A Return to Excellence

Indeed all praise is for Allaah. We praise Him, seek His help and we seek His forgiveness and we seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our souls and our evil actions. Whosoever Allaah guides then none can misguide and whosoever Allaah misguides then none can guide aright. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, having no partners and I bear witness that Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is His servant and Messenger. To proceed:

Knowing the Straight Path

‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood radiallaahu 'anhu said: The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam drew a line for us and said: "This is Allaah’s Straight Path." Then he drew lines to its right and left and then said: "These are other paths. Upon every one of them there is a devil calling towards it." Then he recited:[1]

"Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow other paths, they will separate you from His Path."[2]"[3]

Therefore, that which is necessary for the Muslims - both individuals and groups - in order to prepare for the mighty task and to achieve the lofty goal, is to truly know the straight path, it’s people, their ‘aqeedah (belief) and their manhaj (methodology), knowing also the innovations and evils which cause one to separate from this way. The wisdom in learning about the evil is taken from the hadeeth of Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan radiallaahu 'anhu where he said: "The people used to ask the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam about the good, but I used to ask him about the evil for fear that it would overtake me..."[4] And may Allaah have mercy upon the one who said in poetic wisdom:
I learnt what was evil, not for itself, but to avoid it. He who does not know evil from good, falls into it.
Abul-‘Aaliyah (d.90H) - rahimahullaah - said: "Learn Islaam. Then when you have learnt Islaam, do not turn away from it to the right nor the left. But be upon the Straight Path and upon the Sunnah of your Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and that which his companions are upon ... and beware of these innovations because they cause enmity and hatred amongst you. But stick to the original state of affairs which was there before they divided." So ‘Aasim said: I related this to al-Hasan al-Basree so he said: "He has given you sincere advice and has told you the truth."[5]

The Original State of Affairs

[It is hoped that this leaflet will be a small contribution towards introducing to the noble brothers and sisters the importance of the]...original state of affairs, which has as its pure and sweet spring, the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, built upon the understanding of the Salafus-Saalih - the pious predecessors of this Ummah - the first three generations of Muslims whose excellence has been testified to by the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam in his saying: "The most excellent of mankind is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them."[6]

This principle - the obligation of adhering to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salafus-Saalih - being the cornerstone principle of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, as Abu Haneefah (d.150H) - rahimahullaah - said: "Stick to the narrations and the way of the Salaf and beware of newly invented matters, for all of it is innovation."[7] Also Imaam al-Awzaa’ee (d.157H) - rahimahullaah - said: "Patiently restrict yourself to the Sunnah and pause where the people paused, say what they said and avoid what they avoided. Take to the path of your Salafus-Saalih, for indeed, what was sufficient for them, is sufficient for you."[8] [So, it is hoped that this leaflet will encourage the reader, to seek and follow] ...the path taken by our Salafus-Saalih, differentiating between their way and the way of those who opposed them with whims, desires, and innovated principles, who seek to sever the people’s connection with the Salaf of this Ummah and its scholars - those whose understanding has been praised and whose path it has been made obligatory to follow.

Softening the Hearts

[As well as the importance of seeking knowledge of]...the correct Islaamic ‘aqeedah and manhaj, and [knowledge]...pertaining to fiqh, tafseer, hadeeth, seerah and siyaasatush-shar’iyyah (concern for the affairs of this Ummah);...[the reader should also seek that which is]...pertaining to aadaab and akhlaaq (manners and etiquettes), tazkiyah (purification of the soul) and the study of the lives of the Salafus-Saaliheen. This, by Allaah’s permission, will further enable the hearts to cultivate submissiveness and humility in the worship and obedience to Allaah - the Most High.

