“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.” (Qur’an 4:135)
﷽
I thought that for today’s entry I would share with you dear readers some of my personal experience with those who call themselves ‘Salafi’ or follow what is known as “daawat salafiyyah” as well as those who call themselves ‘Sufi’ and are associated with Sufi Tariqah (spiritual orders).
For the record I am writing this as someone who is not a ‘Salafi’ nor do I follow the manhaj that is known as “daawat salafiyyah”. I am inclined towards some ‘Sufi’ practices -with the exception of tawassul, and I do not belong to any tariqah.
But I want to share my experience with some people who are affiliated with or identify with either ‘Salafi’ or ‘Sufi’.
When I was in Manama Bahrain at the Discover Islam training centre there was a man who was driving us around in one of the vans around the city. To be honest I thought any moment we would meet our Lord because of the way he was driving. I was doing a loud dhikr to myself la ilaha il law lah. Some other brothers in the van joined in. One brother also began to do the dhikr but his Shaykh put his hand on his shoulder and said, “We don’t do that.” That was it. He didn’t condemn me or the others, he simply said of himself and his student that they do not do this.
Also, I observed at the great Masjid in Manama that the tourist were allowed to go into the Masjid unrestricted. They had to wear appropriate attire but they could go anywhere. All the way up to the niche in the wall facing the qiblah.
The hotel I stayed in Manama there was a small Masjid nearby and I can tell you that the Imam and nearly everyone in that masjid prayed in the style of brothers who are known to practice, ” “daawat salafiyyah” and at that time I was following the Maliki school of jurisprudence and I was praying with my arms to the side (as is one of the positions of the Maliki school). No one said anything to me, everyone greeted me, returned my salam, and smiled. They were all very kind.
The same can be said about the people of Discover Islam, whom I gather were a mixture of ‘Salafiyyah’ and ‘Ikwani’ influences.
Whereas when I went with a particular Tariqah (sufi group) to a place in Malaysia called, ‘hulul langat’, just outside of Kuala Lumpur. We had a wonderful group dhikr together. However one day one of the murids was relating how the shaykh got sick and blew his nose in the tissue paper. So one of the followers of the tariqah took the tissue paper out of the wastebasket boiled it in water and drank the water. I couldn’t have been more disgusted.
There was another time when I was with a tariqah in Singapore ‘Firqat ul Huda’ the sect of guidance, a Qadiri tariqah. Beautiful beautiful dhikr, wouldn’t trade it for anything. Yet one time of the murids invited me to his house for tea. Very hospitable brother. He then discussed with me about the hadith about the Blessed Messenger (saw) existing before Adam (as). So then he asked me what I understood about “The Prophet being called the Nur of Allah.” I told him that I thought it meant that he was an illuminating guide and representative of Allah (swt). He replied, “brother the light of Allah IS Allah.” I thanked him for the tea and the hospitality and I told him that he went to a place that I could not follow him in. I parted ways with him and have never seen him since.
I witnessed first hand with my own eyes as I volunteered at the Sultan Mosque in Singapore (predominantly Sunni/Shaf’i/Ashari/Balawi) I have witnessed first-hand tourists being clapped at and shooed away from the Masjid.
One brother came up to me and said, “how do we know they don’t have maniyy (sperm) on their underwear.” To which I exclaimed, “How do you know that I don’t?” Are we going to ask everyone to drop their pants for inspection before they enter the Masjid?”
Now this was coming from someone who
a) followed a madhab -Shafi’i
b- Ashari I cannot clarify this but I’ll assume because
c) he was associated with the Balawi Tariqah.
Whereas in the same Masjid (Sultan Mosque), I witnessed a Salafi brother bring his young daughter to the afternoon salah (prayer) and pray beside him (he would pray at the furthest end so his daughter would be between him and a wall) -this was done to respect the other’s views, and even then many of them shook their head at the brother.
Then came the ban of Mufti Menk from Singapore! Now I am not a follower of Mufti Menk and again it is clear that he is following what is called, ” “Daawat-us-Salafiyyah” -which for those who may not know what this means it is a claim to be following what the Blessed Messenger (saw) and his companions followed.
So Mufti Menk was banned from Singapore because someone asked him if we could say or respond to ‘Merry Christmas’ in kind with ‘Merry Christmas’ and he replied, ‘no’. Now because those Sunni Muslims who follow schools of jurisprudence and who are often associated with Sufi Tariqah are rivals of those Sunni Muslims who claim not to follow a particular school of jurisprudence this was an opportunity for them to ban Mufti Menk from Singapore.
Personally, I thought the way Mufti Menk was dealt with was quite cowardly. After all, if someone would have asked Mufti Menk can we celebrate the ‘Mawlid An Nabi’ (celebration of the Blessed Prophet’s birthday) he would say, ‘no we cannot’. It’s not like this was some personal swipe at Christianity. Mufti Menk comes from a school of thought that doesn’t recognize such ‘urf-customs, or anything such as bid’ah hasanah – (innovations that encourage good and do not contravene establish practices of the faith).
I just thought it was strange that since Christians have been such a huge presence in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt etc…that surely there was something from the traditional schools that would warrant replying, ‘Merry Christmas‘ or something that the followers of Imam Shafi’i could have used to refute his (Mufti Menk) position.
I’m telling you this dear reader because not everything is chalk and cheese. Not all of these groups are alike and many of them even have subgroups. There is fierce competition among rival Salafi groups just as there is fierce competition among rival Tariqah groups.
