Names and Attributes of Allaah,- Is Al-Rasheed one of the Names of Allaah?.

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I have come across information conncerning the authenticity of
Ar-Rasheed as one of thenames of Allaah. However, I am unsure if this
is more correct than information I have been given from
Ash-Shawkaani's book"tuhfatu-dh dhaakireen". Could you please clarify
this for me.
Praise be to Allaah.
Al-Rasheed is not one of the Names of Allaah, because it was not
narrated either in the Qur'aan or in the SaheehSunnah. The Names of
Allaah are as they were narrated (with no room for ijtihaad). It is
not permissible to call Allaah by any names other thanthose by which
He calledHimself or He was called by His Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him).
And Allaah knows best.

Knowledge in Islam and how to seek it

In this article we'll try to shed some light on knowledge from Islamic
perspective. Generally speaking, the Arabic word for knowledge is
'ilm, which, in mostcases, indicates to Islamic knowledge or matters
related to Sheree'ah (Islamic Law). Although, some of the Quranic
verses in this article refer to Islamic knowledge, yet they are
general in their meaning, and thus can be used to refer to learning in
general.
The importance of education is a none disputable matter. Education is
the knowledge of putting one's potentials to maximum use. One can
safely say that a human being is not in the proper sense till he/she
is educated.
This importance of education is basically for two reasons. The first
is that the training of a human mind is not complete without
education. Education makes man a right thinker. It tells man how to
think and how to make decision.
The second reason for the importance of education is that only through
the attainment of education, man is enabled to receive information
from the external world; to acquaint himself with past history and
receive all necessary information regarding the present. Without
education, man is as though in a closed room and with education he
finds himself in a room with all its windows open towards theoutside
world.
This is why Islam attaches great importance to knowledge and
education. When the Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its
first verse was 'Iqra' that is, read. Allaah says, (what means):
"Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He
has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read!
And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by
the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not" [Quran, 96: 1-5]
Education is thus the starting point of every human activity. Allaah
created man and provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge,
namely hearing, sight and wisdom. Allaah says (what means): "And
Allaah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you
know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you
might give thanks (to Allaah)" [Quran, 16:78]
A knowledgeable person is accorded great respect in many prophetic narrations.
Because of the importance of knowledge, Allaah commanded His Messenger
to seek more of it. Allaah says (what means): "and say: `My Lord!
Increase me inknowledge" [Quran, 20:114]
The Prophet made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim,
and he explained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge
overthe one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon
over every other heavenly body. He said that the scholars are the
heirs of the Prophets and that the Prophets, may Allaah exalt their
mention did not leave behind any money, rather their inheritance was
knowledge, so whoever acquires it has gained a great share.
Furthermore, the Prophet said that seeking knowledge is a way leading
to Paradise . He said: "Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of
knowledge, Allaah will make a path to Paradise easy for him."
(Al-Bukhaari)
For example the Quran repeatedlyasks us to observe the earth and the
heavens. This instills in man adesire to learn natural science as
well. All the books of Hadeeth have a chapter on knowledge. In Saheeh
Al-Bukhaari there is a chapter entitled "The virtue of one who
acquires learning and imparts that to others."
Islam calls us to learn all kinds of beneficial knowledge. Branches of
knowledge vary in status, the highest of which is knowledge of
Sharee'ah (Islamic Law), then other fields of knowledge, such as
medicine, etc.
This is the knowledge (Sharee'ah)with which Allaah honoured His
Messenger ; He taught it to him so that he might teach it to mankind:
"Indeed, Allaah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent
among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, reciting unto
them His Verses (the Quran),and purifying them (from sins by their
following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Quran) and
Al-Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet (i.e. his legal
ways, statements and acts of worship)],while before that they had been
in manifest error" [Quran, 3:164]
How great importance is attached to learning in Islam, canbe
understood from an event in the life of the Prophet . At thebattle of
Badr in which the Prophet gained victory over his opponents, seventy
people of the enemy rank were taken prisoner. These prisoners of war
were literate people. In order to benefit from their education the
Prophet declared that if one prisoner teaches ten Muslims how to read
and write, this will serve as his ransom and he will be set free. We
can freely say thatthis was the first school in the history of Islam
established by the Prophet himself with all its teachers being
non-Muslims. Furthermore, they were all war prisoners.
