A Muslim Convert Once Before

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote about the original Rafidhism: The first swahabi to be systemically hated and cursed was Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abu Thalib ( k.w. ).   According to Imam Abu al-Fadhl ‘Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuthi ( q.s. ) and other historians, Sayyidina ‘Ali ( k.w. ) was “cursed from 70,000 manabir throughout Umayyad rule”.   Sayyidatina Umm Salamah Hind bint Suhayl ( r.a. ) complained, one day, to the people, “Why do you allow the Messenger of Allah ( s.a.w. ) to be cursed amongst you?”   The people replied,  “No, how is that possible?”   She replied, “I heard the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) say, ‘Whoever curses ‘Ali curses me.’”   This went on for decades, until the pious Umayyad caliph, Imam Abu Hafsw ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ( r.a. ), stopped this ugly practice when he was made ruler.   It continued still after his assassination by his family, but at a m...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote, “Anyone who abuses or disrespects a woman, or a child can never be a spiritual leader of any sort.  Beware of such a dajjal .  Imam al-Bukhari ( r.a. ) even refused to narrate a hadits from a famous ‘ shaykh ’ just because he saw him lying to a horse.”

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani said, “The word, ‘ Salafi ’, is not used in the Qur’an or sunnah anywhere; therefore, it is a bid’ah .”

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ   Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani is a prominent Islamic scholar based in South Africa.   He is a noted Tijani muqaddam , known for his knowledge and humility.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote, remembering the Prophet’s ( s.a.w. ) birthday is an act that all the ‘ulama of the Muslim world accept and still accept.   This means that Allah ( s.w.t. ) Accepts it, according to the saying of Sayyidina Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahman ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud ( r.a. ), related in Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal’s ( r.a. ) Musnad , with a sound chain, “Whatever the majority of Muslims see as right, then this is good to Allah ( s.w.t. ), and whatever is seen by the majority of Muslims as wrong, it is wrong to Allah ( s.w.t. ).”   There is no valid reason to reject the Mawlid .   The ummah is to celebrate our Prophet ( s.a.w. ) with pride and joy, and not go into dispute about matters that create fitnah and confusion.   We cannot prevent others from celebrating, leave everyone to their heart, and let us unify ourselves by keeping Allah's ( s.w.t. ) Command:   سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان وَٱعۡت...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote that the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) emphasised, in his hadits , both the day and the place of birth of previous prophets.  Speaking of the greatness of the day of juma’ah , the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) said in his hadits , “On that day, Allah Created Adam.”  This means that the day of Friday is emphasised because Allah ( s.w.t. ) Created Adam ( a.s. ) on that day.  That day is emphasised because it saw the Creation of the prophet and father of all human beings.  What about the day when the greatest of prophets and best of human beings was Created?  The Prophet ( s.a.w. ) said, “Truly Allah Made me the Seal of prophets while Adam was between water and clay.”  This hadits is related by Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal ( r.a. ), in his Musnad ; Imam Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn Husayn al-Bayhaqi ( r.a. ) in Dala’il an-Nubuwwah wa Ma’rifat Ahwal Swahib ash-Shari’ah , and others, and is sound, and es...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote, in the time of the Prophet ( s.a.w. ), it is well-known that poets came to him with all kinds of works praising him, writing about his campaigns and battles and about the swahabah .   This is proved by the numerous poems quoted in the biographies of Shaykh Abu Muhammad 'Abd al-Malik ibn Hisham al-Baswri ( r.a. ), Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn ‘Umar ibn Waqid al-Aslami al-Waqidi ( r.a. ), and others.   The Prophet ( s.a.w. ) was happy with good poetry since it is reported in Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari’s ( r.a. ) al-Adab al-Mufrad and elsewhere that he said, “There is wisdom in poetry.”   Thus, the Prophet’s ( s.a.w. ) uncle, Sayyidina al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muththalib ( r.a. ) composed poetry praising the birth of the Prophet ( s.a.w. ), in which are found the following lines:   “When you were born, the earth was shining, And the firmament barely contained...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani said, as Muslims, we are Commanded to know our Prophet ( s.a.w. ): about his life, about his miracles, about his birth, about his manners, about his faith, about his signs, ayat wa dala’il , about his seclusions, about his worship and so much more.  This knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim.  What is better than celebrating and remembering his birth, which represents the essence of his life, in order to acquire knowledge of his life?  To remember his birth is to remind us of everything else about him.  This causes Allah ( s.w.t. ) to be Pleased with us because then we will be able to know the Prophet’s ( s.a.w. ) sirah better, and we will be better able to take the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) as an example for ourselves, to correct ourselves, and to imitate him.  That is why the celebration of his birthday is a Great Favour Sent to us.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani said, expressing happiness and celebrating the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) on his birthday causes even non-believers, by Allah’s ( s.w.t. ) Favour and Mercy, to gain some benefit.  Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (r.a.) recorded, in Swahih al-Bukhari , the hadits that every Monday, Abu Lahab ‘Abd al-‘Uzza ibn ‘Abd al-Muththalib is released from punishment in his grave because he freed his handmaid Tsuwaybah ( r.a. ) when she brought him the news of the Prophet’s ( s.a.w. ) birth.  This hadits is mentioned in Swahih al-Bukhari in the “Book of Nikah ”.  Hafizh ‘Imad ad-Din  Abu al-Fida’   Isma‘il ibn ‘Umar ibn Katsir ( r.a. ) mentioned it in his books, Sirah an-Nabi , Mawlid an-Nabi , and al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah .

