“My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Qur’an 20:114)
﷽
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they are the ones who preserved the methodology of the Rightly Guided Caliphate (Imamate).
Their imams safeguarded the pure religion
Since the day it was said that for Allah’s faith, there are many.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they are the only Islamic school of thought that managed to encompass various Islamic sects and schools under one umbrella in an astonishingly peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, their great Imam, Jabir ibn Zayd, was praised by Ibn Abbas, who said: *”It is astonishing that the people of Iraq seek knowledge from us when they have Jabir ibn Zayd among them. If they turned to him, he would suffice them in knowledge.”*
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was the eloquent orator Abu Hamza al-Shari, Mukhtar ibn Awf, who delivered a sermon from the pulpit of the Prophet ﷺ that resonated through time. Malik ibn Anas said it enlightened the doubtful.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they defended Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah honor his face) when they approached Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) to change the practice of cursing Ali, established by Mu’awiyah. He complied with their request.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi, the pioneer of prosody and the teacher of Sibawayh.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they protected the Arabian Peninsula, fought against the Portuguese invasion, drove them out of the region, and cleared the seas of them—a history written in gold.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, their naval fleets were so formidable that European fleets feared them and considered them a serious force. Their fleet was the second most powerful in the world at the time.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they spread Islam throughout East Africa, reaching deep into its jungles, transforming Zanzibar into the jewel of Africa, and establishing an Omani-Zanzibari kingdom.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was the great merchant Abdullah ibn al-Qasim, whom the Emperor of China honored with the title *”General of Noble Ethics.”*
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was the Libyan Mujahid Sheikh Suleiman Pasha al-Barouni, whom Sultan Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire entrusted with fighting the Italian invasion in Libya.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they were the ones who liberated the island of Socotra from the Christian Abyssinians when Imam Al-Salt ibn Malik dispatched a naval fleet to rescue them after a plea from Az-Zahra, in the third century Hijri.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they built mosques and gifted them to their Sunni brethren in Algeciras when they ruled it—a pinnacle of tolerance and noble character.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them were the Rustamid Imams who ruled North Africa for a century and a half. The Maliki historian Ibn al-Saghir described them as *”people of justice, asceticism, and equality.”*
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they were the first in the Islamic world to compile books. The *Diwan* of Imam Jabir ibn Zayd was written in the first Hijri century but was lost during the Mongol invasions.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was the pioneer of Algerian journalism, Abu al-Yaqzan, who presented Khedive Ismail with the *Mizab* newspaper during his visit to Algeria, impressing him with his bravery.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was Imam Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Khalili (may Allah have mercy on him), for whom the late Saudi Prince Faisal ibn Abdulaziz ordered the absentee funeral prayer at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they fought against the extremist Kharijite sect known as the Sufriyya in Oman during the reign of Imam Al-Julandah ibn Masoud in the early second Hijri century, and in Kairouan during the time of Imam Abu al-Khattab al-Ma’afari (may Allah have mercy on them).
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was the Algerian scholar and freedom fighter Sheikh Ibrahim Bioudh, who resisted French colonialism, endured torture, and was imprisoned.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was Imam Qutb al-A’immah Muhammad Atfiyyash, whom the great Egyptian reformer Muhammad Abduh once said: *”We in Egypt seek his counsel.”*
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, their city is Nizwa, the *”Egg of Islam,”* where, at one point in history, three hundred scholars gathered, issuing legal rulings. It was the capital of the valiant Imams of Oman.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among them was the scholar-poet Abu Muslim, who wrote a poem urging Riyad Pasha of Egypt to strengthen the resolve of the people of the Nile against colonial rule.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, among their books are:
– *Qamus al-Shari’a* (92 volumes)
– *Bayan al-Shari’a* (73 volumes)
– *Al-Diya’* (40 volumes)
– *Al-Musannaf* (42 volumes)
– *Sharh al-Nayl* (18 volumes), and many others.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, the Damascus scholar Izz al-Din al-Tanoukhi said: *”Whoever accuses the Ibadiyyah of misguidance is among those who have divided their religion and become sects and is of the ignorant and misguided.”*
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they were acknowledged by Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rabuh, who wrote the insightful book *The Ibadiyyah: A Doctrine and a Way of Life*, where he stated: *”They are the true and valid currency for exchange.”*
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, the renowned Islamic thinker Salim Al-Awwa, after thorough research, concluded: *”The Ibadiyyah are not a sect of the Kharijites, as is commonly claimed.”*
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, they have never fabricated a single hadith about the Prophet ﷺ, as they consider lying a major sin that dooms a person unless they repent.
