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_24 _January _2015åÜ ÇáãæÇÝÞ 24-01-2015ã, 03:54 PM
All praises are due to Allah, the Lord of Creation. May His peace and blessings be upon the most noble of all messengers, our prophet Muhammad, his household and all his companions. Thereafter:
Indeed the Lord of the heavens and the earth created man in the best form and favored him over other creations. Allah said: “We have certainly created man in the best of stature” (Q95:V4). Imam ibnul Arabi-may Allah be pleased with him- said: “Allah has no creation better than man; Allah created him alive with knowledge, ability, intention, able to speak, hear, see and wise” (see Ahkaamul Quran of Ibn Arabi 4/415)
Allah also favored man with many favors which is uncountable. Allah said: “And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Q16:V18)
Sheikh As-Sa’dee- may Allah be pleased with him- said: “And if you should count the favors of Allah” just ordinary counting without showing gratitude, “you could not enumerate them” talk less of showing gratitude for them; this is because the His favors both open and hidden upon His servants are equal to the number of their breaths and moments, from all kinds of favors known to the servants and those not known and the wrath He protects them from is also uncountable “Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” He is pleased with the little gratitude you show even with the many favors He showers on you. (see tafseer Sa’dee pg437)
Verily, the favor of sight is one of the greatest blessings of Allah upon man. Allah he most high says: “And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful.” (Q16:V78)
Sheikh As-Sa’dee- may Allah have mercy upon him- said: “meaning He (Allah) is the only one who bestowed all these favors such that (He extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing) and you have no ability to do anything. Then, (He made for you hearing and vision and intellect) specific mention of these parts because of their honor and they are the keys to every knowledge. Hence, every knowledge acquired by man was through these three doors that was why they were particularly mentioned otherwise the remaining parts of the body including open and hidden strength of man were bestowed by Allah. Then, He continued to develop these faculties gradually until they were fully developed in other for man to show gratitude by using these parts in the obedience of Allah. Therefore, whoever uses them for anything contrary to that will be held responsible.” (see tafseer Sa’dee pg445)
Brothers and sisters in Islam what is obligatory upon all of us to abide by the injunctions of Allah by protecting this favor from looking at prohibited things. Allah the most high said: “Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.” (Q24:V30)
Ibn Katheer- may Allah have mercy upon him- said: “this is an injunction from Allah to His believing servants that they should lower their gaze from what He has prohibited them from looking at. Thus, they should only look at what is permissible for them and if perchance they look at what has been prohibited without intention, they should look away from it immediately.” (see tafseer ibn katheer 3/282)
Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymia- may Allah have mercy upon him- said: “Allah the most high has commanded us in His book to lower our gaze and it is of two types: lowering the gaze from private parts and from that which arouses desire. An example of the first is for a man to look at the private part of another man while the example of the second is looking the inner beauty of a woman who is not your wife- this is more severe than the first one.” (see majmoo fatawa 15/414)
So, if the eyes are not protected from sins the heart will be affect by it; because the eyes are one of the strongest faculties with great impact on the heart. Imam Qurtubi said: the eye is the biggest door leading to the heart and because of that a lot of people have fallen from that side. Hence, it is necessary to be cautious of it and to lower the gaze from all forbidden things.” (see tafseer Qurtubi 12/222).
It is obligatory for a servant to know that lowering his gaze from what Allah has prohibited has many benefits to him in this world and the hereafter. imam ibn qayim said: lowering the gaze has many benefits which include:
1- It is a fulfillment of Allah’s commands which is the highest level of bliss for the servant in this world and the hereafter. The servant has nothing more beneficial to him in this world and the hereafter than obeying the commands of his Lord. No one ever attained bliss except by following His commands and no one ever became wretched except for disobeying His commands.
2- It prevents the effect of the poisonous gaze which is destructive from reaching the heart.
3- It bequeaths the heart intimacy with Allah because releasing the gaze divides the mind and distances it from Allah. There is nothing more harmful to a servant than releasing his gaze because it alienates a servant from his Lord.
