Look At The Tongue And The Hands
By Umm Abdur-Rahmaan
© Hudaa Magazine Volume 8 Number 4 January 2001 - Shawwall 1421 AH

The Prophet said:
The best believer according to his practice of Islaam is one from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe
[Collected by At-Tabaraanee in Al-Kabeer (S.J.S. 1129). Also collected by Al-Bukharee, Vol 1 No 9, Muslim Vol 1 No 64 & Abu Dawud No 2475. Also see Mishkat Al Masaabih Vol 1]

So believer! Don't you want be the best in your practice of Islaam? Don't you want be those who enter Jannah and live in delight and ecstasy forever? Then look at your tongue and hands!
Are our brothers and sisters safe from the nastiness of our tongues and the evil of our hands? Are our tongues and hands a danger to them and a cause of pain to them? Are we, through our actions, purifying our souls or destroying them? Are we truly racing towards Jannah or advancing towards Hell?

Let us look to our tongues first of all. We know full well that backbiting is a major sin. Yet how minor is our resolve to guard against it! A gossip-filled comment here of there may seem harmless, but it is a dangerous path to tread. We are belittling that person in another's eyes. We may have raised our egos high only to plunge our hearts into darkness.

In this earthly life, such comments serve to destroy trust and mutual affection between Muslims, leaving rancor and suspicion to settle in their hearts. We also cause those around us to 'take sides' in this battle of the tongues. Thus a 'seemingly harmless' comment has caused corruption and hatred in society. And Shaytaan is ever ready to pounce, igniting a fiery word until it turns into a blaze, so much so that words can even lead to wars. so let us urgently reflect on the seriousness of this vice, and understand why Allaah has compared it to the vile and sickening act of eating the flesh of one's dead brother:

And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hat backbiting)...
[Al-Hujaraat 49:12]
Let us realize the consequences for our 'Aakhirah also. The Prophet has warned us:
When I was taken up into heaven, I passed by people who had copper claws tearing at their faces and chests. I asked, 'Who are these O Jibreel?' He replied: 'They those who ate the flesh of people and insulted their honor.
[Ahmad, Abu Dawood]

How will we fare on the Day when tongues are torn apart and faces ripped open? So how can we dare to let our tongues roam so freely? Rather than listening to such evil talk, let us use our tongues to secure great reward, by opposing all forms of backbiting, and with beautiful manners, correcting it. These situations are oppurtunities from Allaah to perform Jihaad, for indeed trying to keep our tongues is truly a Jihaad, (Jihaad al-Nafs).
Let us hasten to correct our everyday speech. When we speak, have we ever scrutinised how little sincerity there is in our voices? How mechanical our speech has become! Our words emanate from our throats and not from our hearts. How easily do our tongues hurt others. We feign care and concern for our fellow Muslims, but our hearts may be empty. Yet these are our very brothers and sisters! We should love them and desire the best for them. Tongues are sharp and hearts are cold, because the love of self has left no room for others...

Let us examine our words more carefully. Do they bring comfort and relief to those around us or do they fall sharply and heavily on their hearts? On harsh word from us sends those gentle servants of Allaah plummeting into sadness and grief. But know that Allaah Hears everything. And the angels are recording every utterance:
Not a word is said except there is a watcher by him ready to record it
[Surah Qaf 18]

How will we fare when all our unkind words appear in front of our eyes the moment we are given our scroll of deeds? What terror-stricken state shall we experience on that Day, when it dawns on us that we too could be sent plummeting, into far greater grief...? We seek Allaah's refuge! Abu Harayrah reprted that he heard the Messenger say:
Indeed a servant may say a word which he doesn't realize and it will make him fall into the fire further than the East and West.
[Bukharee, Muslim]