However, as Muslims, we are always commanded to speak plainly, truthfully, and justly about one another even if that group does not share our world view or our approach to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
May Allah (swt) guide us all to what is beloved to Allah (swt).
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” (Qur’an 3:103)
Say, “My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.” (Qur’an 7:33)
﷽
Once I was approached by a Salafi Muslim in a Masjid who asked me, “Brother where is Allah?” I thought this was an extraordinary question to ask but I asked him “What time it was“. He seemed puzzled but told me the current time. I thereby responded, “Allah is in London, England!”
He rapidly started to stroke his beard rapidly repeating “istaghfirullah!'” “‘istaghfirullah!” “Allah forgive you!” “Allah forgive you!”
This seemed like very neurotic behavior so I offered the following mutawatir hadith.
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (saw) as saying:
“Allah descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the first part of the night is over and says: I am the Lord; I am the Lord: who is there to supplicate Me so that I answer him? Who is there to beg of Me so that I grant him? Who is there to beg forgiveness from Me so that I forgive him? He continues like this till the day breaks.”
I don’t see what was so wrong with saying that Allah was in London, England considering that it was around 4:45 a.m London time (which would be the last third of the night).
I guess that was not the answer he was expecting. He was visibly upset as he said, “But brother Allah is in the highest heaven.” “What?!” I responded. I thought this was very strange for how could Allah be in London England and in heaven at the same time! Surely this man does not believe that Allah is multi-present? Could it be that he believed that Allah (swt) was in many places simultaneously?
“Who said Allah is in heaven?” I asked.
“Firaun (Pharoah) said Allah is in heaven.” the brother offered.
“Where does he say this?” I demanded!
The brother quoted the following,
“And Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “O Hâmân! Build me a tower that I may arrive at the ways, The ways of the heavens, and I may look upon the Ilâh (God) of Mûsa (Moses) but verily, I think him to be a liar.”(Qur’an 40:37)
I was simply shocked by this! “Brother,” I said, “I do not think we need to be taking our Aqidah (belief) from Fir’aun (Pharaoh)! We do not need to build a tower of babel to reach heaven.“
This was a real conversation that happened between me and a Malay Salafi brother in a Masjid in Singapore. Needless to say, I feigned ignorance of the subject and admittedly baited the brother because I am all too familiar with these topics.
However, keep in mind he did approach me first.
However, I did advise him that in the future he may wish to use the hadith of the blind woman pointing upwards into heaven or when asked, ‘Who said Allah is in heaven‘ perhaps he could say, ‘Allah himself says this.’ It is also advisable to simply use the verse of the Qur’an “The Beneficent One, Who is established on the Throne.” (Qur’an 20:5)
I am quite sure that our Salafi brothers continue to improve their techniques.
Yet the problem remains. The issue of Allah (swt) presumably being over the throne and descending down into the lowest part of the earth every night of course (in a way that befits his majesty) …..of course.
Now the Ashari and Maturidi among our Sunni brothers are quite sensible on this issue. However, those Sunni Muslims from the Salafi, Hanbali, Athari can get quite agitated over this very sensitive issue.
So sensitive that they tell you to just shut up and accept it! Blind faith!
You can’t make taqlid to a legal school but you damn well better make taqlid to their belief system!
Don’t worry yours truly has screenshots of the entire Q & A as many people make web sites, articles, and entries that disappear in a flash!
So here we go… I’ll highlight the text of interest.
Question
When asked, “Where is Allah ?” I reply “Above the seven Heavens and the Arsh” But taking the Hadith regarding that Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the latter part of the night. If someone asks where is Allah (swt) and they state He is the latter 3rd of the night now. What reply should you give?
Another point is that some people say it is the latter part of the night all the time (somewhere on the earth at a particular point in time) From this they conclude that Allah is not above His Arsh.
Answer
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly, we have to know the ‘aqeedah (belief) of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah concerning the names and attributes of Allah. The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah is to affirm the names and attributes which Allah has affirmed for Himself, without distorting or denying them, discussing how they are or likening them to anything else. They believe that which Allah has commanded them to believe, for Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer”
[Qur’an 42:11]
Allah has told us about Himself. He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawaa) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty).
Prima Qur’an comments: “The Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty)…” So now they are going to say no one knows how but then use the word ‘really’. Interesting.
[Qur’an 7:54]
“The Most Gracious (Allah) rose over (Istawaa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty).
[Qur’an 20:5]
and there are other ayats which mention that Allah rose over His Throne.
The rising of Allah over His Throne, which means that He Himself is High and above the Throne, is of a special nature which befits His Majesty and Might. No one knows how it is except Him.
This was proven in the saheeh Sunnah, where it is narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that Allaah descends during the last third of the night. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says, ‘Who will call Me that I might answer him, who will ask of Me that I might give him, who will ask My forgiveness, that I might forgive him?’” (narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Tawheed, 6940; Muslim, Salaat al-Musaafireen, 1262)
According to Ahl al-Sunnah, the meaning of this descent is that Allaah Himself comes down to the lowest heaven in a real sense, as befits His Majesty, and no one knows how that is except Him.
Prima-Qur’ancomments: I thought that the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah according to the Hanbali, Salafi, and Athari is that no one knows how? So how are they saying tongue in cheek, “comes down to the lowest heaven in a real sense, as befits His Majesty.”