Ibn al-Jawzee (d.597H) - rahimahullaah - said: "I feel that occupying oneself with jurisprudence and acquiring the narrations is hardly enough to correct the heart, unless he adds to that the study of raqaa’iq (heart-melting narrations) and the study of the lives of the Salafus-Saaliheen. Since they attained what is desirous from the narrations and took from the outer actions that which is ordered and required. And I do not inform you of this except after personal trial and experience. Since I have found that the majority of the narrators and the students of Hadeeth are concerned chiefly with obtaining the briefest isnaad (chain of narration) and increase in the number of narrations. And the majority of the jurisprudents are concerned with dialects and how to win arguments. So how can the hearts be softened with these things? Previously a group of the Salaf would visit a pious servant to see his conduct and manners, not to take from his knowledge. This was because the fruits of his knowledge were his manners and conduct, so understand this. Thus, along with the study of fiqh and Hadeeth, study the lives of the Salaf and those who abstained with regards to the world, so that this may be a cause of softness in your hearts."[9]

The Means and the Goal

Yoonus ibn ‘Ubayd (d.139H) - rahimahullaah - said: "With good manners you understand the knowledge. With the knowledge your actions are corrected. With actions wisdom is obtained. With wisdom you understand zuhd (abstinence) and are granted its benefits. With zuhd comes abandoning the world. With abandoning the world comes desire for the hereafter. With desire for the hereafter the pleasure of Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - is obtained."

Abu Qilaabah (d.104H) - rahimahullaah - said: "If Allaah gives you knowledge, then give Him worship; and do not let your desire be just to narrate it to the people."[10]

Abu ‘Abdullaah ar-Roodhabaaree said: "He who goes out for knowledge, desiring knowledge, it does not benefit him. He who goes out for knowledge seeking the action by the knowledge, even little knowledge benefits him."[11]

Maalik ibn Deenaar - rahimahullaah - said: "When a servant seeks the knowledge for practice, his knowledge humbles him. When he seeks it for other than that, it increases him in immorality and pride by it."[12]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab (d.795H) - rahimahullaah - said: "So the beneficial knowledge from amongst all the types of knowledge is to take possession of the texts of the Book and the Sunnah and to understand their meanings, and to limit oneself to that which is reported from the Companions, the Taabi’een and their Successors - with regards to the meaning of the Qur’aan and Hadeeth, and what is reported from them as regard to the halaal (lawful) and haraam (prohibited), and zuhd, raqaa’iq, the accounts (of previous nations and Prophets), and other than that. Striving firstly, to distinguish what is authentic and what is weak; and then secondly, striving to understand and comprehend it. And there is enough in that for the intelligent one, and enough to occupy one who busies himself with beneficial knowledge. And he who stops at that and makes his intention purely for the Face of Allaah and seeks His help - then Allaah will help him, guide him and grant him success, satisfaction, understanding and inspiration. Then he will take the benefits of this knowledge - which are found through it alone - and that is fear of Allaah, as Allaah - the Exalted and Majestic - says:

"Indeed, it is only those who have knowledge, amongst His slaves, that fear Allaah."[13]"[14]

The Reminder

Thus - O noble reader - if this brief introduction is something already familiar to you, then we hope that it will serve as a reminder for you - if Allaah wills - since it will not be hidden from any Muslim, whatever level of knowledge they are at, that reminding of the truth has a very lofty station in our great and tolerant religion, as Allaah - the most High - says:

"So remind! For indeed reminding benefits the Believers."[15]

For this reminding comes this magazine [Al-Ibaanah] ... which we present to our Muslim brothers and sisters - praying that together we may adorn ourselves with the correct knowledge bequeathed to us by or Salafus-Saalih, learning their ‘aqeedah, so that hearts may embrace it; learning their manhaj, so that people may follow it and learning also their manners and behaviour, so that souls may be cultivated upon it, seeking to convey this to others with the wisdom, patience and forbearance that this pure and sublime message demands. So herein lies the excellence of the one who reaches it.

Al-Hasan al-Basree (d.110H) - rahimahullaah - said: "If there was a man who reached the first Salaf, then he (this man) was up today, he would not recognise anything of Islaam." The narrator said: And al-Hasan put his hand on his cheek and said: "Except for this prayer." Then he said: "Then how is it - by Allaah - for one who lives in this bad time, not having reached the Salafus-Saalih. So he sees an innovator calling to his innovation, and a worldly person calling to the world. But Allaah protects him from that and makes his heart lean towards those Salfus-Saalih. Asking about their way, seeking their narrations and following their path. Allaah will recompense him with a great reward. So be like that if Allaah wills."[16]

Finally, we ask Allaah to make this magazine of benefit to the noble reader and to the one who seeks it. Indeed Allaah is the One who hears and He is the One who responds.