We must realize dear Muslims, and realize it now, that our words hurt and maim our brothers and sisters more severely than knives. Would we ever dream of cutting them with a blade? Yet with our tongues we cut deeply into their hearts. Know that we cannot be the best in our Islaam if we fail to guard our tongues. Indeed our Eemaan is in peril if we remain heedless. And if our Eemaan is lost, we have lost everything... The Prophet confirmed:
The Eemaan of Allaah's servant will not be upright until his heart is upright and his heart will not be upright until his tongue is upright.
[Ahmad]

Consider how many times in the day and night we use our tongues! So let us not delay in looking to see how they may be destroying us. Let us strive to use them in ways that will, Inshaa'Allaah, save us, for indeed countless are the ways our tongues can secure Jannah, Insha Allaah!
O you who wants to be the best believer! Run and rush towards gentle speech and good words. Call to tawheed, enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and teach others with your tongue. Allaah (SWT) has shown us the way, if we would only try: Who is better in speech than he who invites (people) to Allaah, does righteous deeds and says 'Indeed I am a Muslim.
[Surah Fusillat 41:33]

So heed this advice, before your opportunity is gone and your tongue falls silent in the grave...
And what of our hands? Are they stretched out offering help and charity to the needy? And are they being used to perform the best of good deeds? Or are they grasping and taking what does not belong to them? Are our hands selling doubtful food and drink to others? Do these same hands angrily hit our children for shortcomings we once had ourselves...?
Let us examine our hands closely. If they are taking more from others and giving less, or harming more and comforting less, then realize that we may be oppressors! Our hands are oppressing our dear brothers and sisters and ultimately, damaging our own souls. Take heed lest these hands carve out a path to misery...
Understaind that we must all remain on our guard against Shaytaan and realize how he uses the hands of men to fulfill his evil designs. Men like Abu Lahab, whose two hands will roast in the flames:
Persih the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he! his wealth and his gains will not benefit him! He will be burnt in a fire of balzing flames!
[Surah Lahab 111:1-3]

Know that Shaytaan seeks to fling your hands into the fire too! So be aware!
Let us recognize that our two hands are an immeasurable blessing from Allaah. How beautifully has our Lord and Cherisher constructed them! And how diverse and complex the tasks they can perform! Consider what great good they can do, by the permission of Allaah and how much of the Aakhirah they can gain!
Let us go out of our way in using our hands to help our brothers and sisters, near and far. And let us not forget the simple things, for even the smallest deeds can yield the biggest rewards. The Prophet (SAWS) said:
A main passed a branch of a tree lying in the road and said, 'By Allaah, I want to remove this out of the way of the Muslims so that it will not hurt them', and he was admitted to Paradise.
[Muslim No 914]

This hadeeth should inspire us to race to pick up something fallen on the road or sidewalk, or even in the grocery store. Consider that we are not only saving the Muslims from harm, but many other beautiful creatures of Allaah - like the insects and birds, the animals and the plants. (For example, the simple act of throwing empty drink cans into these empty trash cans, with painful consequences.)
Let us not scorn any kind of opportunity to use our hands in good works, for Allaah showers us with such opportunities every day and night. Even if it is just cooking a nice meal, thus bringing friends or family together, blessings may come from on high, Inshaa Allaah:
The best among you are those who feed others and respond to the salaam
[Ahmad, Al Haakim, Saheeh ul-Jaami' As Sagheer No 3318]

And let us not forget the one who does the dishes afterwards, and the reward for the them, Inshaa Allaah, for they use their hands to ease other of this chore! Subhaan Allaah! How easy it is to earn Paradise!
O friend! Reflect on this hadeeth, for in it may lie one of the keys to your salvation and success, in this life and the next. Following its wisdom may, Inshaa Allaah, permit us to recieve our books of good deeds in our right hands and joyfully respond with our tongues, to the salaams of the angels as they bring us to the gates of Paradise! So let us never be harsh with our innocent children, who are our beautiful flowers. And never let us be indifferent to our wise and caring elders. Let us strive with these duties now, while we still have these precious gifts from Allaah - our tongue and our hands.
FROM Hudaa Magazine Volume 1 no. 1

