بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Prophet ﷺ said,
من يرد الله به خيرا يفقه في الدين
"If Allah wills good for a person He bestows upon him comprehension of the Religion." [Agreed Upon]
Religious knowledge has many merits. In order to attain these merits, we have to follow the correct means of acquiring knowledge. In his book "كتاب العلم" (The Book of Knowledge), Ibn 'Othaimeen رحمه الله mentioned means which help the student of knowledge acquire knowledge:
#3 - الحفظ
Memorization
It is a must on the student of knowledge to be keen to study and learn accurately, either by memorizing the knowledge by heart or writing it down. This is because the human being forgets easily. If one does not take care of reviewing and repeating the knowledge, he will lose it and forget.
One of the ways which helps a student of knowledge memorize is to be guided by the knowledge (I.e. Act upon it). If you act upon the knowledge, you will never forget it, based on the verse in Surah Muhammad [47:17]:
"While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety."
And Allah says in Surah Maryam [19:76]:
"And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright [true believers in the Oneness of Allah who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. And the righteous good deeds that last, are better with your Lord, for reward and better for resort."
Guidance is to act upon what you learn; to adopt the right way. So as a person increases in acting upon knowledge, as Allah will increase him in memorization and understanding, as concluded from the general meaning of the aforementioned verses.
#4 - ملازمة العلماء
Keeping Close to the Scholars
Ibn 'Othaimeen رحمه الله was addressing the male students of knowledge, however women can apply it as much as they are able to.
The student of knowledge should first seek help from Allah, then seek help from the Scholars and what they wrote of knowledge. Merely reading a book (I.e. Self studying) takes a long time to understand, unlike attending the gathering of the Scholar where he can explain it to you. This does not mean that self studying does not benefit, it does benefit to some extent, however the mistakes of the person who self studies will be greater than the mistakes of the person who listens directly from the Scholar.
The best way to take knowledge is from a Scholar who is alive. Also, the student of knowledge should not seek knowledge from more than one Scholar (in the same field). If you want to study Fiqh, for example, stick to one Scholar, because every Scholar has his own opinion and his method of deducing evidences from the Qur'an and Sunnah differs from another Scholar. Having many Scholars at one time will confuse a person and cause him to have more doubts. This was the advice of Ibn 'Othaimeen رحمه الله. In the beginning of his life, his teacher was only Shaikh As-Sa'di رحمه الله. After he had taken all the knowledge from him, he moved on in the institute.
In the beginning of many students of knowledges journey, they are anxious to learn, so they seek knowledge from everywhere, and end up confused and having many questions. Stick to one teacher, learn from him, and if you think he has given you all what he has, go to another one.In this is a big relief for the student of knowledge. Wherever you find benefit, stay. If you find you are not benefiting, go to another teacher.
The Name of Allah الملك (Al-Malik)
The Linguistic Meaning:
The name Al-Malik is derived from the word مَلَكَ، يملِك، مِلْك which means to posses a thing and have the full power over its disposal.
ملكوت (Malakoot) is the Dominion.
The Places it is Mentioned in the Qur'an
-> Al-Malik is mentioned in 5 positions in the Qur'an:
#1 - Surah Ta-Ha [20:114]
#2 - Surah Al-Mu'minoon [23:116]
#3 - Surah Al-Hashr [59:23]
#4 - Surah An-Nas [114:2]
#5 - Surat Al-Jum'ah [62:1]:
"Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allah, the King (of everything), the Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah.
Who is Allah? Allah describes Himself in this verse. He is Al-Malik, Al-Quddus, Al-Aziz, and Al-Hakeem. Allah gave three descriptions for Al-Malik.
-> The name Al-Maleek is mentioned once, in Surah Al-Qamar [54:54-55]
-> The name Al-Maalik means The Owner, and is mentioned in two positions in the Qur'an, but only in restricted form.
#1 - Surah Al-Fatihah [1:3]
#2 - Surah Aal-Imran [3:26]
However, it is mentioned in unrestricted form in the Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَغْيَظُ رَجُلٍ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَأَخْبَثُهُ وَأَغْيَظُهُ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ كَانَ يُسَمَّى مَلِكَ الأَمْلاَكِ لاَ مَلِكَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ
The most wretched person in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection and the worst person and target of His wrath would of the person who is called Malik al-Amlak (the King of Kings) for there is no king but Allah. [Muslim #2143]
The Difference between Al-Malik (The King) and Al-Maalik (The Owner):
Ash-Shawkani said that the Scholars differed with regards to the two names Malik and Malik. Some of them said that the name Malik is more intensive and general, because every king owns, but not every owner can be a king, and because the command of the king is executed upon the owner. Others said Maalik more general and intensive than Malik when praising Allah because He is the Owner of mankind and the whole dominion. The truth is that every attribute has a speciality that is not found in the other one. [Faid Al-Qadeer]
The Meaning with regards to Allah:
Shaikh Abdur-Razzaq Al-Badr said in his book Fiqh Al-Asmaa:
و هذان الإسمان دالان على أن الله سبحانه ذوالملك، أي المالك لجميع الأشياء المتصرف فيها بلا ممانعة و لا مدافعة،
These two names (Al-Malik, Al-Maleek) indicate that Allah is the Owner of the whole dominion; I.e. The Owner of all things who has full power over them without resistance nor hindrance.
