Personal, - Fornication and Adultery:Major Sins in Islam

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Chastity is defined as "controlling oneself from forbidden desires due to the love of Allaah The Almighty in response to His command, as well as for seeking His reward in return."
Islam has always been keen to establish chastity in the Muslim community and has thus legislated many laws that reduce the strong impact of these desires and control them; it has also encouraged remaining on the straight path and warned against transgressing the defined boundaries by following these base desires.
Islam has preserved people’s honor and protected lineages from being mixed. Therefore, fornication and adultery are forbidden and classified as major and destructive sins. Islam has even forbidden everything that could lead to these sins, such as immoral exchange of looks between the two sexes, depraved words, seductive moves, a man and a woman being in seclusion in a room, and anything else which could lead to this awful sin. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}"And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a great sin, and an evil way )that leads one to Hell unless Allaah forgives him(."{]Quran, 17: 32[
Islam does not have laws which contradict one another as is the case with man-made legislation which has set penal laws for adultery and fornication but has facilitated every means that lead to it. Moreover, there are some societies that see no harm in allowing fornication and adultery and have set no penal laws for those who commit them. Other societies differentiate between committing this act in the marital home and outside of it; they only consider committing it the marital home as a crime and not if it is committed away from it! Islam, on the other hand, comprehensively forbids fornication and adultery and everything that leads to it.
Allaah The Almighty commanded His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to take a pledge from women who entered Islam to refrain from fornication and adultery. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}"O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai`ah )pledge(, that they will not associate anything in worship with Allaah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children… then accept their pledge."{]Quran, 60: 12[
Allaah The Almighty made the punishment for these sins vary from lashing to stoning to death, along with the humiliation which results from informing the community of the perpetrators of this sin. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}"The fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allaah, if you believe in Allaah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment. ]This is for unmarried persons, but if married, the punishment is to stone them to death[."{]Quran, 24: 2[
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, set the penalty for adultery and fornication as follows:"If the parties )committing fornication( are unmarried, they should receive a hundred lashes and be put into exile for a year. If they commit adultery after they are married, they should receive a hundred lashes and then be stoned to death."]Muslim[
Since Islam has comprehensively forbidden fornication and adultery, it has also blocked all ways that lead to it. It does not have laws which contradict one another as is the case with man-made legislation which has set penal laws for adultery and fornication but has facilitated every means that lead to it. Moreover, there are some societies that see no harm in allowing fornication and adultery and have set no penal laws for those who commit them. Other societies differentiate between committing this act in the marital home and outside of it; they only consider committing it the marital home as a crime and not if it is committed away from it! Islam, on the other hand, comprehensively forbids fornication and adultery and everything that leads to it.
The evil consequences of fornication and adultery
Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said,
"Fornication and adultery combine all evils; weakness in commitment to the religion, lack of piety, corruption of manhood and the decrease of praiseworthy jealousy. You will never find an adulterer or fornicator who is pious, fulfils his promises, is truthful in his speech, maintains friendship or has jealousy over his wife; he will be characterised by lies, deception, betrayal, accepting prohibitions and not being mindful of Allaah." All these characteristics are consequences of fornication and adultery.
There are also other consequences such as:
• Incurring the wrath of Allaah The Almighty.
• Corruption of one's wife and children.
• Poverty and gloominess of the face, which will be apparent to people.
• Darkness of the heart.
• Becoming insignificant in the eyes of people and in the sight of Allaah The Almighty.
• Loss of the characteristics of chastity and righteousness and becoming known as a sinful, betraying adulterer or fornicator.
• Not being classified as a believer in general.
• Being decried as an evil person.










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Personal, - Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge - I