Footnotes:

1. All Qur’aanic quotations are translations of the meaning of the Qur’aan.
2. Sooratul-An’aam (6):153.
3. Hasan: Related by Ahmad (1/435) and an-Nasaa’ee (7/49). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in his checking to Kitaab us-Sunnaah (no.16) of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim.
4. Related by al-Bukhaaree (6/615) and Muslim (12/235).
5. Related by Ibn Battah in al-Ibaanah (no.136).
6. Related by al-Bukhaaree (no.2652) and Muslim (no.2533), from Ibn Mas’ood radiallaahu 'anhu.
7. Related by as-Suyootee in Sawnul-Mantaq wal-Kalaam (p.32).
8. Related by Imaam al-Aajurree in ash-Sharee’ah (p.58) and also al-Bayhaqee in Madhkal ilas-Sunan (no.233).
9. Sayid ul-Khaatir (p.216).
10. Related by al-Khatteeb in Iqtidaa’ul-‘Ilmil-‘Aml (no.37).
11. Iqtidaa’ul-‘Ilmil-‘Aml (no.29).
12. Iqtidaa’ul-‘Ilmil-‘Aml (no.31).
13. Soorah Faatir (35):28.
14. Fadlu ‘Ilmus-Salaf ‘alal-Khalaf (p.48) of al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab.
15. Soorah adh-Dhaariyaat (51):55.
16. Related by Ibn Waddaah in Al-Bida’ wan-Nahee ‘Anhaa (p.74).

This leaflet is an adaptation of the Introduction to Al-Ibaanah Magazine, Vol.1 No.1 April 1995.

A Woman on a Mission

Sidra Khan reports on Aisha Bhutta's bid to convert the world to Islaam
The Guardian Newspaper (London)
Thursday 8th May 1997

Aisha Bhutta, nee Debbie Rogers, is serene. She sits on the sofa in big front room of her tenement flat in Cowcaddens, Glasgow. The walls are hung with quotations from the Koran, a special clock to remind the family of prayer times and posters of the Holy City of Mecca. Aisha's piercing blue eyes sparkle with evangelical zeal, she smiles with a radiance only true believers possess. Her face is that of a strong Scots lass - no nonsense, good-humoured - but it is carefully covered with a hijab.

For a good Christian girl to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim is extraordinary enough. But more than that, she has also converted her parents, most of the rest of her family and at least 30 friends and neighbours.

Her family were austere Christians with whom Rogers regularly attended Salvation Army meetings. When all the other teenagers in Britain were kissing their George Michael posters goodnight, Rogers had pictures of Jesus up on her wall. And yet she found that Christianity was not enough; there were too many unanswered questions and she felt dissatisfied with the lack of disciplined structure for her beliefs. "There had to be more for me to obey than just doing prayers when I felt like it."

Aisha had first seen her future husband, Mohammad Bhutta, when she was 10 and regular customer at the shop, run by his family. She would see him in the back, praying. "There was contentment and peace in what he was doing. He said he was a Muslim. I said: "What's a Muslim?".

Later with his help she began looking deeper into Islam. By the age of 17, she had read the entire Koran in Arabic. "Everything I read", she says, "was making sense."

She made the decision to convert at 16. "When I said the words, it was like a big burden I had been carrying on my shoulders had been thrown off. I felt like a new-born baby."

Despite her conversion however, Mohammed's parents were against their marrying. They saw her as a Western woman who would lead their eldest son astray and give the family a bad name; she was, Mohammed's father believed, "the biggest enemy."

Nevertheless, the couple married in the local mosque. Aisha wore a dress hand-sewn by Mohammed's mother and sisters who sneaked into the ceremony against the wishes of his father who refused to attend.

It was his elderly grandmother who paved the way for a bond between the women. She arrived from Pakistan where mixed-race marriages were even more taboo, and insisted on meeting Aisha. She was so impressed by the fact that she had learned the Koran and Punjabi that she convinced the others; slowly, Aisha, now 32, became one of the family. Aisha's parents, Michael and Marjory Rogers, though did attend the wedding, were more concerned with the clothes their daughter was now wearing (the traditional shalwaar kameez) and what the neighbours would think.

