The Criterion (P/B)

Among his outstanding traits (radhiallahu ‘anhu) is what Al-Bukhari and Muslim collected on the authority of Anas bin Malik (radhiallahu ‘anhu) that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to Ubay,

إِنَّ اللهَ أَمَـرَنِـي أَنْ أَقْـرَأَ عَـلَـيْـكَ , قَـالَ : آلله سَـمَّـانِـي لَـكَ ؟ قَـالَ : اللهُ سَـمَّـاكَ لِـي . قَـالَ : فَـجَـعَـلَ أُبَـيٌّ يَـبْـكِـي .

“Indeed Allah ordered me to teach you” He (i.e. Ubay) said, “Did Allah mention my name to you?” the Prophet said, “Allah mentioned your name to me” Anas bin Malik said, “Ubay began to weep.”

Likewise you should contemplate in order to grasp Ubay’s the full extent of understanding of the religion (radhiallahu ‘anhu); his response to this question wasn’t after long period of time like a week or a month in which he could review the verses and contemplate its meanings; rather he (radhiallahu ‘anhu) merely responded immediately after the Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) repeated the question; so he chose this blessed verse.

The pristine beliefs of the early Muslims are preserved in this vitally important masterpiece written by one of the most outstanding scholars of our time, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen. This new revised edition by Dar-us-Salam has been printed in full color with hardback bounding for an excellent presentation.

Seven clear principles and their evidences from the Book and the Sunnah guide the reader through the confusion and false claims of the ignorant to the clarity of belief in Allah’s Names accomplished by the righteous early scholars of Islam. Principle 6 contains the shaikh’s compilation of the ninety-nine (99) names of Allah. The names have been compiled into 2 categories: first from the Book of Allah & second from the Sunnah of the Prophet (S). All the names have been printed in Arabic with transliteration and English translation. Each name is printed beautifully in a square box with 6 boxes on a page.

Seven more principles and their evidences follow, giving the reader firm understanding of the correct beliefs about Allah’s Attributes. Four more principles outline the correct approach in studying the related proofs and evidences.

All of this leads the reader into an enthralling series of refutations of the false notions of the Ash’aree sect, a text-by-text breakdown of how and why they went wrong in a careful and precise study of fifteen texts from the Book and the Sunnah. The beliefs of the Ash’aree sect are destroyed and the origins of their deviation are exposed for all to see.

‘A magnificent book a clarification of the creed of the righteous Salaf concerning the Names and Attributes great principles and collective benefits concerning the topic’ – Shaykh Ibn Baaz

The Imam was asked a long question of which a part was – What is the opinion of the scholars regarding a man who is afflicted by a disease, and knows that if it should continue it would damage his life? The Imam Quoted the Hadith from Sahih Bukhari The prophet (S) said: ‘Allah has appointed a remedy for every disease He has sent down’ Imam Ahmad reported on the authority of Usamah bin Shareek that the ‘ Prophet (S) said Allah has not made a disease without providing a remedy for it, wih the exception of one disease, namely old age’ This Applies to the medicine for the heart, soul and body. The well being of the servant’s heart, is far more important than that of his body, for while the well being of his body enables him to lead a life that is free from illnesses in this world, that of the heart ensures him both a fortunate life in this world and eternal bliss in the next.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya was born into a scholarly and virtuous family in 691 AH/ 1292 A.D. At that time Damascus was a centre of literature and thought. Many schools were located there and he studied and graduated under the protection, direction and sponsorship of his father. He was particularly influenced by his Shaykh and teacher Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, and also by Ibn ash-Shirazi amongst others. Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya died in the city of Damascus the year 751 AH/1350 C.E.,when he was scarcely 60 years old, and was buried at the cemetery of Bab- al-Saghir, near the grave of his father – Rahimahuma Allah.

a small excerpt from the book:

“And those who disbelieve say: “Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once?” Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages.”[1]”[2]

Al-Zarnooji -rahimahullah- said, “Imam Sharf ul-Din al-Uqayli – rahimahullah- used to say, “My opinion regarding learning knowledge is in agreement with what our teachers taught us. They used to teach beginners level one books because they are understandable, easy to memorize, enjoyable, and common. A beginner should not write down something he does not understand because it numbs the intelligence and is a waste of time. Instead, a beginner should focus on the task of understanding his teacher through deep thinking and repetition. Significantly, the smaller the portion in one class with repetition the more progress in understanding. A famous saying states: Memorizing two letters is better than hearing two loads, and understanding two letters is better than memorizing two loads.”[3]

In recent times things have become very confusing and we have begun to see in book stores and on websites speculations about future events, based on ayah and hadeeths which refer to these future events concerning the signs of the Hour.

Sometimes you hear about the appearance of the Mahdi, sometimes you hear that the final battle between the Good and the Evil is close at hand, other time you hear some thing happening in the East or in the West.

So, learn about the Final hour and it signs by reading this book which is backed by proofs from Quran and Hadith.