Islamic Knowledge and You

Allah raises the level of people in two ways: (a) Belief in Him and (b) Knowledge of Him. This is established in the following verse of the Quraan Allah said: "Allah raises the level of those who believe and those who are endowed with knowledge. " [Al-Quraan 58:11]

Acquiring knowledge of Allah is the most important obligation on every Muslim because Allah ordered seeking knowledge (i.e. the knowledge of Himself) prior to declaration of the Shahadah. He said: "And know that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah then seek forgiveness for your sins..." [Al-Quraan 47: 19]

To emphasize seeking knowledge before doing any action, Imaam Al-Bukharee used the above verse as a basis for a chapter in his all famous Sahih. He entitles that chapter: "Knowledge before speech and action". Book of Knowledge:[Sahih Bukhari Vol: 1 Ch 11]

Excellence of knowledge.

Allah said: "Allah (Himself) is witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, and the Angels and the men of learning (are also witnesses to this). Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no god save Him, the Almighty, the Wise" [Al-Qur'aan 3:18]

Notice that Allah (AWJ) in the Ayat started the witnessing to the fact that "there is no deity worthy of worship but Himself" with Himself, then He follows it saying that this is also the witness of His Angels and then He follows it by the people who possess knowledge. This verse definitely emphasizes the position of the people who are endowed with knowledge above those who are without it.
Allah said "...Are those who know equal with those who do not know? But only men of understanding will pay heed." [Al-Qur'aan 39:9]
He said "...Indeed those who fear Allah from his servants they are the knowledgeable, Indeed Allah is the Mighty, the Most Forgiving." [Al-Qur'aan 35:28]

He said "And these similitude we coin for mankind, but none will grasp their meaning except those of knowledge."
In the above cases we clearly see the very high rank that Allah Himself endowed upon those who possess knowledge. (The knowledge above is only in reference to knowledge about Islam.)
Allah said: "Ask the people of Remembrance if you do not know."
This is because understanding Allah's Rulings is based upon the investigation and deductions of the learned. Abu Dardaa said that the Messenger of Allah said Those people endowed with knowledge are the inheritors of the prophets. [Hadeeth Hassan, Abu Dawood, ibn Majah, At-Tirmithi, ibn Habaan].
He also said: Whosoever Allah wishes good for, He bestows upon him understanding of the Deen. [Bukhaari and Muslim].

He bestows upon him an understanding of the Deen means that He will allow him to be taught the Quraan and the Sunnah. It is common knowledge that there is no higher position than that achieved by the prophets and that there is no greater honor than that of inheriting from that noble position [i.e. inheriting from the prophets (on them be peace)].
To acquire this very coveted position needs serious striving to acquire the knowledge they came with (i.e. the knowledge of Allah's deen).
He a1so said: The superiority of a learned man over a worshipper is like my superiority over the ordinary men from among my companions. [At-Tirmidhi. Hadeeth Hassan].
Looking at this Hadeeth you will observe (a) how he linked knowledge with the position of prophethood, and (b) how he lowered the level of the person who does action without knowledge. Any worship ('eebadah) that a worshipper performs must be based on knowledge, because if it is lacking then the action would not be 'Eebadah but mere ritual.
The messenger also said: "The superiority of a learned man over a worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon over the other stars." [This Hadeeth is Hassan].
`Ali said to Kaamil: "O Kaamil, knowledge is better than wealth. Knowledge protects you while you have to protect your wealth. Knowledge is a judge, while wealth have to be judged on. Wealth decreases when it is expended, while knowledge purifies when it is given.
`Ali said in a poem:
"Glory is for none but the learned,
Guided are they - and proofs for seekers of guidance.
Every person is measured based on how much of it (knowledge) he mastered,
The ignorant are to the learned their enemies,
Succeed with knowledge and live energetically forever,
Men are all dead, only the possessors of knowledge are truly alive."

