Is referring oneself as a Salafee, self-tazkiyah?

Debate b/w Ibn AlQayyim & Jewish Scholar

Once in Egypt, I had a debate with a man who is considered by the Jews to be the most renowned in knowledge and leadership. During the course of speech I said to him:

[Ibn Qayyim] «In disbelieving Muhammad (peace be upon him) you have discredited God in the most affronting way.»

[the Jewish scholar] «A man like you says that!?»

[Ibn Qayyim] «Listen to what I have to say. If you say that Muhammad is a tyrannical king who oppressed the people by the sword, who is not a messenger sent by God, who spent twenty three years assuming that he is the Messenger of God, sent out by God, to all the people of the world saying that God bid avail. And then, he says that God made it lawful for him to take into captivity the off-springs and the women of those disbelieve him and raise enmity against him, to pillage… their monies and possessions as booties of war, kill their men, and yet all but to no avail. And that he keenly endeavoured to change the religion of the prophets, evoke hostility and in their people, and abrogate their laws -; if this was the case, then it implies that either God, Most Sublime, was aware of it, seeing it happening and knowing it, or it escaped Him and He did not know about it.

If you say He did not know about it, then you would have attributed to Him the most disgraceful degree of ignorance: for it means that a mortal who knew about it is more knowledgeable than He!

If you say that all of these happenings took place with His complete knowledge, it implies that either He was able and capable to have changed the course of events and prevented them, or He is not.

If you say He is incapable, then you would have attributed to Him the most infamous degree of decreptitude which is contradictory to godhood.

If he is capable but in spite of that He kept providing them with strength, victory, support, and elevation, advancing his word, answering his please, empowering him over his foes, showing through him what exceeds a thousand of miracles and virtuous wonders (Karamat), making him surmount he whoever reaches him with bad intentions, and answering every single plea he requested before Him; then your assumption is one of the gravest sorts of inequities and insolence that does not befit any of the prudent men: how about befitting the Lord of Heavens and the Earth Who bore witness to him by making him steadfast in his message, steadfast in what he says, and supporting him all the way through?!.» And you call this “false testimony” and “deception”!?

Surat Maryam vers. 85-98

The Current State of the Muslim World

It has become apparent in our time that the Ummah is suffering from afflictions, which have caused it to lose its balance. These afflictions are:

The State of Weakness: This state has been described to us, and we have been warned about it clearly and explicitly, leaving no excuse for ignorance. Thawban (raa), one of the Prophet’s
(saws) servants, stated that the Prophet (saws) said: “Soon the nations will call one another against you, just as people call one another to eat from a platter of food.”

A man asked: “Will this be because we will be few in number, O Messenger of Allaah?” He (saws) replied: “No, you will be large in number, but you will be Ghuthaa’a like the froth scum on the surface of a body of water, and Allaah will remove from the hearts of your enemies their fear of you and shall place in your hearts Wahn.” Those present asked: “What is Wahn, O Messenger of Allaah?”  He replied: “The love for this worldly life, and hatred of death.” [Saheeh hadeeth due to a multitude of routes of narration in the Sunan of Aboo Daawood (4297)]

The following hadeeth clearly explains this condition of wahn:

First: Our enemies, the hosts of Iblees and his servants, have tried to hinder the progress of the ummah and take from its territories when they see that wahn has set in and inflicted us. Ever since the dawn of Islaam until today, the kufaar and mushrikeen from amongst the People of the Book have continued in their endeavour against the Muslims. They have always sought out ways to render our people weak. They have even attempted this in the very city that was established and fostered by the Prophet (saws). This is clearly illustrated in the story of “The Three that were left behind” (see Soorah al-Tawbah: 118). Ka’b bin Maalik (ra) said:

“As I was walking in the market place of Madeenah, I saw a farmer who was a part of a trading caravan from Shaam selling some of the foodstuffs that he had brought with him. He was asking as to where he could find me and was then directed to me. He then handed to me a letter from the (Christian) king of Ghasaan. Being literate, I began reading it. It said: “To proceed: We have received news that your friend (Muhammad (saws)) has spurned you. Allaah does not wish for you to remain in a land of disgrace. Come to us and we shall take care of you.” [Agreed upon]

O Muslim, ponder and reflect upon how the people of disbelief, those encircling the territory of the Muslims, receive news of what is occurring within our lands. They sit in wait, seeking an opportunity to unleash their assault. This can be clearly shown in the following examples as well.

