بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
If the slave stays firm upon the Religion in his life, he will be kept firm in his grave; when the Angels ask him the three questions: Who is your Lord? What is your Religion? Who is your Prophet?
The person who knows Allah by His Names, Attributes, and Actions, and establishes all the rights of Allah in his life (First Tawheed, then the actions such as Prayer, Zakat, etc.) will be able to answer "Who is Your Lord?" with My Lord is Allah.
The person who knows the pillars of Islam, the articles of Faith, and Ihsan will be able to say My Religion is Islam.
And the person who knows the biography of the Prophet ﷺ, his Sunnah, his rights upon us, spreads his Sunnah, and defends him, will be the person who says My Prohet is Muhammad ﷺ.
After the slave answers these three questions, he will be asked a fourth: How did you know that?
And he will answer: قرأت كتاب الله فأمنت و صدقت (I read the Book of Allah and believed) [Reported by Ahmed and Abu Dawud and Authenticated by Al-Albani]
This answer is a result of knowledge. And the source of our knowledge about Allah, the Religion, and the Prophet ﷺ, is the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Many texts came to emphasize the importance of Religious Knowledge, for example, the Prophet ﷺ said:
من سلك طريقًا يلتمس فيه علما سهل الله له به طريقًا إلى الجنة
Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge. [Muslim]
And he ﷺ said:
مَا جَلَسَ قَوْمٌ مَجْلِسًا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ فِيهِ إِلاَّ حَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَتَغَشَّتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَتَنَزَّلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ
No people sit in a gathering remembering Allah, But the angels surround them, mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them and Allah remembers them before those who are with Him [Ibn Majah #3791]
And the Prophet ﷺ said:
غنيمة مجالس الذكر الجنة
The booty of the Assemblies of Remembrance of Allah is Paradise [Authenticated by Al-Albani in Al-Silsilah As-Saheeha]
There are many assemblies, but only the one which is conducted in accordance to the Qur'an and Sunnah will be the assembly which receives the rewards mentioned in the aforementioned Hadiths.
The way to Paradise has been made so easy; we are just required to have a good intention, but the Shaytan makes this matter very heavy on the hearts of the people. Many people have the ability, transport, are in good health, but the Shaytan makes attending something heavy on their hearts, because he does not want the son of Adam to enter Paradise.
We are living in security and without restrictions on gatherings of knowledge, so we should be grateful. The more we thank Allah, the more Allah will increase this blessing upon us. And if we are ungrateful, Allah will remove it form us.
Do not come with the feeling of boredom or any other feeling, except the feeling of truthfulness and hope for the reward of Allah. Forgetting this blessing is an affliction on us and a sign of the removal of the blessing.
ذكر الله حياة القلوب
If you do not attend classes for some time, you feel a sense of hardness in your heart. ذكر الله (Remembrance of Allah) is the life of the heart. Allah calls the Qur'an "روحا" (Soul) in Surah Shura [42:52]:
"And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Quran) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism)."
The human without a soul is a dead person. Similarly, the person without remembrance of Allah is like a dead person. Allah says in Surat Al-An'am [6:122]:
"Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do."
The more you learn, the more your heart will be enlightened. You will walk amongst the people with light.
Remembrance of Allah is not limited to saying سبحان الله، الحمد لله، لا إله الا الله، الله إكبر. The word ذكر الله has a broad meaning; it includes your prayer, remembrance by your heart, attending gatherings, Da'wah, etc.
Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله said, "Dhikr brings forth life in the hearts"
And Ibn Taymiyah رحمه الله said, "Dhikr for the heart is like water for the fish. How is the state of the fish without water?" [Al-Waabil As-Sayyib]
And Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله said in Madaarij As-Salikeen, "The bodies of the heedless are graves for their hearts, and their hearts are like the dead in their graves"
These are people far away from the remembrance of Allah. Their concerns are limited to the Dunya: What to eat, what to drink, how to enjoy, how to earn, etc.
Whoever is seeking salvation from the death of his heart or seeking the softness of his heart should profusely remember Allah.
Ibn Al-Qayyim said in Al-Waabil As-Sayyib, "There is a hardness in the heart which nothing can melt except remembrance of Allah. It is incumbent upon the slave to cure the hardness of his heart by remembering Allah"
And he رحمه الله mentioned that a man said to Al-Hasan Al-Basri رحمه الله, "O Abu Sa'eed, I feel hardness in my heart" He replied, "Soften it with remembrance of Allah"
This is the advice of the Salaf. If you feel heaviness when you listen to lectures or the Qur'an, it indicates that your heart is hard. You should struggle against this state, until the barrier which covers your heart is removed. When you repeatedly listen to the words of Allah, this covering will slowly be removed. When there is rust on metal, it is not enough to polish it just one time. The heart requires even more effort to remove its covering (الران) from it, and that is by forcing oneself to remember Allah until it softens to His Remembrance.
