Summary of Sunni concepts | 55- Concepts about the qualities of the preacher

0:00 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.

0:09 The quality of sincerity (ikhlas) for Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

0:13 Sincere supplication.

0:15 One must possess the qualities that qualify him for a call (da'wah) accepted by Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

0:21 Therefore, it is necessary to know these qualities and act upon them.

0:26 Among these is the quality of sincerity for Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

0:30 Sincerity is understood in two senses.

0:33 The first is the sincerity of monotheism (tawhid) for Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, with no partner unto Him.

0:38 In this sense, its opposite and antithesis is polytheism (shirk).

0:43 Allah the Exalted says: ◁Devoting the religion sincerely to Him, inclining to truth.▷

0:48 The second is the sincerity of speech and action for Him, the Glorified.

0:53 Seeking His countenance, the Almighty and Majestic, and the abode of the Hereafter.

0:57 Renouncing the world and its adornments.

1:00 In this sense, its opposites are showing off (riya') and seeking reputation (sum'ah).

1:05 If the servant does not achieve sincerity in the first sense,

1:10 then all his deeds are nullified and rejected.

1:14 Even if he prays and fasts and claims to be a Muslim, he remains a polytheist.

1:20 Allah the Exalted says:

1:22 “And verily it hath been revealed unto thee as unto those before thee (saying): If thou ascribe a partner to Allah thy work will fail and thou indeed wilt be among the losers.” (39:65)

1:28 If the servant does not achieve sincerity in the second sense,

1:32 then the deed in which he showed off or sought reputation is rejected.

1:37 However, the deeds in which he was sincere for Allah are accepted.

1:41 Thus, this type of deficiency in sincerity does not nullify all deeds.

1:46 It only nullifies that which lacked sincerity.

1:50 The caller (da'iyah) must constantly review his intention,

1:54 so that his call does not transform from a call to the Truth and its victory,

1:58 into a call for the self and a defense of it.

2:02 Whoever seeks victory for Allah, Allah will grant him victory, even if after some time.

2:06 And whoever seeks victory for his own self or his party,

2:09 Allah will forsake him and humiliate him, even if after some time.

2:14 Truthfulness (sidq).

2:17 It encompasses the heart, the tongue, and actions.

2:21 Truthfulness in the heart is sincerity.

2:24 Truthfulness in the tongue is the opposite of lying.

2:27 In actions, it is perfecting them and undertaking them with strength and a sincere resolve.

2:33 It is that one's inner state aligns with one's intention.

2:36 When he calls to something, he is the first to act upon it.

2:41 He must be truthful in what he calls to,

2:45 not accepting any compromise regarding any part of it,

2:48 or meeting the enemies halfway.

2:52 Following the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, with knowledge and insight.

2:59 This is adherence to the Book and the Sunnah according to the understanding of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.

3:04 Its opposite is negligence and falling short in following.

3:08 Likewise, its opposite is extremism and excess.

3:11 Following is the middle path between the extremist who exceeds and the negligent who falls short.

3:17 The Glorified says:

3:19 “Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (3:31)

3:27 And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

3:30 The Almighty and Majestic says:

3:32 “So tread thou the straight path as thou art commanded, and those who turn (unto Allah) with thee, and transgress not. Lo! He is Seer of what ye do.” (11:112)

3:37 The quality of following is also necessary in calling people.

3:43 This is by ensuring the call is based on insight and knowledge.

3:47 The Glorified says:

3:49 “Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever followeth me - Glory be to Allah! - and I am not of the idolaters.” (12:108)

3:53 “Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever followeth me - Glory be to Allah! - and I am not of the idolaters.” (12:108)

3:56 “Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever followeth me - Glory be to Allah! - and I am not of the idolaters.” (12:108)

4:00 Among the aspects of insight is:

4:02 The caller’s understanding of the reality he lives in,

4:06 and his awareness of the path of the criminals, their plots, and their methods.

4:11 Guidance (ihtida').