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Abu Rifaa‘ah, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while he was delivering a Khutbah )sermon( and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, I am a stranger who came to ask about matters of his religion because he does not know about his religion.” The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, looked at him, stopped delivering the Khutbah and went to him to teach him the religion until he knew and understood. After that, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, continued his Khutbah.
After the death of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Ibn ‘Abbaas was keen on asking the Companions, May Allaah Be Pleased with them, about the sayings of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Whenever he learned that there was a man who knew any Hadeeth of the Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he would go to him and if he found that man sleeping at noon, he would sit at the door. He would wait for him until he woke up to the extent that he would be covered by the sand of the desert because of the wind.
When the companion would go out to meet Ibn ‘Abbaas, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, he would say to him: “O cousin of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, why did you come? You should have sent someone for me and I would come to you.” Ibn ‘Abbaas, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, would say: “No. I am the one who should come to you to ask you about the Hadeeth.” ]Al-Haakim[
Knowledge has a great status in Islam as the first verse that was revealed called for learning. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Recite in the name of your Lord who created-{]Quran 96:1[
Allaah The Almighty Swore by the very tool of writing, the pen, as He The Almighty Says )what means(:}Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe,{]Quran 68:1[
The Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, confirms the lofty status of knowledge and this is why it made the way of seeking knowledge one way of entering Paradise. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“Whoever follows a way to seek knowledge, Allaah will make easy for him a way to Paradise.”]Al-Bukhaari, Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi[
Moreover, the reward of knowledge reaches the deceased and it never stops. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“When a person dies, his deeds will all come to an end except for three: continuous charity, knowledge from which people derive benefit, and a righteous child who would supplicate Allaah for him.”]Muslim[
The angels surround the seeker of knowledge with their wings as Safwaan Ibn ‘Assaal Al-Muraadi, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said:“I came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while he was in the mosque reclining on a red cloak of his and I said to him, ‘I came to seek knowledge.’ He said, ‘Welcome seeker of knowledge. Indeed, the angels surround the seeker of knowledge with their wings.”]Ahmad and At-Tabaraani[
Knowledge is divided into communal and individual obligation. There are some aspects that every Muslim should know such as what Muslims should know about their Lord, religion and Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Communal obligations relate to knowledge of scientific specializations that some Muslims should learn in order to meet the needs of the society such as industry, agriculture, medicine and other fields of everyday life.
Knowledge is the path that Muslims take to know Allaah The Exalted as He should be known. For this reason, those who have knowledge are those who fear Allaah The Almighty the most. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Only those fear Allaah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.{]Quran 35:28[
There are etiquettes for seeking knowledge that one should adhere to and they are:
•Sincerity: The one who seeks knowledge should have a sincere intention and should not do so for the love of fame or dominance. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“Actions are based on intentions and every person will be rewarded according to what he has intended.”]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also informed us that“Among the first category of people who will enter Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection is a man who acquired knowledge and taught it )to others( and recited the Quran. He will be brought to Allaah Who Will Make him recount His Blessings and he will recount them. Then Allaah Will Ask him, ‘What did you do with these blessings?’ He will say, ‘I acquired knowledge and taught others, and recited the Quran seeking Your Pleasure.’ Allaah The Almighty Will Say, ‘You have told a lie for you only acquired knowledge so that you may be called a scholar and you recited the Quran so that people would say ;He is a reciter’ and such has been said.’ Then orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hellfire.”]Muslim[
•Seeking beneficial knowledge: The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to say in his supplications:“Allaahumma innee a‘oothu bika min ‘Ilmin la-yanfa‘, wa ‘amalin laa yurfa‘, wa-min du‘aa’in laa yusma‘ )O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not benefit, deeds that are not accepted and a supplication that is not answered.(”]Ahmad, Ibn Hibbaan and Al-Haakim[
•Devoting one’s time for seeking knowledge: It was said, “You cannot gain some knowledge until you devote all your time.” The righteous predecessors used to appreciate knowledge and devote their time to it. This is because knowledge is vast and life is short. It was said, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.”
•Purifying the soul from bad morals: Beneficial knowledge is a light Granted by Allaah The Exalted in the hearts of His pious slaves and He Does not Grant it to those who have bad behavior and corrupt morals. Thus, a Muslim who seeks knowledge should avoid envy, showing off, and all other reprehensible acts and bad morals.
•Seeking knowledge at an early age:It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“Any young child who seeks knowledge and worships Allaah until he grows up, Allaah Will Grant him on the Day of Resurrection the reward of seventy-two steadfast affirmers of truth.”]At-Tabaraani[
It was said, “Learning at an early age is like carving on stones.” The elders should not be shy in seeking knowledge. It was narrated that Qubaysah ibn Al Mukhaariq, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said:“I came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and he asked me, ‘What has brought you here?’ I said, “I have grown old and my bones have weakened so I have come to you to teach me something that Allaah Will Beneficent me with.” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, ‘You have not come upon a stone, a tree or even dirt except it has asked Allaah for forgiveness for you O Qubaysah. If you pray the Fajr prayer, then say three times, ‘Subhaanallaah Al-‘atheem wa bihamdih )Glory be to Allaah The Great, and with His Praise(, you will be healthy from blindness, leprosy, and paralysis. O Qubaysah, say: 'O Allaah, I ask You for what You Have, Be Generous with Your Favors upon me, Spread Your Mercy over me, and Descend Your Blessings upon me.’”]Ahmad[
•Working does not prevent seeking knowledge: Many of the Companions, May Allaah Be Pleased with them, used to work. They would seek knowledge for the remainder of the day after returning from their work. They used to stay up late at night to study the Quran and Hadeeth.
It was narrated that Abu Sa‘eed, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said: “We used to go to battles and leave one or two men to listen to the Hadeeths of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. When we would return, they would tell us the Hadeeths that they learned from the Messenger or Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then we would narrate these Hadeeths. ]Ibn ‘Asaakir[ Hence, it is permissible to combine seeking knowledge and working and seeking sustenance from the Bounties of Allaah The Exalted.
•Having patience and tolerance: A Muslim should be patient when facing difficulties and seeking knowledge as patience is the provision of the believers and it helps them endure the hardships and pain that they face. It was said, “The one who does not endure the humiliation of seeking knowledge for an hour, will remain in the humiliation of ignorance until the Hour )i.e. Day of Resurrection(.”
•Seeking knowledge gradually: The one who seeks knowledge should start with the basics and preliminary sciences before diving into it. And this should be according to the directions of his teachers. One should be diligent to know all sciences and not to leave any of them.
Yahya ibn Khaalid, May Allaah Have mercy upon him, said to his son: “You should learn some of each branch of knowledge as man is the enemy of anything that he is ignorant of and I would hate for you to be an enemy of any branch of knowledge.”
To be continued...









