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Humility in Prayer [Part 1] 
al-Haafidh Zaynud-Deen Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795H) 
Checking by Shaykh 'Alee Hasan al-Halabee
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With the Name of Allaah, and in Him we seek assistance, and the praise is due 
to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds.  The praise is due to Allaah, the One who 
compels the hearts that are despondent for His sake, and the One who forgives 
the sins of the sinners by His Virtue.  I testify that there is no deity 
worthy of worship besides Allaah alone, without any associate, and there is 
nothing comparable to Him.  And I testify that Muhammad is His servant and 
Messenger.  He sent him (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) with the guidance and 
the True Religion, so as to make it apparent over all other religions.  And 
He gave him the choice of being either a Prophet-King, or a Slave-Messenger, 
so he chose the station of servitude ('uboodiyyah), along with the 
Messengership. [1] 

And he (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to say, "O Allaah, make me live 
in poverty, and make me die in poverty, and raise me up along with the poor." 
[2] Thus, he (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) alluded to the nobility of this 
station and its virtue.  And may the most complete peace be upon his Family, 
and his Companions, and all those who hold onto his rope.  To proceed: 

So verily the Glorified and Exalted praises in His Book, those who laud Him, 
and those who are humiliated towards His Magnificence, those who are 
subservient (al-khaadi'een) and the humble (al-khaashi'een) to Him.  Allaah 
the Exalted says: 

"Verily they used to hasten towards good deeds, and they used to supplicate 
to Us in hope and fear.  And they were humble (khaashi'een) towards Us." 
[Sooratul-Anbiyaa' 33:35] 

And He described with khushoo' (humility) the Believers who have the noblest 
worship, which they preserve, so He said: 

"Indeed the Believers are successful, those who are humble in their Prayer." 
[Sooratul-Mu'minoon 23:1-2] 

And He described with humility, those who have been given knowledge, where 
His Words are authoritative, so He said: 

"Verily those who were given knowledge before it (the Qur'aan), when it is 
recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration, and they say, 
"Glorified is our Lord!  Indeed the Promise of our Lord has been fulfilled."  
And they fall upon their faces weeping, and it (the Qur'aan) increases them 
in humility." [Sooratul-Israa' 17:107-109] 

And the basis of humility (khushoo') is softness, gentleness, tranquility, 
subservience, subjugation, and burning of the heart.  So when the heart is 
humble, all of the limbs and body parts follow it in humility. Because they 
are followers of it; as he (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "Verily 
there is a small morsel of the body, if it is rectified, the whole body is 
rectified; and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt.  Indeed it is the 
heart." [3] 

So if the heart is submissive, the eyes, ears, head, face, and the rest of 
the limbs are submissive; the same goes for whatever emanates from them, to 
the extent that it reaches the speech.  Due to this, the Prophet (sallallaahu 
'alayhi wa sallam) used to say in the rukoo' (bowing) of his Prayer, "My 
sight, hearing, mind, and bone are subservient to You."  And he said in 
another narration, "And whatever is carried upon my feet."[4] 

And someone from the Salaf saw a man fiddling with his hand during the 
Prayer, so he said, "If his heart was submissive, his limbs would have become 
subservient." [5] And this has been reported from Hudhayfah (radiyallaahu 
'anhu) and Sa'eed Ibnul-Musayyib, [6] and it has been reported in marfoo' [7] 
form, however, its chain of narrators is not authentic. [8] 

Al-Mas'oodee said: From Abee Sinaan: from the one who informed him: from 
'Alee Ibn Abee Taalib (radiyallaahu 'anhu), who said concerning the statement 
of Allaah, "Those who are humble in their Prayer." [Sooratul-Mu'minoon 23:2]: 
"It is the humility in the heart, and it is that you soften your side towards 
the Muslim, and that you do not look around during your Prayer."[9] 

And 'Ataa' Ibnus-Saa'ib said: From a man: From 'Alee (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who 
said, "Humility (khushoo') is the humility of the heart, and that you do not 
look around to the right, nor the left." 

And 'Alee Ibn Abee Talhah said: From Ibn 'Abbaas (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who 
said concerning the statement of Allaah the Exalted, "Those who are humble in 
their Prayer.": "They are fearful and tranquil." 