If you do not know the Ibadiyyah, the historian Ahmad Amin described them as a people *”who neither indulge in wine nor lewdness, for you will not find any reference to such things in their literature—a pinnacle of chastity and purity.”*
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Qur’an 2:183)
﷽
Ramadan Day 9: Guidance on teaching children how to fast.
*Heart health Praying to Allah* “When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺” (Qur’an 2:186)
Praying is to supplicate and take refuge to Allah, and praying has some manners, such as: To mention the names of Allah in the prayer Praying for The Blessed Prophet peace be upon him Avoiding prohibited food and drink To insist on the prayer and repeat it To not despair if it seems the prayer is not answered To pray with sincerity and a present heart To pray for every demand, big or small for Allah owns the treasures of the seen and unseen. To avoid sins and bad deeds To lower the voice when praying To respect the time of Du’as answer, which is encouraged for us to pray in: After obligated prayer At the depth of night The day of Arafah Friday Between call to prayer and starting When breaking the fast When it rains After reciting the entire Qur’an When prostrating (in Nafilah not obligation)
As is said: The most powerless person is the one who doesn’t make Du’a. For what weapon will you have against your lower self and the vile forces of chaos?
*Death, resurrection and reckoning* The arguments of proof came speaking of death, resurrection and reckoning.
Death is the truth that nobody disagrees upon, and it’s the separation of the soul from the body, to port from this life to the hereafter, from mortality to eternity, and from work to reward.
After death comes resurrection which is for the soul to return back to the body.
after that comes reckoning, where every human being is accountable for all his action, small or big. “You will then be presented ˹before Him for judgment˺, and none of your secrets will stay hidden.” (Qur’an 69:18)
We ask Allah safety when there is no way out except for his mercy.
*difficulty brings ease* The fourth of the five comprehensive rules of Shari’a, its explanation is when there is difficulty in some ruling, there would be clearance by law, there are many examples that illustrate this rule:
Breaking the fast in Ramadan in the state of illness or traveling Tayammum when there is no water for Wudu’ Eating prohibited food in the state of necessity Shortening prayer when traveling
Proofs: “Allah intends ease for you, not hardship.” (Qur’an 2:185) “For ˹it is˺ He ˹Who˺ has chosen you, and laid upon you no hardship in the religion.” (Qur’an 22:78) “And it is Allah’s Will to lighten your burdens, for humankind was created weak.” (Qur’an 4:28)
“We send down the Quran as a healing and mercy for the believers, but it only increases the wrongdoers in loss.” (Qur’an 17:82)
﷽
Ramadan Day 8: The Social Benefit where people are more charitable in assisting those in need.
*Heart health Remembering Allah* “O believers! Always remember Allah often.” (Qur’an 33:41)
It’s the worship that’s not bound by time or conditions, and from the forms of remembrance: Reciting the Qur’an Prayers Seeking knowledge Mentioning Allah (mentioning Allah in the morning أذكار الصباح, mentioning Allah at the evening أذكار المساء, mentioning Allah after every prayer, mentioning Allah before sleeping…etc)
Allah’s remembrance has many benefits, some of them are: Alienating the devil and the forces of darkness. Removes worries and sadness Strengthening the heart Planting the love of Allah in the heart Erases sins A reason for the descendance of mercy Keeps the tongue busy from backbiting and gossip Take the heart away from toughness and hypocrisy.
*Muhammed is the messenger of Allah* “Muhammed is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.” (Qur’an 33:40)
We should believe that Muhammed (saw) is the final Messenger of Allah (swt). And that he is the best of all prophets. We can believe all the prophets as a whole, but we should still believe in Muhammed (saw)by name, as this is a fundamental in the religion of Islam.
May Allahs peace and blessings be upon him.
*The Harm is Removed* The third of the five comprehensive rules. Its explanation is that every harm or damage is eliminated or prevented in Islam.
Islam came to protect the five necessities, which are religion, life, mind, wealth and lineage, for example.
