Umar Quinn

beginning in a few minutes إن شاء الله

This resource and the Arabic/English workbook I will share soon (إن شاء الله ) are both free use/share in their copyrights (cannot be printed for monetary gain except by the publishers).

Arabic only copy: مفتاح دار السلام بتحقيق شهادتي الإسلام لحافظ الحكمي

🆕 Weekly Sunday Lesson 🚨 Beginning today we will be studying: 📖Basics of Islamic Belief: (1.) The Seven Prerequisites of the Two Shahadas 🖊️Al ‘Allāmah Hāfidh Al Hakamī (d. 1386 AH رحمه الله) 🎙️Umar Quinn ⌚️After ‘Asr (approximately 6:10 EDT) Note: This is my new weekly lesson for Masjid Al-Tawhīd in York, PA. I will be video broadcasting it live from this telegram account بإذن الله Please benefit from the free Arabic /English learning resource I will be sharing to follow along with the lessons.

🆕 💎Wisdom & Kindness In Dealing with The Commoners https://www.umarquinn.com/articles/be-a-key-to-good-using-wisdom-kindness-in-dealing-with-the-common-muslims-from-the-people-of-innovation Excerpt: Shaykh Rabī’ (حفظه الله) said about Shaykh Ahmad Hassun (d. 1971 رحمه الله), who was the Sudanese Salafi mentor of Malcolm X: ‎“The first caller to Salafiyyah in Sudan in this era was Shaykh Hassuna, who was a model of patience, forbearance, and wisdom. He called to Allah actively in mosques and elsewhere. Innovators would attack and beat him severely until they thought he was dead. They would then drag him by his leg and throw him outside the mosque. When he regained consciousness, he would surprise people with a smile, not cursing or complaining, nor harboring grudges or seeking revenge. Many people entered Salafiyyah because of his noble character. ‎On another occasion, he was traveling by train, and when it was time for Maghrib or Isha prayer, he led the people in a prayer with a very beautiful recitation. They were impressed and asked, "Who led the prayer?" He said, "I am so-and-so." They then attacked and beat him severely until he lost consciousness. As usual, when he regained consciousness, he surprised people with his gracious smiles.”

" They then attacked and beat him severely until he lost consciousness. As usual, when he regained consciousness, he surprised people with his gracious smiles. الشاهد: يجب أن يكون عندكم شيء من الحكمة والحلم والصبر والقصد الطيب-بارك الله فيكم-، واللهِ بالأخلاق الحكيمة، بالحلم يُقْبِلُ الناس على دعوتك، وإن كان ما عندكم إلا الجفاء والشدة ﴿ﭠ ﭡ ﭢ ﭣ ﭤ ﭥ ﭦ ﭧﭨ﴾ [آل عمران:159]؟ The point: You must have some degree of wisdom, forbearance, patience, and good intentions – may Allah bless you. By Allah, with wise and patient manners, people will accept your call. If you only have harshness and strictness: "Had you been rude and harsh-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you" (Al Imran: 159)? يا إخوة -بارك الله فيكم- بعض إخواننا عنده شدة زائدة التي تخرج الناس من السلفية ما تدخل أحد، هذا موجود الآن، Some of our brothers, may Allah bless you, have excessive harshness that drives people away from Salafism rather than bringing them in. This is present now. هؤلاء المطاردين عليهم أن يتوبوا إلى الله ۵، وأن يُحسِّنوا أخلاقهم، وأن يكونوا هداة إلى الله ۵ بارك الله فيكم، عليكم بهذه الأخلاق، واتركوا التركيز على الهجر، الهجر مشروع لكن عندما ينفذ الصبر والحلم بارك الله فيكم، فعليكم بترغيب الناس في الخير وإدخالهم فيه. These people should repent to Allah and improve their manners and be guides to Allah – may Allah bless you. Adhere to these good manners, and do not focus only on boycotting. Boycotting is legitimate, but only when patience and forbearance run out – may Allah bless you. So, you should encourage people towards goodness and entering them into it.” [See: "Allah Is Pleased for You with Three Things" within "Methodological Recommendations for Followers of the Prophetic Sunnah" (pp. 350-353)]