We are approaching the month of Ramadan, and before it is the month of Rajab - which is a sacred month. We need our hearts during these months; we need to enter these months with strong faith.
The noblest of all religious knowledge is knowledge about Allah; His Names, Attributes, and Actions. Learning about Allah will have an effect on your heart.
The Meaning of the Name العليم
Sheikh Abdur-Razzaq Al-Badr حفظه الله said:
-> "ذكر سبحانه سعة علمه" - Allah mentioned the Vastness of His Knowledge
E.g. In Surah Ta-Ha [20:98]:
"Your Ilah (God) is only Allah, the One (La ilaha illa Huwa) (none has the right to be worshipped but He). He has full knowledge of all things."
-> "ذكر سبحانه إحاطة علمه بكل شيء" - Allah's Knowledge Encompasses Everything; Nothing escapes His Knowledge
E.g. In Surah Aal-Imran [3:120]:
"If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun, not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do."
In Surah An-Nisa [4:126]:
"And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is Ever Encompassing all things."
-> "ذكر تبارك و تعالى إحاطة علمه بالسرائر و المعلنات و الغيب و الشهادة" - Allah's Knowledge Encompasses the Secret and Open, the Unseen and Witnessed Matters. He knows what we conceal and what we show openly. He knows the fraud of our eyes, and what our self whispers in us. Allah knows what we did, what we are doing, what we are going to do.
-> "ذكر سبحانه علمه بما في السماوات و الأرض" - Allah Knows all that is in the Heavens and Earth
-> "ذكر سبحانه اختصاصه بمفاتح الغيب، فلا يعلمها إلا هو" - Allah Knows the The Keys of the Unseen, and none knows it except Him
E.g. The time of ones death, the land in which one will die, what we will earn tomorrow, the rain - if it will come, how much will come, etc - what the wombs of the mother conceal.
People claim that they can find out if the baby is female or male through technology. Allah knew about the baby when it was a fetus in the womb of the mother, about his eye colour, his shape, his skin colour, whether he will be wretched or happy, about his Rizq, etc. because Allah said ما في الأرحام not من.
The Impact of this Name on our Faith
And Belief in this Great Name has blessed impacts on the Slave. It is one of the biggest restrainers and greatest admonitors.
Sheikh Muhammad Amin Al-Shinqitee (رحمه الله) said: All the Scholars are in consensus that the Name العليم is the biggest restrainer and greatest admonitor that has been revealed from the heavens to the earth. And they put forward for that an example, and to Allah belongs the highest example;- supposedly, in this empty space of land was a tyrant King, who killed men if they violated any of his prohibitions. He is powerful and mighty, and surrounded by his forces. And around him are his daughters.
Do you think any of these soldiers dare to look at his daughters, knowing that he will immediately punish them?
And if it was said to the people of the city that the leader of the town knows everything they do of vile actions at night, they would become well-mannered (and disciplined).
And this is the Creator of the Heavens and Earth; The King, The Compeller, who informs them in the verses of His Book. It is not possible to turn a single page in the Qu'an without finding this great admonitor and restrainer mentioned:
In Surah An-Nahl [16:19]:
"And Allah knows what you conceal and what you reveal."
In Surah Al-An'am [6:59]:
"And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record."
In Surah Qaf [50:16]:
"And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge)."
In Surah Al-Baqarah [2:235]:
"And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal or conceal it in yourself, Allah knows that you will remember them, but do not make a promise of contract with them in secret except that you speak an honourable saying according to the Islamic law (e.g. you can say to her, "If one finds a wife like you, he will be happy"). And do not consummate the marriage until the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah knows what is in your minds, so fear Him. And know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing."
In Surah Yunus [10:61]:
"Whatever you (O Muhammad) may be doing, and whatever portion you may be reciting from the Quran, - and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing (good or evil), We are Witness thereof, when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom (or small ant) on the earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater than that but is (written) in a Clear Record."
So it is incumbent upon all of this to take lesson from this great restrainer and admonitor, and not forget it, in order that we do not cause ourselves to fall into ruin.
