Shaykh Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) listed the 10 ways of obtaining the Love of Allah as mentioned by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him):
1. Reading the Qur’aan, pondering over it and understanding it with its intended meanings.
2. Drawing closer to Allaah with the nawaafil (supererogatory acts of worship) after the [fulfillment of the] obligatory acts. Continue reading
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:
When you see the servant talking about the people when they have harmed him whilst he (the servant) doesn’t return the blame back to himself and seek forgiveness (from Allah), then know that his calamity is a true calamity. However when he repents, seeks forgiveness and says “This is due to my sins,” then this matter (of being harmed by the people) will become a blessing for him. Continue reading
The Noble Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:
“As for the happiness of knowledge, nothing will allow you to inherit it except the exerting of oneself, truthfulness in one’s seeking (of it) and the soundness of the intentions. If it wasn’t for the ignorance of most of the people about the sweetness of this delight, they would have debated with one another over it with swords. However, it has been covered with a cloak (made from) the dislikes/difficulties. And they have been screened from it with a cloak from the ignorance (they have) in order that Allah specify with it those whom He wills from His servants. And Allah is the possessor of the great virtue.”
The Noble Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon) stated:
If the person faces the calamities (that befall him) with patience without seeking the reward (for being patient), it becomes an expiation for his sins. If he is patient along with seeking the reward (for being patient), then it becomes a reward along with it being an expiation of the sins. The meaning of seeking the reward is that the person believes within himself that he will be rewarded for this patience, therefore having a good thought about Allah. So Allah gives him (the good) which he thought about Him.
The Noble Shaykh ‘Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Naasir as-Si’dee (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:
The people are divided into four categories:
1. The one who is good in himself and his good extends to other than himself. He is the best of the different categories. This person is the believer who reads the Qur’aan and learns the different sciences of the religion. He is a benefit for himself and his benefit extends to other than himself. He is blessed wherever he may be. Just as Allah mentioned about ‘Eesaa (‘alayhis salaam):
2. The one who is good within himself. A person of good. He is the believer who does not have knowledge which he can extend to other than himself.
These two categories are the best of creation. And the good that is within them returns back to that which is with them from the faith that is limited (to oneself) and the faith that extends (beyond oneself), one whose benefit extends to others according to the situation of the believers. Continue reading
The Noble Shaykh Rabee al-Madkhalee (may Allah preserve him):
From the signs of happiness is that you have a concern for the truth, search for it and are happy when you have been alerted to your mistake.
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) mentioned that the Commander of the Believers Umar Ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
If the person will leave from his home and upon him are the sins similar to the mountains of Tihaamah. When he hears the knowledge, he has fear (of Allah’s punishment), returns back and repents. Then he leaves to go back to his home and there are no sins upon him. Based upon this, do not separate (yourselves) from the sittings of the Ulamaa.
Al-Fudayl Ibn ‘Iyaad (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:
O poor one, you are one who does evil but you see yourself as one who does good. You are ignorant but you see yourself as one who is knowledgeable. You are one who is stingy but you see yourself as being generous. You are an idiot but you see yourself as being one who is intelligent. Your appointed time is short but your hope (for life) is long.
Imam adh-Dhahabee (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated commenting on the statement of al-Fudayl:
By Allah he (Al-Fudayl) has spoken the truth. And (I add) that you are an oppressor but you see yourself as being one who is oppressed. You are one who consumes the Haraam but you see yourself as being one who is fearful of Allah. You are a criminal but you believe that you are just. You are one who seeks knowledge for the Dunyaa and you see yourself as being one who seeks knowledge for Allah.
Source: Siyar ‘Alaam an-Nubalaa, vol. 8, pg. 440
Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:
Allah The Most High stated: “The one who purified his soul is indeed successful and the one who corrupts his soul is indeed destroyed.” The meaning: The one who magnifies his soul, lifts it and makes it superior by way of being obedient to Allah is indeed successful. And the one who makes his soul inferior and insignificant and belittled it by way of disobedience to Allah is indeed the loser. There’s nothing that belittles the soul like disobedience to Allah. And there’s nothing that magnifies the soul, makes it honorable and raises it up (in status) like obedience to Him.
Source: (Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafi pg.52)
Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
12th of Rabee’ ath-Thaani, 1436 H (02-01-2015)
Masjid Nur Allah, Queens, NYC Continue reading
Masjid Nur Allah, NYC 