واللهِ الأساليب الحكيمة الرحيمة التي يشعر أنك لست متعاليًا عليه، وأنك ما تريد إهانته، لكن تواضع له، ألن له جانبك، ترفَّق به، وبلِّغ بالحكمة، كثير وكثير من الناس قبوريون هداهم الله على أيدي قلة من أهل الحديث لما جاؤوا بالعلم والحكمة والموعظة الحسنة. By Allah, wise and merciful methods that show you are not looking down on them, that you do not intend to humiliate them, but rather humble yourself to them, be gentle, and convey the message with wisdom. Many people, by Allah’s grace, who were grave worshippers were guided by a few people of Hadith when they brought knowledge with wisdom and good admonition. وأضرب لكم مثالًا واحدًا من هؤلاء الدعاة: I will give you an example of one of these callers: كان الشيخ ثناء الله الأمرستري في الهند من جهابذة العلماء وحكمائهم يدعو إلى الله بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة، ويناظر بالحكمة والحجة والبرهان مع الأخلاق العالية، فأقبل بَشرٌ كثير على دعوته واستجابوا لها، Shaykh Thana Allah al-Amritsari in India, one of the eminent scholars and wise men, called to Allah with wisdom and good admonition, and debated with wisdom, evidence, and proof with high morals. Many people accepted his call. فغاظ ذلك علماء السوء والضلال المعاندين فسلَّطوا عليه رجلًا جاهلًا فاجرًا ليقتله، فجاء هذا الرجل إلى الشيخ ثناء الله وهو يحاضر فهجم عليه بمعول وضربه ضربة قاتلة، فخرَّ مغشيًّا عليه، فجاء رجال الحكومة – انظر ثلاثة، أربعة من كبار تلاميذ الشيخ نذير حسين قلبوا الهند رأسًا على عقب بحكمتهم وعلمهم!- وأخذوا هذا المجرم، وأودعوه في السجن، This angered the evil and obstinate scholars, who then sent an ignorant and immoral man to kill him. This man attacked Shaykh Thana Allah while he was lecturing, striking him with a deadly blow. Shaykh Thana Allah fell unconscious. The government officials arrested the criminal and imprisoned him. Consider that three or four of Shaykh Nadhir Hussain's (a great Salafi scholar who was one of his teachers) prominent students turned India upside down with their wisdom and knowledge! فأول ما أفاق هذا من غشيته قال: أين هذا الذي ضربني؟ قالوا: في السجن، قال: ما يسجن أبدًا، فأصرت الحكومة على سجنه، As soon as Shaykh Thana Allah regained consciousness, he asked, "Where is the man who struck me?" They said, "In prison." He said, "He must not be imprisoned." The government insisted on imprisoning him. فكان هذا الحليم ينفق على أولاد المجرم مدة بقائه في السجن، ثم لما أفرج عنه فأول عمل قام به زيارة الشيخ وإعلان الدخول السلفية ونبذ البدع. This forbearing man of wisdom then spent to support the criminal's children during his imprisonment. When he was released, the first thing he did was visit the Shaykh and declare his acceptance of Salafiyyah and abandonment of innovations. ومثال آخر: كان أول داعية في السودان إلى السلفية في هذا العصر الشيخ حسونة، وكان مضرب المثل في الصبر والحلم والحكمة، يدعو إلى الله بنشاط في المساجد وغيرها، Another example: The first caller to Salafiyyah in Sudan in this era was Shaykh Hassuna, who was a model of patience, forbearance, and wisdom. He called to Allah actively in mosques and elsewhere. فيهجم عليه أهل البدع فيضربونه ضربًا شديدًا حتى يعتقدوا أنه مات، فيسحبونه برجله ثم يرمونه خارج المسجد، Innovators would attack and beat him severely until they thought he was dead. They would then drag him by his leg and throw him outside the mosque. فإذا أفاق فأول ما يفاجئ الناس بالابتسامات، لا السب، ولا التسخط، ولا يحقد على أحد، ولا ينتقم، ولا شيء، فدخل ناس كثير بسبب هذه الأخلاق في الدعوة السلفية. When he regained consciousness, he would surprise people with a smile, not cursing or complaining, nor harboring grudges or seeking revenge. Many people entered Salafiyyah because of his noble character. ومرة أخرى ركبوا في قطار فحانت صلاة المغرب أو العشاء، وصلى بالناس بقراءة حلوة جدًّا، أُعجبوا بها، فقالوا: من صلى بكم؟ قال: أنا فلان، فوثبوا عليه فضربوه ضربًا شديدًا حتى أغمي عليه، وكعادته إذا أفاق فأول ما يفاجئ الناس بالابتسامات الرضية. On another occasion, he was traveling by train, and when it was time for Maghrib or Isha prayer, he led the people in a prayer with a very beautiful recitation. They were impressed and asked, "Who led the prayer?" He said, "I am so-and-so.