On the one hand Islam places great emphasis on learning, on the other,
all those factors which are necessary to make progress in learning
have been provided byAllaah. One of these special factors is the
freedom of research. One example of it is that in Makkah, the
birthplace of the Prophet dates were not grown. Afterwards the Prophet
migrated to Madeenah, the city of dates. One day the Prophet saw that
some people were atop the date trees busy in doing something. On being
asked what they were engaged in, they replied that they were
pollinating.
The Prophet suggested them not to do so. The following year date yield
was considerably very low. The Prophet enquired them of the reason.
They told him that the date crop depended on pollination. Since he
suggested them to do otherwise,they had refrained from that.
TheProphet then told them to goon doing as they used to, and that,
"You know the worldly matters better than me." (Al-Bukhaari)
Also we should know that there is no goodness in knowledge which is
not confirmed by actionsor words which are not confirmed by deeds,
Allaah the Almighty says (what means): "O you who believe! Why do you
say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allaah that you
say that which you do not do" [Quran, 61: 2-3]
Knowledge brings a great reward. The one who points the way to
something good is like the one who does it. When the knowledgeable
person dies, his reward with Allaah does not cease when he dies,
rather it continues to increase so long as people benefit from his
knowledge. The Prophet said: "When a man dies, all his deeds come to
an end except for three — an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge or
a righteous child who will pray for him." (Muslim)
On other side, a person without knowledge is like someone walking
along a track in complete darkness. Most likely his steps will wander
aside and Satan can easily deceive him. This shows that our greatest
danger lies in our ignorance of Islamic teachings in the first place
and in our unawareness of what the Quran teaches and what guidance has
been given by the Prophet .
On the other hand, if we are blessed with the light of knowledge we
will be able to seeplainly the clear path of Islam at every step of
our lives. We shall also be able to identify and avoid the dangerous
paths of disbelief, Shirk (associating with Allaah) and immorality,
which may cross it. And, whenever a false guide meets us on the way, a
few words with him will quickly establish that he is not a guide who
should be followed.
Knowledge is pursued and practiced with modesty and humility and leads
to dignity, freedom and justice.
The main purpose of acquiring knowledge is to bring us closer to our
Creator. It is not simply forthe gratification of the mind or the
senses. It is not knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Knowledge
accordingly must be linked with values and goals.
One of the purposes of acquiring knowledge is to gain the good of this
world, not to destroy it through wastage, arrogance and in the
reckless pursuit of higher standards of material comfort.
Six etiquettes of learning
lbn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah said:"There are six stages to knowledge:
Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner.
Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively.
Thirdly: Understanding well.
Fourthly: Memorising.
Fifthly Teaching.
Sixthly- and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keepingto
its limits."
Conclusion
According to Quranic perspective,knowledge is a prerequisite for the
creation of a just world in which authentic peace can prevail. In the
case of country's disorder or war the Quran emphasizes the importance
of the pursuit of learning, Allaah says (what means): "Nor should the
believers all go forth together: if a contingent from every expedition
remained behind, they could devote themselves to studies in religion,
and admonish the people when they return to them - that thus they (may
learn) to guard themselves (against evil)." [Quran,19:122]

Our Salaf's endeavours in calling to Allaah – I

The importance of calling to Allaah and its virtue:
Calling to Allaah yields many great rewards, and it was the task of
the Messengers of Allaah. Sahl Ibn Sa`d reported: "The Messenger of
Allaah said on the day of the Battle of Khaybar to `Ali Ibn Abu Taalib
: "Advance cautiously until you reach their open places; thereafter,
invite them to Islam and inform them of what is obligatory for them
from the rights of Allaah because by Allaah, if Allaah guides even one
person through you that is betterfor you than possessing a herd ofred
camels." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim] This was a reference to the finest and
most valuable typeof camel, which reflects the virtue of calling
people to Allaah and guiding them to the right path.
