Explaining the Pillars of Iman
Creator: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-`Uthaymeen
Date: 2007-07-07
Format: text
Identifier: http://web.archive.org/web/20031208182407/oregonstate.edu/groups/msa/books/explainingiman.html
Language: en
Subject: iman
Title: Explaining the Pillars of Iman
Created on: Sat Jul 07 13:43:39 -0400 2007
Updated on: Sat Jul 07 13:43:39 -0400 2007
Version: 1
Abstract: ... ll: Gibreal is the honorable angels whom Allah sends down with revelation to the Prophets and Messengers. Mikaeel is the angel who is controlling rain and vegetation, by the order of Allah. Israfil is the angel who must blow in the Horn when the Hour (Last Day) has started and when it is time to resurrect the dead. Malik is the keeper and supervisor of Hell. The angel of death captures the souls at death. There are angels who supervise fetuses in the wombs. When a fetus is four months old, Allah sends down an angel and orders him to record the fetus's sustenance, maximum age, deeds and if miserable (destined to Hell) or happy (destined to Paradise). There are angels who record deeds of mankind. They have a record of everyone's deeds. There are two angels for each person, one to the right and the other to the left. There are other angels who question the dead when they are in their graves. Two angels come to all dead persons and ask each of them about the Lord he worshipped, the religion he followed and the Messenger he obeyed. Benefits of Believing In The Angels 1 - Knowing Allah's Might, Strength and Power. All the strength of creation is a sign of the Strength of the Creator. 2 - Thanking Allah because He takes care of mankind. He appointed angels to protect them, record their deeds and other beneficial tasks. 3 - Loving the angels because they are true worshippers of Allah. Some misguided people reject that the angels exist in a physical form. They claim that the angels are the potential for good that creation possesses. This is a direct rejection to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger and the ljmaa' (consensus) of Muslims. Allah said, what translated means, (All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the (Only) Originator of the heavens and the earth, Who made the Angels messengers with wings, two or three or four.) [35:1], (And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve (at death), they smite their faces and their backs.) [8:50], (And if you could but see when the unjust (disbelievers) are in the agonies of death, while the angels are stretching forth their hands (saying): "Deliver your souls.") [6:93], (Until when fear is banished from their (the angels') hearts, they (the angels) say. "What is that your Lord has said?" They say: "The Truth." And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) [34:23] and, (And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): "Peace be upon you for that you preserved in patience! Excellent indeed is the final Home (Paradise).") [13:23-24]. The Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, "When Allah likes a slave, He calls on Gibreal, saying: 'Allah loves so and so (person), therefore, love him.' Then, Gibreal loves him. Afterwards, Gibreal calls on the inhabitants of heaven, saying: 'Allah loves so and so (person), therefore, love him.' Then, the people of heaven love him. Afterwards acceptance (among the community of believers) will be granted for him in earth." [Al-Bukhari] and, "When the day of Friday comes, there stand angels at each of the Masjid's doors. They record the first then the next (one to come to the Masjid). When the Imam sits down (waiting for the call to prayer to end so he can start the speech), they close the books and they come to listen to the Thikr (the remembrance of Allah contained in the Friday speech)." [Al- Bukhari]. The above texts are clear in their meaning that the angels have physical forms and are not a state of the mind, as the misguided claim. The true meaning of these texts, which states that the angels exist in a physical form, is accepted by the entire Ummah.Back Chapter 6 Belief in the Books Kutub (books) is plural for Kitab (a book). They are called Kutub because they are written (maktoob). Books, here, means the Books that Allah sent down to His Messengers as a mercy and guidance for mankind. These Books are designed to lead mankind to what brings them happiness in this life and in the Hereafter. There are four aspects of believing in the Books 1 - To believe that they are truly sent down by Allah. 2 - To believe in the Books that mankind were informed of, like the Quran, sent down to Mohammad, the Torah, sent down to Moses, the Injil (the Gospel), sent down to Jesus and the Zaboor (the Psalms), sent down to David. We also believe in the other Books, sent down by Allah, even though we do not know their names. 3 - To believe in whatever the Books contained, like whatever is contained in the Quran and sections of previous Books that have not been corrupted. 