And Ibn [10] Shawdhab said: From al-Hasan (rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa)who said, 
"They used to have khushoo' in their hearts, so due to that, they lowered 
their gaze in the Prayer." 

And Ibn Abee Najeeh said: From Mujaahid (rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa) who said 
concerning the statement of Allaah the Exalted: "And they were humble towards 
Us." [Sooratul-Anbiyaa' 21:90]: "Those who have humility (mutawaadi'een)." 
[11] And indeed Allaah the Exalted described the earth with khushoo' in His 
Book, so He said: 

"And from His Signs is that you see the earth stilled (khaashi'ah).  So when 
We send water down upon it, it trembles and grows." [Sooratul-Fussilat 41:39] 

So this trembling and growth raises it removing its khushoo', so this shows 
that the khushoo' which it was upon was its tranquility and ease.  Likewise 
therefore, is the heart; so it soothes its inclinations and base desires - 
which emanate from following passions - and it becomes subjugated and 
subservient to Allaah.  So due to that, whatever it has inside from 
arrogance, haughtiness and pride is removed, and when that tranquility takes 
place in the heart, all the body parts, limbs and movements become humble, to 
the extent that the humility reaches the voice.  And indeed Allaah the 
Exalted has described the voices with khushoo' in His statement: 

"And the voices will be humbled for ar-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful)." [Soorah 
Taa Haa 20:108] 

So the humility of the voices is their tranquility and ease after being 
raised. 

And likewise, the faces and eyes of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgement 
have been described with khushoo', so that proves the entering of khushoo' 
(humility) into all of the limbs.  And when man is forced to present humility 
in his limbs and body-parts, with a heart that is void of humility and 
detached from it; that is the hypocritical humility.  And this is something 
the Salaf used to seek refuge from, as one of them said, "Seek refuge from 
the hypocritical humility (khushoo'un-nifaaq)."  They said, 'And what is 
hypocritical humility?'  He said, "When you see the body humbled, but the 
heart is not humbled." [12] 

And 'Umar (radiyallaahu 'anhu) looked at a youth who was lowering his head, 
so he said to him, "What is this!  Raise your head, since the outward 
humility does not increase what is in the heart." 

So whoever manifests humility other than that which is in his heart, then it 
is only hypocrisy upon hypocrisy. 

And the basis of humility is what occurs in the heart, it is only attained 
through recognition (ma'rifah) of Allaah, and the recognition (ma'rifah) of 
His Magnificence, and the recognition of His Sublimity, and His Perfection; 
so the more one recognizes Allaah, the more humble he becomes.[13] 

And the humility (khushoo') of the hearts varies in accordance with the 
different levels of recognition (ma'rifah) for the person being humble, and 
it also differs with the heart's varying levels of observance of the 
attributes necessary for humility.  So whoever is intensely humble, his 
meditation upon the closeness of Allaah to His servant - which is in secrecy 
and in his innermost conscience - necessitates him developing shame in front 
of Allaah the Exalted, and contemplating over Him in his actions and moments 
of ease.  And whoever humbly meditates upon His Perfection and Beauty, it 
will necessitate his being immersed in love for Him, and ardently desiring to 
meet Him and see Him.  And whoever humbly meditates upon the severity of His 
Power, and His Revenge, and His Punishment; it necessitates that he become 
fearful of Him, and He is free of all imperfections, the Exalted, Compellor 
of the hearts which become enslaved for His sake.  And He is the one free of 
all imperfections, the Exalted, and the one who places his face upon the dust 
in prostration draws nearer to Him as a result, just as His servants draw 
nearer to Him, those who supplicate to Him, and ask Him, and those who seek 
forgiveness for their sins at daybreak; and He answers their supplications, 
and He gives them what they ask for, and the servant does not have any 
greater compellor of enslavement than the Nearness and Answering (of Allaah). 
 

Imaam Ahmad (d.241H) - rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa - relates in his book, 
az-Zuhd, [14] with his chain of narrators coming from 'Imraan Ibn Qaseer who 
said, "Moosaa ('alayhis-salaam) said, "My Lord, where can I attain Your 
Pleasure?"  He said, "(My servants) when their hearts are enslaved for My 
sake.  Verily I draw nearer to them by a hand-span everyday, so if that did 
not happen, they would be destroyed."" 

