Shaykh Faraz Rabbani: Jawharat al-Tawhid
Lesson 13: (From Section C: On Transmitted Beliefs)
EXISTENT THINGS
122) And according to us, a thing that exists is affirmed in actuality & in existence.
- meaning of ‘a thing’
- meaning of ‘existent’
- the importance of defining these terms
EXISTENCE OF SOMETHING IS ITS ESSENTIAL REALITY
123) The existence of something is its essential reality & the essence is created & not denied.
- His saying ‘the existence of something is its essential reality’
SINS & REPENTENCE FROM THEM
124) According to us sins are of two types: minor & major, and (from) the second
125) from it repentance is immediately obligatory & one’s repentance is not annulled if one returns to it.
- sins are of two levels
- the significance of sins
- difference between minor & major sins
- definition of major sins
- examples of major sins
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani: Jawharat al-Tawhid
Lesson 13: (From Section C: On Transmitted Beliefs)
EXISTENT THINGS
122) And according to us, a thing that exists is affirmed in actuality & in existence.
- meaning of ‘a thing’
- meaning of ‘existent’
- the importance of defining these terms
EXISTENCE OF SOMETHING IS ITS ESSENTIAL REALITY
123) The existence of something is its essential reality & the essence is created & not denied.
- His saying ‘the existence of something is its essential reality’
SINS & REPENTENCE FROM THEM
124) According to us sins are of two types: minor & major, and (from) the second
125) from it repentance is immediately obligatory & one’s repentance is not annulled if one returns to it.
- sins are of two levels
- the significance of sins
- difference between minor & major sins
- definition of major sins
- examples of major sins
- four ways that minor sins can become major sins
- repentance requires three matters in order to be sound
- repentance is for the sake of Allah
- if ones sin relates to the rights of other people
- example of backbiting
126) However, if one sins again, one must renew one’s repentance for what one did a second time. And in the acceptance of one’s repentance there is difference of opinion.
- same conditions for acceptance of repentance if one sins again
- on leaving means to the sin
- difference of opinion on whether ones repentance is necessarily accepted by Allah
- position of Imam Ashari
- Imam Juwayni’s position
FIVE CENTRAL MATTERS THAT THE SHARIAH CAME TO PRESERVE
127) Protecting religion, then life, then property, then lineage, then intellect, and honor – these are obligatory.
- six things the Shariah came to preserve
1 – Religion
- given foremost priority
2 – Life
3 – Wealth
4 – Lineage
5 – Intellect
- examples of harm to intellect
- idle entertainment
6 – Honour
- the worst attack of someone’s honour
- oneself cannot distinguish rulings of the Shariah
DECLARING THE DISBELIEF OF ANOTHER
128) Whoever denies that which is necessarily known to be of our religion, is killed as a disbeliever, not as a criminal punishment.
- how one becomes a disbeliever
- what denying religion means
- if one openly disbelieves in a Muslim
society
- Sura al-Najam
- on declaring another person a disbeliever
- of the greatest of major sins
- consult scholar if you see someone fall into this
- using wisdom and understanding when correcting others
- sunnas of dealing with such people
- example of your uncle
129) And the example of that is the one who negates something that is established by scholarly consensus, or the one who declares the clearly haram to be halal, such as zina – so listen up.
- dangers of falling into sin
ON LEADERSHIP
130) It is legally obligatory to appoint a just ruler, so understand not rationally.
- reasons for this obligation
- the burial of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delayed – reasons for the delay
- chose Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) by consensus
- not rationally established, rather by revelation
- reasons for just rule
131) However, it is not a pillar of one’s
religious belief. So do not disobey the Leader, even if he is not just.
- believers obey authority (despite problems with him)
- exception to general rule of following one’s Amir
- Qur’anic verse Sura Nisa’: 59
132) Except in disbelief, so reject his convenent. And Allah will suffice us
from his harm alone.
- ruling on a Muslim ruler who becomes kafir
- consult scholars of that time
- two considerations (regarding goal)
- on not rebelling against those in authority (with certain exceptions)
- meaning of baghy (rebellion)
133) With other than this he cannot be removed, nor if he ceases to be suitable.
ON ENJOINING GOOD & FORBIDDING EVIL
134) Command the good, avoid talebearing, backbiting & all blamesworthy traits.
- reason for author mentioning importance of having just ruler
- His saying “command the good”
- the least of this obligation
- on rebuking others for leaving obligatory or engaging in haram
- conditions for rebuking others
- example of someone speaking disrespectfully
- when it becomes haram to reprimand others
- when one fears harm for self in doing so
- on having knowledge of what one is commanding / forbidding
- on exercising restraint in some circumstances
- hadith that shows importance of one’s motives in this matter
- definition of talebearing
- definition of backbiting
- hadith on perfecting noble character
- text reference: Riyad al-Salihin by Imam Nawawi
135) Such as arrogance, self conceit,
arrogance, envy, being argumentative, disputing with others… so take care.
- regarding dispute & argument
- hadith on not falling into argumentation
- sunna of calling people to the truth
- how accomplished
- example of family member
- point of Islam not to establish academic supremacy
- not the duty of the common person to debate the ppl of misguidance
- text reference: articles on Masud Khan’s website: http://masud.co.uk/
- sunna of when someone tries to provoke you into argument
- need for scholarly understanding to debate
- example of the Companions (dealing with the Khawarij)
- ignoring people of innovation
- on not reading the books of the people of innovation & reasons for this
- on raisings one’s questions to a person of understanding when shaken
ON BEING CHARACTERIZED BY THE PROPHET’S (PEACE BE UPON HIM) CHARACTER
136) Be as the best of creation (the Prophet peace & blessings be upon him) was, always forebearing & following the truth. Forebearance is of the best character traits.
- on not being shaken & angered by events (forebearance)
- on always following the truth
137) All good lies in following those who have come before us. And all ill lies in following innovations of those who have turned away.
- try to emulate the good of those who came before us
- on seeing the good in those around you
- His saying ‘And all ill lies in following innovations…’
138) That every guidance that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came with, that is the best. So what he told you, do it. And what he told you to leave,don’t turn to it.
- the criterion for the best way of doing things
- text reference: Book 20 of Ihya Ulum al-Din by Imam Ghazali on the internet at: http://www.ghazali.org/site/ihya.htm
139) So follow the righteous of those who have come before, & leave aside the innovations of those who turned away.
- importance of verse
from
- meaning of ‘the path of those whom Thou hast favored’
- stay away from those who keep one away from this goal
CLOSING DU’A
140) And in closing, I ask Allah for sincerity from having ulterior motives & then to be saved
141) from the fire, & then to be preserved from my ego & my caprice.
For whoever follows their ego or caprice, falls into misguidance.
142) And I ask Allah to grant us our proof when we are questioned (in the grave or on the Last Day) that we have a firm proof that we know how to answer. And that our deeds give us the light & weight through which we are those who are saved.
143) And then blessings and peace constantly be upon the Prophet whose way is maintaining relations, or whose way is mercy.
- how family ties relates to mercy
- the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) was only sent as a mercy to all creation
144) Mohammed,
his companions, his family & those who follow his way of his community of
all the believers.