Jihad protects religion Prohibition of unlawful killing and suicide protects life Prohibition of Alcohol protects the mind Prohibition of stealing protects wealth Prohibition of fornicating protects lineage
and so are the other things that cause harm.
Proof: The hadith: (There is no harm or return of harm), and many verses from the Qur’an like:
“No mother should be harmed through her child.” (Qur’an 2:233)
Sources: ( Musnad Al Rabi’i 692- ‘Abū Ubayda narrated from Jābir ‘Ibn Zayd that the Prophet, ﷺ, said: “Let him who believes in Allah and the last day, speak only good or keep quiet and do no harm to his neighbor”)
It was narrated from ‘Ubadah bin Samit that the Messenger of Allah (saw) ruled:
“There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”
Source: (https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:2340) -chain of transmission is weak but the matn is sound based upon the general principles of Islam.
“The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.” (Qur’an 97:3)
﷽
Ramadan Day 7: The Mental Benefits of Fasting.
7th Day of Ramadan* ——————————– *Heart Health Struggle & Punishment of Nafs* “As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our Way.” (Qur’an 29:69)
Nafs is the self, the soul, the inner psyche, and the struggle of Nafs (Jihad An-nafs) is to force the Nafs to do the obligations, the Sunnan, and the Nafilahs, especially when the Nafs is in a lazy/fatigued state. When The Blessed Prophet (saw) used to pray the night until his feet swells, Aisha (ra) told him: (take it easy, Allah pardoned you from All your sins), so he replies: (should I not be a thankful servant!)
After Struggle of the Nafs comes punishing the Nafs. Thus, if a Muslim struggled his Nafs but then felt his shortcomings and laziness he increases his worship to tame the Nafs. , Here is Umar Bin Al Khattab (ra), entered a garden of his and when he returned he found that the people have finished Asr prayer, so he donated his garden for the sake Allah.
Practically people can apply this, whenever someone feels shortcomings by missing prayer in Jama’a for example, he can donate some money, fast some days, or increase the number of Nafilah prayers, so that he can tame his Nafs. To make his nafs tamed for the worship of Allah The Exalted.
*Allah is not encompassed by vision* “No vision can encompass Him, but He encompasses all vision. For He is the Most Subtle, All-Aware.” (Qur’an 6:103)
Allah is sanctified from being seen in this life or the hereafter, because there is nothing like him. His existence is not like any other beings existence. He is not in a physical place, and he can’t be described with color or visibility. Visibility cannot exist without a position, dense body described with a color, and Luminant or hit by a ray emitted by another object.
In fact, one of the reasons people cannot see Allah (swt) in this life or the next is due to his being absolutely one. Anything the mind tries to establish as one will be a multiple, or a compound unity. The human mind cannot picture absolute oneness, to do so would be to see Allah. Absolute oneness is a concept the mind can grasp but cannot envision.
Think of the concept of emptiness or nothingness. If you were asked to recline on a couch fold your hands on your chest, relax and take a deep breath in and out until you reach a calm state. Now you are told to picture or envision absolute nothingness. You are unable to do so. You will either picture or envision an all white space or an all black space. You can grasp the concept but your mind will always posit something.
Likewise you can grasp the concept of absolute oneness but given that we live in a reality where everything other than Allah (swt) is composite in some way so too our mind will picture or envision something composite, or multiple.
For more information about this topic return to the book: “The overwhelming truth”
*Things are judged by their purposes* The second of the five comprehensive rules. It’s explanation: legal considerations of actions are bound to their intentions not to their apparent wording. For example, if someone who is used to uttering the intention of a prayer prays Asr but accidentally utters that his intention is to pray Maghrib, then the consideration will be based on his real intention not on his wording.
The proof is what has been narrated by both Ibn ‘Abbas and ‘Umar b. al-Khattab that the Prophet (saw) said: ‘[The value of] an action depends on the intention behind it’
“And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is?” (Qur’an 97:2)
﷽
The Physical Benefits of Fasting.
*Heart Health & Self accountability*
“O believers! Be mindful of Allah and let every soul look to what ˹deeds˺ it has sent forth for tomorrow.” (Qur’an 59:18)
Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable, and weight your deeds before they are weighted, and be ready for the great show.”