And Ibraaheem Ibnul-Junayd (rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa) relates in the book 
al-Muhabbah: From Ja'far Ibn Sulaymaan who said: I heard Maalik Ibn Deenaar 
saying, "Moosaa ('alayhis-salaam) said, "O Moosaa, (My servants) seek My 
Pleasure when their hearts are enslaved for My sake, so verily I draw nearer 
to them by a handspan everyday, and if that did not happen, they would have 
been destroyed.""  Ja'far said: So I said to Maalik Ibn Deenaar, "How are 
their hearts enslaved?"  He said, "I asked the one who read the book to me, 
so he said: I asked the one who asked 'Abdullaah Ibn Salaam about the 
enslavement of their hearts, how are they enslaved?  He said: They are 
enslaved by the love of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic." 

And indeed their occurs in the authentic Sunnah, that which testifies to the 
closeness of Allaah to the heart that is enslaved during His affliction, 
patient with the Decree of Allaah and pleased with it.  It is reported in 
Saheeh Muslim: From Abee Hurayrah (radiyallaahu 'anhu), from the Prophet 
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that he said, "Allaah the Mighty and Majestic 
will say upon the Day of Judgement, 'O son of Aadam, I fell ill and you did 
not visit Me.'  He will say, 'Lord, how could I visit You, and You are the 
Lord of the Worlds?'  He will say, 'Did you not know that My servant so and 
so was ill, and yet you did to visit him?  Did you not know that had you 
visited him, you would have found Me with him?'" [15] 

And Aboo Nu'aym relates by way of Hamzah Ibn Shawdhab who said, "Allaah 
revealed to Moosaa ('alayhis-salaam), 'Do you know for which reason I chose 
you over the rest of the people to carry My Message and My Speech?'  He said, 
'No, O Lord!'  He said, 'No one has shown more humility towards Me than your 
humility (tawaadu').'"  And this humility of his was khushoo', and it was 
beneficial knowledge, and was the first thing from knowledge to be raised up. 
 So an-Nisaa'ee [16] relates a hadeeth from Jubayr Ibn Nufayr (radiyallaahu 
'anhu): From 'Awf Ibn Maalik (radiyallaahu 'anhu) that the Messenger of 
Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) looked towards the sky one day and 
said, "This is a time when the knowledge will be raised up."  So a man from 
the Ansaar (the helpers) said that Zayd Ibn Labeed said to him, 'O Messenger 
of Allaah, will the knowledge be raised up whilst the hearts are still firmly 
established and heedful?'  The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa 
sallam) said to him, "Verily I thought that you were from the most 
knowledgeable people of al-Madeenah.", and he mentioned that the Jews and the 
Christians were misguided, even though the Book of Allaah the Mighty and 
Majestic was in front of them.  So he said, "'Awf Ibn Maalik has spoken 
truthfully, should I not inform you what will be the first thing to be raised 
up?"  I said, 'Yes.'  He said, "It is humility, until you will not even see 
one humble person." 

And at-Tirmidhee [17] relates a hadeeth from Jubayr Ibn Nufayr from 
Abud-Dardaa', and he informed him of what he said, so he said, "Abud-Dardaa' 
has spoken truthfully.  If you wish, I will inform you of the first knowledge 
to be raised up: the khushoo'; to the extent that if you enter a 
congregational mosque, then you will not see a single humble man in it."  And 
indeed it was said that the hadeeth of an-Nisaa'ee was more authentic. 

And Sa'eed Ibn Basheer related from al-Hasan (rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa): From 
Shaddaad Ibn Aws, from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) who said, 
"The first thing that will be raised up from the people will be khushoo'." so 
he mentioned the rest of it. [18] 

And it was related by Aboo Bakr Ibn Abee Maryam from Hamzah Ibn Habeeb in 
mursal [19] form.  And the like of it has been reported from Hudhayfah, from 
his statement. 