Six years later, Aisha embarked on a mission to convert them and the rest of her family, bar her sister ("I'm still working on her). "My husband and I worked on my mum and dad, telling them about Islam and they saw the changes in me, like I stopped answering back!"

Aisha's father proved a more difficult recruit, so she enlisted the help of her newly converted mother (who has since died of cancer). "My mum and I used to talk to my father about Islam and we were sitting in the sofa in the kitchen one day and he said: "What are the words you say when you become a Muslim?" "Me and my mum just jumped on top of him."

Three years later, Aisha's brother converted "over the telephone - thanks to BT [British Telecom]", then his wife and children followed, followed by her sister's son. It didn't stop there. Her family converted, Aisha turned her attention to Cowcaddens, with its tightly packed rows of crumbling, grey tenement flats.

Every Monday for the past 13 years, Aisha has held classes in Islam for Scottish women. So far she has helped to convert over 30. The women come from a bewildering array of backgrounds. Trudy, a lecturer at the University of Glasgow and a former Catholic, attended Aisha's classes purely because she was commissioned to carry out some research. But after six months of classes she converted, deciding that Christianity was riddled with "logical inconsistencies". Unlike Aisha, Trudy has chosen not to wear the hijab, believing it to be a masculine interpretation of the Koran. Her family don't know that she has converted.

"I could tell she was beginning to be affected by the talks", Aisha says. How could she tell? "I don't know, it was just a feeling." The classes include Muslim girls tempted by Western ideals and needing salvation, practising Muslim women who want an open forum for discussion denied them at the local male-dominated mosque, and those simply interested in Islam. Aisha welcomes questions. "We cannot expect people blindly to believe."

Her husband, Mohammad Bhutta, now 41, does not seem so driven to convert Scottish lads to Muslim brothers. He occasionally helps out in the family restaurant, but his main aim in life is to ensure the couple's five children grow up as Muslims. The eldest, Safia, "nearly 14, alhumdulillah (Praise be to God!)", is not averse to a spot of recruiting herself. One day she met a woman in the street and carried her shopping, the woman attended Aisha's classes and is now a Muslim.

"I can honestly say I have never regretted it", Aisha says of her conversion to Islam. "Every marriage has its ups and downs and sometimes you need something to pull you out of any hardship. But the Prophet Peace by upon him, said: 'Every hardship has an ease.' So when you're going through a difficult stage, you work for that ease to come." Mohammed is more romantic: "I feel we have known each other for centuries and must never part from one another. According to Islam, you are not just partners for life, you can be partners in heaven as well, for ever. Its a beautiful thing, you know."

How a person becomes a Muslim?

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Mohammad, His last messenger.

The purpose of this hand-out is to correct a false idea spread among those willing to adopt Islam as their faith. Some people have a wrong notion that entering into the Islamic fold requires an announcement from the concerned person in the presence of high ranking scholars or reporting this act to courts of justice or other authorities. It is also thought that the act of accepting Islam, should, as a condition, have a certificate issued by the authorities, as evidence to that effect.

We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none of these conditions or obligations are required. For Allah, Almighty, is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hearts. Nevertheless, those who are going to adopt Islam as their religion are advised to register themselves as Muslims with the concerned governmental agency, as this procedure may facilitate for them many matters including the possibility of performing Hadj (Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah) and Umrah.

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah for all human-beings, then, one should pronounce the "Shahada", the testimony of faith, without further delay. The Holy Qur'an is explicit on this regard as Allah states:

"The Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam."
(Qur'an 3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah states:

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to Allah), Never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the hell fire)."
(Qur'an 3:85)

In addition, Islam is the only religion prevailing over all other religions. Allah states in the Holy Qur'an:

"To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety:..."
(Qur'an 5:48)

Mohammad, the Prophet of Allah (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him), said:

The superstructure of Islam is raised on five (pillars):

1. Testifying that there is no God (none truly to be worshiped) but Allah, and that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah,
2. Performing the prayer (meaning the formal obligatory daily prayer of a Muslim, other non-formal prayers are not obligatory and may be performed when the person wishes),
3. paying the Zakah (poor-due, an annual 2.5% {amount varies depending upon what is the nature of the wealth, e.g. gold, money, livestock etc} portion of your wealth which is to be distributed amongst the poor),
4. fasting the month of Ramadan (fasting from dawn to sunset),
5. Performing Hadj (a pilgrimage to the Kabah (sacred house built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham) in Makkah, at least once in a lifetime for the person who is able to).