و الملك يرجع إلى أمور ثلاثة:
And His Kingship goes back to three matters:
Whenever you hear Allah Al-Malik, remember that is related to the following three matters:
1) Matters related to His Attributes
2) Matters related to those whom He Owns
3) His relationship and dealings with those whom He Owns
الأول: ثبوت صفات الملك له التي هي صفاته العظيمة من كمال القوة ، و العزة، و القدرة، و العلم المحيط، و الحكمة الواسعة، و نفوذ المشيئة، و كمال التصرف، و كمال الرأفة و الرحمة، و الحكم العام للعالم العلوي و السفلي، و الحكم العام في الدنيا و الآخرة
FIRST: The affirmation of the attributes of Kingship to Him, which are His great attributes:
- Perfect Strength
- Perfect Might (Subdual over His creation)
- Perfect Ability
- Encompassing Knowledge
- Vast Wisdom
- Executive Will
- Perfect Disposition of Affairs
- Perfect Compassion and Mercy
- General Ruling for the Upper and Lower Worlds
- General Decision / Judgement in this World and in the Hereafter
Whenever you remember the name of Allah Al-Malik, these attributes should come to your mind. These are the attributes of the True King.
Evidences:
a) Surah Aal-Imran [3:189]:
"And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things."
Allah has the ability and strength to dispose the affairs of all what He owns.
How does He dispose the affairs of His creation? With all the aforementioned attributes; with His wisdom, knowledge, mercy, compassion, will, rulership, etc.
b) Surah Al-Furqan [25:26]:
"The sovereignty on that Day will be the true (sovereignty), belonging to the Most Beneficent (Allah), and it will be a hard Day for the disbelievers (those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism)."
The King is attributed with mercy. Ar-Rahman is ذو الرحمة الواسعة - The One whose mercy is vast.
Allah manages the affairs of the whole dominion with His mercy, as He says in Surah Al-Fatihah [1:2-4]:
"All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)."
"The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful."
"The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)"
He is the One nurturing all His creation with His mercy.
Compare the kings of this world with Allah:
- To Allah belongs the dominion of the whole world, but the kingdom of the kings of this world is restricted to a certain land or place.
- Allah disposes the affairs of His kingdom with knowledge. Allah knows about everything in detail. The kings of the world do not know about every individual person and creature that is in their dominion. Allah's knowledge encompasses even the animals, birds, insects, the creatures in the depths of the sea and earth. Allah does not require ministers to deliver the news of the country to Him, unlike the kings of this world. Allah's knowledge encompasses everything.
- The kingship of the people of the earth is temporary. They will either leave it one day by death or it will be transferred to someone else. Allah's kingship is permenant.
- The disposal of the affairs by the kings of the earth is imperfect and deficient, whereas Allah's disposal of the affairs in His Kingdom is perfect.
E.g. You own a farm and hired farmers to work in it. Even if you put cameras everywhere, you would not be able to encompass everything they do. If the farmers go on strike, you cannot force them to work, you will have to comply with what they want. The command of the owner of the farm is thus not executive. However no one can repel or reject Allah's command.
This tells us who the true King is; it is Allah Al-Malik. The more you reflect over our possession in comparison to Allah's ownership, the more your faith will increase.
c) Surah Ghafir [40:16]:
"The Day when they will (all) come out, nothing of them will be hidden from Allah. Whose is the kingdom this Day? (Allah Himself will reply to His Question): It is Allah's the One, the Irresistible!"
The kingdom and sovereignty on the Day of Judgement will only belong to One; Allah Al-Wahid Al-Qahhar (The One, The Irrestible). The kings of this world will stand subdued to Him and Allah's kingdom will be clearly shown on the Day of Judgement.
In conclusion: Since Allah is Al-Malik, He is the Owner of the full power, strength, might, etc. All of these attributes are required to be affirmed to Allah; Al-Malik.
الثاني: أن جميع الخلق مماليكه و عبيده و مفتقرون إليه و مضطرون إليه في جميع شؤونهم، ليس لأحد خروج عن ملكه و لا لمخلوق غني عن إيجاده و إمداده و نفعه و دفعه و منعه و عطائه.
SECOND:
1) All the creation are owned by Him and are His slaves
2) They stand in need of Him
3) And are impelled to seek His help in all their affairs
4) No one can exit His dominion
5) Nor is any creature self sufficient of His bringing him into existence, His sustenance, His benefit, His protection, His favours, and His gifts.
As long as you are a slave, what should your relationship be with the one who owns you and whom you belong to? You are obliged to stand at His gate. Ask Allah for every little need you have in your life.