4- It strengthens the heart and makes it happy just as releasing your gaze weakens the heart and makes it unhappy.
5- It brings light to the heart just as releasing your gaze brings darkness.
6- It bequeaths a person true insight with which to differentiate between the truthful and the liar. Shah bin Shuja’a Al-karmaanee used to say: “whoever lives his open life by following the sunnah of the Prophet, and lives his secret life by being mindful of Allah, and lowers his gaze from unlawful things, and restricts himself from desires, and accustoms himself to living on lawful means, he will never have wrong insight.” That was why Shuja’a never had a wrong insight. Allah rewards a servant for his deed with what is of the same category with his deeds. Hence, whoever leaves something because of Allah He will reward him with something better. So, if he lowers his gaze from unlawful things Allah will release the light of his insight, and He will open for him doors of knowledge, faith and awareness which are only attained by a discerned heart.
7- It bequeaths the heart firmness, courage and strength. Allah will also grant him the power of intelligence and strong will.
8- It blocks the devil’s path to the heart because he enters through the sight and goes straight to the heart even faster than the wind in an open place.
9- It enables the heart to think about that which will be beneficial to it because releasing the gaze disperses his thoughts and causes a barrier for him. So, his affairs are scattered and he falls prey to his desires and becomes heedless of the remembrance of his lord. Allah says: “and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.” (Q18:V27)
10-That between the eyes and the heart is a path which causes one to be busy with the other and makes the good of one the good of the other and the decay of one, the decay of the other. So, if the heart is corrupt the eyes become corrupt and vice. (see Aljawab Alkaafee pg125)
It should be known that whenever you look at something prohibited unintentionally, you are pardoned by Allah. Buraida bin Alhaseeb-may Allah be pleased with him- said: the Prophet-peace be upon him- said to Ali: “O Ali! Do not give a second look because while you are not to blame for the first, you have no right to the second” (reported by Abu Dawood).
However, If a person does not turn his gaze and continues to look then he has fallen into great sin. Jarir bin Abdullah-may Allah be pleased with him- said: I asked the Prophet-peace be upon him- about sudden look? So he commanded me to turn away from it.” (reported by Muslim 2159)
Imam An-Nawawee- may Allah have mercy on him- said: “the meaning of (sudden look) is for him to look at a woman who is not his mahram unintentionally thus, there is no sin on him but it is obligatory on him to take his eyes off the sight immediately. If he turns away immediately there is no sin on him and if he continues to look he has committed a sin because of this hadith because the Prophet commanded him to turn away” (see An-Nawawee’s commentary on Sahihul Muslim 14/139)
Therefore, it is obligatory upon every one of us to show gratitude for this great favor and try as much as possible to use it always in the obedience of Allah. Sheikh Shanqeetee said: “in this regard it is obligatory upon every Muslim both individual and group to show gratitude to Allah for His favor and to that by being obedient and worshiping Allah and to be cautious of being ungrateful.” (Adwaaul Bayan 9/112)
We should also be cautious of using it for that which angers almighty Allah and pleases the devil no matter the sin. We will also not forget to remind ourselves of the trial of Allah on one who loses his sight. Such a person has to be patient and seek reward from Allah. Abu Huraira-may Allah be pleased with him- narrated that the Prophet-peace be upon him- said: “whoever loses his sight and perseveres seeking reward from Allah, I will not accept any reward for him other than paradise.” (reported by Tirmidhee 2795)
Ibn Hajar said: “this is because it is the most beloved part to man which makes him regret a lot when he loses his sight.” Then he said: “and this is the greatest compensation because the enjoyment derived from the sight depletes with the depletion of the earth while the enjoyment derived from paradise is everlasting and this encompass all those whi lose their sight so long as they fulfill the above stated condition.” (see fathul Baree 0/116)
I ask Allah with His beautiful names and attributes to guide us to that which pleases Him among which is using the favor bestowed on us in obedience to him and to distant us from all that which anger Him among which is gazing at what He has prohibited.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our prophet, Muhammad, hos household and all his companions.