So the beneficial knowledge is that which brings glad tidings to the heart, 
so it obligates tranquility, fear, subjugation towards Allaah, humility, and 
humiliation.  If the knowledge does not bring glad tidings to the heart, and 
it is something that exists only upon the tongue, then it is the proof of 
Allaah upon the son of Aadam, established upon its possessor, or other than 
him.  Since Ibn Mas'ood (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said, that there would come a 
time when there would be a people reciting the Qur'aan, but it would not pass 
beyond their collarbones. [20] However, if it exists in the heart and becomes 
firmly rooted in it, it benefits its possessor.  And al-Hasan said, 
"Knowledge is of two types, the knowledge of the tongue, and the knowledge of 
the heart.  So the knowledge of the heart is the beneficial knowledge, and 
the knowledge of the tongue is the proof of Allaah upon the son of Aadam." 
[21] 

And it has been related in mursal form from al-Hasan (rahimahullaahu 
ta'aalaa) from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). [22] And he also 
reported it from Jaabir (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in marfoo' form [23] and it has 
also been reported by him from Anas (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in marfoo' form, 
[24] and its chain of narrators is not authentic. 

So the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) informed that the knowledge 
was with the people of the two books before us, and they were not benefited 
by anything from it, since they failed to realize its objective.  And if it 
had reached their hearts, they would have found the sweetness of eemaan 
(faith) by it, and it would have benefited them by connecting them to fear 
and turning their hearts around.  And if it is only upon their tongues, it 
will establish the proof of Allaah upon them. 

And due to this meaning, Allaah the Glorified described the scholars with 
fear (khashyah) in His Book, as Allaah the Exalted says: 

"Verily the most fearful of Allaah from His servants are the scholars." 
[Soorah Faatir 35:28] 

And He also says: 

"Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and 
standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord (like 
one who does not)?  Say, are those who know equal to those who do not know?  
Only the people of understanding will remember." [Sooratuz-Zumar 39:9] 

And the scholars from the people of the Book before us have been described 
with humility, as Allaah the Exalted says: 

"Say, believe in it, or do not believe.  Verily those who were given 
knowledge before it (the Qur'aan), when it is recited to them, they fall upon 
their faces in prostration.  And they say, "Glorified is our Lord!  Verily 
the Promise of our Lord has been fulfilled."  And they fall upon their faces 
weeping, and it  (the Qur'aan) increases them in humility." [Sooratul-Israa' 
17:107-109] 

And in the statement of Allaah the Exalted - in describing those who have 
been given knowledge - is praise for the one who develops khushoo' in his 
heart upon listening to the Book of Allaah, and Allaah the Exalted says: 

"So woe to those whose hearts have been hardened against the remembrance of 
Allaah, those are clearly misguided.  Allaah has sent down the best 
statement, a consistent Book wherein is reiteration.  The skins shiver 
therefrom of those who fear their Lord, then there skins and their hearts 
become soft at the remembrance of Allaah." [Sooratuz-Zumar 39:22-23] 

And the softness of the heart is when its harshness ceases to occur, and it 
develops humility and mildness. 

And indeed Allaah despises those who develop humility in their hearts upon 
hearing the Book of Allaah, and those who do not reflect upon it, Allaah the 
Exalted says: 

"Has the time not come for those who have believed, that their hearts should 
become humble at the remembrance of Allaah, and at what He has revealed of 
the truth?" [Sooratul-Hadeed 57:16] 

Ibn Mas'ood (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said, "We have not been rebuked by this 
aayah, except after having accepted Islaam four years ago."  It was related 
by Muslim, [25] and an-Nisaa'ee, [26] and he added to it, "So the Believers 
placed blame upon each other." 

And Ibn Maajah related a hadeeth from az-Zubayr (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who 
said, "We have not been rebuked after embracing Islaam, until the revelation 
of this aayah which occurred four years later." [27] 

And indeed many from amongst the righteous heard this aayah being recited, so 
they were affected by it in different ways, so from these effects was for one 
to die from it due to the aching of his heart from it, and from them was that 
one would repent and leave off what the aayah spoke of. [28] And indeed we 
have mentioned their reports in the book al-Istighnaa' bil-Qur'aan. [29] And 
Allaah the Exalted said: 

"And if We had sent this Qur'aan down upon a mountain, you would have seen it 
humbled and broken apart from fear of Allaah." [Sooratul-Hashr 59:21] 

Aboo 'Imraan al-Jawnee said, "By Allaah, indeed our Lord has directed our 
attention to this aayah of the Qur'aan, which if He had sent down upon the 
mountain, it would have been obliterated and flattened out by it." 