They continue:
“But does the fact that Allaah comes down means that He vacates the Throne or not? Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said concerning a similar question: we say that this question is based on unnecessary and excessive questioning and that the one who asked this is not to be thanked for his question. We ask, are you keener than the Sahaabah to understand the attributes of Allah? If he says yes, we tell him, you are lying. And if he says no, we tell him, then be content with what they were content with. They did not ask the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), ‘O Messenger of Allah, when He comes down, does He vacate the Throne?’ Why do you need to ask this question? Just say, He comes down. Whether or not the Throne is vacated is not your business. You are commanded to believe the reports, especially concerning the essence of Allah and His attributes, for this matter is above rational thought.”
Prima-Qur’an comments: I have read many of Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen’s legal verdicts and this is as close to ‘Shut the hell up‘ as I have ever seen the Shaykh get. The whole of his response is about intimidation and shutting down the inquiry of the questioner.
They continue:
Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh Muhammad al-‘Uthaymeen, 1/204-205
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said concerning this matter:
“The correct view is that He descends and that He does not vacate the Throne. A person’s soul remains attached to his body night and day until he dies, but when he is asleep it ascends… It was said, night varies, and the last third of the night comes sooner in the east than in the west, so the descent of Allaah to the lowest heaven, of which His Messenger spoke, happens in the east first and then in the west…”
Prima-Qur’an comments: Whoa there Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah! Hold your horses! Are you now likening the descent/ascent of Allah (swt) to a human soul leaving the body? Furthermore are you saying that Allah (swt) has division with him self? A part of him that travels and a part of him that remains? By saying that Allah (swt) does not ‘vacate‘ the throne you are in fact establishing a ‘how’ for Allah swt! Authubillah min dhalik! Or if the Shaykh is suggesting that by his comparison to human beings that Allah (swt) can be in two places at the same time than my initial response to the brother that questioned me is not wrong at all!
They continue:
See Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Taymiyah, 5/132
Rising over (istiwaa’) and descending are two of the practical attributes which have to do with the will of Allaah. Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah believe in that, but in this belief they avoid likening Allaah to any of His creation or discussing how He is. It cannot occur to them that Allaah’s descending is like the descending of any of His creatures or that His rising over the Throne is like the rising over of any of His creatures, because they believe that there is nothing like unto Allaah and He is the All-Hearer, All-Seer. They know on rational grounds that there is a great difference between the Creator and His creatures, in their essence, attributes and actions. It cannot occur to them to ask how He descends, or how He rose over His Throne. The point is that they do not ask how His attributes are; they believe that there is a ‘how’, but it is unknown, so we can never imagine how it is.
Prima Qur’an comments: Respected Shaykh Taymiyah you said, ‘we can never imagine how it is’ and yet you also say in the paragraph above, A person’s soul remains attached to his body night and day until he dies, but when he is asleep it ascends.
“We know for certain that what is narrated in the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is true and is not self-contradictory, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Do they not then consider the Qur’aan carefully? Had it been from other than Allaah, they would surely, have found therein many a contradiction”
[Qur’an 4:82]
Prima Qur’an comments: Well, you see 4:82 actually is a reference to the Qur’an. It is not a reference to hadith, sunnah, fiqh, ijtihad of imams, or anything else. How you lump the sunnah in with the Qur’an is anyone’s guess.
He continues:
“Because contradictions in the reports would mean that some of them were showing others to be false, and this is impossible in the case of that which Allaah and His Messenger tell us.
Whoever imagines that there are any contradictions in the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or between the two, it is either because of his lack of knowledge or because he has failed to understand properly or to ponder the matter correctly, so let him seek further knowledge and strive to think harder until the truth becomes clear to him. Then if the matter is still not clear to him, let him leave it to the One Who is All-Knowing and let him put a stop to his illusions and say, as those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say, “We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:7 – interpretation of the meaning]. Let him know that there is no contradiction in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and no conflict between them. And Allaah knows best.”
Prima Qur’an comments: Well, you see 3:7 actually is a reference to the Qur’an. It is not a reference to hadith, sunnah, fiqh, ijtihad of imams, or anything else. How you lump the sunnah in with the Qur’an is anyone’s guess.
He continues:
“See Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/237-238
Imagining that there is a conflict between Allaah’s descending to the lowest heaven and His having risen over the Throne and His being high above the heavens stems from making a comparison between the Creator and the created being. For man cannot imagine the unseen things of His creation, such as the delights of Paradise, so how can he imagine the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted, the Knower of the Unseen. So we believe in what has been narrated of His rising over (the Throne), His descending and His being High and Exalted. We affirm that (and state that it is) in a manner that befits His Majesty and Might.”
Prima-Qur’an comments: So there you have it. ‘Uthaymeen telling a person to shut up. Ibn Taymiyah basically resorted to blatant Tashbih and Tamthil. (Making resemblance and drawling parallels to) the creation.
Being accurate and circumspect in our beliefs. So the next time someone asks you, “Where is Allah?”’ in order to answer the question accurately one would need to ask the person back. “Do you believe Allah is the creator of all things?” “Do you believe Allah is the creator of space and time?”
Because apparently Allah (swt) is separate and distinct from his creation. Who said that? This website affirms that Imam Ahmad (r) said that.