The Excellence of Learning

Allah said "And the believers should not all go out and fight. Of every troop of them, a party should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware." [Al-Qur'aan 9:122]
And His saying: "...Ask the people of Remembrance if you do not know." [Al-Qur'aan 16:43]
The Messenger of Allah said: Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge therein, Allah directs him to a path leading to Al-Jannah (Paradise). [Hadeeth Hassan]

He also said: The quest for knowledge is a compulsion on every Muslim. [Hadeeth Hassan]

N.B. The knowledge referred to above is knowledge in Deen because that is the only knowledge that is Waajib. The people who use this hadeeth to represent seeking after every type of knowledge are misusing it.
AbuDardaa' said: "To learn of one issue (in deen) is better for me than to pray the entire night" He also said: "The scholar and the seeker of knowledge are the partners in the sharing of good. Other men are hungry and there is no good in them."
Fath Al Musilee (RA) said: "Would the sick person who is not fed or given anything to drink or given any medicine, not die?" The people replied: " Surely!" He said - "It is the same with the heart, it would die if knowledge and wisdom is with held from it."
Indeed he spoke the truth because the nourishment and enlivening of the heart is through knowledge and wisdom, just as food is nourishment for the body. Whoever does not acquire knowledge of the deen of Islaam, has a sick heart and its death is inevitable. However, he is not aware of it, because his love for this world destroys his perception.

The Excellence of Teaching

Allah said:“... and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware.“ [Al-Qur'aan 9:122]

What is implied here is teaching and guiding them. And the saying of Allah “And (remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who received the Scripture, (He said): You are to expound it to mankind and not to hide it...“ [Al-Qur'aan 3:187]
This ayat demands that those who are endowed with knowledge should teach it. While the verses that follow shows that it is Haraam to conceal it.
Allah said: “...But verily, a party of them knowingly conceal the truth.“ [Al Quraan 2:146] And He also said: “...He who hides it, verily his heart is sinful“ [Al-Qur'aan 2:283]

Allah praises the one who invites with knowledge. Allah said: “And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does good works...“ [Al-Qur'aan 41:33]

And the saying of Allah: “Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and good exhortation, and reason with them in the better way...“ [Al Quraan 16:125]
`Ali said that the Messenger of Allah said to him: If Allah guides a man through your help, it is better (for you) than red camels. [Bukahari and Muslim]
N.B. Red camels at that time were from among the people's most precious possession. He also said: Whoever acquires knowledge and keep it concealed Allah will bridle him with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection. [Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, At-Tirmidhi]
He also said: Verily Allah, His angels, the inmates of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and the fish in the sea send salutation on the one who teaches good to the people. [Its chain is Hassan]. He said: If the son of Adam dies, all his works is stopped except three. A charity that is continuous, useful knowledge or a righteous child who supplicates for him. [Muslim]
The messenger of Allah said: Whoever guides or directs to good, then he gets the same amount of blessing as the one who does it. [Related by Muslim]
And Allah censures those who speak on His behalf without any knowledge and some of the scholars consider it an even more heinous sin than shirk based on the following verse. Allah said: “Say (O Muhammad): My Lord has only forbidden indecencies, those of them that are apparent, as well as those that are concealed, and sin and rebellion without justice, and that you associate with Allah in worship that for which he has sent down no authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.“ [Al-Qur'aan 7:33]

Therefore, speaking on behalf of Allah without knowledge is the greatest sin with Allah and the one for which He will assign the severest punishment.

