I was reading a book (The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge by Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd) and came across a few interesting points. This is basically my summary of what I read…so if there are mistakes it is most likely my fault.
Contentment and Zuhd
Adorn yourself with contentment and asceticism.
Definition of Zuhd: Zuhd is in the haraam and to distance yourself from its boundaries by abstaining from the shubuhaat and wishing for what is in people’s possessions
Imam Ash-Shafei said “If a person advised the wisest of people; he would encourage him to be amongst the ascetic.”
The seeker of knowledge should be moderate in his/her life in a manner that does not dishonor him/her.
Shaikh Muhammad Al-Ameen Ash-Shinqeetee took very little from this worldly life and once said “I came from my country and with me is a treasure that is very seldom found in the possession of anyone, and it is contentment, and if I wanted high status, I would have known the way to achieve it, but I chose not to exchange this worldly life for the hereafter, and I do not give my knowledge to attain worldly desires.”
Adorn yourself with the splendor of knowledge
This means one should have beautiful manners, pious conduct, humility, humbleness, and adhesion to the Clear Path. The method in which we can do this is by filling our outer and inner-selves with these qualities and leaving all the characteristics that oppose them.
Ibn seereen said “They (meaning the salaf) used to learn manners as they would learn knowledge.”
Adorn yourself with honor
adorn yourself with honor AND that which leads to it. These things include manners, being kind, spreading salaam, hating haughtiness, and having a self esteem which is free from tyranny.
Avoid any affairs that might tarnish your honor, whether it is in nature, speech, or actions. Also do not commit degrading actions, or evil habits such as being conceited, showing off, boastfulness, arrogance, and looking down on others.
و الحمد لله رب العالمين
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْآتِهِمَا ۗ إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinns or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayatin (devils) Auliya’ (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not.
With each and every movement we make in our Salah, we should think about the significance behind it and try to make sure that we are present in mind body and soul, while doing this. I’m going to be sharing a few reflections made by me and others on Salah, as well as ways to enhance our salah through ad’iya (supplications) and adhkaar (words of rememberance) that can be said during the process.
Bismillah,
Qiyaam
Last summer, I went to court for my “Civic Duty” (i.e. I was called in for jury duty). Everything seemed pretty lax and chill until I heard a voice, booming over the intercom, “All rise”. Everyone around me, in unison, shot out of their seats and stood–so naturally, I followed their lead. I looked around to see what was going on, and noticed an elderly looking man walking in through the back door, wearing quite a fancy looking robe. He took his sweet time, walking towards his chair in the front of the room, and all the while–not a single person sat down. Not a single person spoke a word. It was then that I realized that this standing position was a sign of extreme humbleness. Because this man didn’t deserve our tired feet, I couldn’t help but drift off into thought about the One who IS deserving of this standing. This is the first sign of humbleness that we exhibit in our attempt to worship the almighty.
At least seventeen times a day we come before our lord in a position known as “القيام “. This literally means “Standing”. This is the position by which we begin our salah, standing in an upright position while we say the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and proceed to recite verses from the Holy Quraan.
In this time that we stand before our Lord, our back bones should be upright and straight, and we should be bowing our heads in humility, looking at the place of our sujud (prostration).
Although some times people translate “Allahu Akbar” as “Allah is Great” this is actually not the case. “Allahu Akbar” Literally means “Allah is GreatER.” What’s the difference? When we raise or hands and say “Allahu Akbar” we are putting the world behind us. We are testifying that Allah is greater than any thing in this entire dunya. Allah is GreatER than the TV show we were watching–then that drama going on at school–than the fun that we were having. We are dropping it all and worshiping our lord.
After our testifying that Allah is more important than anything else, we proceed to make ad’iyah. These are not fard (obligatory) but they are beneficial to say. Making these ad’iyah gets our minds focused, and gets us in tune with what we are about to do (especially if we memorize the meaning!)
The first dua is know as the dua of “tawajuh”:
وجحت وجهي للذي فطر السموات والارض حنيفا مسلما وما أنا من المشركين إن صلاتي ونسكي ومحياي ومماتي لله رب العالمين لا شريك له وبذالك أمرت وأنا من المسلمين
“I turn my face to Him who created the heavens and earth, a pure monotheist, in submission, and am not of those who associate others with Him. My prayer, worship, life, and death are for Allah, Lord of all the Worlds, who has no partner. Thus I have been commanded, and I am of those who submit.”
After saying the dua of “tawajuh” we can then say the dua of “istiftaah”:
سبحانك اللهما وبحمدك وتبارك اسمك وجدك ولا إله غيرك
‘How perfect You are O Allaah, and I praise You. Blessed be Your name, and lofty is Your position and none has the right to be worshiped except You.’
When making these ad’iya, take the time to think about what you are saying–say them with your heart, not just your tongue.
Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
و الحمد لله رب العالمين
Bismillah,
I was reading a book (The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge by Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd) and came across a few interesting points. This is basically my summary of what I read…so if there are mistakes it is most likely my fault.