“So Yoosuf bin Moosaa al-Qattaan, the Shaykh of Abu Bakr al-Khallaal, said: It was said to Abu Abdullah (Ahmad bin Hanbal): “Allaah is above the seventh heaven, over His Throne, separate and distinct (baa’in) from His creation, and His power and knowledge are in every place?” He said:
Yes, He is over His Throne, and nothing escapes His knowledge.”
If the answer is yes, you have to wonder if the throne is a creation or not. If the throne, space, and time are all creations you have to wonder at the question: “Where is Allah?” before the creation of the throne.
We also have this interesting verse. This has to be taken into consideration since some of our brothers from Ahl Sunnah say that Allah (swt) will “come in ranks with the angels.”
“So your Lord comes and also the angels in ranks..” (Qur’an 89:22)
“Lo! those who swear allegiance unto you (Muhammed), swear allegiance only unto Allah. The Hand of Allah is above their hands. So whoever breaks his oath, breaks it only to his soul’s hurt; while whoever keeps his covenant with Allah, on him will He bestow immense reward.” (Qur’an 48:10)
We also have to take into account this hadith:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet (saw) said, “The people will be thrown into the (Hell) Fire and it will say: “Are there any more (to come)?’ (50.30) till Allah puts His Foot over it and it will say, ‘Qati! Qati! (Enough Enough!)'”
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHERE IS ALLAH AND WHEN IS ALLAH?
So what does all this mean? Especially if it is admitted that Allah (swt) is separate and distinct from his creation?
It means that the true answer of an Athari, someone who takes the apparent meaning of a text, that the true answer to the question “Where is Allah?” is to respond by saying:
Allah is as he is before space/time. While also being over the throne, while also coming down in the third part of the night (depending upon the time) and coming with rows of his angels. Allah’s foot is on the hellfire. His hand is over their hands. All of that in a way that befits his majesty.
Because here is the point. I challenge anyone to show me where the Blessed Messenger (saw) or any of the companions disputed any of those points above?
Why is Allah (swt) being over the throne: The Default Answer to the Question-Where is Allah?
Why is ‘Allah being over the throne’ THE DEFAULT POSITION?
Again I challenge anyone to show me where the Blessed Messenger (saw) or the companions made ‘above the throne’ as the default position to the exclusion of the other text/positions? Thus, making everything else like ‘coming down’ or ‘existing as he was before creation’ or ‘coming in rows’ relational to that?
Because keep in mind the person is asking you, “Where is Allah?” They are not asking you, “When is Allah?” They are not asking you ‘Where is Allah now?” Because ‘now‘ does not apply to Allah (swt).
Who gave them the authority to make ‘the throne’ the default position? So yes, when someone asks, “Where is Allah?” You could reply, “London England” depending upon what time of day/night it is where you are.
Those who say that Allah (swt) is over the throne bi dhati (in essence) have made a reprehensible innovation because we have nothing reliably transmitted to us on this account.
This is the state of these people who want to police the beliefs of the Muslims and do actually approach people in the Masjid and ask random people, “Where is Allah?” With beliefs like this no wonder, they go around asking such a question, because it certainly seems they have lost their Lord. If only Allah (swt) was always in the dhirk of their minds and and in their hearts they would not need to ask this. They are searching for Allah (swt).
“And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know it.” (Qur’an 2:42)
﷽
In Islam, one of our most cherished principles is to cover up the faults of others. To be tactful in how we correct each other. Yet, this needs to be balanced with those who are recalcitrant and unwilling to admit to their errors. When their publications and social media become widely viewed, the layperson takes at face value what is said than something must be done.
One of the more unfortunate things is that those who are claimants of a movement called ‘Salafiyah’ are being woefully uninformed about the prayer of the Blessed Messenger (saw). Namely, by saying that praying with arms to the side is some sort of innovative practice. When in reality that IS the default way the Blessed Messenger (saw) prayed!
One of those who have circulated this misunderstanding is the Salafi preacher Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips. Bilal Philips has otherwise benefited the English-speaking Muslim community through his media lectures and audio series.
We as human beings make mistakes. We hope that one day Allah (swt) will encourage him to correct this error.
In his book he says:
“He was severely beaten in the year 764 CE by the order of the Ameer of Madeenah, because he made a legal ruling that forced divorce was invalid. This ruling opposed the ‘Abbaasid rulers’ practice of adding in the oath of allegiance given to them by the masses the clause that whoever broke the oath was automatically divorced. Malik was tied and beaten until his arms became severely damaged to such a degree that he became unable to clasp them on his chest in Salaah and thus he began the practice of praying with his hands at his sides according to some reports.”
Source: (pg. 78. The Evolution of Fiqh Islamic Law & The Madh-habs By Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips International Islamic Publishing House.)
“Some reports” such as? Doesn’t Abu Ammenah Bilal Philips have to give his evidence or are we just supposed to accept what he said? No asterisk *, no footnote with a source or reference. Unforutnately, Bilal Philips gives us nothing.
Can such a claim be verified by and in any of the traditionally relied upon books of Islamic history? No! One will be hard-pressed to find any evidence substantiating this argument.
Remember what Allah said:
“Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidence, and the guidance, which We have sent down after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse.” (Qur’an: 2:159)
So where is the proof?
Secondly, how could Imam Malik not have enough strength to clasp his hands on his chest but still be able to do the tabkir—, go into ruku, and go into sajdah and to push his hands up from sujuud, since Imam Malik’s view is that the knees go up than the hands after sajdah?
What about all the other Tabieen who prayed the way Imam Malik did? Did each one of them have their arms broken as well?
