Names and Attributes of Allaah,- Ruling on saying “Ya Wajh Allaah (O Face of Allaah)”.

What is the ruling on what some people say, "Ya Wajh Allaah (O Face of Allaah)"?
Praise be to Allaah.
This is not appropriate; although it may be that they are referring to
Allaah Himself.
From Fataawa Samaahat al-Shakh Muhammad ibnIbraaheem (may Allaah have
mercy on him) 1/117

The excellence of Prayer

The Prayer is the first pillar of Islam that the Prophet mentioned
after that of uttering the Testimony of Faith, by which one becomes a
Muslim. It is a form of worship consisting of specific statements and
actions. It begins by pronouncing the Greatness of Allaah (Allaahu
Akbar), and is concluded with salutations (As-Salaamu 'alaykum wa
rahmatullaah).
The Prayer was the only order that was commanded by Allaah directly to
His Messenger during his night journey. Allaah Says (what means):
"Exalted is He who took His slave [i.e. Prophet Muhammad] by night
from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We
have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the
Seeing." [Quran 17: 1] Prayer was also obligatory upon all the
prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, and their nations.
Additionally, it was the first act of worship that was made obligatory
by Allaah on every believer.
The status and virtue of the Prayer:
The Prayer has a great status in Islam; a status which no other act of
worship holds. It is the spinal cord of the religion, without which
the religion itself cannot be established. The Prophet said regarding
it: "The head of thematter is Islam, its spinal cord is the prayer,
and its highest pinnacle is 'Jihaad' in the way of Allaah." [Muslim]
In the Quran, Allaah ordains us hundreds of times to establish the
Prayer. Allaah Says (what means): "…Indeed, prayer has been decreed
upon the believers a decree of specified times…" [Quran 4: 103] And
(what means): "Establish the Prayer, and give Zakaat (poor-due) and
bow with those who bow (in worship and obedience)." [Quran 2: 43]
The Prophet said: "Islamis built upon five pillars: Bearing witness
that none is worthy of worship but Allaah and that Prophet Muhammad is
His Messenger, establishing the Prayer, paying Zakaah, observing Fast
in Ramadhaan and performing Hajj." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The significance of Prayer is so great that one is ordered to
observeit whether traveling or not, in safety or in fear. Allaah Says
(what means): "Be guardians of your prayers, and of the midmost
prayer, and stand up with devotion to Allaah.And if you go in fear,
then (pray) standing or on horseback. And when you are again in
safety, remember Allaah, as He has taught you that which (heretofore)
you knew not." [Quran 2: 238-239]
Moreover, it is the first act that the person will be held accountable
for on the Day of Recompense. The Prophet said: "The first act that
the slave will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment will be
the Prayer. If it is good, then the rest of his deeds will be good.
And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad."
[At-Tabaraani]
The Prayer is the best andmost noble of deeds. It is the link between
the believer and his Lord. Through the Prayer, the slave communicates
with his Lord five times a day. To demonstrate the greatness and
virtues of performing prayer, the Prophet said: "If the time for a
prescribed prayer comes, and a Muslim performs ablution properly, (and
then offers his prayer) with humbleness and bowing (to Allaah), it
will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not
committed a major sin; and this is applicable to all times." [Muslim]
The Messenger of Allaah beautifully gave a similitude, to the one who
performs the Prayer in the prescribed mannerand time, by these great
words: "The five daily prayers are like a deep river flowing by the
door of any of you, in which he bathes five times every day." [Muslim]
The Prayer is the last thing that the Prophet reminded his nation with
before he died, saying: "Guard your Prayer, guard your prayer and fear
Allaah regarding what your right hand possesses (i.e. slaves)." [Imaam
Ahmad]
The impact of praying:
The relationship with Allaah is demonstrated and put into practice, as
well as improved and increased by the prayer. Therefore, if the
prayers are sound and proper, the rest of the deeds will be sound and
proper; and if the prayers are notsound and proper, then the rest of
the deeds will not be sound and proper.
The spirit of the Prayer should be sincerity, devotion and
contemplation. It is meant to strengthen the faith, purify and chasten
the soul, qualify the believer for salvation in this life and the
Hereafterand to make him shun immorality and evil deeds. Allaah Says
(what means): " Recite [O Muhammad] what has been revealed to you of
the Book and establish the Prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality
and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allaah is greater. And Allaah
knows that which you do." [Quran 29: 45]
Moreover, its aim is to generate within the subliminal self of man
such spiritual power, light of faith and awareness of Allaah as can
enable him to strive successfully against all kinds of evils and
temptations and remain steadfast at times of trial and adversity. The
Prayeris so effective and soothing to the heart that the Prophet would
resort to it whenever anything grieved him and would say to Bilaal :
"O Bilaal! Comfort our hearts with it (i.e. call Iqaamah for Prayer)."
[Ahmad]
The overall effect that theproperly performed prayers should have upon
humans is described in many verses of the Quran such as (which means):
"Indeed, mankind was created anxious. When evil touches him,
impatient, and when good touches him, withholding [of it], except the
observers of prayer —those who are constant in theirprayer." [Quran
70: 19-23]