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Personal, - Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge - II

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•Specialization: If a Muslim wants to specialize in one science, he should choose the most honorable branch of science and the most beneficent one that suits his abilities. It was said, “If you want to be a scholar, you should know everything about one thing, but if you want to be cultured, then know something about everything.”
•Memorizing with understanding and reflection: The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“May Allaah Brighten the face of the person who hears something from us and memorizes it until he transmits it to others. Perhaps the one whom it reaches comprehends it better than the one who heard it. Or perhaps the one who heard it never comprehended it”]At-Tirmidhi[ This indicates the importance of memorization.
•Documenting: It was said, “Write down knowledge.” It was also said, “Knowledge is like game that is hunted and writing catches it.” Hence, we should write down knowledge in order not to forget it and carefully choose what we write. It was said, “There are three categories of people who listen to the scholar; the first one writes down all that he hears; the second does not write but only hears, while the third selects and he is the best among the three”.
•Studying and reviewing: Mu’aath ibn Jabal, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said:“Seek knowledge as seeking it for the Sake of Allaah leads to fearing Him, and seeking it is an act of worship, studying it is Tasbeeh )glorification of Allaah(, searching for it is Jihaad )a difficult struggle(, teaching it is charity to those who do not have it, and conveying it to those who deserve to learn it is a good deed.”
•Arranging learning hours: A Muslim should always be well organized in all his affairs and should be keen on organizing his time and spend it in gaining knowledge and know-how.
•Avoiding shyness in seeking knowledge: Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}So ask the people of the message if you do not know.{]Quran 16:43[ ‘Aa’ishah, May Allaah be Pleased with her, said:“The best women are the women of the Ansaar, shyness did not prevent them from comprehending their religion.”So the Muslim should ask about that which he desires to know more of and shyness should not prevent him from asking. For knowledge is a treasure kept in chests and the keys are questions.
•Traveling to seek knowledge. Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, May Allaah Be Pleased with them, said,“It reached me that a man heard a Hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, so I purchased a camel and rode it for a month until I reached Ash-Shaam. I knew that this man was ‘Abdullaah ibn Unays. I told his gate keeper to say to him, ‘Jabir is at the door.’ The gate keeper said, ‘Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah?’ ‘Yes,’ I replied. So ‘Abdullaah rushed out and embraced me and I embraced him. I said, ‘It reached me that you heard a Hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, concerning Qisaas )retribution( and I feared that one of us might die before I get it. So Abdullaah ibn Unays mentioned to him the Hadeeth.”]Ahmad and At-Tabaraani[
‘Ubaydullaah ibn ‘Adiyy, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said: “I knew about a Hadeeth that was heard by ‘Ali, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, and I feared that I might not find it with anyone else if he died, so I travelled to him and found him in Iraq.” ]Al-Khateeb[
Ibn Mas‘ood, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said: “If I knew of someone who I can reach by riding my camel and who is more knowledgeable than me with what was revealed to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, I would go to him to increase my knowledge.” ]Ibn ‘Asaakir[
Ash-Sha‘bi, May Allaah Have mercy upon him, said, “A man travelled from the furthest reaches of Ash-Shaam to the furthest reaches of Yemen to listen to words of wisdom. I do not perceive this travel as a loss.”
•Applying what one learned; Allaah The Almighty Disapproved of those who do not apply what they know and likened them to donkeys that carry )heavy loads of( books, but do not understand what they carry. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes ]of books[.{]Quran 62:5[
Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?{]Quran 2:44[ So a Muslim should know with certainty that he will be asked about what he put forth for himself during his life. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“The slave will not step forward on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about his age and how he spent it, his knowledge and what he did with it, his wealth and how he acquired it and spent it, and about his body and how he used it.”]At-Tirmithi[
•Respecting the teacher: a teacher has a great virtue upon his students.
•Listening attentively: Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said to his son: “O son, when you sit with scholars, be more diligent to listen than to speak and learn to listen attentively just as you learn to be quiet. When you ask, your questions should be for the purpose of understanding and realizing, not for arguing or showing deficiency.”
•Observing etiquettes during learning sessions: A Muslim should sit with his teacher politely and calmly. He should not keep turning his head, pointing or laughing. He should present himself in a pleasant manner, be clean and avoid speaking or asking questions until taking permission. One should not belittle his colleagues or mock them, rather he should know that they are his brothers in knowledge so they should be shown mercy and respect.
Among the reasons that help in gaining knowledge and studying is to study in a location that has adequate light, quiet and freedom from distracting noises. One should avoid studying in bed as this makes one feel sleepy. Moreover, books should be arranged well and organized. And one should give his body its right by resting occasionally. He should choose the right time for studying and divide this time appropriately to study all branches of science.







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