The problem with us is that we forget that we are slaves and we forget to attribute our Owner with perfect attributes, so we put our trust in people like us rather than putting our trust in the True King. If we need anything we should ask Allah for it first, before thinking about the people. But we only raise our hands and ask Allah when the people fail us. We do not really believe in Allah; Al-Malik Al-Maleek.
What is our real state? We are needy slaves
What is the description of the things we possess? In reality, everything we 'own' belongs to Allah, and He put it in our possession as a test.
Evidences:
a) Surah az-Zukhruf [43:85]:
"And blessed be He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, and with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, and to Whom you (all) will be returned."
Whatever you own is given to you by Allah temporarily as a test. Remember that you will return to Him one day and He will ask you about it.
A bedouin was asked about who his flock of sheep belonged to. He replied, "To Allah, and it is in my hands."
To Allah belongs everything in the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. This includes you and what you possess.
b) Surah Fatir [35:15-17]:
"O mankind! it is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of all praise."
What did Allah describe us with? Need (فقير)
What is the description of Allah? Rich, Worthy of all Praise (الغني الحميد)
Then, Allah mentions His perfect ملك (Mulk), in the following verses:
"If He will, He could destroy you and bring about a new creation."
"And that is not hard for Allah."
In the Qur'an, Allah mentioned that He removed certain nations and brought others instead of them. For example, Allah removed Pharoah. Pharoah said, as mentioned in Surah az-Zukhruf [43:51]:
In the Qur'an, Allah mentioned that He removed certain nations and brought others instead of them. For example, Allah removed Pharoah. Pharoah said, as mentioned in Surah az-Zukhruf [43:51]:
"And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then?"
Allah caused him to drown.
The People of Nuh, Qarun, Ad, Thamud, etc. are examples of people who were completely removed from the face of the earth. Allah is showing us in the Qur'an that it is not difficult for Him. This is the Mulk of Allah; if He wills something, all He says is 'Be' and it will be. No one can repel it.
If Allah decrees a hurricane or earthquake in a certain area, no one can stop it. Allah is showing us His sovereignty and power. He is the true Owner of everything; He disposes His kingdom in the way He wills, and it is based on His vast wisdom and knowledge.
c) Surah al-Ankabut [29:60]:
"And so many a moving (living) creature there is, that carries not its own provision! Allah provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower."
Look at how your provision comes to you in a subtle way, without you even thinking about how it came to you. This is Allah; Al-Malik, who takes care of every creature in His dominion. He never neglects anyone, and nothing is hidden from His knowledge.
In Conclusion: The description of the slaves of Allah is weak and needy. Them and whatever they own belong to Allah.
الثالث: أن له التدبيرات النافذة، يقضي في ملكه بما يشاء و يحكم فيه بما يريد، لا راد لقضائه و لا معقب لحكمه، له الحكم فيه تقديرا و شرعا و جزاء
THIRD: To Allah belongs the executive management. He ordains in His dominion whatever He wills, and He decides in His dominion what He wills. None can repel His decision or ordainment, nor can anyone put back His Judgement. To Him belongs the Command; The Decreed Commands, Legal Commands, and Recompense.
To the great King, Allah, belongs all what is in the heavens and the earth. The King should judge in His Dominion.
What did we hear about the attributes of this King? We previously heard that the description of the King is that
He has the perfect power, ability, might, wisdom, knowledge, will, mercy etc.
This means that whenever Allah ordained something, legislated something, commanded with something, or willed something, it is based on His perfect attributes. When He gives, prevents, elevates, dishonours, causes death, brings to life, it is all based on His perfect attributes. No one can say "Why?".
From the impacts of Allah's sovereignty is that He has three types of commands:
1) احكام قدرية (Decreed Commands)
He controls the decrees of the creation. He manages the affairs of His creation by bringing them into existence, providing for them, causing death, honoring, disgracing, preventing, etc.
2) أحكام شرعية (Legal Commands)
Allah sent Messengers, revealed Books, legislated laws, and created the creation for this حكم (Hukm). He commands His creation to follow His commands in their belief, manners, statements, actions, in their apparent and hidden states. And He forbade them from transgressing against this legal command.
3) أحكام جزائية (Recompense)
It is out of Allah's perfect kingship over His servants and management of their affairs that to Him belongs the recompense.
Who has the right to say: This is lawful and this is unlawful?
Who has the right to say: If you do this, you will be rewarded with such and such reward?
Who has the right to say: If you do such and such action you will be punished?
It is only Allah, the true King, who has the right to say that.
Accordingly, if one believes that Allah is the True King (الملك الحق), he should believe that:
- Allah is the Owner of all things
- Allah is perfect in His attributes and His servants are deficient in their attributes
- Allah manages the affairs of His dominion by three types of commands:
a) أحكام قدرية (Decreed Commands)
b) أحكام شرعية (Legal Commands)
c) أحكام جزائية (Recompense)
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