The Nullifiers of Islamic Monotheism -II

3- Not agreeing that the atheists are disbelievers or doubting
theirdisbelief or believing that their religion is correct.
This nullifier consists, in turn, of three parts:
Firstly, whosoever does notagree that the atheists are disbelievers,
while Allaah announces in the Quran in many verses that they are
indeed infidels.
Allaah Says in the Quran (what means), "Indeed, they who disbelieved
among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the
fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein." [Quran 98:6]
Secondly, whosoever hesitates in the status of the infidels (i.e. he
is not sure they are disbelieversor not).
Thirdly, whosoever praises the faith of the infidels and believes that
their faith is correct and that they are on the right path;
This type is even worse than the first two. There are two points that
must be mentioned here:
1- By infidels here, we mean those about whosedisbelief there is no
doubt, like those who worship humans or any false gods other than
Allaah and those who claim to be Muslims, but who are ruled by the
majority of the Muslim scholars to be disbelievers, such as people who
believe that a prophet was sent after Prophet Muhammad salllallaahu
alayhi wa sallam, or deny the Day ofResurrection.
Ibn Taymiyyah said:"Whosoever doubts the disbelief of such groups
after having knowledge of what they say and knowing how Islam
classifies such people, is an infidel; just as having doubt in the
disbelief of the atheists." But for those about whose infidelity the
scholars dispute, such as the one who abandons the five daily prayers
without rejecting its obligation; this does not fall under this
nullifier.
2- In regards to praising the infidels, the Muslim must take great
care. If praising them concerns their faith, then this is considered
infidelity. Whereas praising their behavior (such as their courage or
their generosity) is permissible. One thing a Muslim must avoid,
whichis considered sinful, is to call an infidel "master" asthe
Messenger said: "When you call the hypocrite 'master' (or any title
that suggests honoring the addressedperson, like 'your highness, your
majesty', etc) you have made yourLord angry." [Al-Haakim]
4- Believing that the guidance of others is more perfect than the
Guidance (Sunnah) of the Prophet or believing that the judgment of
others is better thanhis judgment; such as those who prefer the
judgment of others over his ruling."
There are two issues in this nullifier. The first is that there is no
doubt that the guidance of Prophet Muhammad is more perfect than any
other since it is a Divine Revelation. Allaah Says in the Quran (what
means): "Nor does he (Muhammad) speakof (his own) desire. It is only a
revelation revealed." [Quran 53:3-4]. How could someone believe that
there is another guidance worthy of being followed, when the Prophet
himself used to say in the Friday sermon: "The best of speech is the
Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance given by
Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are innovations; and every
innovation is misguidance." [Muslim]
The second issue is judging by laws other than what Allaah has
revealed. In the Quran, Allaah describes those judging by laws other
than His as disbelievers. He Says (what means), "And whosoever does
not judge by what Allaah has revealed, suchare the disbelievers."
[Quran 5:44]. (Also, see Quran 5:45 and Quran 5:47.) So, how would
someone abandon the laws prescribed by Allaah and replace them by
those made by human beings? This is -without doubt- a senseless and
illogical choice. And he who does this is a disbeliever in Allaah and
His Messenger . Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen said
regarding this issue: "Judging by laws other than those revealed by
Allaah can bedivided into two sections:
1. Attempting to replace what Allaah has revealed with man-made laws
or those of a Taaghoot (false deity). This is infidelity, because he
who does so attempts to place himself in the position of The Creator
by legislating for the people, when he, in fact, has no authority.
2. Keeping what Allaah has revealed intact and leaving its legislation
for leaders (rulers, presidents, kings, etc.) who judge by man-made
laws. From these there are three situations:
- A leader judging by laws that contradict whatAllaah has revealed,
believing that they are equal or better. This is considered
infidelity.
- A leader judging by man-made laws in order to harm the one whom he
has made the judgment against. In this case, the ruler is not an
infidel, but rather he is an oppressor, because hestill believes that
what Allaah has revealed is superior to all laws and knows that his
actions are disobedient.
- A leader avoiding judging by what Allaah has revealed in order to
expose some inner desires or to benefit himself or someone else. This
is a major sin".