4:15 The sincere caller strives in the causes of guidance and knowing the Truth through its evidence,

4:21 and struggling against the self to accept it and submit to it after knowing it.

4:26 Guidance is of two types.

4:28 First: guidance of direction and clarification.

4:32 This is what is meant in His saying:

4:35 ◁As for Thamud, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance.▷

4:41 The attainment of this type of guidance

4:44 comes through knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah,

4:47 and insight into the religion through the understanding of the righteous salaf.

4:51 Second:

4:52 guidance of divine enablement (tawfiq) and submission.

4:55 This is what is intended in His saying:

4:58 “Lo! thou (O Muhammad) guidest not whom thou lovest, but Allah guideth whom He will. And He is Best Aware of those who walk aright.” (28:56)

5:05 This is attained through Allah’s granting of success to the servant who deserves it.

5:10 The servant who is sincere in desiring this guidance

5:13 turns to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, in seeking it.

5:17 Furthermore, part of the concept of guidance is

5:20 not merely to be guided oneself,

5:23 but to be a leader in this guidance,

5:26 pointing to it and leading others toward it.

5:29 As Allah the Exalted described the servants of the Most Merciful by saying:

5:33 ◁And make us leaders for the righteous.▷

5:37 Deliberation and lack of haste.

5:41 Composure and gentleness in affairs.

5:44 You see the sincere caller as deliberate and merciful.

5:49 He is not reckless, nor does he hasten to judge matters

5:53 until after verifying them and their circumstances.

5:57 He does not speak except with knowledge and justice.

6:00 Allah the Exalted says:

6:02 “(O man), follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge. Lo! the hearing and the sight and the heart - of each of these it will be asked.” (17:36)

6:05 And He says:

6:07 ◁And when you speak, be just.▷

6:10 Among the requirements of this are:

6:12 Gentleness and wisdom,

6:14 and the absence of harshness and severity.

6:17 The Glorified says:

6:19 ◁And had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you.▷

6:24 Soundness of heart.

6:29 The sincere caller

6:31 is sound of heart toward his Lord and toward the creation.

6:35 His heart is sound from every doubt

6:38 regarding the news of Allah or the news of His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

6:43 And from every desire that contradicts the command of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic,

6:47 or the command of His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

6:51 And from every intent that contradicts sincerity.

6:54 It is sound from every objection to the divine decree (qadar).

6:57 You see him only as reassured and content.

7:01 “Or are they jealous of mankind because of that which Allah of His bounty hath bestowed upon them? For We bestowed upon the house of Abraham (of old) the Scripture and wisdom, and We bestowed on them a mighty kingdom.” (4:54)

7:05 He loves goodness for them,

7:07 and dislikes evil for them.

7:09 Patience (sabr).

7:12 The praiseworthy patience from which its possessor benefits

7:17 is that which is established upon the following pillars:

7:20 First:

7:21 That the patience be for Allah, the Almighty and Majestic,

7:24 and seeking His pleasure,

7:26 not so that it may be said, "How patient and steadfast he is!"

7:30 The Glorified says:

7:32 ◁So be patient for the sake of your Lord.▷

7:34 Second:

7:35 That it be by Allah, the Almighty and Majestic,

7:38 meaning seeking His help, the Glorified,

7:41 disavowing one's own power and strength.

7:44 The Glorified says:

7:46 “Endure thou patiently (O Muhammad). Thine endurance is only by (the help of) Allah. Grieve not for them, and be not in distress because of that which they devise.” (16:127)

7:50 Third:

7:51 That it be with Allah,

7:53 meaning revolving with His commands and prohibitions wherever they revolve.

7:58 That is, his patience must be in a matter that Allah loves and is pleased with.

8:03 Patience, like other moral traits,

8:05 is surrounded by two blameworthy extremes,

8:08 and the praiseworthy is the middle between them.

