitions of Allah

even if their lower selves dislike it.”

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

Knowledge is the life of the mind.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

When knowledge is limited – it leads to folly…

When knowledge exceeds a certain limit,

it leads to exploitation.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

The greatest truth is honesty,

and the greatest falsehood is dishonesty.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

The true believer is rewarded in every thing,

even in affliction.

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr alSiddiq, (رضي الله عنه), said

Muslims should live like brothers.

There is greatness in the fear of Allah,

contentment in faith of Allah,

and honour in humility.


View attachment 7544

 

[izz al-Din]