Groom aged 14 jilts bride of 12 years

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We are waiting for your call. May Allaah reward you.

Ready for print now:

5,000 leaflets in high quality and full color will cost you only £250… This price is valid only till the end of July, So please hurry. The more donations, the more leaflets and more reward for you.
Please donate by telephone with your debit card: 0121-773-0033 or 0121-773-0003 or send a cheque made payable to Salafi Bookstore and post to, 472 Coventry Road, Birmingham B10 0UG. You can also pay by PAYPAL from your Paypal account to: orders@salafibookstore.com
We are waiting for your call. May Allaah reward you.

Weather causing havoc on Britain’s roads

20 July 2007

Britain’s wet summer continued today as thunderstorms caused havoc on the nation’s roads.

The Met Office has issued several weather warnings for Wales and across much of southern England where more than four inches of rain could fall in an hour.

This is causing localised flooding and torrid driving conditions.

According to reports from the BBC, five people have been reported trapped by flash flooding in a building in Barry, South Wales, while in Hereford, the council is handing out Wellington boots to help stranded motorists.

At Auto Trader towers in Wimbledon, staff were forced to move cars from the underground car park as rain flowed in.

Here’s our top five tips to avoid being a victim of the weather:

1      Only drive if you have to

2      If you are approaching flooding, drive very slowly and carefully

3      Allow more time for your journey

4      Double the distance between yourself and the driver in front

5      Gently test your brakes regularly in the rain

AND don’t drive through water flooding pedestrians – it’s illegal and you could get points on your license.

Islaam & The Battle Between Extremism and Neglect

By Aboo Khadeejah Abdul-Waahid

In recent times many people who call to Islaam have started discussing the matter of moderation and extremism in Islaam. Unfortunately, many of these discussions are driven by political agendas on both sides of the dividing line, that is to say that you have those Muslims who, in their desire to be seen as integrating with the host community, will label as extremist that which they see as alien to the society they are living within. An example of that is the huge debate that erupted in 2006 in the UK regarding the wearing of the face veil (or niqaab) by Muslim women. If one studies the issue of the face veil Islamically outside of the prevalent political and cultural agenda, one would find that the face veil is at the very least recommended by the Islamic legislation, and it cannot be labelled as extreme. Yet others may even regard the growing of the beard as extreme, or praying five times a day as extreme. All of these judgements based upon modern day prevalent culture and not upon study of the Qur’aan or Prophetic tradition. On the other side of the dividing line, we have the extremists who will go beyond the limits of the Islamic legislation, again driven by either cultural or political agendas, so they may take the lives of individuals by murder and terrorism and attribute that to Islaam and even claim that Islaam legislates such despicable acts. Those who carried out the seventh of July tube and bus bombings in London claimed they were guided by Islaam. But in reality they were deceived by an extremist political methodology, far removed from Islaam. Other extremists may partake in what is commonly labelled in these times as ‘honour killings’ of female members of their families, or force their daughters into marriage with one whom they do not wish to marry, and then they attribute this to Islaam! Nothing could be further from the truth. This article will discuss the Islamic concept of taking the balanced and middle path in religion.

So the middle and balanced way in Islaam is that a person does not trangress the limits set by Allaah, and likewise he does not fall short with regard to them. And this moderate and balanced way lies in adherence to the example of the life the Messenger of Allaah (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), not going to extremes beyond following him and not falling short in following him. An example of that would be if a man was to say, “I wish to stand and pray throughout every night and not sleep because prayer is the best of worship so I love to stay awake praying continually.” Then this is extremism in the religion that opposes the truth. Something similar to this occurred in the time of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when a three men came together and said, “I will prayer through the night and not sleep”, another one said, “I will continually fast and not break the fast,” and a third said, “I will not get married.” So the news of this discussion reached Allaah’s Messenger, so he said, “What is wrong with some of you that you say such things?! I fast and I break my fast, I stand in prayer a portion of the night and I sleep also and I marry women. So whoever opposes my way (the Sunnah) then he is not from me.” (Reported by Al-Bukhaaree). So these people went to an extreme in the religion, so the Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him, reprimanded them and corrected them, because they opposed his Sunnah (i.e. his way).

As for falling short, then it is if a person was to say, “I am not in need of fulfilling the obligations that Allaah and his Messenger have placed upon me”, or he states, “I am not in need of carrying out superogatory acts of worship.” This negligence is in opposition to the balanced middle way of Islaam and the Prophetic methodology. As for the middle, moderate and balanced path, then that is to proceed upon way of Allaah’s Messenger and the way of his noble Companions.