And Maalik Ibn Deenaar (rahimahullaah) read this aayah, then he said, "I 
swear to you, no servant believes in this Qur'aan, except that his heart is 
left aching."  And it is related from al-Hasan (rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa) that 
he said, "O son of Aadam, if Shaytaan whispers to you with a sin, or if you 
yourself are inclined towards it, then remember along with that what Allaah 
bestowed upon you from His Book; that which if it was bestowed upon an 
unshakable mountain, it would have been humbled and broken apart.  Have you 
not heard Him saying: 

"If We had sent down this Qur'aan upon a mountain, you would have seen it 
humbled and broken apart from fear of Allaah." [Sooratul-Hashr 59:21] 

So these parables are only presented to you so that you may reflect upon 
them, and so that you may receive admonishment with them from disobedience to 
Allaah the Mighty and Majestic.  And you - O son of Aadam - are most 
deserving of becoming humbled by the remembrance of Allaah, and by whatever 
you carry from His Book, and by whatever you have been given from His Wisdom; 
because you will be judged, and for you is either Paradise or the Fire. 

Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to seek refuge in 
Allaah from the heart that is not humble, as is found in Saheeh Muslim: From 
Zayd Ibn Arqam, that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to say, 
"O Allaah, verily I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, 
and from the heart that is not humble, and from the soul that is not content, 
and from the supplication that is not answered." [30] 

And the likes of this has been reported from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi 
wa sallam) through many paths. [31] 

And it is related from Ka'b al-Ahbaar that he said, it written in the Bible, 
"O 'Eesaa, he whose heart is not fearful, his knowledge will not benefit him, 
and his voice will not be heard, and his supplication will not be raised up." 

And Asad Ibn Moosaa said in the book al-Wara': Mubaarak Ibn Fudaalah informed 
us that al-Hasan (rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa) used to say when this Call from 
Allaah came to the Believers, they testified to its truth, and their firm 
belief expanded in their hearts; and their hearts, bodies and eyes became 
humbled before Allaah.  "By Allaah, when I see them, it is as if I am looking 
at a people with my own two eyes.  So by Allaah, they are not from the people 
of argumentation and falsehood, and they are not content, except with the 
Book of Allaah; and they do not manifest that which is not in their hearts.  
Rather, when a Command from Allaah comes to them, they testify to its truth; 
so Allaah the Exalted has favoured them in the Qur'aan with the best 
description.  So He says: 

"And the worshippers of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth 
gently, and when the ignorant address them, they say (words of) peace." 
[Sooratul-Furqaan 25:63] 

He said, "They are the gentle ones, they do not act ignorantly; and if others 
treat them ignorantly, they are mild.  They are accompanied by the servants 
of Allaah during their day by what they listen to, then they are engaged in 
remembrance during their nights, in the best part of the night.  So He said: 

"And those who spend the night prostrating and standing for their Lord." 
[Sooratul-Furqaan 25:54] 

Their tears run down their cheeks in fear of their Lord." 

And al-Hasan (rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa) said, "They remain sleepless at night 
due to a matter, and they remain humble during the day due to a certain 
matter.  He said: 

"And those who say: Our Lord, save us from the punishment of Hell, verily its 
punishment is ever adhering." [Sooratul-Furqaan 25:65] 

He said, "And everything that afflicts the son of Aadam and then leaves him, 
then it is not a loss.  The loss only remains as long as the skies and the 
earth remain."  He said, "How truthful is the position of those people - and 
by Allaah besides Whom there is no true Deity - so do good works, and you 
have been given a trust, so take care of this trust.  May Allaah have mercy 
upon you, since Allaah does not give a servant a better trust than His; 
whether it is in this world, or in the Hereafter."  And he used to say, "O 
what an admonishment, if only the hearts that are alive would take heed." 

Footnotes: 


[1] In al-Misriyyah: '.His Messenger.' 