🆕 💎Wisdom & Kindness In Dealing with The Commoners from the People of Innovation A Question to the Eminent Scholar, Imam and Hadith Expert, Shaykh Rabi' bin Hadi 'Umayr (رحمه الله): السؤال الخامس عشر: أتباع المبتدع هل يلحقون به في الهجر؟ Do the followers of an innovator share in the same ruling of being boycotted? الجواب: المخدوع منهم يعلّم يا إخوة لا تستعجلوا، علِّموهم وبيِّنوا لهم، فإن كثيرًا منهم يريد الخير، حتى من هؤلاء الصوفية والله لو كان هناك نشاط سلفي لرأيتهم يدخلون في السلفية زرافات ووحدانًا. Those who are deceived among them should be taught, my brothers, do not rush. Teach them and clarify matters for them, as many of them want the good. Even among these Sufis, by Allah, if there was active Salafi activity, you would see them entering into Salafism in groups and individually. فلا يكون القاعدة عندكم فقط هجر وهجر وهجر، الأساس هداية الناس وإدخال الناس في الخير، So, do not make your principle only about boycotting, boycotting, and boycotting. The main principle is guiding people and bringing them into goodness. الهجر هذا قد يُفهم غلطًا، إذا هجرت الناس كلهم من يدخل في السنة، إذا وضعنا السدود والحواجز بيننا وبينهم بالهجر وبين السنة متى يدخلون في السنة، Boycotting can be misunderstood; if you boycott everyone, who will then enter into the Sunnah? If we place barriers and obstacles between us and them through boycotting, when will they enter into the Sunnah? الهجر هذا يا إخوتاه في وقت الإمام أحمد الدنيا مليئة بالسلفيين، وإذا قال أحمد: فلان مبتدع؛ سقط، أما الآن فعندك السلفية كالشعرة البيضاء في الثور الأسود، Boycotting, my brothers, during the time of Imam Ahmad, was effective because the world was full of Salafis. When Ahmad declared someone as an innovator, that person fell from grace. However, now, Salafiyyah is like a white hair on a black bull. فلا يُهجَر إلا المبتدع المستكبر المعاند، أما المخدوعون فتأنَّ بهم، ويُدعون إلى الله بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة، فقد يستجيب منهم الكثير. Only the arrogant, obstinate innovator should be boycotted. As for those who are deceived, be patient with them and invite them to Allah with wisdom and good admonition. Many of them will respond positively. الأساس هداية الناس وإنقاذهم من الباطل والضلال، The foundational principle is guiding people and saving them from falsehood and misguidance. فادعوهم وقرِّبوهم، وقدِّموا للناس الكتب والرسائل العلمية النافعة، والأشرطة العلمية، واستخدموا كل وسائل الدعوة المشروعة، ومنها الخطب والمحاضرات، فسيحصل بذلك الخير الكثير إن شاء الله، ويكثر إن شاء الله سواد السلفيين، وما تخسرون كثيرًا من الناس، Call them and bring them closer. Provide them with beneficial books and scholarly messages, and use all legitimate means of Dawah, including sermons and lectures. This will bring about much good, Allah willing, and increase the number of Salafis, Allah willing. You will not lose many people. كل الناس ضالون عندك ولا تنصح ولا شيء ولا بيان؟! غلط! هذا معناه سد أبواب الخير في وجوه الناس، فلا يكون عندكم فقط هجر هجر. If you consider all people misguided and do not advise or clarify matters, that is wrong! This means closing the doors of goodness to people. So, do not make your principle only about boycotting. القاعدة الأساسية هداية الناس وإدخالهم في السنة، وإنقاذهم من الضلال، هذه القاعدة عندكم، واصبروا واحلموا وكذا وكذا، ثم من عاند بعد البيان الواضح فآخر الدواء الكي، أما الكي من أول مرة، هذا غلط بارك الله فيكم. The main principle is guiding people, bringing them into the Sunnah, and saving them from misguidance. Hold onto this principle, be patient, and be tolerant. After clear explanation, if someone remains obstinate, then the last resort is cauterizing. Cauterizing from the beginning is wrong, may Allah bless you. فليكن أيها الإخوة القاعدة عندكم انتشال الناس، واللهِ كثير من الناس يريدون الخير، يريدون الجنة يا إخوان، يريدون الخير، فلتكن أساليبكم حكيمة، Let your principle be rescuing people. By Allah, many people want good, they want Paradise, my brothers. They seek goodness. So, be wise in your methods.

‎💎 Summarized Key Points of a Lofty Advice from Shaykh Rabī’ (حفظه الله ورفع قدره) on Preserving Unity (followed by full text of the advice): ‎- A Warning against internal conflicts among Salafis, exploited by people of falsehood. ‎- An advice on maintaining brotherhood for Allah's sake and fostering love and cooperation in righteousness & piety. ‎- An emphasis on eliminating divisive behaviors that have infiltrated Ahl al-Sunnah. ‎- Ahl al-Sunnah are targeted by deviant groups because they expose their mistakes and warn against them. ‎- These groups strive to divide and weaken the united Ahl al-Sunnah globally through deceit and plots. ‎- Urging vigilance, learning from past events, maintaining unity, and cultivating a spirit of love and brotherhood, especially among the youth. ‎- Making du’ā for forgiveness and unity, noting that current conflicts among Salafis are incited by enemies of their methodology. ‎🎙️ Text of the advice: ‎وَأُوصِيكُمْ بِالأُخُوَّةِ فِي اللهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَالتَّحَابِّ فِيهِ وَالتَّعَاوُنِ عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَالْقَضَاءِ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْمَظَاهِرِ الْقَبِيحَةِ الَّتِي سَرَّبَهَا إِلَى صُفُوفِ أَهْلِ السُّنَّةِ وَمَزَّقَهُمْ بِهَا، بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيكُمْ، يُحَارِبُونَ هَذِهِ الْمَظَاهِرَ. ‎I advise you to maintain brotherhood for the sake of Allah, to love each other for His sake, and to cooperate in righteousness and piety. Work together to eliminate these ugly manifestations that have infiltrated the ranks of Ahl al-Sunnah and have torn them apart. May Allah bless you. Fight against these phenomena. ‎أَهْلُ السُّنَّةِ مُسْتَهْدَفُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ الْفِئَاتِ الضَّالَّةِ وَمِنْ كُلِّ الْأَحْزَابِ السَّيِّئَةِ لِيُمَزِّقُوهُمْ، لِأَنَّهُمْ وَجَدُوا أَنَّهُ لَا يُبَيِّنُ أَخْطَاءَهُمْ وَيُحَذِّرُ مِنْهَا إِلَّا أَهْلُ السُّنَّةِ. ‎Ahl al-Sunnah are targeted by all deviant groups and malicious factions aiming to divide them. They have found that only Ahl al-Sunnah clarify their mistakes and warn against them. ‎وَجَدُوهُمْ فِي مَشَارِقِ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبِهَا عَلَى مَنْهَجٍ وَاحِدٍ، فَسَعَوْا فِي تَمْزِيقِهِمْ وَتَفْرِيقِهِمْ وَتَصْدِيعِهِمْ، ‎They have seen Ahl al-Sunnah united on one methodology across the world, so they have strived to divide and fragment them. ‎حَتَّى إِنَّكَ تَجِدُ هَذِهِ الظَّاهِرَةَ عِنْدَ الْعَرَبِ وَالْعَجَمِ بِالسَّبَبِ غَزْوِ وَمَكْرِ وَخُطَطِ وَمَكَايِدِ أَعْدَاءِ هَذَا الْمَنْهَجِ. ‎You can even see this phenomenon among Arabs and non-Arabs due to the tricks, deceit, and plots of the enemies of this methodology. ‎فَتَنَبَّهُوا وَاعْتَبِرُوا بِمَا حَصَلَ، وَاسْتَيْقِظُوا وَعُودُوا إِلَى الجادة، ‎Be aware and learn from what has happened. Wake up and return to the path. ‎وَرَبُّوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ، وَإِذَا أَصْبَحْتُمْ أَهْلَ العِلْمِ، رَبُّوا شَبَابَكُمْ عَلَى هَذِهِ الأمور وَرُوحِ الْمَوَدَّةِ وَالأُخُوَّةِ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ السَّابِقِينَ وَالْمُعَاصِرِينَ. ‎Cultivate yourselves, and when you become scholars, cultivate the youth with these principles and the spirit of love and brotherhood towards the earlier and contemporary Muslims. ‎وَاللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإِيمَانِ، وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا، رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ. ‎"Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and do not place in our hearts any resentment towards those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful." ‎الآنَ السَّلَفِيّ يحقد بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ بفعل مَن؟ بفعل أَعْدَاءِ هَذَا الْمَنْهَجِ." ‎Now, unfortunately, you find Salafis spiteful and grudge-holding against each other. Provoked by who? By the enemies of this methodology.”

