Four reasons why people commit polytheism (Shirk) -Ibn al-Qayyim

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful Four reasons why people commit polytheism (Shirk)  Allah said in Surah Saba: 22-23, قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمۡتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۖ لَا يَمۡلِڪُونَ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ۬ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا لَهُمۡ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرۡكٍ۬ وَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِنۡہُم مِّن ظَهِيرٍ۬ “Say, [O Muhammad]. ‘Invoke those…

The Day of Jumu’ah is like Ramadan

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah 751 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said: يوم الجمعة يوم عبادة، وهو في الأيام كشهر رمضان في الشهور، وساعة الإجابة فيه كليلة القدر في رمضان “The Day of Jumu’ah is a day of worship. Jumu’ah to the other days (in the week) is like the month of Ramadan to the other…

Opposing desires will gain you Allah’s shade

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah 751 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said: إذا تأمّلت السبعة الذين يظلهم الله في ظل عرشه يوم لا ظل إلا ظله وجدتهم إنما نالوا ذلك الظل بمخالفة الهوى. “If you contemplate about the seven whom Allaah will shade in the shade of His `Arsh wherein there is no shade but…

Harms of preferring ones opinion over the texts

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah 751 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said: أصل كل فتنة انما هو من تقديم الرأي على الشرع و الهوى على العقل “A root for every fitna (trial/tribulation/etc) only (comes from one) who prefers his opinion over legislation and his desires over intellect.” Taken from: Ighaatha al-Lahfaan 2/165

The greatest form of oppression/ignorance

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah 751 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said: مِـنْ أعظم الظلم والجهل أن تطلب التعظيم والتوقير من الناس وقلبك خالٍ من تعظيم الله وتوقيره “The greatest (form of) oppression and ignorance is to seek glorification and reverence from people while your heart is freed from glorifying and revering Allah!” Fawaaid p…

Feeling the sweetness in your actions

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah 751 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said: اذا لم تجد للعمل حلاوة في قلبك و انشراحا فاتهمه, فان الرب تعالى شكور “If you do not find sweetness in your deed and comfort in your heart, then blame the deed. For indeed, the Lord, the Most High, is ash-Shakoor. He continued…

What is knowledge?

Shaykhul Islaam Thaani Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah 751 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his poem “al-Kaafiyah ash-Shaafiyah” العلم قال الله قال رسوله قال الصحابة هم أولو العرفان ما العلم نصبك للخلاف سفاهة بين الرسول و بين رأي فلان “Knowledge is what Allah, His messenger, and the companions said. They are the people of…