[2] An authentic hadeeth related through many paths.  It was related by 
at-Tirmidhee (2/56), and al-Bayhaqee (7/12), from Anas; and its isnaad (chain 
of narrators) is weak (da'eef).  In it is al-Haarith Ibnun-Nu'maan.  It is 
also related from the hadeeth of Abee Sa'eed in Ibn Maajah (no.4126), and 
al-Khateeb in his Taareekh (4/111), and in it is Abul-Mubaarak and he is 
unknown, and Yazeed Ibn Sinaan and there is weakness in him.  Indeed 
Ibnul-Jawzee ruled it to be weak in al-Mawdoo'aat (3/141), and 
Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah doubted its authenticity in Majmoo'ul-Fataawaa 
(18/326), and he ruled it to be weak in Ahaadeethul-Qisaas (p. 101).  And our 
shaykh, al-Albaanee has authenticated it in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah 
(no. 308) after mentioning it with the narration of 'Abd Ibn Humayd in 
al-Muntajib minal-Musnad (2/110) from Abee Sa'eed.  Its isnaad is hasan due 
to itself, this has remained hidden from many of the scholars of Hadeeth of 
the past.  So there is no doubt that the hadeeth is saheeh (authentic) due to 
other than itself.  I say, the poverty mentioned in the hadeeth is humility 
and submissiveness, as Ibnul-Atheer says in an-Nihaayah (2/380). 

[3] This is part of a long hadeeth related by al-Bukhaaree (1/117), Muslim 
(no. 1599), Ibn Maajah (no. 3984), ad-Daarimee (2/245), and Ahmad (4/269); 
from Nu'maan Ibn Basheer (radiyallaahu 'anhu). 

[4] The first narration is related by Muslim (no. 771), at-Tirmidhee (no. 
3417), Aboo Daawood (no. 760), an-Nisaa'ee (2/130), Aboo Ya'laa (no. 284, 
574), and Ahmad (1/94); from 'Alee (radiyallaahu 'anhu).  And the second 
narration is related by Ahmad in al-Musnad (1/119), also from 'Alee 
(radiyallaahu 'anhu). 

[5] Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah attributed it to 'Umar Ibnul-Khattaab 
(radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Majmoo'ul-Fataawaa (18/273). 

[6] It has been reported from Sa'eed by Ibnul-Mubaarak in az-Zuhd (no. 1188), 
and there is anonymity in it. 

[7] Translators Note: Shaykh 'Abdul-Muhsin al-'Abbaad says, "The marfoo' 
(raised) narration is anything that can be attached to the Messenger of 
Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) from statements, tacit approvals, or a 
ruling; and it is of six types, and they are: 

1) al-Qawlee Sareehan (clear statement): The example of this is when a 
Companion says, 'I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa 
sallam) say such and such.', or he says it himself, or other than him, that 
the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said such and such.  
2) al-Fi'lee Sareehan (clear action): The example of this is when a 
Companions says, 'I saw the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa 
sallam) do such and such.', or he does it himself, or other than him, that 
the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) did such and such. 3) 
at-Taqreeree Sareehan (clear approval): The example of this is when the 
Companion says, 'I did such and such in the presence of the Messenger of 
Allaah.', or he says it himself, or other than him, that a person did such 
and such in the presence of the Prophet, and he did not disapprove of it. 4) 
al-Qawlee Hukman (decisive statement): The example of this is when a 
Companion - not known to take from the People of the Book - makes a statement 
which could not possibly be his own opinion or reasoning (ijtihaad), and it 
is not built around something obscure, nor does it have a problematic 
explanation; like the reports about matters that have preceded, such as the 
beginning of creation, or reports about matters to come, such as the fitan 
(trials/tribulations), and the descriptions of the Day of Judgement.  And 
likewise are the reports about action by which one attains a specific reward, 
or a specific punishment.  5) al-Fi'lee Hukman (decisive action): The example 
of this is when a Companion performs an action that could not possibly come 
from his own opinion, such as 'Alee Ibn Abee Taalib (radiyallaahu 'anhu) 
performing more than two bowings in every rak'ah of Salaatul-Kusoof (the 
Prayer for an Eclipse).  6) at-Taqreeree Hukman (tacit approval): The example 
of this is when a Companion informs that they used to do something in the 
time of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and he did not prohibit 
them from this. 