Beautify Yourself With the Fear of Allah
Imaam Ahmad, rahimahullah, said: ” The foundation of knowledge is the fear of Allah, the Most High.”
Fear Allah openly and in secret. The best of all people are those who truly fear Allah and no one truly fears Allah except a knowledgeable person, therefore–the best of all people is a scholar. A scholar, however IS NOT A SCHOLAR, unless he acts upon his knowledge. No scholar implements his knowledge except that it earns him the fear of Allah.
Ali Ibn Abi taalib said: “Knowledge calls for action, so either the call is answered or [knowledge] will take off.”
Continual Observance [of Allah]
Journey,constantly, between fear and hope in Allah–as these two are like the two wings of a bird for the Muslim.
Advance to Allah with your whole being, allow your heart to be filled with love of Him, and your tongue with his remembrance, and rejoice. Be happy with His rulings and His wisdom.
Put Arrogance and Pride Behind You
Adorn yourself with proper personal etiquette. This includes:
- patience
- humbleness
- tranquility
- bear the humility of learning
- show humility in the face of truth
- beware of all qualities that oppose the above
If we have any qualities that go against the above, then it is a sign that we have been prevented from benefiting from our knowledge–and of practicing it.
Beware of being haughty as it is hypocrisy and pride– and the salaf were cautious of it.
Imaam Ad-Dhahabi narrated that when Amr ibn Al-Aswad Al-Ansee “was leaving the masjid he took his left hand with his right, so when he was asked about this he replied ‘out of fear that my hand will make a gesture of hypocrisy.’ I say (i.e Ad-Dhahabi said): ‘He held it out of fear that his hand would swing [in a manner that indicates pride]; for such an action is considered haughtiness.’ ” and this reaction of Al-Ansee happened unconsciously.
Beware of any kind of pride within ones-self, as pride and jealousy are the first sins that Allah was disobeyed with.
So let us humble ourselves. swallow our pride. control ourselves when we lean towards haughtiness, arrogance, or the love of being noticed.
If you haven’t already seen this, check out Br. Noman’s lecture on Islam and Ego.
May Allah cause us to be of those who fear Him, of those who continually observe Him, and of those who put Arrogance and Pride behind us.
و الحمد لله رب العالمين
Bismillah,
I was reading a book (The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge by Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd) and came across a few interesting points. This is basically my summary of what I read…so if there are mistakes it is most likely my fault.
First Point: Knowledge is Worship
When setting forth on the path of seeking knowledge, we must remember to keep our intentions clean and clear–free from any harmful ailments. Our intention should be for Allah subhanahu wa ta’la. This is clear in the hadeeth that is in Bukhari, Muslim and is the first hadeeth in An-Nawawi’s 40 hadeeth book:
“إنما الأعمال بالنيات “
If we seek knowledge without the proper intention, then the act of seeking knowledge goes from being one of the most noble acts of worship to being one of the lowest forms of violation.
Some things to watch out for in our intention:
Disclaimer: I wrote this a whiiilleee back, so it’s a bit outdated
Last weekend I entered an Islamic bookstore and took a deep breath, indulging in the sweet smell of new books. I love to read so much, and being in that doorway put my heart at ease. I walked to the nearest shelf and began sifting through all the books, wishing, for a second, that I could buy every single one. Back to reality—I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I promised myself that I would only buy one that day, since my wallet wasn’t really going to allow me much more. As I walked down the aisles, I picked up book after book—each time I picked up a book, I painstakingly convinced myself to put the previous book down. I continued doing this until I reached a book that I knew I had to have. No other book in that bookstore could or would be bought that day. Its green cover and white words jumped out at me, and the shaykh’s name sealed the deal. I paid the cashier, and walked out of that bookstore, content with the decision I had made. I have been reading that book ever since.
There is one point in this book that has been playing in my head over and over ever since Algeria and Egypt went head-to-head at a soccer match that seems to have been taken way out of proportion. With two Muslim countries bashing each other, cursing each other, even physically harming each other, I feel the need to shove them all into my Sunday school classroom and teach them a lesson or two. Many people have been giving excuses for either side, stating that their lives are rough, they are in so much poverty, and who knows what else. But honestly, it is from what our own two hands have reaped. This book, The Purification of the Soul by Jamal al-Din M. Zarabozo brings to light the state that the Ummah is in currently. Sure, Shaykh Zarabozo was not talking about the current feud over a mere soccer tournament, but it fits here hand in glove. He says,
“…the problems faced by the Muslims are the result of the actions that they themselves are performing.”
Even more so, the Shaykh mentions Ibn Al Qayyim’s commentary on the following verse:
“Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand…” (Qur’an, 40:51)
Ibn Al Qayyim says, “This verse means that whoever has a shortcoming in his faith will thereby receive a correspondingly lesser amount of help and victory from Allah. If a believer suffers any form of affliction from his enemy, it is due to his own sins.”