Second: The nations of disbelief call one another and gather in alliances in the pursuit of destroying Islaam and that which it calls to, its adherents and their lands. You can see this vividly in the Crusades and the First World War. In the First World War, one of the main objectives was the dismantling of the Khilaafah. To implement their goals of destruction, the nations of disbelief organized themselves first into an association, then into a larger general body, becoming increasingly organized until they established a New World Order.

Third: Verily, the lands of the Muslims are the source of many of the earth’s natural resources. Therefore, the nations of disbelief wish to strip us of our lands and control these resources. As such, we see that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) described them as if they call one another to a feast. Each of them seeks a large share of the regale.

Fourth: The nations of disbelief partake in the bounties of our lands, without any fear of complaint or reprisal. These assets are then taken away either ‘peacefully’ or by force.

Fifth: The nations of disbelief shall see our lands as being soldiers and scattered pieces of land. This is expressed in the hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (saws) that is reported by ‘Abdullaah bin Hawaalah (raa), who said that the Prophet of Allaah (saws) said: “You shall be regiments and soldiers. A regiment in Shaam (Syria), a regiment in ‘Iraaq, a regiment in Yemen.” I asked: ‘Choose for me which I should join?’ He (saws) said: “Go to Shaam. Surely, Allaah ‘Azza wa Jall has guaranteed the protection of Shaam and its people.” Rabee’ah, one of the sub-narrators, states that he heard Aboo Idrees Al-Khiwalaani report this hadeeth and then say: “What Allaah vows to protect none can destroy.” [Saheeh]

This clearly portrays the present situation of the Islamic world. It consists of countries having no control over anything: whether their own internal affairs or those external to them. They gain their freedom, protection and strength from the nations of disbelief.

Sixth: The nations of disbelief are no longer concerned by, let alone in fear of, the Muslims. The fear that was once present in their hearts is no longer present. The terror that previously caused the hearts of the nations of disbelief to shake and tremble is no longer of any significance – if present at all.

Allaah says in the Qur’aan: “We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allaah, for which He had sent no authority.” [Surah Aali-'Imraan: 151]

The Messenger of Allaah (saws) says: “I have been given victory due to the fear our enemies have of us, which precedes us the distance of one month’s travel.” [Al-Bukhaaree (vol. 1, pg. 436 - Fath) and Muslim (#521) from the hadeeth of Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah]

This is a specific attribute assigned only to this ummah. This is established in the hadeeth of Thawban (raa): “And Allaah will remove from the hearts of your enemies their fear of you.”

Seventh: Another important issue is that the ummah is not strengthened by its numbers or by its weapons. The strength of the ummah is in its ‘aqeedah and with those who uphold tawheed. Have we not heard the Messenger of Allaah (saws) say:”Verily, you will be many in number” And do we compass the following lesson that will remain relevant in every time, when Allaah said: “And on the Day of Hunain, when you rejoiced at your great number, but it availed you naught.” [Surah At-Tawbah: 25]

Eighth: The ummah is not paid any heed to, as the Prophet of Allaah (saaw) said: “You will be ghuthaa’a, like the froth scum on the surface of a body of water.”

The proofs and signs that we have just mentioned are significant for the following reasons:

1. The body of water completely controls the ghuthaa’a that is upon its surface. Such is the state of the ummah in these days. It flows along with the nations of disbelief, completely under their influence and control.

2. The ghuthaa’a contains things that are of no importance to mankind. Such is the state of the ummah today. The ummah has abandoned the actions that have always ensured its prosperity, especially enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.

3. The ghuthaa’a passes and leaves no trace. Allaah will always bring forth the good from the evil and raise a people of righteousness whom will be a source of inspiration and goodness to mankind.

4. The ghuthaa’a will constantly carry impurities. Such are the false ideologies that have crept into the philosophies of many Muslims as a result of foreign religious indoctrination.