🗣️👂🏼𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐟 🎓On the authority of ʿAbdullah bin Masʿūd - raḍi-Allāhu ʿanh- who said: The Prophet - sall-Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam - said to me: 💭❝Recite (the Qurʾān) to me.❞ I said: ❝(How) should I recite it to you when (the Qurʾān) was revealed upon you? M❞ He said: ❝That is because I like to hear it from someone other than myself.❞ So I recited Surah an-Nisāʾ for him, until I reached the point: 📜﴿فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَى هَؤُلَاءِ شَهِيدًا﴾ 𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 (𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁) 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 (𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲) 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 (𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻) 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 (𝗢 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘁) 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹? He said: ❝Stop.❞ And his eyes were wet (with tears). 📚— Bukhārī, Muslim and other compilers of the Sunan collected it 🎓On the authority of Anas - raḍi-Allāhu ʿanh - that Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī - raḍi-Allāhu ʿanh - was reciting one night when the Messenger of Allāh - sall-Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam - heard him while passing by. When he came in the morning and was told, he said: 💭❝If I had known (that the you O Messenger of Allah were listening), I would have adorned it and made it more engaging for you.❞ 📚— Ibn Abī Shaybah narrated it with an authentic chain of transmission 🎓It was narrated from Abū Hurayrah - raḍi-Allāhu ʿanh - that the Messenger of Allāh - sall-Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam - heard the recitation of Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī and said: 💭❝Surely he has been given a melodious voice like Dāwūd.❞ 🎓Abū Salamah said: 💭❝ʿUmar bin al-Khaṭṭāb - raḍi-Allāhu ʿanh - used to say to Abū Mūsā when he would be sitting in the gathering: 'O Abū Mūsā! Remind us of our Lord.' So Abū Mūsā would sit in the gathering and recite to him in a melodies voice.❞ 📚— Ibn Ḥibbān narrated it with an authentic chain of transmission 🎓an-Nawawī - raḥimahullāh - said: 💭❝Know that many groups of the Salaf used to ask the skilled reciters with pleasant voices to recite the Qurʾān for them and they would listen to it. And there is agreement upon the desirability of this act. And this is the habit of the best of worshipers and the righteous servants of Allāh.❞ 📚— aṭ-Ṭibyān fi Ādāb Ḥamlah al-Qurʾān page 114 Translated & Compiled by Zubayr bin Muḥammad ʿAbbāsī

بَلْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِمُ العَهْدُ وَمَعَهُمْ ضَراوَةُ الصِّبَا وَدِينُ العَادَةِ وَمَا أَلِفُوا عَلَيْهِ الآبَاءَ وَالأُمَّهَاتِ، فَتَلَقَّوُا العَهْدَ تَلَقِّيَ مَنْ هُوَ مُكْتَفٍ بِمَا وَجَدَ عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَهُ وَسَلَفَهُ وَعَادَتَهُمْ، لا تَلَقِّيَ مَنْ يَجْمَعُ هِمَّتَهُ وَقَلْبَهُ عَلَى فَهْمِ العَهْدِ وَالعَمَلِ بِهِ، حَتَّى كَأَنَّ ذَلِكَ العَهْدَ أَتَاهُ وَحْدَهُ وَقِيلَ لَهُ: تَأَمَّلْ مَا فِيهِ ثُمَّ اعْمَلْ بِمُوجِبِهِ! Instead, the covenant was presented to them while they had the stubbornness of youth and the religion of cultural norm, and what they found their fathers and mothers upon, so they received the covenant as one who is content with what they found their forefathers and predecessors upon, not as one who gathers his resolve and heart to understand the covenant and act upon it, as if the covenant had come to him alone and he was told: Reflect on what it contains, then act accordingly!