Another example that can be mentioned here is of three men and in front of them is an open sinner. So the first states, “As for me, I will not greet this faasiq (i.e. open sinner) with the salutation of peace (i.e. the salaam), I will boycott him and be distant from him and not talk to him at all!”. The second sates, “As for me I will accompany this sinner and give him the salaam, and I will display my pleasure and happiness in front of him and I will invite him and I will accept his invitations, and I hold him to be a pious man.” The third man states, “This man is a sinner, and I dislike him due to his sin and I love him due to the imaan (faith) he has. I will not boycott or abandon him unless I see that it will rectify him, and if my boycotting him will not bring about his rectification, but rather I see that it will increase him in sin, then I will not abandon him.” So we say that the first man has gone beyond bounds and fallen into extremism, and the second man has fallen short and become negligent. As for the third, then he is one who is balanced.

So this is what we say regarding all the acts of worship as well as worldly dealings and social interactions, that people are either extreme, or negligent or balanced.

Yet another example is of a man who is married, so he is subservient to his wife and goes whichever way she directs him, and he does not correct her when she sins, and he does not ever encourage her with goodness and excellent behaviour. Rather she posseses his decision making, and she has authority over him. And on the other extreme there is a man who is overburdaning and arrogant and he has no concern for his wife or her feelings, he demeans her and treats her worse than an oppressed slave is treated. The third man is balanced and moderate with regard to his wife, just as Allaah has commanded him, “And the women have rights over their husbands similar to those of their husbands over them in that which is good.” (Qur’aan 2:228), and the Messenger of Allaah said, “Let not a believing man hate a believing woman, if he dislikes one quality in her, then he will be pleased with another.” (Reported by Imaam Muslim). So we see that the first one is negligent, the second is extreme and third is in line with the wise legislation, moderate and balanced.

From all of these examples we see that moderation and balance is decided by the teachings of the Qur’aan and Prophetic Sunnah. As Muslims we are obligated to believe that the legislation of the Qur’aan and Sunnah are just and balanced, as Allaah, the Most High, has stated, “Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped except He, and the Angels and those with knowledge also bear witness. And He is established with justice, none has the right to be worshipped except Him, the All-Mighty, All- Wise.” However, those who misunderstand the texts due to their ignorance or misinterprete them due to their deviated desires, they are the ones who fall in negligence or extremism.

We find modernist muslim ‘thinkers’ and authors who claim to be re-interpreting Islaam for the ‘modern age’, stating that Allaah’s Messenger used to encourage the people with ease and taking the paths of ease, and they quote as a proof his statement, “Give good tidings and do not cause the people to flee, and make things easy and do not make things difficult.” (Reported by Muslim) and the statement of Allaah, “Allaah wishes for you ease and He does not wish for you hardship.” (Qur’aan 2:185). So they utilise the likes of these texts to justify their own shortcomings. Some modernists even claim that if a religious act is not found in the Qur’aan, then we are not obligated to act upon it. This saying of their’s is a clear violation of Qur’anic text.

Let us here bring several more examples to show the middle path between extremism and negligence:

1. “The beard of the Muslim male causes the people to feel intimidated, so one should remove it or trim it down”. Then this statement displays negligence in enacting the commandment of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in which he said, “My Lord has has commanded me to grow my beard and trim the my mustache.” (Reported by At-Tabari). He also commanded the believers, “Trim the mustache and grow the beard.” (Bukhaari and Muslim). Growing the beard is from the natural disposition of a male and a distinguishing sign of a Muslim, as has been stated in other narrations. To oppose this command is a sinful action. So the middle way is to grow the beard, and negligence is to shave it or trim it.

2. “The face veil and outer cloak worn by the Muslim female is intimidating and unnecessary, so women should not wear it”. This is another statement that falls short of the balanced legislation. As for the outer cloak or Jilbaab, then the female has been commanded with it in the Qur’aan where Allaah sates, “O Prophet! Tell the your wives and your daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments (Jilbaabs) around the whole of their bodies. That will be better so they are known so as not to be annoyed.” (Qur’aan 33:59). So the outer garment has been commanded by Allaah, so it is not permissible to disobey Him due to prevalent culture or tribal traditions or in the name of integration! As for the face veil, then at the very least it is recommended by the legislation. It was stated by A’isha, the wife of the Prophet, that when one of the companions approached her, “I covered my face with my garment from him.”(Reported by Al-Bukhaaree). She also stated that whilst at Hajj, when male riders would pass by, “She would drop the garment from her head over her face.” (Reported by Abu Dawood). And similarly has been related by the sister-in-law of the Prophet, Asmaa during Hajj, when she stated, “We used to cover our faces from the men.” (Reported Al-Haakim). So it is strange that we find Muslim community leaders claiming that there is no mention of the niqaab (face veil) in the Qur’aan and therefore it is not from Islaam, but merely an old desert-Arab tradition! Whereas, we find from the above narrations that the face veil was the practice of the believing women. So those Muslims who reject the legitimacy of the face veil have fallen into neglect of the religious texts, and are not to be considered as balanced, but instead we say they are negligent. What is even worse is that they call to these ignorant views.