Written by Abu Abdillah Hamza An-Nayilee
Indeed the Lord of the heavens and the earth created man in the best form and favored him over other creations. Allah said: “We have certainly created man in the best of stature” (Q95:V4). Imam ibnul Arabi-may Allah be pleased with him- said: “Allah has no creation better than man; Allah created him alive with knowledge, ability, intention, able to speak, hear, see and wise” (see Ahkaamul Quran of Ibn Arabi 4/415)
Allah also favored man with many favors which is uncountable. Allah said: “And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Q16:V18)
Sheikh As-Sa’dee- may Allah be pleased with him- said: “And if you should count the favors of Allah” just ordinary counting without showing gratitude, “you could not enumerate them” talk less of showing gratitude for them; this is because the His favors both open and hidden upon His servants are equal to the number of their breaths and moments, from all kinds of favors known to the servants and those not known and the wrath He protects them from is also uncountable “Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” He is pleased with the little gratitude you show even with the many favors He showers on you. (see tafseer Sa’dee pg437)
Verily, the favor of sight is one of the greatest blessings of Allah upon man. Allah he most high says: “And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful.” (Q16:V78)
Sheikh As-Sa’dee- may Allah have mercy upon him- said: “meaning He (Allah) is the only one who bestowed all these favors such that (He extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing) and you have no ability to do anything. Then, (He made for you hearing and vision and intellect) specific mention of these parts because of their honor and they are the keys to every knowledge. Hence, every knowledge acquired by man was through these three doors that was why they were particularly mentioned otherwise the remaining parts of the body including open and hidden strength of man were bestowed by Allah. Then, He continued to develop these faculties gradually until they were fully developed in other for man to show gratitude by using these parts in the obedience of Allah. Therefore, whoever uses them for anything contrary to that will be held responsible.” (see tafseer Sa’dee pg445)
Brothers and sisters in Islam what is obligatory upon all of us to abide by the injunctions of Allah by protecting this favor from looking at prohibited things. Allah the most high said: “Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.” (Q24:V30)
Ibn Katheer- may Allah have mercy upon him- said: “this is an injunction from Allah to His believing servants that they should lower their gaze from what He has prohibited them from looking at. Thus, they should only look at what is permissible for them and if perchance they look at what has been prohibited without intention, they should look away from it immediately.” (see tafseer ibn katheer 3/282)
Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymia- may Allah have mercy upon him- said: “Allah the most high has commanded us in His book to lower our gaze and it is of two types: lowering the gaze from private parts and from that which arouses desire. An example of the first is for a man to look at the private part of another man while the example of the second is looking the inner beauty of a woman who is not your wife- this is more severe than the first one.” (see majmoo fatawa 15/414)
So, if the eyes are not protected from sins the heart will be affect by it; because the eyes are one of the strongest faculties with great impact on the heart. Imam Qurtubi said: the eye is the biggest door leading to the heart and because of that a lot of people have fallen from that side. Hence, it is necessary to be cautious of it and to lower the gaze from all forbidden things.” (see tafseer Qurtubi 12/222).
It is obligatory for a servant to know that lowering his gaze from what Allah has prohibited has many benefits to him in this world and the hereafter. imam ibn qayim said: lowering the gaze has many benefits which include:
1- It is a fulfillment of Allah’s commands which is the highest level of bliss for the servant in this world and the hereafter. The servant has nothing more beneficial to him in this world and the hereafter than obeying the commands of his Lord. No one ever attained bliss except by following His commands and no one ever became wretched except for disobeying His commands.
2- It prevents the effect of the poisonous gaze which is destructive from reaching the heart.
3- It bequeaths the heart intimacy with Allah because releasing the gaze divides the mind and distances it from Allah. There is nothing more harmful to a servant than releasing his gaze because it alienates a servant from his Lord.
4- It strengthens the heart and makes it happy just as releasing your gaze weakens the heart and makes it unhappy.