🆕 💎[True Maturity: Taking Our Covenant with Allah Seriously in Knowledge & Implementation] When a person reaches the age of puberty, they reach a stage of morally responsible their covenant with Allah, which is learning, loving & practicing Islam; Ibn al Qayyim (رحمه الله) outlines the reality of moral maturity & how very few ever actually mature; he says (in Al Fawā’id): إِذَا بَلَغَ العَبْدُ أُعْطِيَ عَهْدَهُ الَّذِي عَهِدَهُ إِلَيْهِ خَالِقُهُ وَمَالِكُهُ. “When the servant reaches maturity, he is given the covenant which his Creator and Owner entrusted to him. فَإِذَا أَخَذَ عَهْدَهُ بِقُوَّةٍ وَقَبُولٍ وَعَزْمٍ عَلَى تَنْفِيذِ مَا فِيهِ؛ صَلُحَ لِلْمَرَاتِبِ وَالمَنَاصِبِ الَّتِي يَصْلُحُ لَهَا المُوفُونَ بِعُهُودِهِمْ. If he takes his covenant with strength, acceptance, and determination to implement what is in it; he becomes suitable for the ranks and positions that those who fulfill their covenants are suitable for. فَإِذَا هَزَّ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ أَخْذِ العَهْدِ وَانْتَخَاهَا وَقَالَ: قَدْ أُهِّلْتُ لِعَهْدِ رَبِّي؛ فَمَنْ أَوْلَى بِقَبُولِهِ وَفَهْمِهِ وَتَنْفِيذِهِ مِنِّي؟! If he shakes his soul upon taking the covenant and spurs it on, saying: I have been prepared for my Lord's covenant; who is more deserving of accepting, understanding, and implementing it than me?! فَحَرَصَ أَوَّلًا عَلَى فَهْمِ عَهْدِهِ وَتَدَبُّرِهِ وَتَعَرُّفِهِ وَصَايَا سَيِّدِهِ لَهُ، ثُمَّ وَطَّنَ نَفْسَهُ عَلَى امْتِثَالِ مَا فِي عَهْدِهِ وَالعَمَلِ بِهِ وَتَنْفِيذِهِ حَسْبَمَا تَضَمَّنَهُ عَهْدُهُ، He first strives to understand his covenant, reflect on it, and know his Master's commandments to him, then resolves to comply with what is in his covenant and act upon it according to its content. فَأَبْصَرَ بِقَلْبِهِ حَقِيقَةَ العَهْدِ وَمَا تَضَمَّنَهُ، فَاسْتَحْدَثَ هِمَّةً أُخْرَى وَعَزِيمَةً غَيْرَ العَزِيمَةِ الَّتِي كَانَ فِيهَا وَقْتَ الصِّبَا قَبْلَ وُصُولِ العَهْدِ، Thus, he perceives with his heart the reality of the covenant and what it entails. He then develops a new resolve and determination different from the one he had in his youth before receiving the covenant. فَاسْتَقَالَ مِنْ ظُلْمَةِ غِرَّةِ الصِّبَا وَالانْقِيَادِ لِلعَادَةِ وَالمَنْشَأِ، وَصَبَرَ عَلَى شَرَفِ الهِمَّةِ، He withdraws from the darkness of youthful folly and submission to habit and upbringing and is patient with the honor of high resolve. وَهَتَكَ سِتْرَ الظُّلْمَةِ إِلَى نُورِ اليَقِينِ، فَأَدْرَكَ بِقَدْرِ صَبْرِهِ وَصِدْقِ اجْتِهَادِهِ مَا وَهَبَهُ اللهُ لَهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ. He tears away the veil of darkness to the light of certainty, thus achieving, to the extent of his patience and sincere effort, what Allah has granted him out of His grace. فَأَوَّلُ مَرَاتِبِ سَعَادَتِهِ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَهُ أُذُنٌ وَاعِيَةٌ وَقَلْبٌ يَعْقِلُ مَا تَعِيْهِ الأُذُنُ. So the first level of his happiness is to have a receptive ear and a heart that understands what the ear hears. فَإِذَا سَمِعَ، وَعَقَلَ، وَاسْتَبَانَتْ لَهُ الجَادَّةُ، وَرَأَى عَلَيْهَا تِلْكَ الأَعْلَامَ، وَرَأَى أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ مُنْحَرِفِينَ عَنْهَا يَمِينًا وَشِمَالًا، فَلَزِمَهَا، وَلَمْ يَنْحَرِفْ مَعَ المُنْحَرِفِينَ، الَّذِينَ كَانَ سَبَبُ انْحِرَافِهِمْ عَدَمَ قَبُولِ العَهْدِ، أَوْ قَبِلُوهُ بِكُرْهِ وَلم يَأْخُذُوهُ بِقُوَّةٍ وَلا عَزِيمَةٍ وَلا حَدَّثُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِفَهْمِهِ وَتَدَبُّرِهِ وَالعَمَلِ بِمَا فِيهِ وَتَنْفِيذِ وَصَايَاهُ، So, if he hears, understands, and the path becomes clear to him, seeing those markers on it, and he sees most people deviating from it to the right and left, he adheres to it and does not deviate with those who deviate, whose deviation was due to not accepting the covenant, or those who accepted it reluctantly without taking it with strength and determination, nor did they strive to understand it, reflect on it, act upon what it contains, and implement its directives.