3. “If a Muslim male does not shake the hand of a female, the non-Muslims will think this demeans women, so let’s take the ease and shake hands with the opposite sex”. This statement is a negligent approach that falls short of the middle path. The Prophet (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) said, “I do not shake the hands of women.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah) And A’isha the wife of the Messenger, stated, “By Allaah, the hand of Allaah’s Messenger never touched another woman [other than his wives]. He used to take the pledge of allegiance of women verbally only.” Shaking hands with the opposite sex is a means to temptation that may eventually lead to fornication. However, there is no harm in exchanging greetings without shaking hands, as long as alluring speech is avoided. And there is no harm in women shaking hands with immediate relatives such as their fathers, husbands and brothers. The Prophet was never disrespectful towards his female disciples, yet he never shook their hands, so this is a respectful act towards women. Most non-Muslims are very understanding once this matter is explained to them, so more Muslims should make effort in explaining this affair rather than giving in, and thereby opposing the Prophetic texts and falling short. In truth a Muslim can be a responsible member of the community, without comprimising the obligations of his religion and without breaking the laws of the host country. Indeed good, upright practising Muslims become role models of good character in communities.

Modernist thinkers and preachers deliver verdicts claiming that the religion allows for this ease wherein Allaah is disobeyed. If it was the case that that the Messenger was giving license to his Companions to disobey the clear commands of the Qur’aan and Prophetic Sunnah, then we would find clear examples from the Companions themselves opposing the commands contained in the texts, yet no such narrations are found in the huge body of hadeeth literature. We never find for example the Companions shaving their beards, or the women removing their hijaabs, or men shaking hands with women and other than that! The textual proofs related to ease revolve around concessions that are established also by textual evidences for example: It is stated in text that if one is not able to pray standing due to illness, or difficulty, then he prays whilst seated, if he is not able to do that, then he prays lying down; If one has no water nearby, or has an illness that prevents him from utilising water to make an ablution (wudhoo) for prayer or take a bath from sexual intercourse, then he is given the allowance to make a dry purification (tayamum) by simply striking the earth, wiping the hands and face; When one is upon a journey, then he shortens his prayer from four to two units and he may combine between some of the prayers and he may break his fast if he wishes, even if it is in the month of Ramadhaan, and so on. So these are just some examples of conessions and the removal of hardship contained within the wise, divine legislation.

You can see clearly, that the legislated ease does not entail disobedience to Allaah. In these times we find those who claim to represent the ‘moderate Islamic viewpoint’, yet in truth, they oppose the Islamic texts and speak about the Religion ignorantly, and from the most ignorant of their statements is, “We do not find this ruling in the Qur’aan, therefore we are not obligated with it,” whilst it is established that the Islamic leglistation is take from the Qur’aan, the Prophetic Tradition and the concensus of the Companions. The danger with these viewpoints is that small sections of muslim communities fall prey to the extremists as a backlash to these ‘new age’ modernist thinkers who are negligent in implementation of the Islamic legislation. So on the other side of the spectrum we have the extremists who lurk in the shadows, waiting for their prey. They indoctrinate the youth with false doctrines that call to violence and false notions of ‘Jihaad’. So they encourage with suicide attacks and terrorist acts, that are forbidden by the Qur’aan and the Pure Prophetic Sunnah. We refer to our leaflet entitled, “The Corruption of Terrorism & Suicide Bombing - Exposing the Perpetrators of Evil.”

So in summary, the middle path lies in adhering to Qur’aan and the Prophetic Sunnah upon the understanding of the Companions.