Clarifying what aspect of knowledge is a compulsion on every Muslim (Fard `Ain)

The messenger of Allah said: Seeking knowledge is a compulsion on every Muslim. This Hadeeth is referring to the knowledge of that aspect of the Deen that will save someone from the Fire. Therefore, what is important for each one of us is to be certain that we know what Knowledge is compulsory for each person to save himself from the Fire. Before discussing this, however, it is important to know that we must keep on doing righteous deeds until death, otherwise if any one changes then all the worship that he did before is going to be worthless. If a person fasts a long hot day and then breaks his fast a few minutes before Maghrib, then his fast is void. Likewise, if a person prays a long Salaat and before making Tasleem passes wind, his prayer is nullified.
Life may look like a long journey, but if a person apostatizes before the end, he loses everything, and all his deeds are rendered worthless and he would be subjecting himself to dwell in the Fire forever.
Allah said: “Verily, Allah forgives not (the sin of setting up rivals in worship with Him but He forgives (sins) other than that to whom so ever He pleases...“ [Al-Ouraan 4:116] This verse establishes that Allah does not forgive shirk (i.e. setting up rivals in worship with Him), therefore the most important knowledge that a Muslim must seek is the knowledge of Shirk and all that relates to it, from Tawheed and `Aqeedah (beliefs) etc. It is mandatory on every Muslim to learn these aspects before anything else and not listen to those who say: "These are theoretical issues, instead keep busy with matters that have action."

Our answer to them is that 'Aqeedah (matters relating to Eemaan) is the greatest of all matters in Islaam because Eemaan comprises of the following three aspects (a) believing in the heart, (b) stating with the tongue and (c) acting with the limbs upon what is believed in and stated.
Know, my brothers and sisters, that all acts of worship would be rewarded based on what the heart intends for that particular action thus making it (the heart) the most important organ of the body. Belief is a practical matter because it is the action of the heart. The proof of this statement is the saying of Allah: “...But He will call you to account for that which your hearts have earned....“ [Al-Qur'aan 2:225]
This verse indicates what the heart earns. What is earned is the action and it is this that we will be called to account for. Therefore, we can conclude that the action of the heart, which is the beliefs present in it are the most serious action.

Is there not a difference between two persons who say. "Laa ilaha illa Allah" (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah), while one has a heart filled with correct beliefs, and the other is a hypocrite who disbelieves in everything in Islaam? Surely there is, the first will go to Al-Jannah (Heaven) and the other will be in the lowest depth of the Fire of Hell. Why is this so? Because of the beliefs in his heart, which are its action.
The messenger stayed in Makkah for thirteen years inviting to 'Laa ilaha illa Allah', and all those things that relates to it, from Tawheed, 'Aqeedah and Shirk. When the messenger sent Mu'adh to Yemen he said to him: You are going to a people who possess a Book, so let the first thing you call them to be to testify to 'Laa ilaha illa Allah' and if they acknowledge this, then tell them that Allah made obligatory on them five Salawaat every day... From the above examples we can conclude that knowing Allah and performing Tawheed of Allah is the most glorious knowledge in existence. Therefore, the most glorious action a person has to occupy and fill his heart with is knowing his Lord. The glory of any knowledge is based on the thing studied. Is there anything more glorious than Allah the Glorified? Definitely not. Therefore, the knowledge that relates to the study of Allah, what are His rights on us His creation, what He loves and what He does not would therefore be the most glorious knowledge there is in this universe.
Above we have proven what is compulsory knowledge for every Muslim, male or female to seek i.e. any knowledge that helps him or her to perfect their worship for Allah.

The knowledge that is compulsory can be classified as follows:

The first obligation on any Muslim who has reached the age of maturity is to learn about the Shahadah i.e. "There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah" and to understand their meanings.

That knowledge which helps us to know Allah and teaches us His rights on us. This includes the knowledge of the 'Tawheed of Allah' in all its various forms i.e. Tawheed of Lordship, Tawheed of His Names and Characteristics and Tawheed of 'Eebadah. It also includes any knowedge that would help us to understand anything that would negate any of the above aspects of Tawheed. This would fall under the category of Shirk. Every Muslim must learn about Tawheed and Shirk.

