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

What is the ruling on one who vows to fast a specific or non-specific year? Are the two Eids, the days of Tashreeq, Ramadan, and the days of menstruation and postnatal bleeding included in them? And do these days break the consecutiveness if it was intended?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If someone makes a vow (Nadr) to fast a specific, designated year, this vow does not include the days of Eid, the days of Tashreeq (the three days following Eid al-Adha), Ramadan, or the days of menstruation (Hayd) and postnatal bleeding (Nifas). Furthermore, there is no requirement to make up (Qada) these specific days.
 
However, if someone vows to fast a year that is not specifically designated (i.e., any twelve-month period) and stipulates that the fasting must be consecutive, they are bound by that condition. They must not fast on the days of Eid, during Ramadan, or during menstruation, but they are required to make up these days afterward—with the exception of the days of menstruation and postnatal bleeding, which do not need to be made up.
 
It is stated in Hashiyat al-Bajuri ‘ala Sharh Ibn Qasim ({Vol.2/P.606): 'If one vows to fast a specific year, the Eid, Tashreeq, Ramadan, and days of menstruation or postnatal bleeding are not included. This is because Ramadan does not accept any fast other than its own, and the others do not accept fasting at all. Therefore, they do not enter into the vow, and no makeup is required for them because they are legally excluded—contrary to Al-Rafi’i regarding menstruation and postnatal bleeding.
 
If one vows to fast a non-designated year: if they stipulated consecutiveness (Tatuabu’) in their vow, they must fulfill it; otherwise, they are not bound to it. Consecutiveness is not broken by the days that do not enter into the specific year vow (Eid, Tashreeq, Ramadan, menstruation, and postnatal bleeding). However, one must make up the days missed—excluding the time of menstruation and postnatal bleeding—immediately following the end of the year. As for the time of menstruation and postnatal bleeding, it is not made up, contrary to Ibn al-Rif’ah, who argued that it must be made up just like Ramadan.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling of Islam on swearing by Allah without intending to take an actual oath?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If someone swears by Allah without intending to take an actual oath, and without the firm resolve to bind themselves to it, then there is no sin or expiation (Kaffarah) required of them. Allah the Exalted says {what means}: 'God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.' [Al-Baqarah/225]. However, a Muslim should avoid swearing oaths excessively so that their tongue does not become accustomed to it. Allah the Exalted says {what means}: 'And make not God’s (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.
' [Al-Baqarah/224]. And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on following the actions of the imam in prayer and how this following is achieved?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The follower (ma'mum) is required to follow his imam in the actions of the prayer. This "following" (mutaba'ah) means that the follower performs each action of the prayer after the imam has begun it but before he has finished it. For example, the follower bows (in ruku') after the imam has reached the position of bowing, then rises after the imam has risen. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The imam is only appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbir, say the takbir; and when he bows, then bow; and when he prostrates, then prostrate" (agreed upon, i.e., reported by both al-Bukhari and Muslim).
It is stated in Mughni al-Muhtaj (1/505): "Among the conditions of valid congregational prayer (iqtida') is following the imam in the actions of the prayer... meaning that following the imam is obligatory in the physical actions of the prayer, not in its verbal utterances... Complete following (kamal al-mutaba'ah) is achieved when the follower's beginning of an action comes after the imam's beginning of that same action, while the follower's beginning of the action precedes the imam's completion of it" — end of quote, with slight paraphrasing.
And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What are the categories of the livestock permissible for Udhiyah?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
An Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is only valid if it is selected from Al-An'am (livestock), which includes: camels, cattle, and sheep or goats—whether male or female, and even if castrated. Allah Almighty says {what means}: "And for all religion We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] livestock." (Al-Hajj/ 34)
 
In terms of preference, camels are considered the best choice, followed by cattle, then sheep, and finally goats.
A single sheep or goat is valid as a sacrifice on behalf of one person. However, a single camel or cow can be shared by up to seven people. This is based on the narration of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "In the year of Al-Hudaybiyah, we sacrificed along with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) a camel on behalf of seven people, and a cow on behalf of seven people." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
(Note: The term "Badanah" used in the original Arabic text specifically refers to a camel in this context). And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.