5. Since the ghuthaa’a is under the complete control of the current, it is not known to where it is being carried. The ummah may not be aware of the plans that have been made for it by its enemies, yet it follows the call of any and all individuals, without assessing the worth of that call.

Ninth: The ummah in this day and age has made this worldly life its primary pursuit and objective. For this reason they have become afraid of death and what it will bring. They love this worldly life they are immersed in, completely forgetting the importance of preparing for the Hereafter. This was one of the things that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) feared for his ummah.

‘Abdullaah bin ‘Amr bin al-’Aas (raa) narrated that the Prophet (saws) said: “If you conquer Persia and Rome, what type of people will you be?” ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin ‘Awf replied: “We will say as Allaah has ordered us.” He (saws) replied: “Or other than that. You will compete against one another, then you will envy one another, then you will plot against one another, and then you will hate one another. Following this you will go to the impoverished Muhaajireen and cause them to oppose one another.” [Saheeh Muslim: 2962]

For this reason we see that when Persia was conquered, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab (raa) began to weep and said: “No people were given this except that they began to fight one another.”

Tenth: It must be made known that the nations of disbelief will never destroy the Ummah. Even if they were to all come together in that pursuit. In another hadeeth narrated by Thawban (raa), we see that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: “Allaah compressed for me the whole of the earth allowing me to see its east and its west. My ummah shall surely spread throughout the world. I have been given the two treasures, the red and white (gold and silver, the treasures of the Persians and Romans).

I asked my Rabb not to destroy my Ummah with drought. I also asked that He not send an enemy against them from other than their own selves, nor one that will take away their unity and strength. My Rabb said: ‘O Muhammad! When I decree an order it cannot be rejected. I have granted you your request on behalf of your Ummah, that they not be in a state of drought. I will not send upon them an enemy from outside them who will take away their unity and strength – even if all the nations came against them. This state (of security) will remain – until they (themselves) begin to destroy one another, and to curse one another.’” [Saheeh Muslim: 2889]

The Current State of the Muslim World
By Shaykh Saleem bin ‘Eid Al-Hilaalee

On The Grievances between Ahlus-Sunnah

Bismillah Ar Rahmaan Ar Raheem,

All over the world there seems to be problems within our brothers from Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah. Even in this small island of Trinidad and Tobago there is much fitnah that goes beyond many barriers and these fitan have had negative effects on many of us:

1) It has stagnated learning to a point. Those who haven’t even started haven’t started as yet. Those that have started have become stagnated and those who are not stagnated are not realizing their full potential.

2) It may cause our good deeds to be taken away from us on the day of judgment . And I think all of us know the Hadeeth relating to the bankrupt one on the day of judgment. And in Fitan we should keep our lips sealed and we should keep far from it.

In any case what all these fitan boil down to is the quest and acquisition of leadership by either one or both parties. Someone who quests for leadership often displays many evil characteristics such as jealousy, and they may not have no qualms about lying and furthermore they may even speak ill of the Ulama whose flesh we know is poison.

I will give you’ll a scenario and maybe many or most in the internet community don’t know of this. Abu Hakeem Bilaal Davies was always one of the cooler brothers in the Jam’iah. When I came to the Jam’iah I wasn’t Salafi but Alhamdu lillah brothers like Bilaal was always accomodating and would often tell me to come to this or that Shaikh’s class on Kitaab Ut Tawheed by Shaikh Abdullah Al Bukhari or Sharh Us Sunnah of Barbahari by Shaikh Ubaid. And he used to translate more than 90% of the lectures that the Shuyuukh gave at the home of an American named Abdur Raheem. And the brothers up in Madinah were united. And even the brothers who now oppose SPUBS who went or are still in Madinah used to be there for the translations of Abu Hakeem.

Then the next year, when I was going in the first year of Shariah he was gone. And by Allah’s will that same year I took a leave of absence for six months which has turned into six years Allahu Musta’aan. About a year later I started to hear this and that about SPUBS and Abu Hakeem. That these brothers can’t translate that these brothers are Jaahil etc. So I wondered wait a minute, for such a long time Abu Hakeem wasn’t a Jaahil when he translated for these same brothers now he can’t translate?! So what is really going on? And then I got to know about the SPUBS/GREEN LANE issue.