Knowledge of His Messenger, Muhammad . This includes understanding his purpose as a messenger, his rights on us, our relationship with him. This knowledge is important because through the messenger we learn how to worship Allah and perform His rights i.e. the messenger came to invite to tawheed and to fight mankind to keep away from worshiping other than Him.

Allah said: “Verily we sent to each nation a messenger to invite to the worship of Allah and to avoid Taghoot.“

Any knowledge which helps us to know about the other four fundamental principles of the religion namely, Salaat, Zakaat, Fasting and Hajj. These are pillars of Allah's deen and each Muslim must have knowledge about each one of them as soon as it becomes an obligation on him so that he can perform it as Allah wants him to.
That which is halaal and that which is haraam of social and business transactions that relates to anyone is also an obligation on him to know.
That knowledge which relates to the affairs of the heart, that which is praiseworthy and which every Muslim must try to develop and nurture, like patience, thankfulness, good character, truthfulness, sincerity, etc. and that which is blameworthy and which every Muslim must try to avoid because they are Haraam and therefore the can cause someone to be thrown into the Fire. Some examples of these are hatred, jealousy, pride, doing things for show, dishonesty, anger, enmity and miserliness, following the desires, etc.

As for knowledge which is Fard Kifayah; i.e. that which is a collective duty, meaning that it is not a duty on every individual, but if a group of individual undertakes to acquire this knowledge, all other individuals will be exempted from this duty, and the entire community will be free from negligence to acquire this branch of knowledge. If no one embarks on seeking this type of know1edge then the entire community is accountable.
Examples of this type of knowledge are:

An in depth study of the Islamic Law.
Study of the basic sciences, industries and professions that are vital necessities for the welfare of the community like doctors of medicine, nurses, accountants, contractors, etc.

The Muslims have definitely gone astray in their understanding of their priorities as to which knowledge they must concentrate on and as such we find them put a priority on a knowledge that is not compulsory on them to know about. The messenger warns us of this, he said:
From among the portents of the Hour are (the following):

Religious knowledge will be taken away (by the death of the learned men)
Ignorance (of Religion) will prevail.
Drinking of Alcoholic drinks (will be very common).
There will be prevalence of illegal sexual intercourse.

[Al-Bukharee: Vol 1 No. 80].
The messenger of Allah said: Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men until when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they go astray and they will lead the people astray. [Al-Bukharee: Vol 1 No. 100].

Multiple Wives Without Financial Security
(From Hudaa magazine Vol. 7 No. 4)
Question?

Is it permissible in this DAY and TIME for a Muslim male to have a second wife in the US, if he is financially INSECURE? (Please answer this question with or without him being financially secure.)

Answer by Muhammad al-Jibaly & Abu Khaliyl

Allah (SWT) has sanctioned marrying more than one wife. He (SWT) however, limited the number of wives to FOUR per man (at one time). This is LEGITIMATE for ANY Muslim REGARDLESS of WHEN he lives, or WHERE he resides. The secular law that prohibits multiple wives is IRRELEVANT here, because it does NOT constitute a serious threat to life or freedom of those who violate it. IF it were the case that EVERY man who married more than one wife were incarcerated for doing so, then it WOULD be necessary to avoid such marriages, since the danger that would result is a greater evil than the good that would be achieved by marrying more than one wife. HOWEVER, this is CLEARLY not the case in the US, especially since any time a man marries more than one woman at a time, BOTH his marriages CANNOT be registered according to the civil law. So in effect, according to the legal system that could possibly constitute a threat, he only has one wife that they are concerned with. So he has NOT broken the law.
However, the concern with this question is the usage of the term "financially insecure". Allah (SWT) said (what means):
"Let those abstain from marriage who do NOT have the means until Allah gives them the means..." (An Nur 24:33)
If a man is financially insecure, then marrying a second wife would consitute an injustice. This is the case as seen when a man marries more than one wife an he outs his entire family on welfare. He CLEARLY does NOT possess the means to marry. In this case, he MUST wait until Allah (SWT) provides the means for him to do so.