Shaykh Uthaymeen: Then what is worse than that; is some Muslims celebrate the New Year, and they glorify it and venerate it, and it is connected to the religious occasion of the Christians;

Shaykh Uthaymeen: Then what is worse than that; is some Muslims celebrate the New Year,and they glorify it and venerate it, and it is connected to the religious occasion of the Christians; which is;  what? The birthday of the Messiah Eesa ibn Maryam peace be upon him. Thus celebrating New Year's Eve, yes, in relation with the birth of the Messiah; this is rejoicing with their religious rites and practices. And rejoicing with kufr practices — if the person who is pleased with this is safe from disbelief — then it is as ibn Al Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him said in his book, ‘the ruling on the dhimmi ’ it is more severe than being pleased with drinking alcohol and worshiping the cross.

Thus the affair is very dangerous O brothers. It is not permissible for the person to celebrate Christmas; if he is a Muslim. And it is not permissible for him to congratulate them for thisholiday; if he is a Muslim. And it is not permissible for him to respond to this greeting if they congratulate him for this holiday; if he is a Muslim.

Subhan'Allah! Shall we congratulate them for a holiday which is considered as a religious practice? And is this anything other than being pleased with disbelief? But most of those who congratulate them do not intend to exalt their religion or practices, but rather they only intend what; to be courteous. And this is incorrect.

If someone says; I am courteous to them because they are courteous to me and they congratulate me for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. We say: Alhamdulillah. If they congratulate you with Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr, then they have congratulated you for legislated holiday, which Allah has made for His slaves. And it is mandatory for Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr to be their holidays, because it is obligatory upon them to accept Islam. But if you congratulate them for Christmas then you are congratulating them for a holiday which Allah has not designated as a holiday.

Thus Christmas has no basis in history and it has no basis in the religious legislation. Eesa ibnMaryam did not command them to establish this holiday. Thus it is either that, which was entered into the religion of the Messiah as innovation and misguidance, or it was prescribed in the legislation of Eesa ibn Maryam but it has been abrogated by the legislation of Islam.Therefore it has no basis by any estimation. Because if we said it is from the innovation of the Christians and it is not from their legislation; then it is misguidance. And if we said it is fromtheir legislation, then it has been abrogated; and to worship Allah with an abrogated religion is misguidance; thus it is misguidance by any estimation. And because it is misguidance, how is it befitting for me — while I am a Muslim — to congratulate them for it?!

And we have answered the issue of them congratulating us for our Eid and us not congratulating them for their holiday because our Eid has been legislated by Allah the Exalted; while their holiday is not legislated. This is because it has either been fabricated in their legislation or abrogated by our legislation. Thus it has no basis in any regard. 

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee

The Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) informed us about the differing which would take place among his nation after his death

A. The Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) informed us in a narration which is authentically

reported from him(1) that the Jews divided into seventy-one sects, the

Christians into seventy-two sects, and that this nation (i.e. the

Muslims) will be divided into seventy-three sects, and that all of these

sects will be in the Fire except one, and they are those who tread the

path of the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions.

This sect is the Saved Sect that has been saved in this life from

Bida' (innovations), and will be saved in the Hereafter from the Fire.

Moreover, this will be the Victorious Group that will prevail

upholding the Word of Allah until the Last Hour.

Some people have attempted to specify these seventy-three sects,

of which one is following the truth and the remainder are upon

falsehood. They have divided the innovators into five categories and

designated for each category branches in order that the number

reaches that specified by the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam). 

Others consider that it is

better to refrain from enumerating them, because these sects are not

the only sects who have gone astray; infact, people have strayed more

than they had previously, and other sects came into being after these

seventy-two had been defined. They say that this number will not end

and it is not possible to know its end, except at the end of time when

the Hour is established.

Therefore, it is more appropriate to treat generalize what the

Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) generalized, and say that this nation will divide into

seventy-three sects, all of whom will be in the Fire except one.

Moreover, we say that all those who contradict what was followed by

the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions -may Allah be pleased with them- then they are included among these sects.

It could be that the Messenger (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was referring to the principal

sects of which we now know no more than ten. And it could be that he

was referring to the principal sects together with their off-shoots, as is

held by some people. And with Allah rests the knowledge of the

matter.

______________________________________________________

(1) Reported by Abu Dawud in the Book of Sunnah (4596), by At-Tirmithi in the Book of Eeman

(2642), and by Ibn Majah in the Book of Fitan (3991).