Brief Clarification: To whom it may concern, Although I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing beneficial information for many years, I have always genuinely hated the spotlight and any sort of crowd or having any sort of entourage. Not because I am necessarily sincere and pious (may Allah bless both me and you with that), but because that is simply my default personality for my entire life. Even though I spent many years in serving communities in a leadership/educational capacity, I definitely don’t see myself to be anything more than someone sharing useful information. I have never craved leadership and see myself as woefully ill equipped for it; especially when considering the complexities of the baggage a good number of us in our communities are weighed down by. Sometimes we are broken as a mercy to humble us. Since a serious medical emergency seven years ago (after which I received an outpouring of love online and visits from people of this blessed da’wah who drove and flew from all over the US and Canada, may Allah reward them all immensely), I have gradually stepped back until ultimately being forced to make the incredibly difficult decision to become semi-retired from any formal teaching responsibilities to focus my limited sensory, cognitive and physical energies on my health and the needs of my family (as I directly communicated to many/most of my brothers at the forefront of this blessed da’wah). Some people locally, administrators and attendees alike, were understandably disappointed by my decreased role and my inability to meet their rising expectations may have caused some frustration; however, that is neither my fault nor theirs. I have always tried to meet the needs of communities. It simply is what it is. Sadly, some have circulated all sorts of unfounded speculation, some of which has oppressively misportrayed numerous parties (because that’s just what people tend to do: speculate and become convinced of their own concocted narratives despite all evidence to the contrary). My decision to step back is deeply personal as you see. Contrary to what some have claimed. I am not entitled to anything monetary or otherwise, nor have I ever claimed that; no one “owes me” anything and more importantly I am not, nor have I ever desired “breaking off and starting my own thing (such as a masjid).” I work with a small community nearby and visit other small communities I have long-standing relationships with when I am able and available. I’m simply enjoying my life, focusing my limited energy on important projects and minding my business, respectfully.

Sufyan al-Thawri (رحمه الله) said: "إيّاكَ أن تخونَ مؤمنًا، فمن خانَ مؤمنًا فقد خانَ الله ورسوله، "Avoid betraying a believer, for whoever betrays a believer has betrayed Allah and His Messenger. وإذا أحببتَ أخاكَ في الله؛ فابذل له نفسك ومالك، If you love your brother in Allah, then offer him yourself and your wealth. وإيّاك والخصومات والجِدال والمِراء، فإنّك تصيرُ ظلومًا خوّانًا أثيمًا، Beware of disputes, arguments, and quarreling, for you will become oppressive, treacherous, and sinful. وعليك بالصبر في المواطن كلّها، فإنّ الصبر يجرّ إلى البرّ، والبرّ يجرّ إلى الجنة." Be patient in all situations, for patience leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise." Hilyat al-Awliya [7/82]

🆕💎We Praise & Thank Allah for Our Unity & Ask Him to Protect us from Potential Causes of Division (3 of 3) وتذكر الحديثَ المشهورَ لما قال النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام في ذلكم العبد الذي أثنى عليه الأشعثُ الأغبرُ الذي أخذ بعنانِ فرسه أشعثَ رأسه مغبرّاً قدماه، قال: إن كان في الحراسةِ كان في الحراسةِ، وإن كان في الساقةِ كان في الساقةِ، إن استأذنَ لم يُؤذنْ له، وإن شفعَ لم يُشفعْ. Remember the famous hadith when the Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke about that servant who was praised: "That disheveled, dusty man who holds the reins of his horse. His hair is disheveled, his feet are dusty. If he is in the guard, he is in the guard. If he is in the rear guard, he is in the rear guard. If he asks for permission, he is not granted it. If he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted." فأثنى على هذا العبدِ الصالحِ التقيِّ النقيِّ، لا يعرفه أحدٌ، ولا يُبالي أين يكونُ، أهم شيءٍ يخدم الإسلامَ في الساقةِ في الحراسةِ، مع أنه قد يستأذنُ لا يُؤذنْ له، يشفعُ لا يُشفعْ، وهو عند الله عظيمٌ، لكن قد يُفتن الإنسانُ بحبِّ التصدرِ. He praised this righteous, pious servant who is unknown and does not care where he is as long as he serves Islam, whether in the rear guard or in the guard. Even if he asks for permission, he is not granted it, or if he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted, but he is great in the sight of Allah. ويُصابُ بهذا المرضِ فيُفتنُ ويكون من المفتونين، وزد إلى ذلك أنه معجبٌ بنفسه وكأنه ليس به مرضٌ، وهو مليءٌ بالأمراض. أرجعوا إلى الجواب الأول، هو له علاقةٌ بذلك. However, a person may be tested by a love for prominence and afflicted by this disease, becoming one of the tempted. Add to this that he is pleased with himself, as if he has no illness, while he is full of diseases. So, refer back to the first answer, as it is related to this. [Compelling Others to Take a Position Against Other Salafis] السؤال التاسع: ما حكمُ من يُلزمُ الأخوةَ بهجرِ بعضِ الأخوةِ السلفيين الذين وقعوا في بعض الأخطاءِ المنهجيةِ؟ فيلزموننا ببيانِ الموقفِ منهم، فإن لم تُبينْ وتأخذْ موقفاً يُلحقونك بهم، فيتعاملون معنا ومعهم معاملةَ المبتدعِ، وبدون نصيحةٍ مع العلم أنهم لا يرجعونَ إلى المشايخِ السلفيينَ لعلاجِ الأمورِ. Question 9: What is the ruling on those who compel brothers to boycott some Salafi brothers who have made some methodological mistakes, insisting we take a stance against them? If we don't take a stance, they associate us with them and treat us as innovators without any advice, even though they don't refer to the Salafi scholars to resolve these issues. هذا هو الداءُ، السؤال الذي قبله المرضُ هو التصدرُ، وهنا الداءُ لا يرجعون إلى المشايخِ ويتصدرونَ في الأحكامِ، يُحذّرُ ويبدّعُ ويلحقُ فلاناً بفلانٍ، وهذا أيضاً له علاقةٌ بذاك الجواب الذي قد مرَّ، كيف نعالج الخلاف بين السلفيين. Answer: “This is the disease. The previous question was about the love for prominence, and here the issue is that they do not refer to the scholars and take it upon themselves to make judgments, warning against, labeling, and grouping people together. This is also related to the previous answer on how to address disagreements among Salafis. فهؤلاء يُنصّبونَ أنفسهم ليحكموا على السلفيين ويمتحنونهم. فقد أجبت على هذا السؤال، والذي سبقه بالسؤال الرابع والخامس، عندما ذكرت كيف نعالج الخلافات بين السلفيين. These people set themselves up to judge Salafis and test them. I have already answered this question and the previous one in the fourth or fifth question when I mentioned how to resolve disagreements among Salafis.”