4 - To implement the Commandments contained in these Books, unless Allah commanded to the contrary through Naskh (overruling). We must accept whatever these Books contained of Commandments, even if we do not know the wisdom behind them. All previous Books were overruled by the Quran. Allah said, what translated means, (And We have sent down to you (O Mohammad) the Book (this Quran) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and dominant over it.) [5:48]. This means that the Quran is dominant over all other Books. Therefore, no Commandment contained in other than the Quran can be implemented unless it is in agreement with the Quran. Benefits Of Believing In The Books 1 - Knowing that Allah takes care of His slaves by sending down Books for their guidance. 2 - Knowing Allah's Wisdom in whatever He commands. He commanded each nation with what is suitable for them, (To each among you, We have prescribed a Law and a Clear Way.) [5:48]. 3 - Thanking Allah for His bounties, because He sent down these Books to lead mankind to guidance.Back Chapter 7 Belief in the Messengers The Messengers are sent to deliver a Message. They are the ones to whom Allah has sent down revelation and who convey His Law to mankind. Allah ordered them to deliver these Messages. The first Messenger to be sent was Noah and the last one was Mohammad. Allah said, what translated means, (Verily, We have inspired you (O Mohammad) as We inspired Noah and the Prophets after him.) [4:163]. Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet said, during his Hadith about Shafa'ah (the right of intercession on mankind's behalf that Allah grants to His Messenger on the Last Day), "Mankind come to Adam to intercede on their behalf but he declines, saying: 'Go to Noah, the First Messenger that Allah sent...'" [Al-Bukhari]. Also, Allah said, what translated means, (Mohammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the Last (end) of Prophets.) [33:40]. Allah sent Messengers to every nation and provided them with Laws that their nations must follow. Some Messengers were sent to revive a Message of a previous Messenger. Allah said, what translated means, (And verily, We have sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah (alone), and avoid all Taghut (false deities).") [16:36], (And there never was a nation but a warner had passed among them.) [35:24] and, (Verily, We did send down the Torah (to Moses), therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judged the Jews.) [5:44]. The Messengers are only humans and they do not possess any attributes that qualify them to be gods. Allah described His Messenger, Mohammad, the master of all Messengers and the best of mankind, saying, what translated means, (Say (O Mohammad): "I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allah will. If I had the knowledge of the Unseen, I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe.") [7:188] and, (Say (O Mohammad): "It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path." Say: (O Mohammad): "None can protect me from Allah's punishment (if I were to disobey Him), nor should I find refuge except in Him." ) [72:21]. The Messengers are only humans. They get sick and they die, they need to eat and drink and they have other human needs. Abraham described his Lord, saying, as was mentioned in the Quran, ("And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink. And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me; And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again).") [26:79-81]. Also, the Prophet said, what translated means, "I am only human, just like you, I forget as you forget, therefore, when I forget, remind me." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]. Allah described the Messengers, while praising them, that they reached the highest attainable degrees in worshipping Him. He said about Noah, what translated means, (Verily, he was a grateful slave.) [17:3], and about Mohammad, (Blessed be He Who sent down the Criterion (of right and wrong, this Quran) to His slave (Mohammad) that he may be a Warner to the 'Alamin (Mankind and the Jinn).) [25:1], and about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, (And remember Our slaves, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and (also) of religious understanding. Verily, We did choose them by granting them the Remembrance of the home (in the Hereafter). And they are in Our Sight, verily, of the Chosen and the Best.) [38:45-47], and about Jesus, (He was not more than a slave. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel.) [43:59]. Belief In The Messengers Has Four Parts 1 - To believe that their Messages are truly from Allah. Whoever disbelieves in one Messenger, will have disbelieved in all Messengers. Allah said, what translated means, (The people of Noah belied the Messengers.) [26:105]. Allah considered the people of Noah disbelievers in all Messengers, although they only disbelieved in one Messenger. Therefore, the Christians, who disbelieve in Mohammad and do not follow him, are disbelievers in Jesus, the son of Mary. Jesus gave the glad tidings of the coming of Mohammad to the Christians. These glad tidings will be of no benefit to the Christians if they do not follow Mohammad to guidance and the Straight Path. 2 - To believe in the Messengers whom we were told about, like Mohammad, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Noah. These are the five strongest Messengers. Allah mentioned them in two versus of the Quran, (And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their Covenant, and from you (O Mohammad), and from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, son of Mary.) [33:7] and, (He (Allah) has ordained for you the same Religion (Islam) which He ordained for Noah, and that which We have inspired in you (O Mohammad), and that which We ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus, saying you should establish Religion (by implementing the Commandments) and make no divisions in it.) [42:13]. We must also believe in all other Messengers and Prophets whose names were not mentioned to us, (And, indeed We have sent Messengers before you (O Mohammad), of them some We have related to you their story and some We have not related to you their story.) [40:78]. 3 - To believe in all what the Messengers have conveyed to us. 4 - To implement the Laws of the Messenger who was sent to us, Mohammad, the final Messenger. Allah sent Mohammad to all mankind, (But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Mohammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.) [4:65]. Benefits Of Believing In The Messengers 1 - Knowing how Allah takes care of His slaves by sending them Messengers to guide them to His Path. The Messengers teach their nations how to worship Allah, because the human mind cannot know how Allah should be worshipped without guidance from Him. 2 - Thanking Allah for this great bounty. 3 - Dutifully loving, respecting and praising the Messengers of Allah. They are Allah's Messengers, they worshipped Him, conveyed His Message and gave the best advice to His slaves. Many rebellious people rejected their Messengers, claiming that Allah's Messengers cannot be human. All mentioned this claim and refuted it, (And nothing prevented men from believing when the Guidance came to them, except that they said: "Has Allah sent a man as (His) Messenger?" Say: "If there were on the earth, angels walking about, in peace and security, We should certainly have sent down for them from the heaven an angel as a Messenger.") [17:94-95]. Allah refuted this claim, saying that the Messengers must be sent from among humans, because they are sent to the people of earth, who are humans. If the inhabitants of earth were angels, then Allah would have sent Messengers from among the angels to them. Allah mentioned what the disbelievers in the Messengers said, ("You are no more than human beings like us! You wish to turn us away from what our fathers used to worship. Then bring us a clear authority (a clear sign that supports what you say)." Their Messengers said to them: "We are no more than human beings like you, but Allah bestows His grace to whom He will of His salves. It is not ours to bring you an authority (proof) except by the permission of Allah.") [14:10-11].Back Chapter 8 Belief in the Last Day The Last Day is the Day when mankind will be resurrected to be asked about their deeds and receive reward or punishment for them. It is called "the Last Day," because it is the last day, no day after that. Afterwards, people of Paradise will permanently reside and take their places in it, and people of Hell will permanently reside and take their places in it. Belief In The Last Day Has Three Parts 1 - To believe in the Resurrection. The Resurrection happens when the Horn will be blown for the second time. Afterwards, mankind will be resurrected to face the questioning by the Lord of the worlds. They will neither be wearing shoes nor circumcised, and they will be naked and visible to others on this state, (however, everyone will be absolutely preoccupied with what they are going to face and the hardship of the Day of Resurrection). Allah said, what translated means, (As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.) [21:104]. The Resurrection is a true event that the Quran, the Sunnah and the consensus of Muslims have confirmed. Allah said, what translated means, (After that, surely you will die. Then (again), surely, you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection.) [23:15-16]. The Prophet said, what translated means, "On the Day of Resurrection, Mankind will be resurrected while they are bear-footed and naked." [Al- Bukhari & Muslim]. The Muslims are unanimous on confirming the Day of Resurrection. This is the wisdom of Allah, for He decreed that creation will have a day of reckoning for their deeds after He sent them Messengers to inform them of His Commandments. He said, what translated means, (Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?) [23:115] and, (Verily, He Who has given you (O Mohammad) the Quran will surely bring you back to the Ma'ad (place of retum).) [28:85]. 