Sources:

Fatawa Arkaan al-Islaam of Shaikh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-Uthaimeen, Sharh al-Mumtee’ of Shaikh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-Uthaimeen.
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Assalaamu alaykum,

Salafi Publications needs your help in publishing a new series of leaflets to face the challenges of modern times. By the end of July 2007, we hope to have a series of 8 leaflets published for FREE distribution in large quantities dealing with issues such as “The Modern Day Woman & Islaam”, “Islaam Between Extremism and Neglect”, “What is the Greatest Goal Of Islaam”, “Who Are The Salafis & Are They From Ahlus-Sunnah?”, “Magic, Evil Eye, Possession & The Cure”, “Marriage In Islaam”, “The Birthday Of The Prophet & Other Innovated Celebrations”, “The Muslims & Christmas”, “The Importance Of The Daily Prayers In Islaam” and, “Remembrance of your Lord is the Fortress against the Devil”
5,000 leaflets in high quality and full color will cost you only £289… This price is valid only till July 28th 2007, So please hurry. The more donations, the more leaflets and more reward for you.
Please donate by telephone with your debit card: 0121-773-0033 or 0121-773-0003 or send a cheque made payable to Salafi Bookstore and post to, 472 Coventry Road, Birmingham B10 0UG. You can also pay by PAYPAL from your Paypal account to: orders@salafibookstore.com
We are waiting for your call. May Allaah reward you.

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Informing The Authorities Of Terrorist Plots.

By Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Waahid bin Saaleh

The Salafi position regarding those who incite or plan terrorist acts such as suicide, kidnap or bombings is that Muslims should inform the authorities of their activities. This is regardless of whether these acts are perpetrated in Muslim or non-Muslim countries. Muslim communities must be at the forefront of stamping out these non-Islamic acts that are done falsely in the name of Islam. The Messenger of Allaah stated: “Whoever sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do that, then let him change it with his tongue [by speaking]. And if he is not able to do that, then let him [hate it] with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.” (Reported by Muslim)

The Scholars have stated that forbidding with the hand is done by the governments and the authorities, so they hold and punish and imprison the evil doers. If they withhold from this duty, it does NOT fall into the hands of the citizens to take the law into their own hands. Rather they remain patient. As for speaking against the evil in terms of refuting the false ideologies, then that it for the scholars and the people of knowledge, not for ignorant, and there has never been a time in the history of Islam, except that the scholars have spoken out against evil ideologies and doctrines as a safeguard for Islam, and this will not stop up until the final Hour is established. As for the general person then he forbids only in accordance to his knowledge and ability in line with the rulings of the true scholars of the Sunnah based upon the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. As for hating with the heart, then this for the one who recognizes evil, but does not have the knowledge nor the ability to speak against this, so he distances himself from it and keeps away from it. So as it relates to the terrorists, then it is known by the one possessing knowledge as well as the one who is devoid of it, that these acts are evil and condemned by the Muslim scholars based upon the texts of the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah. So both, the one possessing knowledge and the general person, informs the authorities of those that incite or plan terrorist acts.

And this is from the aspect of forbidding evil and thereby earning the reward of Allaah, the Most High. Indeed it is a distinguishing trait of this nation that they enjoin the good and forbid the evil. Allaah states, “Let there rise from amongst you a group that call to good and they enjoin the good and forbid the evil. And indeed they are the successful.” (Qur’aan 3:104) Indeed nations that came before were cursed upon the tongues of the Prophets due to them not forbidding the evil when it appeared. Allaah, the Most High, states, “Those amongst the Children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of Dawood (David) and Eesaa the son of Maryam (Jesus son of Mary), because they used to transgress the bounds. They used not to forbid one another from evil which they committed…” (Qur’aan 5:78-79).

So Muslims should take heed from this great verse. Additionally the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu alaihi wassallam) stated: “There are not a people amongst whom sins are committed, and they are stronger than those who commit them yet they do not prevent them, except that Allaah sends His punishment upon them all.” (See Tashabbuhul-Khasees of adh-Dhahabee, and the hadeeth is authentic) Another reason why these terrorists and their ideology must be stamped out is due to the fact that they are innovators who have attributed to Islaam, that which is Islam is free of, and it is impermissible to accommodate them or defend them or protect them, due to the statement of the Prophet (salallaahu alaihi wassallam), “Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator, then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind.” (Reported by Bukhaaree and Muslim). And there is not a shadow of a doubt from an Islamic perspective, that these terrorist ideologies are innovations and these perpetrators are innovators, and it is not permissible to protect them or give them refuge.