`Uqbah Ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: "Whoever
guides someone to virtue will be rewarded (with the) equivalent reward
of he whopractices that good action." [Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah reported: "The Messenger of Allaah said: "If anyone calls
others to follow the correct guidance, his reward will be equivalent
to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being
diminished in the least." [Muslim]
Abu Umaamah reported: "TheMessenger of Allaah said: 'Allaah, His
angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth and even the ant in
its hole and the fish (in the waters) supplicate in favour of those
who teach people(religious) knowledge.'" [At-Tirmithi]
These narrations and many others encourage people to endeavour in the
act of worship of calling to Allaah, so what morecould a person ask
for? The depths that people have sunk to in this regard are a result
of themneglecting their duty of calling others to Allaah, despite the
great status of this act of worship.
When people abandoned this act of worship, evil prevailed,
prohibitions spread and many people deviated.
Examples of the call of the Prophets to Allaah:
Calling to Allaah proves the sincerity of the person with regards to
the principles he claims to believe in as only he who truly loves his
religion will call others to it. The following aresome examples of the
prophets and messengers calling to Allaah:
The call of Nooh to his people:
Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention, was extremely dedicated in calling
his people to Allaah and he persevered in this, as Allaah Says (what
means): "…And he [i.e., Nooh] remained among them a thousand years
minus fifty years…" [Quran 29: 14] He called them tirelessly and
utilised all possible means to do so, as Allaah Says (what means): "He
[i.e., Nooh] said: 'My Lord! Indeed I invited my people [to truth]
night and day. But my invitation increased them not except in flight
[i.e., aversion]. And indeed, every time I invited them that You may
forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves
with their garments, persisted, and were arrogant with [great]
arrogance." [Quran 71: 5-7] Did this prevent him from continuinghis
mission in calling them to Allaah? Indeed not, he used all possible
methods to call them, asAllaah Says (what means): "Then Iinvited them
publicly. Then I announced to them and [also] confided to them
secretly." [Quran 71: 8-9]
The call of Yoosuf :
When Yoosuf was imprisoned, he did not forget his duty of calling to
Allaah. Rather, the first thing he did was to practice this duty when
his two cellmates requested him to interpret the dreams they saw. He
promised them that he would do so, but first mentioned what Allaah
describes as (what means): "…That is from what my Lord hastaught me.
Indeed I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in
Allaah, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers. And I have
followed the religion of my fathers, Ibraaheem (Abraham), Is'haaq
(Isaac), and Ya'qoob (Jacob). And it was not for us to associate
anything with Allaah. That is the favour of Allaah upon us and upon
the people, but most of the people are not grateful. O [my] two
companions of the prison! Are separate lords better or Allaah, the
One, the Prevailing?" [Quran 12: 37-39] Note how he immediately called
them, despite the normal feeling of anguish that a person would feel
at being imprisoned.
The call of Prophet Muhammad :
The Prophet has set the greatest example in terms of dedication and
endurance in guiding people. This was very evident in his call to the
tribe of Quraysh, the Arab tribes and the masses in general. He would
call to Allaah whilst upon a mountain, in the Sacred Mosque, in the
street, in the market, in people's houses, during Hajj season, in the
desert, during times of peace and times of war, when healthy and when
sick, when visiting people, and when he was being visited. He was
calling people to Allaah all of the time.
He would call those who loved him as well as those who hated him. He
would approach tribes during the season of Hajj and call them to
worship Allaah saying: "O people! Allaah commands you to worshipHim
alone and ascribe no partners to Him."
He used to approach them during the season of markets likethat of
'Ukaath and say: "O people! Who will protect me? Who will support me?