And the funny thing. It had brothers opposed to spubs from this country of Trinidad. And when Abu Khadeejah and Bilaal Davies came non of them came to hear their side of it. As for me I was against them because of what some students told me about them. However, I decided to sit with them one afternoon and speak to Bilaal in particular to get his side. However, many of these brothers who were within the country didn’t even go and sit and try to hear their side.

As Allah said: “And verily many of the Khulataa transgress upon each other except for those who believe and do good deeds and few are they…” .

Hence the third evil result: Transgression upon the rights of each other. This one is Jaahil that one is Jaahil etc. Rather what is meant to be said is whomsoever is on our side is knowledgeable and whomsoever is on their side is Jaahil! No one can say Yusuf Qardawi is a Jaahil. He is a ‘Alim but an ‘Alim of misguidance.

Fourth result: Many go over their limits. They think they are the Ulama of the Dunya however they are far from it. I often wonder where modesty has gone. But yet again many of us have not made Taubah from Jaahileeyah and we bring this into Islam and worst yet the Da’wah.

For example, I often hear people saying that they are students of knowledge because they go to the University of Madinah, or have been in Yemen or have graduated. I even heard a student of the Jam’iah who was studying in his first year of Shariah at the time: Shaikh Yahya is not an ‘Aalim and I study under the Kibaar!!

Please let us not fool people and let us tell the truth. A student of knowledge is one who is known to have sought knowledge under the Ulama for years. And in the University of Madinah you study under people who have recently gotten their doctorates or their masters degrees. And only on few occasions you may get Shaikh Abdul Muhsin to teach you in class. As for studying under the Kibaar in many cases one has to memorize the whole Qur’an and have knowledge of basic Nahuw. Otherwise they tell you to return after you have done both.

We should say to the people that we are not students. We have come back to the west because we have a duty to relay what we have been informed of so the people would not keep in the darknesses of Shirk and Bid’ah and go into the light of the Sunnah. And that we take what the Kibaar Ulama have said on issues and that is it. We have to be careful of fooling others. More shocking I hear people using the word Shaikh for brothers in the west! This is indeed strange. To get that kind of authority in Ilm you must study years and a bachelors in Islamic studies is only the key to study under the Shuyuukh as Shaikh Sali Al Fawzaan said. It is not the key to give da’wah or fatwa on your own accord.

So we have to all grow up and be sincere. And stay with memorizing the book of Allah and and to understand basic Nahuw and to memorize what we can of the Sunnah and make Rihlah to the scholars of different countries. We should not be hoodwinked or bamboozled by others and we should not hookwink ourselves into thinking what we are not. Once we know our status then I think we can come to a solution. But once we think we are above what we are then we will always things that we are better than da’wah as Salafeeyah.

- Taken from Musa Millington’s Blog

Saudi Arabia to Build Women’s University

RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on Wednesday launched the construction of the first women-only university in the conservative Islamic state.

The Princess Noura Bint Abdelrahman University for Girls will offer courses in subjects like medicine, pharmacy, management, computer sciences and languages that women find difficulty in studying in normal universities where strict gender segregation is enforced.

“We hope you will be able to open this modern university when it is finished in two years time in continuation of your support for the process of modernization and development,” Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf said in a speech addressing the king at the site outside Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s powerful religious establishment has in the past resisted efforts to widen education for women and put them in the workplace, but King Abdullah is pushing social reforms to increase women’s employment.

The country of 25 million has state schools for girls and some private colleges for women.

The government has tried to reassure Saudis over the past two weeks that modernization schemes are on track after fears of a global economic slowdown helped push oil prices down to under $70 a barrel from double that three months ago.

Despite the U.S. ally’s famed riches, many areas are underdeveloped with a lack of roads, sewage system and schools.

No cost for the university was given by state media.

(Reporting by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Richard Balmforth)

Looking for Info on Saudi Unis?

http://saudiuniversities.wordpress.com/