The Shahada can be declared as follows:

"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILL-ALLAAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAAH".

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah",

However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction and unshakeable faith. If one is truly sincere and complies with the teachings of Islam in all his life, he will find himself a new born person.

This will move him to strive more and more to improve his character and draw nearer to perfection. The light of the living faith will fill his heart until he becomes the embodiment of that faith.

What would be next after declaring oneself a Muslim? One should then know the real concept underlying this testimony which means the Oneness of Allah and meet its requirements. One must behave accordingly, applying this true faith to every thing one speaks or does.

What do the words of the "Shahada" signify? The significant point which every Muslim must know very well is the truth that there is no God (deity) to be worshipped other than Allah. He - glory be to Him - is the only true God, Who alone deserves to be worshipped, since He is the Giver of life and Sustainer and Nourisher of mankind and all creation with His unlimited bounties. Man must worship Allah, Who alone is worthy of worship.

The second part of the Shahada (i.e., Wa ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasul-Allah) means that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allah. No one must have two opinions about this matter. In fact the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (PBUH), to believe him in what he has said, to practice his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allah alone according to the message revealed to him, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations conveyed to him by Allah.

What is the meaning of worship? It simply means rendering sincere service, showing reverence for Allah. In a deeper shade of meaning, it implies total submission and complete obedience to Allah's commandments both in utterances and actions of man whether explicit or implicit.

Worship fall into two categories:

1. Visible (manifest or outward)
2. Invisible (concealed or inward)

Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the "Shahada", performing prayers, giving Zakah (the poor-due), recitation of the Holy Qur'an, supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him, purifying our bodies before prayers, etc.

This type of worship is associated with movement of the parts of the human body.

Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgement (in the Hereafter), in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the Prophets of Allah, in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allah alone).

This type of worship does not involve movement of parts of the body but it surely has bearing on one's heart which subsequently affects one's way of life.

It should be borne in mind that any worship not dedicated to Allah alone will be rejected as one form of polytheism and this causes apostasy from the Islamic fold (for the one who believes that worshipping someone besides Allaah is good and correct, the one who may have done this by mistake should immediately repent and seek Allaah's forgiveness).

The next step for a new revert^[1] to Islam is to purify himself by taking a complete bath. He should then resolve to comply with the principles and rules of Islam in their entirety. He should disown all forms of polytheism and false beliefs. He should reject evil and be righteous. Such rejection of evil and being righteous is one of the equisites of the motto of Islam - that is, Laa Ilaha Illallah. (none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah)

Allah states in the Holy Qur'an:

"... whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold, that never breaks..."
(Qur'an 2:256).

We have to consider that when we declare from our heart that "there is no god (deity) worthy to be worshipped but Allah", it implies on our part love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislations which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a requirement of "there is no god worthy to be worshipped but Allah" to love for the sake of Allah and to reject for the sake of Allah.

This is the firmest anchor of belief which materialise the meaning of "AL WALA" and "AL BARA". It means that a Muslim should love and be loyal to his Muslim brothers and sisters. He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from the unbelievers (those who stubbornly reject the faith of Islaam) and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters.

We conclude with a humble prayer to Allah that may He cleanse the hearts and souls of those who are genuine seekers of truth and may He bless the community of believers. Aameen.

This is an amended copy of "HOW TO BECOME A MUSLIM" originally prepared & published by Co-operative Office for Call and Guidance - Riyadh.

For more detailed information about Islam, please contact the nearest Islamic center or Mosque in your place of residence.

[1] Revert: Muslims use the term 'revert' rather than 'convert', since the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) informed us that every baby is born upon the natural submission to the Will of God (i.e.Islaam), but it is his parents who convert him to a Jew or a Christian; meaning that every baby is born sinless and without corrupt thoughts or ideas about the nature of God or Who is the one deserving of Worship, Love and Obedience, but when he or she is growing up they are taught corrupt ideas and principles regarding God; therefore when a non-Muslim becomes a Muslim he returns to the natural submission to God's Will (i.e. Islam) upon which he or she was born, and is therefore more correctly referred to as a 'revert'.