Who would help me convey the message of my Lord?"
He continued to do so until Allaah blessed him with the honourable
Ansaar who resided in Madeenah and who gave him the pledge of support
in the first famous pledge of Al-'Aqabah. This marked the great
initiation point for the expansion of his mission.
The Prophet endured all typesof torture and insult for the sake of
propagating the message of Islam and calling the people to Allaah.
Once, riding a donkey he went to invite 'Abdullaah Ibn Ubayy, who was
the chief hypocrite, to Islam, but the lattersaid to him: "Keep your
donkey away from me, its stench offendsme." Yet he bore this
hypocrite's despicable manners and continued calling him to Allaah.
Anas reported: "Once, a Jewish boy who served the Prophet fell
(terminally) ill, so he went to visit him. He sat down by his head and
said to him: "Embrace Islam." The boy looked at his father who was
sitting beside him. The father said: 'Obey Abul-Qaasim (i.e., the
Messenger of Allaah ).' The (dying) boy therefore embraced Islam and
the Prophet stepped out of their home, saying: "Praise be to Allaah
who has saved him from the Hellfire." [Al-Bukhaari]
He went to call the people of Taa'if, but they refused to accept his
call and thus he returned grieved and saddened. But why? His anguish
was due to them not embracing Islam and refusing themessage of Allaah.
Distance did not stop him from conveying the message of Allaah to
anyone, but due to not being able to leave his followers who were in
dire need of his personal instruction, he sent messengers on his
behalf to convey the message of Allaah to all those that he was unable
to personally visit. He sent messengers to all the kings and rulers
that he possibly could.
The Prophet sent a message with Dihyah to the Governor of Busraa, who
forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents ofthe letter were as
follows: "In thename of Allaah The Beneficent, The Merciful. (This
letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allaah and His Messenger to
Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon he who follows the
right path. I invite you to Islam, and if you should become a Muslim
you will be safe, and Allaah will double your reward, but if you
reject this invitation to Islam then you will be committing a double
sin by misguiding your Areesiyyeen (i.e., peasants). (He then quoted
(which means): "…O people of the scripture! Come to a word that is
equitable between us and you – that we will not worship except Allaah
and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords
instead of Allaah. But if theyturn away, then say: 'Bear witness that
we are Muslims [submitting to Him].' " [Quran 3: 64

Secularism and its dangers -I

Allaah, the Most Exalted, sent down The Book (the Noble Quran) to
clarify allthings and to give Guidance and Mercy to people who
believe.
He sent His Messenger, Muhammad with guidance and the true religion
with which He opened blinded eyes, deaf ears, and sealed hearts. With
it, He eliminated the darkness of ignorance and stupidity and released
the chains of polytheism such that misguidance became a legend of the
past and worshipping idols became an old myth.
A Muslim wonders at the stupidity of the polytheists. Allaah Says
(what means): "He whom Allaah guides is rightly guided but he whom He
leads astray never will you find for him a protective guide." [Quran
18: 17]
We must always remember though, that trials are continuous and the
substance of evil remains till today. Devils among humankind and Jinns
continue to spread misguidance, and to make it seem attractive and
spread it by means of all tongues. Allaah Says(what means): "And thus
we have made for every Prophet an enemy, devils from mankind and Jinn,
inspiring to one another decorated speech and delusion." [Quran 6:112]
It is mandatory upon us to know the ways of misguidance, warn people
of it, expose it, expose its objectives and block the way for those
who call to it. By doing this, Muslims can be aware of what their Lord
wants of them and have proper insight so as not to be harmed by the
plotting and planning of the misguided ones.
Today, in the Muslim world, many different philosophies and ideologies
are propagated…ones that deceive numerous people with its superficial
sparkle and glory. Many slogans and terms have captured the minds of
people and control their way of thinking.
These false beliefs are like a disease and are of the fire. If it has
been decreed for these false beliefs to be disseminated, they will not
overcome anyone but will turn him into disintegrated ruins.