Ibn Rajab رحمه الله said: A man seduced a woman and commanded her to close the doors. He said, "Are the any doors which have not been closed?" She said, "Yes, the door which is between us and Allah". So he did not commit the act with her.
And some people saw a man talking to a woman and said, "Allah sees you, may Allah conceal you and us"
Allah's Knowledge of you should prevent you from violating His prohibitions, out of shyness of Him.
Ibn Katheer said regarding the meaning of the following verse in Surah Ghafir [40:19]:
"Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal."
Allah tells us about His complete knowledge, which encompasses all things, great and small, major and minor, so that people will take note that He knows about them, and they will have the proper sense of shyness before Allah. They will pay attention to the fact that He can see them, for He knows the fraud of the eyes, even if the eyes look innocent, and He knows what the hearts conceal
You should feel shy of committing a sin whilst you are in the dominion of Allah, using His blessings to commit sins, and He sees you.
Ash-Shawkani said, "خائنة الأعين means looking stealthily at that which is not lawful for one to look at"
The eyes and the heart are connected. Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه said, "Allah knows when the eye looks at something, whether it wants to commit an act of betrayal or not" [At-Tabari]
It is to that extent that Allah's Knowledge is deep. We have to be concerned over the movement of our hearts and eyes. When we look at people, what is in our hearts when we are looking at them?
In the next verse, Verse 20:
"And Allah judges with truth, while those to whom they invoke besides Him, cannot judge anything. Certainly, Allah! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer."
Ibn Kathir رحمه الله said, "means: He judges with justice. Al-A'mash narrated from Sai'd ibn Jubayr from Ibn 'Abbas رضي الله عنه that this verse means, 'He is able to reward those who do good with good and those who do evil with evil""
Allah knows what your heart is concealing, so His judgement will be perfect and with Justice; He will not wrong you at all.
The Impacts of this Name from the Explanation of Ibn Katheer:
1) It make the believers show shyness to Allah
2) It makes them have Taqwa of Allah
3) It makes a person observant of Allah. He knows everything and sees everything and hears everything.
4) It reforms and purifies one innerself
5) It Correct ones Tawheed.
Allah is the only One who judges with justice, and no one else. This is because He knows everything, sees everything, hears everything. The knowledge of human judges is not perfect; they do not know everything about the people, they do not hear everything, or see everything, therefore their judgement is deficient.
And you will mostly find the Name of Allah العليم mentioned in the context of deeds and their recompense, in order to awaken the hearts and inform the slaves of the importance of perfecting and reforming them, and in order to encourage and intimidate them.
When you know Allah is looking at your deeds you will perfect it, because Allah loves المحسنين. Allah thus mentions His Name العليم to encourage the believers to perfect their deeds, even if they are alone and no one else sees them.
Examples:
The Name العليم in the Context of Encouraging us to Spend
-> Surah Al-Baqarah [2:215]:
"They ask you (O Muhammad) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well."
-> Surah Al-Baqarah [2:270]:
"And whatever you spend for spendings (e.g., in Sadaqah - charity, etc. for Allah's Cause) or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all. And for the Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.) there are no helpers."
-> Surah Al-Baqarah [2:273]:
"(Charity is) for Fuqara (the poor), who in Allah's Cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well."
-> Surah Al-Baqarah [2:261]:
"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
Allah does not just know about it, He will multiply the reward of the deed for whomever He wills. And the Will of Allah is based on His Knowledge and Wisdom; He knows who deserves the multiplication of their deed and who does not.
-> Surah Aal-Imran [3:92]:
"By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc., it means here Allah's Reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well."
This Name is profusely mentioned in the context of spending, in order to encourage us to spend. Allah even says , "من شيء" - even part of thing, Allah knows about it; ifyou are spending it sincerely for Allah or seeking praise from people.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
اتَّقُوا النَّارَ ". ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ وَأَشَاحَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ " اتَّقُوا النَّارَ ". ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ وَأَشَاحَ ثَلاَثًا، حَتَّى ظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا، ثُمَّ قَالَ " اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ، فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ "
"Protect yourself from the Fire." He then turned his face aside (as if he were looking at it) and said again, "Protect yourself from the Fire," and then turned his face aside (as if he were looking at it), and he said so for the third time till we thought he was looking at it. He then said, "Protect yourselves from the Fire, even if with one half of a date and he who hasn't got even this, (should do so) by (saying) a good, pleasant word.' [Bukhari #6540]
In another Hadith:
مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ وَسَيُكَلِّمُهُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، لَيْسَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ وَبَيْنَهُ تُرْجُمَانٌ، ثُمَّ يَنْظُرُ فَلاَ يَرَى شَيْئًا قُدَّامَهُ، ثُمَّ يَنْظُرُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَتَسْتَقْبِلُهُ النَّارُ، فَمَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَتَّقِيَ النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ
There will be none among you but will be talked to by Allah on the Day of Resurrection, without there being an interpreter between him and Him (Allah) . He will look and see nothing ahead of him, and then he will look (again for the second time) in front of him, and the (Hell) Fire will confront him. So, whoever among you can save himself from the Fire, should do so even with one half of a date (to give in charity). [Bukhari #6539]
This indicates that Allah knows the intention we gave the half a date in charity in. We humans look at the apparent and belittle what can half a date do.