Holding yourself accountable can be: – Before the action: ask yourself, is doing this action better than leaving it? If it was do it, if it’s the opposite then don’t do it, and if it was the former ask yourself again, am I doing this for the sake of Allah, or for the sake of this life?
After the action: you should hold yourself accountable over the obligations, is there any deficiency?, then over the prohibitions, if there were any, hasten toward a repentance, then over negligence, remedy it with mentioning Allah more, and hold yourself accountable for what your tongue says, what your ears hear and what your eyes see.
*Ascending over the throne* “The Most Compassionate, ˹Who is˺ established on the Throne.” (Qur’an 20:5)
The throne of Allah is of the greatest creations of Allah, so when Allah described his authority, he said: (then he ascended over the throne)
But is Allah physically on top of the throne? The answer is no, as we said previously that Allah cannot be described using place, as that would mean Allah is a physical body which is impossible.
Then why did Allah use this phrasing to describe his authority? The meaning of the word “Istiwa'” استواء is authority and ability, just like we can say for example: “The Imam ascended over the throne of Oman”, are we saying that he physically sat on the throne? or are we saying that he ruled and controlled Oman?
We use the throne to signify authority because if you control the throne you control the country, and (whereas to Allah belong the finest attributes), and because the throne of Allah is the greatest creation, if Allah owns the throne he definitely owns the rest of creation.
*Certainty is not removed by doubt* The first of the five comprehensive rules. It’s explanation: if someone is in some state, he doesn’t go from it to another by mere doubt and illusion. For example, if someone is sure he performed Wudu’, then he would be in a state of purity unless he is certain that he invalidated his Wudu’ by some reason like bleeding..etc
The proof is what is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas, that the Prophet (saw) said: ‘If one has doubts in his prayer, he should not refrain from it until he hears a sound or detects an odour”
“Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory.” (Qur’an 97:1)
﷽
The Spiritual Benefits of Ramadan.
*5th of Ramadan* ——————————– *Heart Health Hope and Fear*
“They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will tremble.” (Qur’an 24:37)
Fear is one of the attributes of the righteous in the Qur’an, and it’s the pain in the heart that’s caused by expecting harm in the future.
“Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 39:53)
Hope is the comfort in the heart caused by expecting something loved by it.
If fear overwhelmed hope, the servant will lose hope in Allah (And do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah, for no one loses hope in Allah’s mercy except those with no faith).
In contrast, if hope overwhelmed fear, the servant will guarantee paradise for himself.
“Neither by your wishes nor those of the People of the Book! Whoever commits evil will be rewarded accordingly, and they will find no protector or helper besides Allah.” (Qur’an 4:123)
So the Muslim should try to keep the balance between these two forces, and if we take a look at the Salaf, they gave the best examples of this, here is Imam Abu Hamza Ashari (may Allah have mercy on him) describing the companions in his famous speech in Medina after freeing it from the injustice of Bani Umayah: (Were the companions of the prophet peace be upon him anything but youth, by Allah they were youth, perfect in their youth, their eyes are hidden from evil, their feet are slow to falsehood, weak from worship, hungry from staying late, when one of them goes through a verse that mentions paradise he cries in eagerness to it, and if he goes through a verse mentioning hell, he sobbed as if the roaring of hell is in his ears…TO THE END OF HIS SPEACH)
*The attributes of essence* Allah’s attributes can be described as attributes of Dhat (essence) and attributes of Fi’l (action).
The attributes of essence are the attributes that Allah cannot be described by with their opposites.
Examples: Knowledge, so we can’t say Allah is ignorant. Vision so we can’t say Allah is blind. Eternal so we can’t say Allah is created ‘ and so on.
We should know that the attributes of essence are Allah him self and not something other than Allah.
How?
We say Allah is all seeing in his essence, so he doesn’t need a tool to see like humans that need eyes, if we say that Allah is all seeing with something else that would mean Allah is dependent on that thing, this will also mean that Allah has parts which contradicts the absolute oneness.
In conclusion, the attributes of essence are the essence of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala
*Ghusl from impurity* Ghusl is an important topic in Fiqh, it’s like Wudu’ but it should be done after ejaculation (sleeping or awake), sexual intercourse or menstruation for women.