Also, don’t you think Imam Malik would have said as plain as day, “Hey everyone, as you know, I’m only praying this way because my arm was pulled out of my socket, don’t follow me, follow the Blessed Messenger!”
Next are the flat untruths coming from Assim al Hakeem.
“Some scholars say that the followers of Imam Malik started doing this when he started praying like that. Why would Imam Malik, Imam Dar Al Hijra, pray like that way? He knows that the Sunnah of the Prophet (as) as in the hadith of Wail Ibn Hujr (May Allah be pleased with him) was to put the right over the left on the chest and this is the sunnah of all the prophets. Why would Imam Malik do this? The reason was that at some time or period of history there was a disagreement between the Muslim ruler and Imam Malik; which happens throughout history with all scholars. This happened with Imam Ahmad. This happened with Imam Abu Hanifa. This happened with uh Imam Ibn Taymiyah, who died in prison. All great scholars are tested; and usually if they don’t kiss the backside or they don’t polish shoes, they will be thrown in jail. This is the norm. So there was this disagreement which Imam Malik refused to compromise the religion, which led then to a Muslim ruler to flog him and beat him in prison. That led to an injury to his arm which prevented him from being able to lift it so he began to pray with his arms to his side. Some of his disciples and students (apparently who were not very smart followed that way of prayer instead of going back to his books, to his hadiths that he used to teach to learn how the prophet used to pray. And they mimicked that and made it part of their religion, or part of their school of thought. Which is totally bogus. Which is totally not true. And Ali my friend as a Muslim we have to go back to the references, Qur’an and Sunnah. Not to what Tom, Dick and Harry did (with all due respect to THEM), but Allah ordered us to follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah. And people differ. People have their different preferences, and understanding of things. So we are not to get closer to Allah by THEIR understanding rather by the Qur’an and the Sunnah whereby the understanding of the three favourite generations, the companions, tabi’een and tab’tabi’een.”
Let us analyze what Shaykh Assim al Hakeem says.
“Some scholars say.” Who are these scholars? What do they base their statements on?
“Some of his disciples and students (apparently who were not very smart) followed that way of prayer instead of going back to his books, to his hadiths that he used to teach to learn how the prophet used to pray. And they mimicked that and made it part of their religion.”
Let us do a little thought experiment. Let us assume the arms were broken, so he prayed like that story checks out. So this means….
Group A
Imam Malik was negligent.
Direct students of Imam Malik started doing that. Imam Malik was derelict in his duties and said nothing while his students did innovation in their prayer. This is a huge evil to attribute to Imam Malik.
Which of these students, who were “apparently who were not very smart” started this innovative practice? Was it:
Asad ibn al Furat ?
Ibn al-Qasim ?
Sahnun ?
Ashhab ibn ‘Abd al-Aziz ?
Group B.
The students of Imam Malik’s students innovated this practice.
All of Imam Malik’s students were faithful and diligent in following the Sunnah. However, the students of these teachers decided to start practicing sadl in honour of Imam Malik being tortured. So then, when they started to do this, why didn’t their teachers (the students of Imam Malik) stop them? Why would they do what their teachers were not even doing?
ABU HANIFA, IMAM MALIK, IMAM SHAFI’I, IMAM AHMAD = (TOM, DICK, AND HARRY) ?
“Not to what Tom, Dick and Harry did (with all due respect to THEM), but Allah ordered us to follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah. And people differ. People have their different preferences, and understanding of things. So we are not to get closer to Allah by THEIR understanding.”
The shocking and dismissive statements directed at some of his own great scholars are most unfortunate. This is nothing new for the Salafi preachers. In one breath he speaks of Imam Malik as ‘Imam Dar Al Hijra‘, and in the next breath he is just a ‘Tom, Dick or Harry‘.
I guess we as Muslims, those that follow the Ibadi school, shouldn’t be shocked when some of the more uneducated among the ‘Salafiyah’ call us dogs, and kafir. After all, these men will refer to their own Imams as ‘Tom, dick or harry’. This makes for an unfortunate discourse.
May Allah (swt) guide them and us to a way and course that is just.
Shaykh Assim Al-Hakeem has yet to correct his lie concerning Imam Malik. However, he has stated in public it is no problem if you leave your arms to the side.
“The Originator of the heavens and the earth; He made mates for you from among yourselves, and mates of the cattle too, multiplying you thereby; there is nothing like unto Him; and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” (Qur’an 42:11)
The faculties of seeing (tudriku) cannot grasp Him, and He grasp all–seeing (yudriku), He is the All-Subtle and All-Aware.” (Qur’an 6:103)
“Allah has promised the believing men and believing women Gardens beneath which rivers flow. They shall abide in it. There are delightful dwelling places for them in the Gardens of Eternity. They shall, above all, enjoy the good pleasure of Allah. That is the great achievement.” (Qur’an 9:72)
﷽
My friend had his brother in law send him these clips by a preacher from the Salafi sect claiming people will ‘see the face of Allah’ in the paradise.