أخبر النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم، عن افتراق أمته بعد وفاته، نأمل من فضيلتكم بيان ذلك؟

الجواب: أخبر النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم، فيما صح عنه (1) أن اليهود افترقوا على إحدى وسبعين فرقة، والنصارى على اثنتين وسبعين فرقة، وأن هذه الأمة ستفترق على ثلاث وسبعين فرقة، وهذه الفرق كلها في النار إلا واحدة، وهي ما كان على مثل ما كان عليه النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم، وأصحابه، وهذه الفرقة هي الفرقة الناجية التي نجت في الدنيا من البدع، وتنجو في الآخرة من النار، وهي الطائفة المنصورة إلى قيام الساعة التي لا تزال ظاهرة قائمة بأمر الله -عز وجل.

وهذه الفرق الثلاث والسبعون التي واحدة منها على الحق والباقي على الباطل، قد حاول بعض الناس أن يعددها، وشعب أهل البدع إلى خمس شعب، وجعل من كل شعبة فروعاً ليصلوا إلى هذا العدد الذي عينه النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم، ورأى بعض الناس أن الأولى الكف عن التعداد، لأن هذه الفرق ليست وحدها هي التي ضلت بل قد ضل أناس ضلالاً أكثر مما كانت عليه من قبل، وحدثت بعد أن حصرت هذه الفرق باثنتين وسبعين فرقة، وقالوا إن هذا العدد لا ينتهي ولا يمكن العلم بانتهائه إلا في آخر الزمان عند قيام الساعة، فالأولى أن نجمل ما أجمله النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم، ونقول إن هذه الأمة ستفترق على ثلاث وسبعين فرقة كلها في النار إلا واحدة، ثم نقول: كل من خالف ما كان عليه النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه فهو داخل في هذه الفرق، وقد يكون الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم أشار إلى أصول لم نعلم منها الآن إلا ما يبلغ العشرة، وقد يكون أشار إلى أصول تتضمن فروعاً كما ذهب إليه بعض الناس فالعلم عند الله -عز وجل.

___________________________________________________________

(1) أخرجه البخاري، كتاب البيوع، باب إذا بين البيعان ولم يكتما ونصحا (2079) ، ومسلم، كتاب البيوع، باب الصدق في البيع والبيان (1532)

Who are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah?

A. Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah are those who hold fast to the

Sunnah, who are united upon it, paying no heed to other than it,

neither in matters of knowledge and beliefs, nor in practical matters

pertaining to rites of worship and jurisprudence. This is why they are

known as Ahlus-Sunnah, because they hold last to it (i.e. the Sunnah),

and they are called Ahlul-Jama'ah (the people of unity/ congregation),

because they are united upon it.

If one examines the case of Ahlul-Bid'ah (the people of

Innovation), one finds that they are in disagreement in their affairs,

whether it is their religious beliefs or their deeds. And this dissent

proves that they are far away from the Sunnah, in proportion to the

innovations they have added to their religion.

من هم أهل السنة والجماعة؟

الجواب: أهل السنة والجماعة هم الذين تمسكوا بالسنة، واجتمعوا عليها، ولم يلتفتوا إلى سواها، لا في الأمور العلمية العقدية، ولا في الأمور العملية الحكمية، ولهذا سموا أهل السنة، لأنهم متمسكون بها، وسموا أهل الجماعة، لأنهم مجتمعون عليها.

وإذا تأملت أحوال أهل البدعة وجدتهم مختلفين فيما هم عليه من المنهاج العقدي أو العملي، مما يدل على أنهم بعيدون عن السنة بقدر ما أحدثوا من البدعة.

What are the fundamental principles of Ahlus- Sunnah wal-Jama'ah in matters of creed and other matters related to the religion?

A. The fundamental principle of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah in

creed and other religious matters is complete adherence to the Book of

Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and the guidance and way of  the righteous caliphs, as Allah, the Most High says:

(قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ)

"Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to mankind): If you (really) love

Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you.”[Aal Imran: 31]

And He, the Most High, says:

)مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَمَنْ تَوَلَّى فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظاً(

"He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ ) has indeed

obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then We have not sent

you (O Muhammad ﷺ) as a watcher over them.”[An-Nisa: 80]

And He, the Most High, says:

(وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا)

"And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ ) gives you,

take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)."[Al-

Hashr: 7]

And even though this commandment was revealed regarding the

distribution of war booty, it is even more fitting (and necessary) in

(purely) religious matters. In addition, the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam)  used to address the people on Fridays saying:

)أما بعد فإن خير الحديث كتاب الله، وخير الهدي هدي محمد، صلى الله عليه وسلم، وشر الأمور محدثاتها، وكل محدثة بدعة، وكل بدعة ضلالة، وكل ضلالة في النار(