And from the versions of reports that require rafa' (making marfoo') are the 
statements of the Companions, 'Such and such is from the Sunnah.', and 'We 
were commanded with such and such.', or 'We were prohibited from such and 
such.'  Or it is when the Companion judges an action from the actions to be 
obedience to Allaah, or to His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam); 
such as the statement of 'Ammaar Ibn Yaasir (radiyallaahu 'anhu): "Whosoever 
fasts upon the day of doubt, then indeed he has disobeyed Abul-Qaasim 
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)." It was related by al-Bukhaaree (4/119), and 
by the People of the Sunan." Refer to Min-Ateebil-Manah fee 'Ilmil-Mustalah 
(p. 46-47) of al-'Allaamah 'Abdul-Muhsin al-'Abbaad. 

[8] It is mentioned by as-Suyootee in al-Jaami'us-Sagheer (no. 4284), and he 
attributed it to al-Hakeem at-Tirmidhee, from Abee Hurayrah, and he did 
likewise in ad-Durrul-Manthoor (5/3).  And he pointed out its weakness, and 
more than one person from amongst the scholars have weakened it, and what is 
correct is that it is fabricated (mawdoo'), since in its chain of narration 
is Sulaymaan Ibn 'Amr.  Ibn 'Adee says in al-Kamaal (3/1100), "There is 
consensus upon him that he fabricated hadeeth." 

[9] It is related by Ibnul-Mubaarak in az-Zuhd (no. 1148), and by at-Tabaree 
in his Tafseer (18/2), and by al-Haakim (2/393).  And it is mentioned by 
as-Suyootee in ad-Durrul-Manthoor (5/3), and he additionally attributed to 
'Abdur-Razzaaq, al-Firyaabee, 'Abd Ibn Humayd, Ibnul-Mundhir, Ibn Abee 
Haatim, and al-Bayhaqee.  And his statement, '.your side.' means, '.your 
shoulders.' 

[10] In the published version, it says 'Aboo'.  And the correct position is 
what we have affirmed, and his biography can be found in Tahdheebut-Tahdheeb 
(5/255). 

[11] It is found in his Tafseer (1/415). 

[12] It is mentioned by as-Suyootee in ad-Durrul-Manthoor (5/3), and he 
attributed it to Ibnul-Mubaarak, and Ahmad reported it in az-Zuhd, and Ibn 
Abee Shaybah reported it from Abud-Dardaa'. 

[13] Translators Note: This aspect of ma'rifatullaah (the recognition of 
Allaah) was stated by Imaam al-Bukhaaree (d.256H) - rahimahullaah - when he 
said, "Chapter: the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam): 'I 
have more knowledge of Allaah than you all.' And that ma'rifah (recognition) 
is an action of the heart about which Allaah the Exalted says: "But He will 
call you to account for what your hearts have earned." [Sooratul-Baqarah 
2:225]" Refer to his Saheeh (1/88). 

And the al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab himself commented, "So hearts will not be 
corrected until the ma'rifah of Allaah - being in awe of Him, loving Him, 
fearing Him, relying and trusting in Him, hoping in Him - is not firmly 
implanted in them.  This is the reality of Tawheed and the meaning of the 
statement Laa ilaahaa illallaah (None has the right to be worshipped except 
Allaah). So the hearts cannot be corrected until Allaah is made the ilaah 
(deity) to be known, loved, feared and hoped for; and that He becomes the 
only deity (ilaah) worthy of this - without associating any partners with Him 
in this.  So know that the world - whatever is above and whatever is below in 
the waters - will not be corrected, except when the actions of its people are 
all for Allaah's sake.  Since the actions of the body follow from the actions 
and intentions of the heart, then when the heart's actions and intentions are 
only to Allaah alone, then it is corrected, and all the actions of the body 
will likewise be corrected. However, if the actions and intentions of the 
heart are directed to other than Allaah, then it is corrupted, and likewise, 
all the actions of the body will be corrupted in proportion to how much the 
heart has been corrupted."  Refer to Jaami'ul-'Uloom wal-Hikam (p. 120) of 
Ibn Rajab. 