If someone had this and didn’t perform Ghusl then he is in a state of major Hadath, and in this state no prayer or fasting is accepted, and one can not touch a Mushaf or enter a mosque.
How to perform Ghusl: 1- Intention 2- Washing the private part(s) 3- Wash between the naval and the knee, and clean any filth in the body 4- Perform normal ablution while delaying the feet 5- Wash the entire body with water (with force like rubbing or shower) starting from the top to The bottom and the right before the left 6- Wash the feet
Other notes: From the sunna is saying Basmalah, passing urine before Ghusl, performing ablution before Ghusl, starting from the top to bottom and right to left. Water should reach every piece of hair in Ghusl.
May Allah (swt) bless this youth for his beautiful recitation of the glorious Qur’an.
“Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].” (Qur’an 44:3)
﷽
The social benefits of Ramadan.
*Heart Health Repentance* “O believers! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, so your Lord may absolve you of your sins and admit you into Gardens.” (Qur’an 66:8)
Repentance is turning back to Allah and it’s necessary to enter paradise.
But repentance will not be accepted if it doesn’t meet these conditions: 1- Deep regret for committing the sin 2- Determination to never return to the sin 3- Stopping the sin 4- Istighfar (asking for forgiveness with the tongue) 5- Returning the rights to the people, if the sin includes people’s rights
*Allah is not a body* “There is nothing like Him, for He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing” (Qur’an 42:11)
Allah exalted is sanctified from any parts, like a hand, a face, a leg, an eye…etc, or anything that can make Allah sound similar to his creation, because bodies are for creatures, in addition, if we attribute a body to Allah that will necessarily mean that Allah is limited by six directions, and all of this is impossible in the case of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala
*Traveling prayer* When traveling, prayers are a little bit different, here are some rulings regarding the prayer When traveling: – The traveling distance: 12 Km – There is no time limit for these rulings as long as you are not in your home – When traveling you pray the 4 Rak’a prayers (Duhr, Asr and Isha’) in 2 Rak’as, and this is *mandatory*. – When traveling you can join Dhuhr and Asr (2+2) and Maghrib with Isha (3+2), and when joining them you don’t need to pray the Sunan Rawatib. – Joining the prayer is not mandatory, but they are recommended when actively travelling, and discouraged when staying at some place.
Traveling prayer has many rulings, so if you are confused about something it’s better to ask for the safety of your prayer.
The blind reader, Faris Al-Farqani, delights us with a fragrant recitation that captivates the hearts! When you see that the fruit on the branch do not deny that the roots are pure!
O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺ (Qur’an 2:183)
﷽
Tips for Ramadan.
Nasiha (نصيحة) is an Arabic word that means “advice”, “recommendation”, or “sincerity”.
Are you nursing a grudge towards another person or perhaps they are nursing a grudge towards you?
This is some nasiha from Prima Qur’an for you. However, this du’a will only be effective if you are sincere in saying it.
When you make du’a say to Allah (swt) ‘Oh Allah all the good and the khayer that you have given to me I ask of you to also give [this person] but give [this person] more.
Having these things in your heart is weight that you need to release and a negative energy that you simply do not need. Release it!
Maa sha Allah! Beautiful video of a youth leading the people for Tarwih prayer in Ramadan.
People standing attentively to listening to the Created Word of Allah.
*3rd day of Ramadan* ——————————– *Heart Health Taqwa (righteousness)* Taqwa is being mindful of Allah in private and in public. There are three levels of Taqwa: 1- Doing the bare minimum to avoid hell, by avoiding Shirk and major sins. 2- Avoiding any sins even minor ones. 3- Avoiding anything that can distract you from mentioning Allah.
May Allah grant us the highest level of Taqwa.
*Affirming that Allah has no like, peer or equal* Allah exalted is sanctified from any like, peer or equal. A like (shibh شبه): is someone who is similar in most attributes. A peer (nid ند): is the equal and opposite. An equal (mathal مثل): Is someone who is similar in all attributes.
So Allah should not be assigned any attributes from the attributes of creatures, (There is nothing like Him, for He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.)
Some might say: people are hearing and Allah is hearing, people see and Allah sees…etc, and the answer to this is firstly: The attributes of Allah are his essence while humans need tools to have them, Allah’s attributes are absolute, human attributes are limited. so the use of similar word to describe the attributes of Allah and humans doesn’t make them the same.