"As for what follows: Verily, the best speech is the Book of

Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of

Muhammad ﷺ , and the worst of matters are the ones newly

invented (in religion), and every innovation is a

misguidance." [١]

And he (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) also used to say:

)عليكم بسنتي، وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين من بعدي، تمسكوا بها وعضوا عليها بالنواجذ، وإياكم ومحدثات الأمور، فإن كل محدثة بدعة، وكل بدعة ضلالة(

"You must adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the

rightly guided caliphs; hold firm to it and cling to it with

your molar teeth. And beware of newly invented matters, for

indeed every newly invented matter is an innovation, and

every innovation is a misguidance."[2]

And the evidences for this (fundamental principle) are numerous.

Hence, the way of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and their method is

total adherence to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam)

and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs who came after him. And

amongst the tenets of this principle is that they uphold the religion,

and do not differ therein, in obedience to the Words of Allah:

)شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحاً وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ(

"He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islamic

Monotheism) which He ordained for Noah, and that which

We have revealed to you (O Muhammad ﷺ ), and that which

We ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus (saying):

Establish the religion, and be not divided therein." [Ash-Shura:

13]

And even though differences do occur between them in matters in

which it is permissible to exercise Ijtihad,(3) this differing does not

lead to differing in their hearts. Rather, one finds mutual love and

affection between them, inspite of this differing of Ijtihad.

___________________________________________________________

(1) Reported by Muslim, in the Book of Al-Jumu'ah, the Chapter of shortening the Prayer and the

Sermon (867} (43).

(2) Reported by Abu Dawud, in the Book of the Sunnah, the Chapter of being steadfast upon the

Sunnah (4607).

(3) Ijtihad; The exercise of independent judgement in matters of Islamic Jurisprudence.

س: ما أصول أهل السنة والجماعة في العقيدة وغيرها من أمور الدين؟

الجواب: قاعدة أهل السنة والجماعة في العقائد وغيرها من أمور الدين، هو التمسك التام بكتاب الله وسنة رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وما عليه الخلفاء الراشدون من هدي وسنة، ولقول الله -تعالى-: (قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ) (آل عمران: الآية31) . لقوله -تعالى-: (مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَمَنْ تَوَلَّى فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظاً) (النساء: 80) ولقول الله -تعالى-: (وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا) (الحشر: الآية7) وهذا وإن كان في قسمة الغنائم فهو في الأمور الشرعية من باب أولى، ولأن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، كان يخطب الناس يوم الجمعة، فيقول: (أما بعد فإن خير الحديث كتاب الله، وخير الهدي هدي محمد، صلى الله عليه وسلم، وشر الأمور محدثاتها، وكل محدثة بدعة، وكل بدعة ضلالة، وكل ضلالة في النار) (1) .

ولقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (عليكم بسنتي، وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين من بعدي، تمسكوا بها وعضوا عليها بالنواجذ، وإياكم ومحدثات الأمور، فإن كل محدثة بدعة، وكل بدعة ضلالة) (2) 

والنصوص في هذا كثيرة، فطريق أهل السنة والجماعة ومنهاجهم هو التمسك بالتام بكتاب الله وسنة رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين من بعده، ومن ذلك أنهم يقيمون الدين ولا يتفرقون فيه امتثالاً لقول الله تعالى: (شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحاً وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ) . (الشورى: الآية13) . وهم وإن حصل بينهم من الخلاف ما يحصل مما للاجتهاد فيه مساغ، فإن هذا الخلاف لا يؤدي إلى اختلاف قلوبهم بل تجدهم متآلفين متحابين، وإن حصل منهم هذا الاختلاف الذي طريقه الاجتهاد 

_________________________________________________

(1) أخرجه، مسلم كتاب الجمعة، باب تخفي الصلاة والخطبة (867) (43) .

(2) أخرجه أبو داود، كتاب السنة، باب في لزوم السنة (4607)

Video: People converted to Islam because of Quran (Abu Hurayra From Communism to Islam)

Abu Hurayra From Communism to Islam

شيوعي إسباني انتقل للإسلام بشكل غريب ومؤثر

What was the Shirk of the polytheists to whom the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was sent?

A. Regarding the Shirk of the polytheists to whom the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam)

was sent, it was not Shirk in Rububiyyah (Lordship), because the

Noble Qur'an proves that they only would commit Shirk in matters of

worship. As for Lordship, they used to believe that Allah Alone is the

Lord, that He answers the supplications of the distressed, and that it is

He who removes affliction, and other such things related to Allah's

Lordship which Allah has mentioned that they used to confirm.