8:11 It is the middle between the extreme of negligence,

8:14 which leads to weakness, humiliation, disgrace, and concessions regarding the Truth,

8:20 and the extreme of excess,

8:22 which leads to harshness, recklessness, and haste in matters before their time,

8:27 while he thinks he is among the most patient of people.

8:31 Patience is the provision for the journey in this call,

8:36 because the path of the call is arduous and long,

8:40 surrounded by trials, harm, desires, and doubts.

8:45 Mutual patience (musabarah).

8:48 This is a reciprocal form of patience.

8:52 It involves two parties.

8:54 The first:

8:55 The caller,

8:56 who is the focus here.

8:58 The second includes the enemies of the call,

9:01 from the Shaytan, the soul that incites to evil,

9:04 and the enemies who lie in wait for the believers,

9:08 striving hard to weaken their patience.

9:12 Therefore, the patience of the believers must not run out;

9:15 rather, they remain struggling, more patient and stronger than their enemies.

9:20 It is as if it were a wager and a race between them and their enemies,

9:25 in which they are called to meet the patience of the enemies with a stronger patience,

9:30 meeting push with push,

9:33 and persistence with persistence.

9:35 And the outcome is for the righteous.

9:38 The Glorified says:

9:40 ◁O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed.▷

9:44 ◁And fear Allah that you may succeed.▷

9:48 And Allah the Exalted says:

9:50 ◁If you are suffering, then they are suffering as you are suffering.▷

9:56 “Relent not in pursuit of the enemy. If ye are suffering, lo! they suffer even as ye suffer and ye hope from Allah that for which they cannot hope. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.” (4:104)

10:00 Clarity of the goal in the caller's soul.

10:03 Among the qualities of the caller to the Truth

10:07 is that his objective for the call be clear and decisive.

10:11 This is in the following:

10:13 First: The greatest goal,

10:16 which is to worship Allah, the Exalted, by calling to Him.

10:20 For the call is an act of worship that Allah loves and encourages.

10:25 Allah the Exalted says:

10:27 ◁And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness?▷

10:33 “And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith: Lo! I am of those who are muslims (surrender unto Him).” (41:33)

10:37 Second:

10:38 Striving through this worship to win the pleasure of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, and His Paradise.

10:44 Third:

10:45 Giving sincere advice to the creation and having compassion for them regarding the misery of this world and the torment of the Hereafter,

10:51 saving them, by the permission of Allah the Exalted, from darkness into light,

10:56 and inviting them to the good life in all its meanings.

11:02 It is a call to the creation to a creed that revives hearts and minds,

11:07 liberating them from the illusions of ignorance and superstition,

11:11 and from submission to humiliation and the worship of anything other than Allah, the Exalted—which humiliates the servant—or the worship of desires.

11:18 It also invites them to a law (Shari'ah) that liberates and honors the human being,

11:23 its source being Him, the Glorified.

11:26 All of humanity stands before it as equals, not differing except by piety (taqwa).

11:33 It also invites Muslims to honor and superiority through their creed and methodology,

11:39 and to confidence in their religion and their Lord,

11:41 and to vicegerency on earth,

11:43 to liberate the human being and bring him out from the worship of servants to the worship of Allah alone.

11:50 It invites them to strive (jihad) in the way of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic,

11:54 to establish the divinity of Allah, the Glorified, on earth and in the lives of people,

11:59 and to shatter the claimed divinity of the servants,

12:03 so that the religion may be entirely for Allah,

12:06 and the judgment and the law entirely for Him, the Glorified.

12:10 Even if death befalls them in this struggle,

12:14 martyrdom is life for them.

12:17 This is what the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his followers call to.

12:22 It is a call to the true life in all its meanings.

12:28 Distinctiveness of the caller.

12:32 Among the most important qualities of the caller

12:35 is distinctiveness and holding fast to this religion,

12:38 in creed and worship,

12:40 and in rulings and behavior, both inward and outward,

12:44 and clinging firmly to that,

12:46 especially in times of alienation (ghurbah),

12:49 where the one holding to his religion is like one holding onto burning coals.