2 - To believe in the Reckoning. In the Last Day, the slave will be rewarded or punished for his deeds. This fact was also confirmed by the Quran, the Sunnah and the consensus of Muslims. Allah said, what translated means, (Verily, to Us will be their return. Then verily, for Us will be their Reckoning.) [88:25-26], (Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged.) [6:160] and, (And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We as Reckoners.) [21:47]. The Prophet said, what translated means, "Allah will bring the believer closer to Him, and will shield him form being exposed (for his evil deeds in front of everyone). He will say: 'Do you remember such and such (evil) deed? Do you remember such and such (evil) deed?' He will say: 'Yes, O my Lord!' When He gets his confessions for his evil deeds, and he (the salve) thinks that he is close to destruction, He will say: 'I have preserved you (from being exposed in front of others for these evil deeds) during your lifetime. Today, I forgive them for you.' Then, he will be given his record of deeds. As for the disbelievers and the hypocrites, they will be called in public: 'These are the ones who lied on their Lord (did not follow His Guidance sent down with their Prophets). Therefore, Allah's curse will befall the unjust ones.'" [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] and, "Whoever intends to perform a good deed, and performs it, Allah will record it for him as ten deeds, to seven hundredfold, to many more folds. Whoever intends to commit and evil deed, and commits it, Allah will record it as one evil deed." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]. Muslims are unanimous that the Day of Reckoning will come. This is the Wisdom of Allah. He revealed the Books, sent down the Messengers and commanded that they be accepted, followed and obeyed. He commanded that whoever oppose them (the Books and the Messengers) are to be fought. He permitted shedding their blood, and the seizure of their children, women and possessions. If there will not be a Day of Reckoning, then this Commandment will be time wasted. Allah is immune form such joyful play, (Then surely, We shall question those (people) to who it (the Book) was sent and verity, We shall question the Messengers. Then surely, We shall narrate unto them (their whole story) with knowledge, and indeed We were not absent.) [7:6-7]. 3 - To believe in Paradise and Hell. They are the final destination for whoever deserves either one of them, and for eternity. Paradise is the destination of the ultimate happiness and joy that Allah prepared for the believers who feared Him, believed in what He required from them to believe and obeyed Him and His Messenger. They are the ones who were sincere to Allah and followers of His Messenger. Paradise contains, of Allah's bounties, "What no eye has ever violated, what no ear has ever heard of and what no mind has ever imagined (of joys that Allah hid for the believers)." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]. Allah said, what translated means, (Verity, those who believe (in Allah) and do righteous, good deeds, they are the best of creatures. Their reward with their Lord is Gardens of Eternity, underneath which rivers flow, they will abide therein for ever, Allah Well-Pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord.) [98:7-8] and, (No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.) [32:17]. As for Hell, it is the destination of torment and punishment that Allah prepared for the unjust disbelievers. They are the ones who disbelieved in Him and disobeyed His Messengers. Hell contains kinds of punishment and torment that no one could ever imagine. Allah said, what translated means (And fear the Fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers.) [3:131], (We have prepared for the wrongdoers, a Fire whose walls will be surrounding them. And if they ask for help they will be granted water like boiling oil that will scald their faces. Terrible the drink, and an evil dwelling.) [18:29] and, (Verily, Allah has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire (Hell). Wherein, they will abide for ever, and they will find neither a protector nor a helper. On the Day when their faces will be turned and rolled from all sides in the fire, they will say: "Oh, would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger (Mohammed).") [33:64-66]. Belief in Life After Death Believing in the Last Day requires Muslims to also believe in life after death and in the following: a - The questioning in the grave. The dead will be asked, in their graves, about the lord, the religion and the Prophet