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote, the remembrance of the birth of the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) encourages us to send swalawat upon the Prophet (s.a.w.) and to praise him, which is an obligation on us through Allah’s ( s.w.t. ) Order in the verse: سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا (٥٦)   Allah, and His angels, Send blessings on the Prophet: O you that believe!   Send you blessings on him and salute him, with all respect. (Surah al-Ahzab:56)   Coming together and remembering the Prophet (s.a.w.) causes us to send swalawat upon him and to praise him.   Who has the right to deny the obligation which Allah ( s.w.t. ) has Ordered us to fulfill through the Qur’an?   The benefit brought by obeying an Order of Allah ( s.w.t. ), and the light that it brings to our heart, cannot be measured...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote, the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) celebrated great historical events.  The Prophet ( s.a.w. ) always made the connection between religious events and historical events, so that when the time returned for a significant event, he reminded his swahabah to celebrate that day, and to emphasise it, even if it had happened in the distant past.  This principle can be found in the following hadits of Swahih al-Bukhari and others: “When the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) reached Madina, he saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ .  He asked about that day, and they told him that on that day, Allah ( s.w.t. ) Saved their prophet, Musa ( a.s. ) and drowned their enemy.  Therefore, they fast on that day to thank Allah ( s.w.t. ) for that Favour.”   At that, the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) responded, “We have more right to Musa than you,” and he used to fast that day and the day preceding it.  This is one of the ...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani said, Allah ( s.w.t. ) Ordered us to rejoice in the Prophet ( s.a.w. ).   To express happiness for the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) coming to us is an obligation given by Allah ( s.w.t. ) through Qur’an, as Allah ( s.w.t. ) Said:   سُوۡرَةُ یُونس قُلۡ بِفَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِرَحۡمَتِهِۦ فَبِذَٲلِكَ فَلۡيَفۡرَحُواْ ... (٥٨)   Say: “In the Bounty of Allah and in His Mercy ― in that let them rejoice ...” (Surah Yunus:58)   This Order Came because joy makes the heart grateful for the Mercy of Allah ( s.w.t. ).   And what greater Mercy did Allah ( s.w.t. ) Give than the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) himself?   Of him, Allah ( s.w.t. ) Says:   سُوۡرَةُ الاٴنبیَاء وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةً۬ لِّلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٠٧)   We Sent you not, but as a mercy for all creatures. (Surah al-Anbiya’:107)   The Prophet ( s.a.w. ) was Sent as a mercy to all Creation, not just mankind. ...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani, wrote that the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) emphasised Monday as the day he was born.  Sayyidina Abu Qatadah ibn Rabi’ al-Answari ( r.a. ) narrated, as recorded in Swahih Muslim , Kitab asw-Swiyam , that the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) was asked about the fast of Monday, and he answered, “That is the day that I was born, and that is the day I received the prophecy.”   Imam Muhammad Mutawalli ash-Sha’rawi ( r.a. ) said, “Many extraordinary events occurred on his birthday as evidenced in ahadits and history, and the night of his birth is not like the night of any other human being's birth.”  These events and the ahadits pertaining thereto, such as the shaking of Chosroes’ court, the extinction of the 1,000-year-old fire in Persia, and so forth, are related in Hafizh ‘Imad ad-Din  Abu al-Fida’   Isma’il ibn ‘Umar ibn Katsir’s ( r.a. ) al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah .   In Kitab al-Madkhal , Imam Muhamma...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani wrote that Allah ( s.w.t. ) Commands the Prophet ( s.a.w. ) to remind his ummah that it is essential for those who claim to love Allah ( s.w.t. ), to love His Prophet ( s.a.w. ):   سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡ‌ۗ ... (٣١)   Say: “If you do love Allah, follow me: Allah will Love you and Forgive you your sins ...” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:31)   The celebration of the Prophet’s ( s.a.w. ) birth is motivated by this obligation to love the Prophet ( s.a.w. ), to obey him, to remember him, to follow his example, and to be proud of him as Allah ( s.w.t. ) is Proud of him, since Allah ( s.w.t. ) has Boasted about him in His Book by Saying:   سُوۡرَةُ القَلَم وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ۬ (٤)   And you (stand) on an exalted standard of character. (Surah al-Qalam:4)   Love of the Prophe...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ The following is an article by Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani.   Sayyidi Muhammad Mawlud ibn Fal ( r.a. ) of Mauritania was one of the biggest khulafah of the Tijaniyyah in the 19 th century.  Thousands entered the thariqa’ by his hands.  He took the thariqa’ from Shaykh Muhammad al-Hafizh ibn Mukhtar ash-Shinqithi ( q.s. ) who took it directly from Shaykh Abu al-‘Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad at-Tijani ( q.s. ).  He was a great scholar of shari’ah , giving lectures, but one day a well-known majdzubah of the area interrupted his lesson and said to him, “If you want real knowledge, go to Muhammad al-Hafizh.”  So he went and submitted.   Sometime after taking the thariqa’ , he walked all the way to Fas, to ziyarah the grand Sayyidi , reciting Swalawat al-Fatih at every step.  Upon his arrival there, he was told that Shaykh at-Tijani ( q.s. ) had just passed away but had left some things for him, his mus...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ   The following is an article by Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani in response to an issue of swalah as brought up by a Tijani.   The majority of the Tijaniyyah and their shuyukh follow the Maliki madzha b.   However, Shaykh Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdullah Niyas al-Kawlakhi ( q.s. ) advised all Tijaniyyah to pray with folded arms.   What is issue with not folding the arms in swalah like the rest of the Malikis?   Why should the Tijaniyyah follow Shaykh Ibrahim's ( q.s. ) ijtihad rather than the dominant Maliki position?   What do we say to those who would say the Tijanis are doing the same thing as Salafis who also go against the madzahib , preferring to follow the ijtihad of their scholars such as Muhammad Naswir ad-Din al-Albani, or ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Baz?   In answer, we must differentiate between abandoning the madzahib all together, following some new pseudo- ijtihad that goes against all...