The preacher in the above video says:
“O Rabb, show Your Face.” “We want to look at You.” “So Allah (swt) Orders for the Hijab to be removed. And the Hijab of Allah Is Light (Noor).” “And you will see your Lord Like you see the sun at its noon Or the moon at its full. ” “There will be faces looking at their Lord. Looking so much so that Allah” (swt)
“May Allah makes us of those who will lay eyes On the Blessed Face of Allah” (swt)
You ever notice how these people talk about seeing the ‘Face of Allah’ ? Why don’t they ask to see the foot of Allah? Why don’t they ask to see the two right hands of Allah? Why don’t they ask to see the shin of Allah? Why would it be shameful to ask that? Does Allah (swt) have attributes that are shameful? Astaghfiurllah! Of course not!
When I asked this of a brother his response was:
“I guess because the face is considered to be the seat of beauty in human beings.”
Right! However,
“There is nothing like unto Him; and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” (Qur’an 42:11)
AS FAR AS ALLAH (SWT) REMOVING SOME HIJAB….WELL THINK AGAIN!
Curious to see more?
Like where Imam Shafi’i is reported to have said that if he knew he would not see Allah (swt) he would not worship him, even though Allah (swt) NEVER made that a condition of worshipping him.
Allah (swt) has already told us what the great attainment is! It is not seeing his face!
“Allah has promised the believing men and believing women Gardens beneath which rivers flow. They shall abide in it. There are delightful dwelling places for them in the Gardens of Eternity. They shall, above all, enjoy the good pleasure of Allah. Thatis the great achievement.” (Qur’an 9:72)
You might benefit from reading the following articles:
“He is Allah , other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.” (Qur’an 59:23)
﷽
The Salafis agreed to debate The Muslims, The People of Truth and Steadfastness, on the issue of ‘Seeing Allah in the hereafter‘. The Salafis are a people not very strong or grounded in theology.
Our noble Shaykh Masoud ibn Muhammed al Maghbali, from the Muslims debated with representatives of the Salafi sect. Professor Hossam Al-Jed from Egypt. Shaykh Masoud went to Egypt to represent the Muslims, while Professor Hossam Al-Jed represented the Salafi sect.
The full debate can be seen here:
Allah’s victory is in the creed of those whom he has purified. The Muslims, The People of the Truth and Steadfastness. The Professor read from his paper, but our noble Shaykh was confident with the arguments Allah (swt) supplied him from sound theology. All praises be to Allah (swt).
Indeed, the arguments for seeing Allah Almighty are weak.
Did Allah (swt) really reveal himself to that mountain? In the anthropomorphic sense that the Salafi claim?
He appeared in His true form?
Then where is he after this Transfiguration? Did he remain there or did he disappear?
Did he vanish?
Allah (swt) is the friend of the Blessed and Noble Messenger, Ibrahim who said in the same Qur’an:
“When the night overshadowed him, he saw a star and said, “This is my Lord!” But when it went down he said, “I do not like things that vanish.” (Qur’an 6:76)
Then they go against the apparent meaning of the verse: “The eyes do not perceive him, and he perceives the sight, and he is The Gentle, The Expert.” (Qur’an 6:103)
So they interpreted the word that the eyes cannot see him in another sense contrary to what came in the linguistic dictionaries, where they interpreted perception by ‘encompassing’ as some type of victory for their scandalous and decrepit doctrine.
After these debates many from among the Arabs left the Salafi sect and entered upon the way of the Muslims, The People of The Truth and Steadfastness. The Salafi’s deleted videos. Their Professor Hossam Al-Jed from Egypt was demoted from Professor to ‘Student of Knowledge’. Well, in this case Shaykh Masoud ibn Muhammed al Maghbali is also a student of knowledge.
We continue to call them and all others to the way of the Muslims, To the doctrine of transcendence. For this is the safest and securest road.
The faculties ofseeing (tudriku) cannot grasp Him, and He grasp all–seeing (yudriku), He is the All-Subtle and All-Aware.” (Qur’an 6:103)
﷽
Salafi Shaykh Muqbil Al Wadi’i Hadith in Sahih Muslim on Seeing Allah is actually weak!
So Imam Al Daraqutni had a commentary about these hadith. In his book he made notes about these ahadith. Than comes along this big hadith scholar from Yemen. This hadith scholar is from the Salafi sect. His name is Muqbil bin Hadi bin Muqbil bin Qa’idah al-Hamdani al-Wadi’i al-Khallali.
So he took the book written by Imam Al Daraqutni and he made his own notes.
He said about the hadith of Ziyada under Sahih Muslim about the hadith ziyada that the ahl jannah will see Allah (swt) in the Jannah. (Astaghfirullah)
Imam Muqbil al-Wadi’i As Salafi, says this hadith is mistake by Thabit Umani. In the chain, the sanaad.
No one else has ever made this claim other than Muqbil al-Wadi’i Only Thabit al Bunani says this hadith is from Suhayb
The words of the hadith from Shaykh Thabit Bunani only go up to Abdulrahman bin Abi Laylaa only!
It is not from Suhayb nor from the Blessed Messenger (saw).
The words go up to Shaykh Abdulrahman bin Abi Laylaa (only!)
And according to their statement the mistake is coming by Hamaad bin Salamah. For any Hadith that comes through the channel of this man be careful!
There are four students under Thabit al Bunani
Hammad ibn Salamah
Sulaymān ibn al-Mughīrah
Hammad bin Zayd
Hamaad bin Waaqid
So this Imam Muqbli is saying the hadith is in Sahih Muslim is either weak or outright fabricated! On this point he is in agreement with the safe road, The Muslims, the Ibadi school.
May Allah (swt) guide this ummah to what is beloved to Allah (swt). We continue to call the people to the way of the Muslims, To the doctrine of transcendence. The way of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. For this is the safest and securest road.