One can recognize the ideology of the these evil doers from certain matters that their lectures and discussions always revolve around, from them is that they always call for rebellion and revolution in the Muslim lands and against the Muslim rulers; they declare the Muslim rulers and those who work in the apparatus of government to be apostates and unbelievers; they praise the suicide bombers and terrorists and insurgencies in Iraaq, Palestine and other places and continually justify their actions; they may praise the bombings of 9/11 in New York, 7th July bombings in London or the Madrid bombings. These discussions of theirs may not necessitate that they themselves will organize or carry out terrorist acts but this speech of theirs incites others towards violence. Remember it only takes two or three young men (or women) who have been affected to go out and wreak havoc. The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu alaihi wassallam), mentioned these renegades (known as the Khawarij) in a narration, “If I am alive when they appear, I will slaughter them with the slaughtering of Aad.” And Aad was a tribe mentioned in the Qur’aan that was punished by Allaah for their evils and transgressions. He also stated, “They are the worst of Allaah’s creation under the sky.” There are many, many other narrations of the Prophet and his Companions describing them, to the extent that Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah and Imaam an-Nawawee, two great scholars of the middle ages, stated the consensus of the great Scholars of the Salaf and Sunnah that these renegades must be prevented and fought against. In fact Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (died 728 AH) stated that the Khawaarij are more harmful to Islaam and the Muslims than the Jews and the Christians. And this is due to the fact that these Jihaadis, Takfeeris and terrorists are a cancer within the ranks of the Muslims, destroying the purity of the Religion from within.

So when one looks at the activities of these people such as the killing of men, women and children, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, one sees that they are indiscriminate in their murderous acts. After what has been mentioned above one can see why the Scholars of this noble and blessed Salafi da’wah have issued verdicts calling people to inform the authorities if they know of anyone inciting or planning terrorist acts.

There is NO doubt that those make a link between terrorism and what they term as ‘The Wahhaabis’, intending by that the Salafis, have made a mythical link based upon fallacies and falsehood. The great Scholar Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab (died 1206AH), after whom his adversaries invented the derogatory term ‘Wahhaabi’ for anyone who studied his works - then this Scholar was the most fervent in his opposition to deviation and deviant ideologies. Rather the Salafis, whom the opposers term as Wahhaabis, have been at the forefront of combating the takfeeri, Jihaadi and Khariji ideologies, for decades. And this refutation of the Salafi scholars upon these groups was not just a mere response to modern-day events but rather a religious obligation upon them regardless of prevailing circumstances.

So Syed Qutb, the father and reference point of the modern-day Jihadist-terrorist movements, was refuted by the Salafi Scholars for his call to assassinations and violent revolution decades ago and again in the early nineties by the likes of the Salafi scholars such as Shaikh Bin Baaz, Shaikh Bin Uthaimeen and especially in great detail by Shaikh Rabee bin Haadee al-Madkhalee who authored several books in exposition of Syed Qutb. Shaikh Bin Baaz warned and exposed the evil doctrine of Usamah bin Laden back in the early nineties, whilst the Islamic political groups were in praise of him. Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi is another reference point for the modern day violent politically motivated groups, yet the Salafi Scholars such as Shaikh Rabee al-Madkhali, Shaikh Ubaid al-Jaabiree, Shaikh Hammaad al-Ansaaree exposed his errors and warned against his approach. Another example is the warning of the Salafi Yemeni Scholar Muqbil bin Haadee against the HAMAS of Palestine whilst the latter were supporting terrorist attacks on civilian buses in Israel. We also have the Scholarly Salafi stance against Hizbollah of south Lebanon and former leader of Iran, Khomeini such as the statements of Shaikh Bin Baz, Shaikh Bin Uthaimin, Shaikh Ahmad an-Najmi and others. Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen in his now published explanation of ‘Riyaadhus-Saaliheen’ well over fifteen years ago showed his clear abhorrence at the suicide bombings in Palestine. So this is the clarity with which the Salafis speak and have always spoken. Over a thousand years of Salafi authorship, from the time of the disciples of the Prophet until this day, the Scholars of Sunnah and Salafiyyah have been refuting the false ideologies, whether extremist or negligent - Whereas the people of deviation will respond based upon political expediency, but the underlying ideology in support of revolution and suicide attacks remains. How is it possible to be straddle both sides of the fence in this issue, whilst the Qur’aan and Sunnah is so clear upon them?

What is astonishing is that these same people accuse the Salafis, whom they call Wahhaabis, of being responsible for these false extremist ideologies. It reminds us of the lines of poetry: “She accused me of the illness she possessed, and then slipped way!”