12:52 He does not fluctuate with those who fluctuate under the pressure of reality,

12:56 the conformity of society, and the weight of corruption.

13:00 Yes, the sincere Muslim is known by the following:

13:05 By his distinctiveness and steadfastness upon his religion,

13:08 And the soundness of his creed and understanding when beliefs and perceptions are corrupted.

13:14 And by his adherence to the Sunnah when innovations become widespread and people turn away from the Sunnah.

13:20 And by the sincerity of his faith in his heart, upon his tongue, and through his limbs.

13:25 When lying and hypocrisy become prevalent.

13:28 And by his worship of his Lord while people are distracted by amusement and play.

13:33 And by his character when the character of the people has become corrupt.

13:37 And by his honesty in dealings when deception, betrayal, and treachery are widespread.

13:42 And by his silence when idle talk, gossip, and vain discourse abound.

13:48 And by his self-reckoning when people are preoccupied with one another.

13:53 And by his call, his asceticism, and his struggle.

13:56 When the worldly life turns toward its people.

13:59 And they incline toward it and drown in its pleasures.

14:03 In sum, the distinguished callers are those of whom the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

14:11 "Glad tidings to the strangers." It was asked, "And who are the strangers, O Messenger of Allah?"

14:17 He said, "Righteous people among many evil people."

14:22 "Those who disobey them are more numerous than those who obey them."

14:26 Narrated by Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albani.

14:29 Indeed, the caller, through this distinction of his,

14:32 Bears witness to the goodness of this religion for humanity.

14:36 And bears witness to its legitimacy in this existence.

14:40 And its superiority over all other systems, conditions, and structures on earth.

14:46 The covenant with Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

14:50 Allah, the Exalted, said:

14:53 “Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph.” (9:111)

15:01 “Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph.” (9:111)

15:06 “Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph.” (9:111)

15:12 “Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph.” (9:111)

15:15 "So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted."

15:19 "And it is that which is the great attainment."

15:22 Then He mentioned the attributes of the people of this covenant among the callers and the mujahidin, saying:

15:28 “(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), those who serve (Him), those who praise (Him), those who fast, those who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship), those who enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and those who keep the limits (ordained) of Allah - And give glad tidings to believers!” (9:112)

15:36 “(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), those who serve (Him), those who praise (Him), those who fast, those who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship), those who enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and those who keep the limits (ordained) of Allah - And give glad tidings to believers!” (9:112)

15:43 "And give good tidings to the believers."

15:46 The pillars of this covenant are four:

15:49 The seller, who is the mujahid.

15:52 The buyer, who is Allah, the Glorified and Exalted.

15:56 The price, which is the soul and wealth.

15:59 And the object purchased, which is Paradise.

16:04 The etiquette of the caller in fulfilling the message of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

16:10 The caller maintains proper etiquette with his Lord.

16:14 He does not burden himself with asking about what is not his concern.

16:18 Rather, he proceeds, relying upon his Lord.

16:21 Thinking well of Him.

16:23 He fulfills the message of his Lord without being hasty for His victory.

16:27 He proceeds according to what Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, loves and desires from him.

16:32 Obedient, placing his feet wherever his Lord, the Glorified, is pleased with him.

16:38 And he entrusts the unseen to his Lord.

16:40 He does not aspire to know what has been veiled from him.

16:43 Because his heart is at peace with his Lord.

16:46 And because his etiquette with his Lord forbids him from aspiring to anything other than what has been opened for him.

