Evils begin as ‘traditions’, then they are attributed to the ‘Sharīʿah of Allah’. That is how the steps of all nations have been: { وَإِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً قَالُوا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهَا آبَاءَنَا وَاللَّهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَا } “And when they commit an immorality, they say: We found our fathers doing it, and Allah has ordered us to do it.” [Al-Aʿrāf 7:28]
تبدأ الشرور (تقاليد) ثم تُنسب لـ(شريعة الله)، هكذا خطوات كل الأُمم (وإذا فعلوا فاحشة قالوا وجدنا عليها آباءنا والله أمرنا بها)
We might deduce that the Qur'an is learned from in three different ways: 1. By listening and contemplation 2. By reading and researching 3. By lived experience
For most people, the third will be most convincing, and offer the greatest learning curves. Many truths of the Qur'an reveal themselves through the experience of living life. And the more complex that life, the more instructive and action-guiding the Qur'an becomes.
But you need to know what that guidance is in order to be directed.
"We have brought people a Scripture. We have explained it on the basis of true knowledge - as guidance and mercy for those who believe." (7:52)
Read to *know* and be inspired, not simply to make sounds.
Imaam adh-Dhahabi, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Anyone who isn’t afraid that he might be in the Fire is deceived and has deemed himself secure from Allaah’s Plan.” [cf. Quran 7:99]
"Indeed Knowledge does not bring a person happiness...except in one affair, and that is that he gets closer to Allah more. The goal of knowledge is not to help you reach a particular level in the worldly life. Nor for you to obtain a certificate from it, nor a chair for you to sit upon (and teach).
Rather the objective, is that the knowledge should connect you to Allah. And knowledge can only connect you to Allah, if your heart is upright and appropriate for it (Ilm).
And from it's uprightness is that you strive in purifying it from the types of filth, which if they come in it, then indeed they will make you forbidden and deprived from knowledge itself.
And how many of people have we seen, were so keen and consistent in adhering to the circles of knowledge, it's sittings and it's books, yet in the reality of the matter, he has not felt the light of knowledge neither has he tasted it's sweetness.
Because he is from those about whom Allah said: { سأصرف عن ءاياتي الذين يتكبرون في الأرض بغير الحق } [ I shall divert(turn away) from my Ayaat those who are arrogant in the land without any right ] [7:146]
And those people whose hearts have been filled with certainty, when they hear this Ayah, they are afraid that they may become from those people whose hearts have been diverted from understanding the speech of Allah and what He intends.
So it is required from the student of Ilm to (be afraid) of the loss of knowledge from himself, not for the sake of losing a sitting from his sittings, or of leaving a lesson from his lessons, rather the most important concern and worry that is required for him to have, that there turns out to be in his heart, that which blocks it of filth - Which he is unable to remove after it comes.
And it is required from the student of knowledge that he purifies his inner self. And that he struggles and remains consistent in doing so, for that is the most beneficial aid for him in the quest of gaining Knowledge.
And for this reason, these 20 chapters have been put in place to guide one to purify the container of Ilm, becasue If the container of Ilm (the heart) is pure, then it becomes appropriate and correct for it to become a place for it (Ilm) to stay.
But if this container becomes impure, then perhaps the filth will gather so much, it may curropt the heart completely, until knowledge will leave it completely.
And for this reason, how many people have we seen, who were accepting and coming towards knowledge, but have become averse to it today. And indeed Allah is the most Noble of Noble, and the Most Compassionate of Compassionate, and indeed Allah does not turn away a slave who has come to Him.
But the reality is, he only came to knowledge apparantly. And as for internally, then indeed he is in a different state. For he actually seeks knowledge, in hopes of fame and boasting, or acceptance, or to have a great following, or to put down others from the creation. He was raised amongst them, hence he attended the gatherings of knowledge. But as for him seeking knowledge, desiring the face of Allah, then indeed he will not ever be like that in the very least.
For whoever comes to Allah, He accepts Him. And whoever seeks him, He gives him abundantly, and whoever hopes for Allah and asks him, Allah honors him.
And for that reason, it is not necessary to become preoccupied with the external - gatherings of knowledge and memorization and other than that. Yes, these are things that do help.
*But the greatest of help and aid, is that which is between you and Allah.*
So we ask Allah to give us light and insight in Ilm and in religion. And that he makes us all amongst His slaves whom He has mercy on. - Ameen -
- Shaykh Saalih Ul Usaymi, Teacher in Masjid un Nabawi and Masjid Ul Haram
:books: [Extracted from his lecture on Sharh Kitaab Ta'dheem Ul Ilm] __ Translated by: Gemsofsalaf admin
Principle 9 – وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ “And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah.” [Al-A'raaf: 200] Shayṭān is on a mission when it comes to the family. Our obligation is not only to ensure that the home is secure from thieves and intruders, but secure from the enemy of Allah, Iblīs. Homes of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) were homes in which Shayṭān was evicted and where Qur’ān was being recited. Gems From The Quran Telegram: goo.gl/ZclAR9 Instagram: goo.gl/OaiQD7 Facebook: goo.gl/jJ90YS
“So pay attention and listen quietly when the Qur’an is recited, so that you may be given mercy.” (Qur’an 7:204) وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ فَٱسۡتَمِعُواْ لَهُ ۥ وَأَنصِتُواْ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ Imam Al-Qurtubi said: If Mercy is the reward of the listener, what then can the reciter expect?! Gems From The Quran Telegram: goo.gl/ZclAR9 Instagram: goo.gl/OaiQD7 Facebook: goo.gl/jJ90YS
Imam Al-Laith says: Allah's Mercy is received fastest by the one who listens to the Qur’an, as Allah says: وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ “So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.” (Qur’an 7:204) قلت : هذا السامع ؛ فما بالكم بالقارئ ؛ فما بالكم بالحافظ ؛ فما بالكم بالمتدبر ؛ فما بالكم بالعامل He says, “I asked myself: If the listener receives all that Mercy; - What then about the one who is reading the Qur’an? - What then about the one who memorises the Qur’an? - What then about the one who contemplates the meanings of the Qur’an? - What then about the one who acts upon the Qur’an?” Gems From The Quran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq Instagram: tinyurl.com/Insta-gftq