“Do they not consider the Qur’an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy.” (Qur’an 4:82)
﷽
Now if I was to follow that particular aqidah view I would have to be at least be consistent with myself and consistent with the text of the Qur’an. So again we have nothing stating that x/y is the default place for Allah (swt).
The correct view if we are to take the verses as they and apply a consistent methodology would be to say that Allah (swt) exist in a set [4,0 & 0,4 & 3,4 & 4,3 & 3,5 & 5,3 etc.…]
We describe Him (swt) by what has been authenticated that he described himself with. And we affirm for Him (swt) what the Prophet (saw) has affirmed for Him in his authentic Sunnah. As for those that say that we affirm for Allah what He has affirmed for Himself. They wanted from that to believe in the literal text and pass it as it came. For example, when He (Allah)-Great and Glorious God says:
“The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.” (Qur’an 20:5) For this ayat (verse) when taken literally implies that Allah has a position, and he is above the throne, he says like this. This is the literal meaning.
And when I discussed with one of them regarding this,. I asked him, “Do you always stick to the literal meaning?”
He said, “Yes I do stick to the literal always, I don’t differ nor do I alter.” I said, “Let’s agree to stick to the literal meaning and I will agree on this ruling till a certain time, but I hope that you’ll stick to it and don’t change your words. Now me and you have both agreed on the same madhab and the same opinion.
Which is to say: The affirmation and passing of the ayats (verses) like they came, and taking the literal meanings, and building the belief upon it. (the opinion).
“Good”, he said, “Good”. I said, “Then this ayat (verse), Allah affirms a position for himself which is above the throne {The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.} But in another ayat(verse) Allah says, “Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight.” (Qur’an 11:56)
Is the straight path the same as the throne or a different thing? Without doubt it’s another place, then this is a 2nd position. And you must affirm the literal meaning.
In a third ayat, Our Lord, Great and Glorious God says: “There are not three in a private conversation but that He is the fourth of them, nor are there five but that He is the sixth of them-and no less than that and no more except that He is with them.” (Qur’an 58:7)
This is a third place, different from the throne and different from the straight path.
And in a fourth ayat (verse), He (Allah) Great and Glorious God says about his Prophet Musa (as) ”No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.” Qur’an 26:62 and Musa (as) was on the beach of the Red Sea when he said this.
And in a fifth ayat, Allah tells us about our Prophet (saw) that he said when he was in Ghar Thawr (a cave that Muhammed-saw hid in)
“Have no fear, for Allah is with us.” (Qur’an 9:40)
And Allah tells us about his Khalil (Friend), Ibrahim (as) that he said: “I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!” (Qur’an 37:99)
And he (Allah) Great and Glorious God says in another ayat (verse) “But there he finds Allah, Who settles his account in full.” (Qur’an 24:39)
And he says in another ayat (verse) He says: “There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock.” (Qur’an 11:56)
And the Prophet (saw) says in his Sunnah “A slave becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration.” Source: (https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:1428)
And he says as well mentioning about Allah “Did you not know that my servant so and so was ill and yet you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him you would have found me with him?” Source: (https://sunnah.com/muslim:2569)
“When any one of you prays, he must not spit in front of him, for Allah is in front of him when he is engaged in prayer.” Source: (https://sunnah.com/bukhari:416)
Which of these literal meanings will you take? Now I am following your madhab.
On the throne? Or on the straight path, or is he the fourth of the three or the sixth of the fifth or in Ghar Thour, or on the beach of the Red Sea or in or where? Or in the prostration position?
He said: “All of these are not taken literally except {The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.}”
I said: “Then you broke your ruling.” “You broke your ruling.”
Anyhow, taking the literal meaning falsifies the fact that the source of the Qur’an is from Allah. It falsifies that, why?
Because Allah says, “Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly fund in it many inconsistencies.”(Qur’an 4:82) -and taking the literal meanings leads to that.
Sticking to the literal meaning leads to this inconsistency, because Allah Great and Glorious God affirms a hand for himself, and two hands, and affirms more than that..
{Allah’s hand is over theirs.}-Qur’an 48:10 {Rather, both his hands are extended}-Qur’an 5:64 {Do they not see that We have created for them from what Our hands have made, grazing livestock} –Qur’an 36:71
Which of these literal meanings will you take?
{sailing under Our ‘watchful’ Eyes} –Qur’an 54:14 { so that you would be brought up under My ‘watchful’ Eye.} –Qur’an 20:39 This is singular and that is plural, and lowest plural is 3 some say.
So, which of these literal meaning will you take? {they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.}
Taking the literal meaning is a ruling that is broken and false but actually rotten and sluggish. It’s not looked upon and not depended upon. And it’s throwed to the side of the walls. The same is in the sunnah as well.
Those that take the path of affirming the attributes by affirming and passing them like they came and took the literal meaning have contradicted this ruling of theirs and have heavily crushed it and they have left it crumbled and fragmented and have not left a peaceful (part) of it ever!
And there’s nothing which implies that as much as the act of some when he came to the hadith “Do not curse Time, for it is Allah Who is Time.” Is it not like this?
He said: “No this hadith is not taken by the literal meaning.” (For it is Allah Who is Time) Else its literal meaning implies the divinity of time! Does it not?
Also, “I become the hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks.” -taking the literal meaning leads to the belief of divine indwelling, is that not the case?