However, they were Mushrikeen (polytheists) in matters of worship

i.e. they used to worship other deities together with Allah. And this

form of Shirk removes one from the pale of Islam, because Tawhid

means - as understood from the word itself - to affirm the oneness of

something, and Allah - the Most Blessed, the Most High - has rights

which must be accorded to Him Alone. These rights may be divided

into three categories:

1- Rights of dominion.

2- Rights of worship.

3- Rights of Names and Attributes.

For this reason, the scholars have divided Tawhid into three

categories: Tawhid Ar-'Rububiyyah, Tawhid Al-Asma' was-Sifat, and

Tawhid Al- 'Ibadah (Tawhid Al- Uluhiyyah).

The Shirk of the polytheists was in the category of worship, as they

used to worship others besides Allah. Allah - the Most Blessed, the

Most High - has said:

(وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئاً)

"Worship Allah and associate none with Him (i.e. in

worship)." (An-Nisa:36)

And Allah, the Most High says:

)  إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ(

"Verily, whosoever associates others with Allah (in

worship), Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire

will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and

wrongdoers) there are no helpers."[Al-Maidah:72]

He, the Most High says:

(إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ)

"Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up

with Him (in worship), but He forgives lesser offenses to

whomever He wills." [An-Nisa: 48]

He, the Most High says:

(وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ) 

"And your Lord said: Invoke Me, I will respond to your

(invocation). Verily those who are too arrogant to serve Me

will surely find themselves in Hell in humiliation!" [Ghafir: 60]

Allah, the Most High says in Surat Al-Ikhlas:

)قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ) (1) (لا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ) (2) (وَلا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ) ( 3) (وَلا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَا عَبَدْتُمْ) (4) (وَلا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ) (5) (لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ) (6) (سورة الكافرون: 6،1 (

"Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to these polytheists): O disbelievers!

I worship not that which you worship, Nor will you worship

that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which

you are worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I

worship. To you be your religion, and to me my religion."

[Al-Kafirun]

And when I say: “Surat Al-Ikhlas”, I mean Ikhlas (sincerity and

purity) in deeds, for it is the Surah of Ikhlas in deeds even though it is

called Surat Al-Kafirun. Yet in reality, it is the Surah of Ikhlas in

deeds, just as Surah:

(قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ)

is the Surah of Ikhlas in knowledge and creed.

س: ما شرك المشركين الذين بعث فيهم النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم؟
الجواب: بالنسبة لشرك المشركين الذين بعث فيهم النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم، فإنه ليس شركاً في الربوبية، لأن القرآن الكريم يدل على أنهم إنما كانوا يشركون في العبادة فقط
أما في الربوبية فيؤمنون بأن الله وحده هو الرب، وأنه مجيب دعوة المضطرين، وأنه هو الذي يكشف السوء إلى غير ذلك مما ذكر الله عنهم من إقرارهم بربوبية الله -عز وجل- وحده
ولكنهم كانوا مشركين بالعبادة يعبدون غير الله معه، وهذا شرك مخرج عن الملة، لأن التوحيد هو عبارة -حسب دلالة اللفظ- عن جعل الشيء واحداً، والله -تبارك وتعالى- له حقوق يجب أن يفرد بها وهذه الحقوق تنقسم إلى ثلاثة أقسام 
1-  حقوق ملك.
2-  حقوق عبادة.
3-  حقوق أسماء وصفات.
ولهذا قسم العلماء التوحيد إلى ثلاثة أقسام: توحيد الربوبية، وتوحيد الأسماء والصفات، وتوحيد العبادة
فالمشركون إنما أشركوا في هذا القسم، قسم العبادة حيث كانوا يعبدون مع الله غيره، وقد قال الله -تبارك وتعالى-: (وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئاً) (النساء: الآية36) . أي في عبادته
:وقال تعالى 

)  إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ(

(المائدة: الآية72) 

(وقال _تعالى-: (إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ) (النساء: الآية48 

وقال -تعالى-: (وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ) (غافر: 60) 
وقال تعالى في سورة الإخلاص: (قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ) (1) (لا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ) (2) (وَلا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ) ( 3) (وَلا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَا عَبَدْتُمْ) (4) (وَلا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ) (5) (لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ) (6) (سورة الكافرون: 1، 6) .
وقولي في سورة الإخلاص يعني إخلاص العمل فهي سورة إخلاص العمل، وإن كانت تسمى سورة الكافرون، لكنها في الحقيقة سورة إخلاص عملي كما أن سورة (قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ) (الاخلاص: 1) سورة إخلاص علمي وعقيدة. والله الموفق.
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