The believer gives half a date, and believes that if given with sincerity, it will reach the Hand of Allah before the hand of the poor person, and Allah will increase it like how one of us brings up a baby horse until it becomes big;- Allah will multiply that charity until it becomes mountains on the Day of Judgement. A half date to mountains - because the person was sincere.
When a person asks for charity, we think 100 fils won't benefit the person. But it will benefit us and protect us from the Hellfire if given with sincerity, no matter how much it is.
Look at how Allah will receive half a date, where you eat one half and give the other half to another person. The believer knows that Allah is غفور شكور. Allah will not turn away even that little good deed. He will accept it with a goodly acceptance, and multiply the reward.
So not look at the littleness of the money, think of yourself on the Day of Judgement when you see the Hellfire.
And charity is not limited to humans, it can be given to the animals and birds. If you have leftover food, you can give it to the animals. If given sincerely for Allah, it will be considered a charity from you, and you don't know how it will benefit you on the Day of Judgement.
The Shaytan fools us. We have more than half a date to give, but we should give it with a good intention. Allah knows your intention behind the charity and will recompense you accordingly.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ "
and he who hasn't got even this, (should do so) by (saying) a good, pleasant word
And the good word is a charity. And women are very clever when it comes to talking. So use this ability to come closer to Allah.
But is just any good word considered charity? There are at least 4 conditions to be fulfilled for your word to be good and accepted by Allah, and a means to protect you from the Hellfire:
1) The word should be good in its wording (بلفظها)
2) It should have a good meaning
3) You should choose the right time to say it and say it in the right way.
4) You should have a good intention
The word may be good in its wording, meaning, and you may have said it at the right time with good manners, but what is your intention behind it? If the intention is good, it is considered a كلمة طيبة. If the intention was just out of habit, custom, then your good word will not be rewarded. Your intention should be to say this good word as a means of protection from the Hellfire. And Allah knows about your intention; He will accordingly reward and multiply that good deed you do. Allah is the All-Knower of the intentions of the people.
The Name العليم in the context of Voluntary Acts
In Surah Al-Baqarah [2:158]:
"Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who perform Hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is All-Recogniser, All-Knower."
تطوع = voluntarily
Allah knows why you are doing this voluntary action; what is in your heart which motivates you to do it voluntarily. This Name also encourages us to do voluntary acts, not for people, but because Allah Knows.
The Name العليم in the context of Jihad
In Surah Al-Baqarah [2:244]:
"And fight in the Way of Allah and know that Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower."
The Name العليم in the context of Repentance (التوبة)
In Surah At-Tawbah [9:15]:
"And remove the anger of their (believers') hearts. Allah accepts the repentance of whom He wills. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise."
In Surah An-Nisa [4:17]:
"Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to whom Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise."
In Surah An-Nisa [4:26]:
"Allah wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you, and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise."
This indicates that Allah knows who is truthful in his repentance. The first condition of repentance is sincerity; the person quits the sin for the sake of Allah; fearing His punishment, hoping for His reward - not because he does not have any more means to commit the sin.
The Name العليم in the Context of Encouraging us to perform Righteous Deeds
In Surah Al-Mu'minoon [23:51]:
"O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Taiyibat [all kinds of Halal (legal) foods which Allah has made legal (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do."
Never wait for any recompense or appreciation from the people. The believer does not wait for any word of gratitude, because it is sufficient for him that Allah knows what he is doing.
In Surah Al-Baqarah [2:127]:
"And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and (his son) Isma'il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), (saying), "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower."
This is what Ibraheem and Ismaeel عليهما السلام said after building the Ka'bah. This great deed they did was not for the sake of people; they asked Allah to accept it from them.
If you believe that Allah is العليم in detail and with certainty, it will affect your heart and actions.
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