1

January 25, 2008 Muharram 17 1429 H

Volume 3 Issue 1

Towards Correcting our Beliefs and Practices

Reasons Eemaan Increases and Decreases

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen
We wish to know what things enable Eemaan to increase and what things make it decrease?
As far as the things that make Eemaan increase, then from them:

Quran The first reason: To know Allaah Ta’aala with His names and attributes. Indeed whenever a
person’s knowledge of Allaah and His names and attributes increases, then his Eemaan
“Those who believe increases without a doubt as a result. This is why you will find that the people of knowledge,
and do righteous those who know about the names and attributes of Allaah what others do not, you will find that
good deeds, there is they have stronger Eemaan than other than them from this perspective.
no sin on them for
what they ate (in the The second reason: To Ponder over the Ayaat (signs) of Allaah, Both the universal and
past), if they fear legislated signs. Indeed whenever a person ponders over the universal Ayaat, which is the
Allah (by keeping creation; the heavens, the earth, humans, animals and other than that, will increase in Eemaan.
away from His Allaah Ta’aala says:
forbidden things), {And on the earth are signs for those who have Faith with certainty. And also in your own
and believe and do selves, Will you not then see?}
righteous good There are many verses that prove this. What I mean is, the verses that prove that if a person was
deeds, and again fear to ponder and contemplate upon the universe, his Eemaan as a result will increase.
Allah and believe,
and once again fear The third reason: To practice a lot of good deeds, for whenever a person increases in
Allah and do good practicing good deeds, his Eemaan will increase, whether these deeds are from the deeds of the
deeds with Ihsaan tongue or actions of the body parts. For indeed Dhikr, (remembrance of Allaah) increases
(perfection). And Eemaan in its amount (i.e. the number of times one makes Dhikr) as well as in the way it is
Allah loves the good practiced. Salaat and Sawm (fasting) as well, and Hajj increases Eemaan as in regards to the
doers.” number of times it is practiced, as well as in regards to the way in which it is practiced.
(Al-Ma’idah - 5:93) As for the reasons why Eemaan decreases then it is the complete opposite of what has been
mentioned. So ignorance of the names and attributes of Allaah will make Eemaan decrease.
Because if a person does not know the names and attributes of Allaah, then he lacks knowledge
of them that [if he had] would in turn enable him to increase in Eemaan.
Hadith
The second reason: That one does not ponder over the universal and legislated Ayaat of
The Messenger of Allaah. Indeed this causes Eemaan to decrease, or in the least will stop its growth .
Allah (sallahu alayhi
was sallam said): Thirdly: Falling into sins, for indeed the sin has a tremendous effect on the heart and on
Eemaan!. This is why the messenger of Allaah 0122222223 ‫ و‬52222222617 8‫ ا‬:12222222; said:
"What I have “The zaanee (adulterer) does not commit zinaa (adultery) while he is a believer at the time
forbidden to you, of the act.”
avoid; what I have
ordered you [to do], Fourthly: Leaving off obedience (to Allaah and his Messenger), for indeed leaving off
do as much of it as obedience is from the reasons that decrease one’s Eemaan. However, if this certain action of
you can. It was only obedience was Waajib (compulsory), and one leaves it without a reason, then this is a decrease
their excessive
in Eemaan that one is blameworthy as well as punished for. But if it isn’t Waajib, or it is
questioning and their
Waajib and one leaves it with an excuse, then it is a decrease of Eemaan that one is not
disagreeing with their
punished for. This is why the Messenger of Allaah declared that women are deficient in ‘Aql
prophets that
destroyed those who (mentality) and Deen (Religion), and the reason he said that they had a deficiency in their Deen
were before you." is because they do not pray or fast during their menses, rather they are ordered not to pray or
[Bukhari and Muslim] fast, but because they are unable to practice these actions (during menses) that a man is able to
practice, they decrease (in Deen) compared to a man from this perspective.

This flyer contains some of Allah’s names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate, or recycle.