[14] Refer to (p. 61-69) from it, and it is not authentic. 

[15] It is related by Muslim (no. 2569). 

[16] It is in al-Kubraa (3/42), as is found in Tuhfatul-Ashraaf (8/211).  And 
it is related by al-Bazzaar (no. 232), Ahmad (6/26), and by at-Tabaraanee in 
al-Kabeer (18/43), and in his Musnadush-Shaamiyyeen (no. 6867). 

[17] It is related in his Jaami' (no. 2655). 

[18] It is related by Ahmad (6/26-27), and by at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer (no. 
7183).  And it was authenticated by our shaykh in Saheehul-Jaami' (no. 2573), 
and refer to Majma'uz-Zawaa'id (2/136). 

[19] Translators Note: Shaykh 'Abdul-Muhsin al-'Abbaad - hafidhahullaah - 
says: "The mursal is that which a taabi'ee raises to the Messenger of Allaah 
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), as if he is saying, "The Messenger of Allaah 
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said or did such and such."  It is derived 
from the statement, 'A she-camel is sent (rasala)', that is to say, it is 
faster.  So it is as if the mursal is a faster path to the hadeeth, since 
some of the isnaad is omitted.  The mursal is included with the rejected 
types of hadeeth, since we mention it with ignorance of the omitted narrator. 
 He could be a Companion, a taabi'ee, or trustworthy (thiqah), or other than 
trustworthy."  Refer to Min Ateebil-Manah (p. 27). 

[20] Translators Note: 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood (radiyallaahu 'anhumaa) said, 
"We used to learn ten aayaat, not increasing upon them until we had 
implemented them."  It is related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree with a saheeh 
chain of narrators.  Refer to Basaa'ir Dhush-Sharaf (p. 138) of Saleem 
al-Hilaalee.  Aboo 'Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sulamee (rahimahullaah) said, "Verily we 
took this Qur'aan from a people about whom it was related to us, that if they 
learned ten aayaat, they would not move onto another ten until they had 
learned what was in them.  So we used to learn the Qur'aan and implement it.  
Verily the Qur'aan will be inherited by a people after us who will retain it 
in a way that water is retained.  It will not pass beyond their collarbones, 
rather it will not pass beyond here." - and he put his hand upon his throat." 
 Refer to at-Tabaqaatul-Kubraa (6/172) of Ibn Sa'd. 

[21] It is related by ad-Daarimee (1/102) who made a judgement upon it, and 
its chain of narrators is authentic. 

[22] It is related by Ibn 'Abdul-Barr in his Jaami' (1/190), and by 
as-Suyootee mentions it in al-Jaami'us-Sagheer (no. 3882), and he 
additionally attributed it to Ibn Abee Shaybah, and al-Haakim. 

[23] It is related by al-Khateeb in his Taareekh (4/346), and in it is 
weakness and anonymity (jihaalah). 

[24] It is related by Aboo Nu'aym and ad-Daylamee, as is found in 
Faydul-Qadeer (4/391). 

[25] Related by Muslim (no. 3027) 

[26] It is found in the tafseer of his al-Kubraa, as can be seen in 
Tuhfatul-Ashraaf (7/70). 

[27] It is related by Ibn Maajah (no. 4192) 

[28] This is found in the hadeeth of Fudayl Ibn 'Iyaad, and refer to 
ar-Risaalatul-Qushayriyyah (no. 11), and Tabaqaatul-Awliyaa (no. 267) of Ibn 
Muflih. 

[29] It is mentioned by al-Baghdaadee in Hadyatul-'Aarifeen, as is mentioned 
by Dr. Hammaam Sa'eed in al-'Ilal fil-Hadeeth (p. 255).  And I did not expect 
to find it there, and he also mentioned that it is missing. 

[30] It is related by Muslim (no. 2722), Ahmad (4/371), and an-Nisaa'ee 
(8/260). 

[31] The author (rahimahullaah) mentions this hadeeth and some of its 
narrated meanings in his treatise Fadl 'Ilmus-Salaf 'alal-Khalaf (p. 23) with 
my checking, so refer to its verification there. 


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