One of these ideologies issecularism, which has infiltrated into the
Muslim communities. Perhaps one of the most serious challenges that
face the people of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa'ah (the true Islamic
methodology) at this time is to overthrow these false beliefs, clarify
their vague statements and expose the reality of the obscure slogans
behind which secularism hides and spreads its poison in the minds and
hearts of the people of this nation.
For this reason, it is necessary to unmask the true face of this
ideology which is misguided and misguiding at the same time.
Secularism, in its correct definition, is the belief that religion
should not enter into the affairs of the state; it denies any form of
religious faith and worship. Thus, secularism is the antithesis of
Islamic monotheism, which, fromthe perspective of Islam, is the
greatest reality andtruth.
Ibn Taimiyyah said in his book 'Al-Uboodiyyah' (Servitude): "Mankind
is at the crossroad that has two roads, no third to it. It is either
that he chooses servitude to Allaah or he rejects the servitude to
Him. To fully believe in the servitude to Allaah, excluding all
others, knowing that servitude to anyone else but Allaah, great or
small,is the worshiping of Satan."
Allaah Says (what means): "Did I not enjoin upon you O Children of
Aadam that you not worship Satan for indeed he is to you a clear enemy
and that you worship only me. This is the straight path." [Quran
36:60-61] This includes the Arabs about whom Allaah Said (what means):
"They call upon- instead of Him- none but female deities and they
actually call upon none but rebellious Satan." [Quran 4:117] This also
includes all acts of worship performed to anyone else butAllaah
throughout history.
Some of the acts of worship have changed. The Arabs no longer worship
the idols of the past. However, worship of Satan in itself did not
change. The old idols are replaced with new idols: like the
partisanship, nationalism, secularism, personal freedom, sex and
others.
There are many new idols today. It is indeed the worship of Satan
andTaghoot (anything adorned besides Allaah, be it material idol or
ideology), which negate the testimony that there is no one worthy of
worship but Allaah. For the meaning of "La ilaaha illa Allaah" (the
first part of the testimonyof faith) is to disbelieve in Taghoot and
to believein Allaah Alone.
Based on this, we can know the ruling of Islam concerning secularism.
Secularism is disbelief and is of the pre-Islamic Taghoot concept
which negates and contradicts"La ilaaha illa Allaah".
Two points which are basic and paired are that firstly, it is ruling
with something other than therulings of Allaah or what Allaah has
revealed, and secondly, it is associating others in the worship of
Allaah.
Secularism simply means ruling with laws other than the laws of
Allaah; something other than what Allaah has revealed.It is ruling
with a constitution or legislation other than what Allaah has
legislated. The acceptance to be governed by and follow Taghoot
instead of Allaahis the essence of establishing life with no faith and
religion.
Allaah Says (what means): "And he who does not rule with what Allaah
revealed, indeed, those are the disbelievers." [Quran 5: 44]
Disbelief is of different kinds, of which we must be aware. One aspect
of Jaahiliyyah- pre-Islamic paganism- was the rejection of Allaah. The
rejection of His existence is related to faith and theway life is
perceived, which corresponds to the Jaahiliyyah of Communists.
Another aspect is acknowledging the existence of Allaah but in a
perverted way, and deviation in acts of worship. This kind of
Jaahiliyyah is synonymous with the Jaahiliyyah of the Jews and
Christians.
Another aspect is accepting the existence of Allaah and performing
acts of worship but with a serious deviation in theunderstanding,
implication and the implementation of "La ilaaha illa Allaah,
Muhammad-ur Rasool-Allaah", which results in acomprehensive
association in the issue ofobedience and partnership with Allaah. This
Jaahiliyyah is of those who call themselves Muslims but are
secularists. They thinkthat they are within the fold of Islam and have
all the rights of Muslims by merely uttering the Shahaadah (saying:
"La ilaaha illa Allaah, Muhammad-ur Rasool-Allaah". They perform these
acts of worship in an un-Islamic fashion.