🆕💎We Praise & Thank Allah for Our Unity & Ask Him to Protect us from Potential Causes of Division (2 of 3) لهذا أقول، احرصوا أشدَّ الحرصِ أن تكونوا على كلمةٍ سواءٍ، منهجُكم واحدٌ، مرجعيتُكم واحدةٌ، طلبُكم للعلمِ واحدٌ، فلا يدخلُ الشيطانُ بينكم ولا يُفرّقكم. Therefore, I say, be very careful to be on a united word. Your methodology is one, your reference is one, your pursuit of knowledge is one, so do not let the devil come between you and divide you. وقد يقول قائلٌ: كيف نعالجُ هذه الأخطاءَ؟ كيف نتخلصُ؟ And someone may ask, how do we address these mistakes? How do we get rid of them? قد حصلَ ما حصلَ، انشغلوا بالعلمِ كأنّكم لا تسمعونَ شيئاً، والانشغالُ يكون بحقٍّ وحقيقةٍ. What has happened has happened. Engage in knowledge as if you hear nothing, and truly and sincerely engage. أسكتوا الصغارَ من الشبابِ والنشءِ، أبعدوهم عن الخوضِ، المسألة ترجعُ إلى أهل العلمِ، إذا كنتم صادقين خذوا بنصائح العلماء بجدٍّ وصدقٍ، ليس مجردَ كلامٍ على اللسانِ، لا تطبيقَ، لا عملَ، لا جديةَ في الصلح. Silence the young and the youth, keep them from delving into the matter; it is for the scholars. If you are sincere, take the advice of the scholars seriously and truthfully, not just words on the tongue with no application, no action, no seriousness in reconciliation. كفوا الأقلامَ والألسنَ عن أيِّ خوضٍ في الخلافِ، وتضرعوا بين يدي الله، وأكثروا من الدعاءِ، وتعوّذوا بالله كما كان النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام علّمنا أن نتعوّذَ بالله من الفتن، وتنازلْ. Restrain your pens and tongues from any involvement in disagreements. Supplicate to Allah and increase your prayers, seek refuge in Allah from trials as the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to seek refuge in Allah from trials. Stand down. وضعَ حظوظَ النفسِ تحتَ قدمك، وتذكرْ قولَ يوسف عليه الصلاة والسلام، وقد قالها النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام في فتح مكةَ: "لا تثريبَ عليكم اليوم، يغفرُ الله لكم وهو أرحم الراحمين." Put personal interests under your feet and remember the words of Yusuf (peace be upon him) and as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said at the conquest of Mecca: "No reproach upon you today. May Allah forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of the merciful." ليتنا نستفيدُ من هذه النصائحِ، هذه نصائحُ علمائنا، ما أنا والله إلا ناقلٌ لكلامِ أهلِ العلمِ. If only we could benefit from this advice, the advice of our scholars. By Allah, I am only conveying the words of the scholars.” [Loving Authority & Prominence] قال: كيف نتعامل مع من عنده ضعفٌ في الأخلاقِ ويرى في نفسِه حبَّ التصدرِ مع العلم أنه يتبنى المنهجَ السلفيَّ؟ Question: How do we deal with someone who has character weakness and a desire for prominence, knowing that they follow the Salafi methodology? هذا يرجعُنا للسؤال الرابع أو الخامس عندما ذكرنا سببَ الخلافات بين السلفيين، هذا من الأسباب، هذا داءٌ، هذا من الأسباب وهو داءٌ مرضٌ يحبُّ التصدرَ وعنده أخلاقٌ سيئةٌ. Answer: This brings us back to the fourth or fifth question when we mentioned the causes of disagreements among the Salafis. This is one of the causes; it is a disease. This is one of the reasons and it is a disease, a sickness. They love to be prominent and they have bad character. فنقول له: ربِّ نفسَك على الأخلاقِ الحسنةِ، اتقِ اللهَ، لا تُفرقْ إخوانكَ، وللأسف، هذا أدبٌ عظيمٌ نحن فقدناه، وهو أننا أن السلفَ كانوا يحبونَ أن يهضموا أنفسهم، لكن لما كان السلفُ يحبونَ أن يهضموا أنفسهم، لماذا؟ لأنهم تعلموا وتأدبوا، فأدبهم العلمُ، نحن ما تأدبنا، ما عرفنا العلمَ، لهذا لما ما عرفنا العلمَ أردنا التصدرَ. أردنا أن نحكمَ، أردنا الزعامةَ، So we say to them, train yourself in good character, fear Allah, and do not divide your brothers. Unfortunately, this is a great etiquette we have lost. The Salaf loved to humble themselves. Why? Because they learned and were disciplined. Knowledge disciplined them. We have not been disciplined; we do not know knowledge. That is why, when we did not know knowledge, we wanted prominence, we wanted to rule, we wanted leadership.”