5- It brings light to the heart just as releasing your gaze brings darkness.
6- It bequeaths a person true insight with which to differentiate between the truthful and the liar. Shah bin Shuja’a Al-karmaanee used to say: “whoever lives his open life by following the sunnah of the Prophet, and lives his secret life by being mindful of Allah, and lowers his gaze from unlawful things, and restricts himself from desires, and accustoms himself to living on lawful means, he will never have wrong insight.” That was why Shuja’a never had a wrong insight. Allah rewards a servant for his deed with what is of the same category with his deeds. Hence, whoever leaves something because of Allah He will reward him with something better. So, if he lowers his gaze from unlawful things Allah will release the light of his insight, and He will open for him doors of knowledge, faith and awareness which are only attained by a discerned heart.
7- It bequeaths the heart firmness, courage and strength. Allah will also grant him the power of intelligence and strong will.
8- It blocks the devil’s path to the heart because he enters through the sight and goes straight to the heart even faster than the wind in an open place.
9- It enables the heart to think about that which will be beneficial to it because releasing the gaze disperses his thoughts and causes a barrier for him. So, his affairs are scattered and he falls prey to his desires and becomes heedless of the remembrance of his lord. Allah says: “and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.” (Q18:V27)
10-That between the eyes and the heart is a path which causes one to be busy with the other and makes the good of one the good of the other and the decay of one, the decay of the other. So, if the heart is corrupt the eyes become corrupt and vice. (see Aljawab Alkaafee pg125)
It should be known that whenever you look at something prohibited unintentionally, you are pardoned by Allah. Buraida bin Alhaseeb-may Allah be pleased with him- said: the Prophet-peace be upon him- said to Ali: “O Ali! Do not give a second look because while you are not to blame for the first, you have no right to the second” (reported by Abu Dawood).
However, If a person does not turn his gaze and continues to look then he has fallen into great sin. Jarir bin Abdullah-may Allah be pleased with him- said: I asked the Prophet-peace be upon him- about sudden look? So he commanded me to turn away from it.” (reported by Muslim 2159)
Imam An-Nawawee- may Allah have mercy on him- said: “the meaning of (sudden look) is for him to look at a woman who is not his mahram unintentionally thus, there is no sin on him but it is obligatory on him to take his eyes off the sight immediately. If he turns away immediately there is no sin on him and if he continues to look he has committed a sin because of this hadith because the Prophet commanded him to turn away” (see An-Nawawee’s commentary on Sahihul Muslim 14/139)
Therefore, it is obligatory upon every one of us to show gratitude for this great favor and try as much as possible to use it always in the obedience of Allah. Sheikh Shanqeetee said: “in this regard it is obligatory upon every Muslim both individual and group to show gratitude to Allah for His favor and to that by being obedient and worshiping Allah and to be cautious of being ungrateful.” (Adwaaul Bayan 9/112)
We should also be cautious of using it for that which angers almighty Allah and pleases the devil no matter the sin. We will also not forget to remind ourselves of the trial of Allah on one who loses his sight. Such a person has to be patient and seek reward from Allah. Abu Huraira-may Allah be pleased with him- narrated that the Prophet-peace be upon him- said: “whoever loses his sight and perseveres seeking reward from Allah, I will not accept any reward for him other than paradise.” (reported by Tirmidhee 2795)
Ibn Hajar said: “this is because it is the most beloved part to man which makes him regret a lot when he loses his sight.” Then he said: “and this is the greatest compensation because the enjoyment derived from the sight depletes with the depletion of the earth while the enjoyment derived from paradise is everlasting and this encompass all those whi lose their sight so long as they fulfill the above stated condition.” (see fathul Baree 0/116)
I ask Allah with His beautiful names and attributes to guide us to that which pleases Him among which is using the favor bestowed on us in obedience to him and to distant us from all that which anger Him among which is gazing at what He has prohibited.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our prophet, Muhammad, hos household and all his companions.
Written by Abu Abdillah Hamza An-Nayilee