“Verily, those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Beneficent (Allah) will bestow love for them (in the hearts of the believers).” (Qur’an 19:96)
﷽
Ibn Taymiyya al Harrani in his as–Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah when he comments about the above ayat in relation to Ali ibn Abi Talib that:
“Allah (swt) has told that He will place on the believers and those that preform good, love. And this is a true promise from him. Especially for the Caliphs Abu Bakr (ra) and Umar Ibn Al Khattab (ra) for the general amount of companions loved them and they were the best periods of Islam. Ali was not like that, as a large number of companions (sahabah) and followers (tab’ieen) hated him, cursed him and fought him.”
Source: (منهاج السنة النبوية في نقض كلام الشيعة والقدريةMinhaj al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah fi Naqd Kalam al-Shi’a wa al-Qadariyyah)
The implication (though not explicitly stated by Ibn Taymiyya) was that Ali was not of those who worked deeds of righteousness.
Ibn Taymiyya continues:
“They love and venerate him, while Abu Bakr and Umar – may God be pleased with them – have been hated and cursed by the Rafidah (Rejectors), the Nusayriyyah, the Ghulat (Extremists), and the Ismailis. However, it is known that those who loved those two (1) are better and more numerous, and that those who hated them are further from Islam and fewer.”
“This contradicts the case of Ali, for those who hated and fought him are better than those who hated Abu Bakr and Umar. In fact, the faction of Uthman, who love him and hate Ali, even if they are innovators and wrongdoers, are more knowledgeable and religious than the faction of Ali who love him and hate Uthman, and they are greater in jihad and justice. Thus, it is clear that the affection mandated for the three [first Caliphs] is greater.”
“And if it is said: ‘Claims of divinity and prophethood have been made about Ali (2),’ it is replied: ‘All the Khawarij considered him a disbeliever and the Marwaniyyah hated him. And these are better than the Rafidah who curse Abu Bakr and Umar – may God be pleased with them – let alone the Extremists (3).'”
Source: [Chapter: The Thirteenth Proof “You are only a warner, and for every people there is a guide.”]
Say, “My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.” (Qur’an 7:33)
ALLAH LAUGHS AT THE DESPAIR OF HIS SLAVES?
Waki’ bin Hudus narrated that his paternal uncle Abu Razin said:
“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Allah laughs at the despair of His slaves although He soon changes it.’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, does the Lord laugh?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ I said: ‘We shall never be deprived of good by a Lord Who laughs.'”
“The Messenger of Allah said: Allah chuckles at the despair of His slaves although He soon changes it.’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, does the Lord chuckle?’ ‘He said: ‘Yes.’ I said: ‘We shall never be deprived of good by a Lord Who chuckles.”
Now if we take this hadith alone it is challenging to suggest that chuckling/laughing can be interpreted as Mercy. Because, even the companion ask, ‘Does Allah chuckle?’ and it would be difficult to imagine the companion asking, ‘Does the Lord show Mercy’. I mean we recite the Qur’an as bismillah ir rahman ir raheem. Most Merciful and Most Compassionate.
However, this is a lone narrator report. We in Ahl Haqq Wal Istiqamah (The Ibadi School) we do not make lone narrator reports as a basis for our faith. What we do is look at other ahadith where these idioms are used to show if there is other meanings.
If we are to take this lone narrator report at the apparent meaning as the Salafi -Athari suggest than it means that Allah (swt) is laughing, chuckling etc at the despair and pain that humanity undergoes.
It takes a depraved human being and a twisted imagination to suggest that Allah (swt) would have a hearty chuckle at the despair and misery of humanity.
Children being sexually abused by their parents.
People starting to death in this world.
You going to say that Allah (swt) is laughing/chuckling at this?!
Furthermore does this laughing and chuckling produce a sound such that we can say that it is uncreated? Such that one can imagine an eternal chuckling and laughing at the despair, torture and pain of a creation that has yet to be created?
We wonder why people are Atheist?
Either the people who invent such falsehoods have a very low estimation of the Divine, or the Creator they worship is more horribly morbid than the darkest corner of human imagination could fathom.
However, because this hadith is graded as ‘Hasan’ those who take the lone narrator reports will insist,
We believe that Allah chuckles/laughs …with the disclaimer (in a way that befits his majesty!
“It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Allah chuckles at the two men both of whom will enter Paradise (though) one of them kills the other. They said: Messenger of Allah, how is it? He said: One of them fights in the way of Allah, the Almighty, and Exalted. and dies a martyr. Then Allah turns in mercy to the murderer who embraces Islam, fights in the way of Allah, the Almighty, and Exalted, and dies a martyr.” (‘Sahih’ Muslim Kitab Al-Imara hadith number 4658)
If we understand the mention about Allah (swt) chuckling as his act of Mercy than this is not a problem. It is an idiom or an expression.
However, if as some in the Muslim community do (ever ready to kick every one else out of Islam), insist that we have to take this at the apparent meaning it is very dark.
These kinds of hadiths are reminiscent of the stuff attributed to Allah (swt) in the Bible.
“And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” (Exodus 32:14)
“The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.” (Genesis 6:6)
So we would take the two hadith and combine them and our understanding would be the laughing/chuckling as an idiom or expression of Allah’s mercy that is soon to follow any act of despair, as long as the people put their tawakkul (trust) in Allah (swt).
“Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Qur’an 39:53)
Prima Quran 