The Nullifiers of Islamic Monotheism -I

In the Arabic language, Tawheed literally means"unification" (making
something one) or"asserting oneness", and it comes from the Arabic
verb (Wahhada) which itself means to unite, unify or consolidate.
However, when the term Tawheed is used in reference to Allaah, it
means the realizing and maintaining of Allaah's Unity in all of man's
actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him. Itis the belief
that Allaah is One, without partner in His Dominion and His actions
(Ruboobiyyah), One without similitude inHis Essence and
Attributes(Asmaa' Was-Sifaat), and One without rival in His Divinity
and in Worship (Uloohiyyah).
Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism) can be invalidated by some actions of the
heart, tongue or the body. Some scholars have counted these nullifiers
to be ninety, and some others up to four hundred, but the theme of all
of them is based on the following ten:
1- Shirk (polytheism):
Shirk can be simply defined as: "Associating others with Allaah in
worship". Allaah AlmightySays (what means): "Verily, Allaah forgives
not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He
forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills." [Quran 4:48]
The Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad said:"Avoid the seven destructing
sins." It was said (by the listeners),"What are they, O Messenger of
Allaah?" He replied by mentioningseven things, the first of which was:
"Associating anything with Allaah…" [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
· Shirk can be committed regarding each category of Tawheed.
Thus, Shirk of Uloohiyyah is by praying to others, supplicating to
them, prostrating before them, slaughtering in their name, seeking
theirhelp in things which onlyAllaah Almighty can do, calling on them
or devoting any type of worship to other than Allaah.
A noteworthy point to highlight is that seeking people's help in
matters that are not exclusive to Allaah is permissible, suchas
seeking someone's help to carry something.
· Shirk of Ruboobiyyah is by ascribing, to any of the creation,
management orcontrol of the universe. For example: believing that
someone or something can create, resurrect, give sustenance, move the
clouds, bring down rain, move the wind, etc, of the things which only
Allaah Almighty can do .
· Shirk of Names is by calling someone by any of the Names of
Allaah, such as naming someone Allaah, Ar-Rahmaan (The Most Merciful)
or Al-Khaaliq (The Creator). Shirk of Attributes is to equate the
creation with The Creator in His Attributes, such as believing that a
certain person or Jinn knows thefuture, etc.
· Shirk of Love: This is another type of Shirk which means to
love a creation as you love Allaah, or even more so. Allaah Says in
the Quran (what means): "And of mankind are some who take [for
worship] others besides Allaah asrivals [to Him]. They love them as
they love Allaah. But those who believe, love Allaah more [than
anything else]." [Quran 2:165].
Ibn Taymiyyah said:"Whosoever loves a creation equal to his loveto
Allaah, is a Mushrik (polytheist) …"
The different types of love:
Firstly: loving for the sake of Allaah and loving whatAllaah and His
Messenger love. This is how a Muslim should be. Ibn Al-Qayyim said
about this type of love: "There are four types of love where one must
differentiate between…They are:
A: Loving Allaah only. Thisis not enough for surviving Allaah's
punishment and winningHis reward. Indeed, the polytheists, the
Christians, the Jews and others love the Creator (each according to
their definition).
B: Loving what Allaah loves. This leads one to enter Islam and depart
infidelity. The most beloved ones by Allaah are those who posses much
of this type of love.
C: Loving for the sake of Allaah. This is a requirement of loving what
Allaah loves.
D: Loving with Allaah. This is the Shirk of Love. Everyone who loves
something with the love of Allaah, not for the sakeof Allaah, then he
has associated a partner withHim.
Secondly: loving lawful things, such as food, clothes or drinks. This
love is normal.
Thirdly: sympathetic loving,such as loving your children or wife. This
love is normal.
Fourthly: loving others equal or more than the love of Allaah. This is
major Shirk."
2- Rendering mediators between one and Allaah to supplicate them,
request from them intercession or depend on them:
This constitutes apostasy as it is unanimously agreed upon by the
Muslim scholars : Many people who claim to be Muslims practice this
false action. They believe that one must take mediators between them
and Allaah to answer their calls, grant them their requests or remove
hardships off them. Allaah Says (what means): "Say [O, Muhammad to the
pagans] call upon those whom you assert [to be associategods] besides
Allaah; they possess not even an atom's weight either in the heavens
or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for
Him any supporter from among them. Intercession with Him profits not
except for him whom He permits." [Quran 34:22-23]
Intermediation is of two kinds:
1. Intermediation informing on behalf of Allaah:
This is the duty of the Prophets may Allaah exalttheir mention because
noone has knowledge of what has come from Allaah except through the
Prophets who were sent by Allaah. Allaah Says(what means): "Allaah
chooses Messengers from angels and from men. Verily, Allaah is
All-Hearer, All-Seer." [Quran 22:75]
2. Intermediation requesting help, intercession, dependenceand
relief. This type consists of five sections:
- Waajib (Obligatory): Seeking help from Allaah alone at times of
hardship and trusting Him in every aspect of your life.
- Mustahabb (preferred): Invoking Allaah more frequently as this
increases one's sincerity to Him.
- Halaal (permissible): Seeking help from the creation or requesting
their intermediation to Allaah by supplicating Allaah to help or
relieve the person.
- Makrooh (disliked, but not forbidden): Asking people for favors
more often. Ibn Taymiyyah said: "Asking favors from the creation is
originally forbidden, but it was made legal for necessity and avoiding
requesting favors from others while depending on Allaah is better..."
- Muharram (forbidden): Ascribing mediators between Allaah and oneself
by supplicating tothem or seeking their help in things only Allaah can
do.