they followed during their lifetime. Allah will lead the believer to say what is necessary, saying, "Allah is my Lord. My religion is Islam. My Prophet is Mohammad." As for the unjust, Allah will lead him to misguidance, saying, in answer to the above questions, "What! What! I do not know." Also, the hypocrites and the ones who always had doubts about Allah, the religion and the Prophet, will say, "I do not know. I heard people say something and I followed them." b - The torment or joy in the grave. The unjust, the disbelievers and the hypocrites, will be tormented in their graves. Allah said, what translated means, (And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the agonies of death, while the angels are stretching forth their hands (saying): "Deliver your souls; this day you shall be recompensed with the torment of degradation because of what you used to utter against Allah other than the truth. And you used to reject His Ayat (proofs, signs, evidences, etc.) with disrespect.") [6:93] and about Pharaoh's household, (The Fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon, and on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): "Cause Pharaoh's people to enter the severest Torment.") [40:46]. Zaid ibn Thabit narrated that the Prophet said to his companions, what translated means, "I would have asked Allah to let you hear what I am hearing from the punishment in the grave, but for the fear that you would not bury each other after that." Then the Prophet turned his face towards them, saying, "Seek refuge in Allah from the torment of the Fire." They said, "We seek refuge in Allah from the torment of the Fire." He said, "Seek refuge in Allah from the torment of the grave." They said, "We seek refuge in Allah from the torment of the grave." He said, "Seek refuge in Allah from all calamities, apparent or hidden." They said, "We seek refuge in Allah from all calamities, apparent or hidden." He said, "Seek refuge in Allah from the calamity of Al-A'war Ad-Dajjal." [Muslim]. .Yal (the False Messiah)." They said, "We seek refuge As for joys of the grave, they are given to the believers. Allah said, what translated means, (Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allah (alone)," and then they stood fast on them (these words that they say), on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear you not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised.") [41:30] and, (Then why do you not (intervene) when (the soul of a dying person) reaches the throat? And you at the moment are looking on? But We (our angels who take the soul) are Nearer to him than you, but you see not. Then why do you not, if you are exempt from the reckoning and recompense (punishment). Bring back the soul (to its body), if you are truthful? Then if he (the dying person) be of those near ones (close to Allah), (there is for him) rest and provisions, and a Garden of Delights (Paradise).) [56:83- 89]. Al-Baraa' ibn 'Azib narrated that the Prophet said about the believer, that after he is asked by the angels (about the lord, the religion and the Messenger he followed) and after he replies (saying that his Lord is Allah, his religion is Islam and his Messenger is Mohammad), "A caller from heaven will say: 'My slave has said the truth. Therefore, furnish him (his grave) from Paradise, dress him from Paradise and open a door for him to Paradise.'" Then he said, "He will receive from its tranquility and perfume. His grave will be enlarged for him the distance that his sight reaches." [Ahmad & Abu Dawood]. Benefits of Believing in the Last Day 1 - The desire to do righteous, good deeds, seeking the good results in the Last Day. 2 - The fear from committing and approving of evil deeds, fearing the torment of the Day of Reckoning. 3 - The believer feels that this belief makes him forget the hardships he faces in this life. He is preoccupied with working righteousness trying to reach the joys and good rewards of the Last Day. Some disbelievers reject the idea of life after death, saying that this is not possible. This claim is false. Religion, the senses and the mind are used to refute this claim. As for religion, Allah said, what translated means, (The disbelievers pretend that they will never be resurrected (for the account). Say (O Mohammad): "Yes! By my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will be informed of (and recompensed for) what you did, and that is easy for Allah.") [64:7]. All Scriptures are unanimous on this matter. As for the senses, Allah demonstrated to his slaves how He raised the dead in this life. In Surat Al-Baqarah (chapter 2 of the Quran) Allah mentioned five examples: 1 - The People of Moses said to him, "We will not believe in you unless we see Allah without a barrier." They were seized by death and then Allah resurrected them. To remind the Children of Israel with this story, Allah said, what translated means, (And (remember) wh... [Full Article...]