*Perfecting Wudu’* The Blessed Prophet (saw) said: “No faith for one without prayer, and no prayer with no Wudu”, and no fasting without stopping the prohibitions of Allah”
Based on this we see that Wudu’ is an important subject for a Muslim, if the Wudu’ is false then the prayer is false, so we must perfect our Wudu’ to secure our prayer, here are some important notes: – When washing the face, the water should reach the entire face, from the hair line to the chin, and from the ear to the other ear, with wetting the beard – When washing the arm it should reach the whole arm including the elbow, so make sure the elbow is washed as well. – When washing the foot make sure that the water reaches all sides of the foot, in the Hadith: (run through your toes before they are cleaned with nails of fire)
There are more notes in Wudu’, but these are important ones as they are in the pillars of Wudu’ in addition to wiping the head.
“Ramaḍan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority.” (Qur’an 2:185)
﷽
The second day of Ramadan! May Allah (swt) continue to bless this Ummah and bless all of you!
Great tips by brother Hatim Abdis-Salam on what to eat and how to organize one’s day during Ramadan.
*Heart Health: Sincerity*
Sincerity is for a Muslim to seek the pleasure of Allah in their actions. It is also said to be breaking one’s self-interests, cutting off worldly desires, and dedicating oneself to the Hereafter.
The truth of sincerity is between the servant and his lord, so no creature can access one’s intentions, that’s why when a Muslim starts an action, his intention should be for the sake of Allah, so that it’s free of hypocrisy, and in the Hadith: “The intention of the believer is better than his action”
*The three sentences* The first obligation in Islam is three sentences: 1- I bear witness there is no god except for Allah. 2- And that Muhammed is the messenger of Allah. 3- And that what Muhammed came with is the truth from Allah. in Arabic: أشهد الا إله إلا الله، وأن محمداً رسول الله، وأن ما جاء به محمد هو الحق من عند الله The third sentence is differed on, but many of our scholars include it. It is differed on the sense on rather it needs to be uttered. The first two sentences are agreed upon.
The importance of these sentences lie on the fact that they bring people to the fold of Islam, whoever pronounces them then his blood and wealth are Haram.
*Delaying fasting and breaking the fast early* If someone eats after Adhan Al Fajr thinking that it’s still not Fajr, what is his ruling? Answer: Nothing is on him, because the origin is the continuation of the night.
If someone eats before Maghreb thinking it’s already Maghreb, what is his ruling? Answer: He should redo that day after Ramadan, his fasting is broken, because the origin is the continuation of the day.
“Then We will give them a full account with sure knowledge—for We were never absent. “And the weighing that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful.”But those whose scale is light, they have doomed themselves for wrongfully denying Our signs.” (Qur’an 7: 7-9)
“We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be wronged in the least. And if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as a Reckoner.” (Qur’an 21:47)
﷽
The vast majority of Muslims believe that they will be weighed on some scales on the day of judgement in which Allah (swt) will weigh their deeds. They imagine their good deeds being placed on some balance to the right and their bad deeds being placed on some balance on the left.
This has also led to the idea that we merit paradise through our deeds. If we do x amount of this or that than Allah (swt) is bound to grant us paradise.
This belief arises out of the corruption of the belief sent by the earlier messengers to the people of Egypt. After the truth was mixed with falsehood they came to believe that the heart recorded all the good and bad deeds of a person’s life. When the person died their heart was weighted against the feather of the Goddess Ma’at.
Ma’at was the personification of truth and justice. (Themes you will come to see soon enough).
The scales were watched by the results of the weighing were recorded by Anubis, The jackal headed deity of embalming. Known as ‘He who is Upon His Mountain’ meaning Necropolis (The City of the Dead).
The results were recorded by Thoth -the God associated with writing and judgement of the dead. If the person was said to have led a descent life they would live forever with Osiris.
Do Muslims have any justification for believing in scales that weigh good and bad deeds?
The following verses are usually appealed to.