🆕💎We Praise & Thank Allah for Our Unity & Ask Him to Protect us from Potential Causes of Division (1 of 3) 🎙️ [Important Measures for Maintaining Unity between Ahl Al-Sunnah] Shaykh Dr. ‘Arafāt b. Hasan al Muhammadi (حفظه الله ورعاه) was recently asked a number of important questions about the typical kinds of differences that commonly threaten to split the ranks of Ahl al-Sunnah in various lands; he responded: "الأسبابُ للأسفِ تتعلّقُ بحظوظِ النفسِ، وهذه حقيقةٌ مرّةٌ وصعبةٌ. أصحابُ منهجٍ واحدٍ ويرجعونَ إلى صراطٍ مستقيمٍ يقوده علماءُ كبارٌ من فضلِ الله عز وجل، يقودونَ هذا المنهجَ ونرجعُ إليهم. Unfortunately, the causes are related to personal interests, and this is a bitter and difficult truth. Those who follow one Manhaj (methodology) and return to the straight path, led by great scholars who, by the grace of Allah, guide this methodology, and we turn to them. وعلماؤُنا هم علماءُ هؤلاءِ المختلفين، لكن دخلَ الشيطانُ وضخّمَ الأخطاءَ وحصلَ التجاوزُ، ولا يتغافلُ الأخُ عن أخيهِ. Our scholars are the scholars of those who differ, but the devil has interfered, magnifying the mistakes, and transgressions have occurred. One brother does not overlook the other. وفي الحقيقةِ، لا علاقةَ بالمنهجِ لهذهِ الأمورِ، لا علاقةَ. In reality, these matters have nothing to do with the Manhaj (methodology). لأنّنا قد جربنا وسمعنا ورأينا ودخلنا في كثيرٍ من هذه المشاكلِ إلا من رحم الله. We have experienced, heard, seen, and been involved in many of these issues, except for those whom Allah has shown mercy. وقد يكونُ صادقاً في ذكرِ بعضِ الأخطاءِ، ومع ذلك لو كان صادقاً في ذكرِ بعضِ الأخطاءِ ولو كانت منهجيّةً، يكون العلاجُ لها خاطئاً لا يُحسن أن يُعالجَ. Someone may be honest in mentioning some mistakes, even if they are methodological, but the treatment might be incorrect. وهذا الذي أقوله قد سمعت مشايخنا الكبار يصرحون به بل زادوا أن من أعظم أسباب الخلاف حب الزعامة. This is what I have heard our senior scholars clearly state. Moreover, they have added that one of the greatest causes of disagreement is the love of leadership. بعضُ الشبابِ يريدُ أن يترأسَ، وهذا مرضٌ قد يكونُ خفياً وقد يكونُ ظاهراً، فيريدُ أن يترأسَ، فإذا لم يُعطَ هذه المكانةَ ادّعى الخلافَ، وادّعى أن هناك أسباباً لا بد أن نُعالجها، وأن فلاناً عنده، وفلاناً عنده. Some young people want to take the lead, which is a disease that can be hidden or apparent. They want to lead, and if they are not given this position, they claim there is a disagreement and assert that there are issues that need to be addressed, saying this person has this and that person has that. وبعضُهم يخوضُ في أمورِ السياسةِ، ويأتي طرفٌ آخرُ ويخوضُ في طرفٍ آخرَ، هذا يتطرفُ في طرفٍ، وهذا في طرفٍ، ويجعلونَها مسائلَ منهجيّةً، وهي لا علاقةَ لها بالمنهجِ، إنما هي سياسةٌ وكلامٌ فارغٌ. Some of them get involved in politics, and another party gets involved in another side, one extreme in one direction, and another in the opposite, making these methodological issues when they have nothing to do with the methodology. It is merely politics and empty talk. وبعدَ ذلك، يبدأ الحربُ أو تبدأ الحروبُ بالأسماء المستعارة، هذا يكتبُ باسمٍ مستعارٍ ويهاجمُ، وذاك يكتبُ ويدافعُ ويهاجمُ تارةً وتارةً. After that, the war begins, or wars begin under pseudonyms. One writes under a pseudonym attacking, and another writes defending and attacking at times and at other times. لهذا كونوا عقلاءَ، احترموا هذه الدعوةَ، ما كان من حظوظ النفسِ اجعلوه تحت أقدامكم، احترموا علماءَكم الذين تعبوا وهم ينصحون، وبُحّت أصواتُهم وهم يُذكّرونكم بالاجتماع والتآلف وعدم الاختلاف. So, be wise and respect this da’wah. Whatever is related to personal interests, put it under your feet. Respect your scholars who have labored and have been advising you, their voices strained as they remind you to unite and avoid disagreements. ادرسوا كيف تعالجونَ الأخطاءَ، اتركوا العجلةَ. إذا ما استفدنا من نصائح العلماء ورجعنا إليهم، سنستفيدُ من مَن؟ Study how to address mistakes, avoid haste. If we do not benefit from the advice of the scholars and return to them, who else will we benefit from?