Editors Note: My Apologies
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah,
I just wanted to write a short message apologizing
on behalf of the recent lack of newsletters. I make no
excuse and sincerely regret not having been able to
make the time in which to make and send these. All
in all, it reminds me of a Hadith from the Prophet
(sallahu alayhi wa sallam): "Take benefit of five
before five: your youth before your old age, your
health before your sickness, your wealth before
your poverty, your free-time before your
preoccupation, and your life before your death." [al-
Haakim, al-Bayhaqee, Saheeh]
May Allah allow us to utilize all our blessings in the
correct manner. Ameen.
Insha’Allah this effort has been resumed and I plan
to continue. Anything good which comes from it is
solely from Allah and anything wrong is from
Shaytan and my own self.
Jazakallahu khayran for reading.
-wasalam
Who are your Role Models?
2 alike are
In the society and culture of today’s world, adults and children
constantly brainwashed into the ideals of what and who a role model is.
We are told what exactly what characteristics and requirements are needed
in order for one to fill in such a place, and yet amongst the rapidly
deteriorating of society, as a Muslim, our values should be different and
the people we base as our Role Models should also consequently be
different. It is not about the superficiality which is pushed forward in the
world, that success resides in the perfection of aestheticism or some great
materialistic deed; rather it was of many of the figures of our past that
stood as the greatest role models for mankind. And the root of which was
for their faith. These names are the ones lost from the lips of the
generations, these are the ones that no school history book speaks of and
yet these are the best of them all. We are to hence look towards the
Companions of the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) and those after
them as well as other prominent Islamic figures of later time. Keep in
mind whilst reading, the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa sallam)
said, “The best people are those living in my generation, then those
coming after them, and then those coming after (the second
generation)..” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, 3/219].
So these should be our role models… so our path starts with perhaps one
of the most known of the Companions, but his life and lessons from it are
invaluable regardless of how many times read…

Abu Bakr As-Sideeq (radi’Allahu anhu) – Part 1

..."If I were to take a friend other than my Lord, I would take Abu Bakr as a friend."... (Muslim)

Abu Bakr's Life

Abu Bakr ('The Owner of Camels') was not his real name. He acquired this name later in life because of his great interest in
raising camels. His real name was Abdul Ka'aba ('Slave of Ka'aba'), which Muhammad (peace be on him) later changed to
Abdullah ('Slave of God'). The Prophet also gave him the title of 'Siddiq' - 'The Testifier to the Truth.'
Abu Bakr was a fairly wealthy merchant, and before he embraced Islam, was a respected citizen of Mecca. He was three
years younger than Muhammad (peace be on him) and some natural affinity drew them together from earliest child hood. He
remained the closest Companion of the Prophet all through the Prophet's life. When Muhammad first invited his closest friends
and relatives to Islam, Abu Bakr was among the earliest to accept it. He also persuaded Uthman and Bilal to accept Islam. In
the early days of the Prophet's mission, when the handful of Muslims were subjected to relentless persecution and torture, Abu
Bakr bore his full share of hardship. Finally when God's permission came to emigrate from Mecca, he was the one chosen by
the Prophet to accompany him on the dangerous journey to Medina. In the numerous battles which took place during the life of
the Prophet, Abu Bakr was always by his side. Once, he brought all his belongings to the Prophet, who was raising money for
the defense of Medina. The Prophet asked "Abu Bakr, what did you leave for your family?" The reply came: "God and
His Prophet."
Even before Islam, Abu Bakr was known to be a man of upright character and amiable and compassionate nature. All
through his life he was sensitive to human suffering and kind to the poor and helpless. Even though he was wealthy, he lived
very simply and spent his money for charity, for freeing slaves and for the cause of Islam. He often spent part of the night in
supplication and prayer. He shared with his family a cheerful and affectionate home life.
To be continued… Insha’allah

Name of Allah
Al-Mutakabbir (the Supreme): The One Who is
above any evil, defect and deficiency due to His
greatness and grandeur.
"He is Allaah, other than whom none has the right
to be worshipped. The King, the Holy, The One
free from defects, the Giver of Security, the Ever-
Watcher, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the
Supreme. Glory be to Allaah! (High is He) Above
all that they associate as partners with Him."
(59:23)
** Words of Wisdom **
Ibn Hazam al-Andalusee (rahima-hullaah) mentions:
((When you compare yourself with others in matters of
wealth, position, and health, you should look at people
less favored than yourself. When you compare yourself
with others in matters of religion, knowledge and virtue,
look at people who are better than yourself)).
al-Akhlaaq was-Siyar - Ibn Hazam al-Andalusee