16:52 The Exalted said:

16:54 “Say: I am (relying) on clear proof from my Lord, while ye deny Him. I have not that for which ye are impatient. The decision is for Allah only. He telleth the truth and He is the Best of Deciders.” (6:57)

16:59 “Say: I am (relying) on clear proof from my Lord, while ye deny Him. I have not that for which ye are impatient. The decision is for Allah only. He telleth the truth and He is the Best of Deciders.” (6:57)

17:03 “Say: I am (relying) on clear proof from my Lord, while ye deny Him. I have not that for which ye are impatient. The decision is for Allah only. He telleth the truth and He is the Best of Deciders.” (6:57)

17:08 “Say: If I had that for which ye are impatient, then would the case (ere this) have been decided between me and you. Allah is Best Aware of the wrong-doers.” (6:58)

17:15 "And Allah is most knowing of the wrongdoers."

17:18 “And with Him are the keys of the Invisible. None but He knoweth them. And He knoweth what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear record.” (6:59)

17:23 And the Exalted said:

17:25 “Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): I say not unto you (that) I possess the treasures of Allah, nor that I have knowledge of the Unseen; and I say not unto you: Lo! I am an angel. I follow only that which is inspired in me. Say: Are the blind man and the seer equal? Will ye not then take thought?” (6:50)

17:29 “Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): I say not unto you (that) I possess the treasures of Allah, nor that I have knowledge of the Unseen; and I say not unto you: Lo! I am an angel. I follow only that which is inspired in me. Say: Are the blind man and the seer equal? Will ye not then take thought?” (6:50)

17:35 "I only follow what is revealed to me."

17:39 Weakness of foundation and the foundation of weakness in the caller.

17:45 Among the attributes of the caller is the clarity of the legal foundation for him.

17:51 Which is that he proceeds in his call and its methodology from the legal foundations.

17:56 And what the Messenger, peace be upon him, and his noble Companions were upon.

18:02 Without this, there is weakness in the foundation.

18:05 Which leads to confusion and contentment with the opinions of men.

18:10 Or their tastes or their unjust policies.

18:13 And among the necessary attributes of the caller:

18:16 Is to beware of establishing a foundation for his weakness or his mistakes.

18:20 And justifying them with doubts, claiming they are legal.

18:24 To cover up his weakness and his positions.

18:27 The expansion of the caller's chest for his call.

18:33 And conveying it with a clear tongue.

18:38 When Allah, the Exalted, commanded Musa, peace be upon him, to go to Pharaoh.

18:43 And to call him to the truth.

18:45 The request of Musa, peace be upon him, was:

18:48 What Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, narrated to us in His Book by His saying:

18:53 "He said, 'My Lord, expand for me my chest [with assurance]. And ease for me my task.'"

18:57 "'And untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech.'"

19:02 "'And appoint for me a minister from my family, Harun, my brother.'"

19:06 "'Strengthen through him my power and associate him with my task.'"

19:10 And from what is deduced from these verses:

19:13 The necessity of supplicating to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

19:16 And seeking His help in expanding the chest and establishing it.

19:19 And in easing his task and granting him success.

19:23 The status of the scholars in the call.

19:26 The scholars stand at the forefront of those who call to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

19:32 For they are the ones who convey the clear truth.

19:35 And they are those who enjoin good and forbid evil.

19:39 And upon them is the resistance of allegiance to the enemies of Allah.

19:43 And they are the role models for the rest of the callers.

19:46 Their duty is greater than that of others.

19:49 For they have the duty of clarifying the reality of Tawhid.

19:53 And what contradicts it from the various types of shirk.

19:57 The shirk of glorification and the shirk of equality.

20:00 And the shirk of obedience and the shirk of legislation.

20:03 And the shirk of loyalty and the shirk of intercession.

20:06 And so on.

20:08 And they must speak the truth openly.

20:11 In the face of whoever is a tyrant among rulers and authorities.

20:15 If they do not respond to them,

20:17 Then at the very least, they should distance themselves from them.

20:20 And reject their positions and their gifts.

20:23 And withdraw from their gatherings.

20:25 And they should have independent professions.

20:28 Through which they earn their livelihood.

20:30 Far from the salaries of the sultans.

Summary of Sunni concepts | 55- Concepts about the qualities of the preacher | Concepts (875-889)

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