“Then, when the Trumpet will be blown, there will be no kinship between them on that Day, nor will they ask about one another. As for those whose scale is heavy, it is they who will be successful. But those whose scale is light, they will have doomed themselves, staying in Hell forever.” (Qur’an 23:101-103)
“The Striking Disaster! What is the Striking Disaster? And what will make you realize what the Striking Disaster is? The Day people will be like scattered moths, and the mountains will be like carded wool. So as for those whose scale is heavy, they will be in a life of bliss. And as for those whose scale is light, their home will be the abyss. And what will make you realize what that is? A scorching Fire.” (Qur’an 101:1-11)
“Then We will give them a full account with sure knowledge—for We were never absent. “And the weighing that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful.”But those whose scale is light, they have doomed themselves for wrongfully denying Our signs.” (Qur’an 7: 7-9)
“We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be wronged in the least. And if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as a Reckoner.” (Qur’an 21:47)
wal-waznu yawma-idhin l-haqu = The weighing that day is the Truth.
wanada’u l-mawazina l-qis’ta = And we set the weighing as justice.
Notice that in the Egyptian theology Ma’at is the personification of Truth and Justice.
So we can see that the Qur’an has used as a metaphor for the Truth and Justice being done that day. The Truth is Justice and Justice is nothing but the Truth.
Allah (swt) is not need of any scale to weigh people’s deeds. He already knows what we have done. He knows even before we have done it!
A BOOK NOT TWO BOOKS
Remember the Qur’an always mentions we are given a book. We are not given two books, so that one may each be weighted.
In fact every minutia of our life is recorded in THE book of eternal life.
“This, Our record, speaks about you in truth. Indeed, We were having transcribed whatever you used to do.” (Qur’an 45:29)
This will be shown to us and as Allah (swt) says:
“And the record will be placed, and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, “Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?” And they will find what they did present. And your Lord does injustice to no one.” (Qur’an 18:49)
Notice the verse says: “Your Lord does injustice to no one.” This is what is given a book. We are not put on some scale physical or metaphysical and weighed. This is incorrect.
These ideas about being weighed in a balance are Egyptian ideas that are important to Christianity and influenced some Muslim understanding of our sacred text.
“Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” (Daniel 5:7)
It is ultimately Christian belief that one cannot merit salvation and thus Christ Jesus alleged death by being nailed to a patibulum acts as a shield against this judgement or weighing.
As was discussed in a previous article, Christians are absolutely unassured of their salvation.
We know our fate at the moment of death based upon how the angels take our souls.
“The ones whom the angels take in death [while] wronging themselves, and [who] then offer submission, [saying], “We were not doing any evil.” But, yes! Indeed, Allah is Knowing of what you used to do.” (Qur’an 16:28)
“The ones whom the angels take in death, [being] good and pure; [the angels] will say, “Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do.” (Qur’an 16:32)
“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, “I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims. Now? And you had disobeyed before and were of the corrupters? So today We will save you that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.” (Qur’an 10:90-92)
“Pharaoh declared, “O chiefs! I know of no other god for you but myself. So bake bricks out of clay for me, O Hamân, and build a high tower so I may look at the God of Moses, although I am sure he is a liar.” And so he and his soldiers behaved arrogantly in the land with no right, thinking they would never be returned to Us. So We seized him and his soldiers, Casting them into the sea. See then what was the end of the wrongdoers! We made them leaders inviting to the Fire. And on the Day of Judgment they will not be helped. We caused a curse to follow them in this world. And on the Day of Judgment they will be among the outcasts.” (Qur’an 28:38-42)
“When the angels seize the souls of those who have wronged themselves—scolding them, “What was wrong with you?” they will reply, “We were oppressed in the land.” The angels will respond, “Was Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to emigrate?” It is they who will have Hell as their home—what an evil destination!“ (Qur’an 4:97)
Prima Qur’an comments: In fact, if you are reading this above verse and may Allah (swt) protect you and I from being among these people. However, the very fact that there will be people aware of this verse and have this reaction by the angels is sobering indeed!
“Indeed, those who relapse ˹into disbelief˺ after ˹true˺ guidance has become clear to them, ˹it is˺ Satan ˹that˺ has tempted them, luring them with false hopes. That is because they said ˹privately˺ to those who ˹also˺ detest what Allah has revealed, “We will obey you in some matters.” But Allah ˹fully˺ knows what they are hiding. Then how ˹horrible˺ will it be when the angels take their souls, beating their faces and backs! This is because they follow whatever displeases Allah and hate whatever pleases Him, so He has rendered their deeds void. Or do those with sickness in their hearts think that Allah will not ˹be able to˺ expose their malice?” (Qur’an 47:25-29)
Prima Qur’an comments:
It can be readily seen that those whom the angel takes their souls leave this world in one of two conditions. They are either righteous or in a dreadful condition. Their state is not mixed.
