Articles

Qualities that Allah Loves
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 28-09-2022

Qualities that Allah Loves

 

Allah has shown us some qualities that He loves: Tawbah (Repentance, Taqwa (Piety), Ihsan (Goodness & Perfection), Taharah (Purification), and Jihad in the way of Allah.

What is the secret behind Allah`s love for these qualities?

Tawbah (Repentance) is returning to Allah, abandoning sins, showing deep sorrow and regret for committing them, and determining not to commit them again. Undoubtedly, choosing to abandon whatever distances one from the path of Allah indicates that one loves Allah and Allah loves them back. He The Almighty Says: "For God loves those who turn to Him constantly." [Al-Baqarah/222].

Taqwa (Piety) is when a person distances himself or herself from the punishment of Allah by eschewing sins because they incur His wrath. Undoubtedly, one who is keen on offering acts of obedience and avoiding acts of disobedience loves Allah and is loved by Him. He The Almighty Says (What means): "Nay.- Those that keep their plighted faith and act aright,-verily God loves those who act aright." [Al-Imran/76].

Ehsan (Goodness & Perfection) is to worship Allah as if you see Him and if you don`t achieve this state of devotion, then take it for granted Allah sees you. Someone of this state and rank must have the love of Allah settled in his/her heart and that Allah loves him/her back. Allah The Almighty (What means): "And spend of your substance in the cause of God, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for God loveth those who do good." [Al-Baqarah/195]. 

Taharah (Purification) is both external and internal; visible and invisible. External purity refers to removing filth and impurities. Internal purity refers to cleansing one`s heart from envy, hatred, and arrogance. Therefore, keenness on purifying one`s-self from these internal and external impurities indicates that such person loves Allah and is loved by Him. He The Almighty Says (What means): "He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean…." [Al-Baqarah, 222].

As for Jihad in the way of Allah, the person makes the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of Allah The Almighty. Moreover, preserving unity of the Muslim nation harnesses whims as well as prioritizes public interest. However, all of this stems from having the love of Allah in one`s heart and being loved by Him. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "Truly God loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure." [As-Saf/4].

Enjoying these qualities retains Allah`s love for his servants. However, it isn`t easy to reach this rank. Rather, one has to fight ego and exercise patience. One way to achieve this is by keeping the company of those who enjoy these qualities for one is known by the company he/she keeps. This is reflected in the verse, whereas Allah, The Most Exalted Says (What means): "And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.:" [Al-Kahf/28].

In conclusion, we Ask Allah for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the next.  

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it acceptable to perform the Aqiqah for a male child by slaughtering and distributing the first sheep, and bringing the second one cooked from the restaurant?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.

It is permissible to slaughter the first sheep with the intention of Aqiqah (the newborn's sacrificial offering) and distribute it entirely [uncooked], and to slaughter the second sheep and have it cooked at a restaurant to bring home for the household. However, it must be noted that it is obligatory to give some portion of the Aqiqah in charity to the poor, even if it is a small amount, though it is preferable to send the food cooked to them.

Buying a pre-cooked, ready-made sheep from a restaurant does not suffice as an Aqiqah. However, if an agreement is made with the restaurant to explicitly slaughter a sheep with the intention of Aqiqah for the newborn, and then cook it afterward, this is permissible.

In conclusion, slaughtering the sheep and distributing it with the intention of Aqiqah is permissible, and through it, the foundational prophetic tradition (Sunnah) is fulfilled. As for simply buying a cooked sheep from a restaurant that was not specifically slaughtered with the intention of Aqiqah, it will not count as such. Conversely, if the restaurant owner is commissioned (Wakala) to handle both the slaughtering and the cooking as an Aqiqah, it is valid. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

I have a brother who is harsh in his dealings [with me], and many problems have occurred between us, and I do not intend to reconcile with him. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on that?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon or boycott his fellow Muslim brother for more than three days. This is based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "It is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three [days], meeting each other but one turns away and the other turns away, and the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting (salam)." (Reported by al-Bukhari.)
A Muslim must strive to end such estrangement (hajr), so as not to fall under the prohibition mentioned in the hadith. If he takes the initiative to reconcile but the other party does not respond, then there is no sin upon him. We remind [ourselves] of the saying of Allah, the Exalted: "And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (An-Nur/22). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the meaning of the Prophetic statement that a boy is held in pledge (murtahan) for his 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The first interpretation: That if the boy dies in infancy without an 'aqīqah having been performed on his behalf, he will not intercede for his parents on the Day of Resurrection. This is the position of Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, and Imam al-Khaṭṭābī concurred with him, stating: "The finest of what has been said regarding this matter is the position adopted by Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." — [Fatḥ al-Bārī by Ibn Ḥajar,{Vol.9/P.594]
The second interpretation: That the child is likened to a pledged object (marhūn) — one from which full benefit and enjoyment cannot be derived until it is redeemed. A blessing is only made complete upon the one blessed when they fulfil the obligation of gratitude (shukr), and the prescribed expression of gratitude for this particular blessing is what the Prophet ﷺ established as Sunnah — namely, the slaughtering of the 'aqīqah on behalf of the newborn as an act of thankfulness to Allah the Almighty and as a supplication for the wellbeing and safety of the child. This is the position of Mullā 'Alī al-Qārī. See: [Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ Sharḥ Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Vol.7/P.2688]
And Allah Almighty knows best.

I broke my oath and am now obligated to pay the expiation for a broken oath (kaffārat al-yamīn). Would it be valid to fulfill this by inviting the poor and needy to a meal for them to eat from?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The expiation for a broken oath (kaffārat al-yamīn) is given to the poor (fuqarā') and needy (masākīn), and it must be given in the form of ownership (tamlīk) transferred to them of the required amount — namely, one mudd of the staple food of the locality, or its equivalent monetary value. It isn`t valid to invite the poor or needy to a meal prepared for them to eat from, as this does not constitute "ownership" (tamlīk) but merely "permission to partake" (ibāḥah).
Imam al-Shirbīnī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "What is intended is that ownership be transferred to them; therefore, providing them with lunch or dinner [as a meal to eat from] isn`t valid." [Summarized from Mughnī al-Muhtāj,Vol. 5/P.50]. And Allah the Almighty knows best.