There is no such thing as people being raised up in the hereafter with two types of qualities both sinful and righteous; and thus, need to be weighed to see what out weighs what. If the angels take their souls at death saying to them:
“Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do.” Where is the sin to put in another scale against this?!
What is the truth and justice is what is recorded in THE BOOK OF LIFE. (The entire 100,000 volume Blue-Ray edition of every iota of your life)
Every circumstance, every context and every intention.
The quality of the person is known before Allah (swt) not the quantity of his/her deeds. Quality is a measure of excellence and quantity is a measure of items.
“And abase me not on the day when they are raised, “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, “But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart.” (Qur’an 26:88-90)
“Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (saw) saying, ‘ Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.”
“That is Paradise, which We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who were fearing of Allah.” (Qur’an 19:63)
“Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him]” (Qur’an 5:27)
“Those who believe and do righteous deeds and perform their prayers and give the purifying alms have their reward from their Lord, and they will not fear or grieve.” (Qur’an 2:277)
“As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 25:70)
Prima Qur’an comments:
If the person is fasiq, does not repent, is unjust than Allah refuse his all his deeds and that one will be in hell.
“Those who disbelieved, and prevented (others) from Allah’s way, He (Allah) has rendered their deeds vain.” (Qur’an 47:1)
“As for the unbelievers, how miserable will they be? Allah brought their deeds to nothing.“ (Qur’an 47:8)
“That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds.” (Qur’an 47:28)
Where is the good to put in another scale to benefit them?!
“And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated –Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 25:70)
Shirk, adultery, fornication none of them will be in paradise. Except those who repent, amend and do righteous. Allah (swt) will replace their evil deeds with good deeds.
So where is the sin to put in another scale against them?!
The book of life that is given in the right hand or the left hand
“As for those given their records in their right hand, they will cry ˹happily˺, “Here ˹everyone˺! Read my record! I surely knew I would face my reckoning.” They will be in a life of bliss, in an elevated Garden, whose fruit will hang within reach. ˹They will be told,˺ “Eat and drink joyfully for what you did in the days gone by.” And as for those given their record in their left hand, they will cry ˹bitterly˺, “I wish I had not been given my record, nor known anything of my reckoning! I wish death was the end! My wealth has not benefited me! My authority has been stripped from me.” ˹It will be said,˺ “Seize and shackle them, then burn them in Hell, then tie them up with chains seventy arms long. For they never had faith in Allah, the Greatest.” (Qur’an 69:19-33)
“As for those who are given their record in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning, and will return to their people joyfully. And as for those who are given their record ˹in their left hand˺ from behind their backs, they will cry for ˹instant˺ destruction, and will burn in the blazing Fire. For they used to be prideful among their people, thinking they would never return ˹to Allah˺.” (Qur’an 7-14)
Prima Qur’an comments:
So it is very clear to these people when they are given their book of life in which hand they are given it what will be their fate. There is no need to put people on scales and weigh them.
Also do take note that you have been lead to believe that the all Muslims take their book by their right hand. The verse does not say that at all!
“As for those given their records in their right hand.”
This can only mean the believers who were righteous and died in a good condition. Some will try and counter and say but the verses are references to the kafir: “For they never had faith in Allah, the Greatest.” & “For they used to be prideful among their people, thinking they would never return ˹to Allah˺”
Notice. They did not really believe in Allah. Nor did they really believe in the last day.
“And there are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” yet they are not believers.” (Qur’an 2:8)
We human beings can only judge by the dhahir (the apparent) and Allah (swt) judges by the dhahir and the batin (the apparent and the hidden) and he knows who are the truly righteous.
It is not simply a proclamation with the tongue! Also, note that the Murji’ah (Ahl Sunnah) are divided on rather or not the disobedient sinful believer takes their book with their left hand. Some interpolate statements saying by the left hand in the front (not behind their back).
The Qur’an has left no ambiguity as Shaykh Masoud Al Miqbali (r) says:
Prima Quran 