The Difference Between Inspiration [Ilhaam] and Revelation [Wahy]

From Jaabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, who said, "When the time of the Battle of Uhud approached, my father called me at night and said, “I think that I will be the first amongst the Companions of the Prophet to be martyred. I do not leave anyone after me dearer to me than you, except Allah's Apostle's soul and I owe some debt and you should repay it and treat your sisters favourably (nicely and politely)." So in the morning he was the first to be martyred and was buried along with another (martyr).” [Bukhaari]

Shaikh al-Albaani said, “It should be known that this is not to be considered as having knowledge of the Unseen, for no-one except Allaah knows the Unseen, and nor is it from the category of Allaah showing His servants some of the Unseen as many ignorant people think it is, for Allaah the Most High said, “[He is] Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone except a Messenger He has approved of.” [Jinn 72:26-27] [i.e., Jaabir's father was a Companion not a Messenger]

Rather [this incident] comes under the category of truthful inspiration [al-Ilhaam as-Saadiq], and the difference between it and revelation [wahy] is that inspiration [al-Ilhaam] is not safe from error or the fact that it may not materialise, unlike revelation [wahy] which is always infallible.”

Tahqiq Mishkaah al-Masaabih, 3/1674.

There's No One From Amongst You, Except That His Lord Will Speak To Him

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allaah have mercy upon him) mentioned in his writing Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah:

The seventh narration which establishes the speech (of Allaah):

It is His (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) statement:

"There's no one from amongst you, except that his Lord will speak to him and there will be no translator between them."

Imaam Al-Allaamaah Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy upon him) stated explaining this:

"Allaah will speak to him and there will be no translator between them. That will take place on the Day of Judgment. The translator is the one who is between two individuals who speak different languages. He relays the speech of one to the other.

There are four conditions that have to be met in relation to the one who translates: Trustworthiness, that he is knowledgeable of the language he is translating from, he is knowledgeable of the language he is translating to and he is knowledgeable of the topic that he translating.

In this narration it's established that from the characteristics of Allaah is: The speech, and it is by way of a voice that is heard and understood.

The person should be be afraid from that speech which will take place between him and his Lord that he will become exposed in front of Allaah, when Allaah addresses him about his sins. Therefore, leave off the acts of sin and have fear of Allaah."

Source: The Explanation of Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah by Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy upon him), Maktabah Al-Hikam Ad-Deeniyyah

pg. 272

The Best of You are Those Who are Best to Their Families

Al Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy upon him) commented on the statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam):

"The best of you are those who are best to their families."

The Shaykh (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

"The best of the people are those who are best to their families. That is because the relatives are the ones who are more entitled to the good treatment. Therefore, if there's any good in you then let your family be the first of those who benefit from this good. This is the opposite of what the people do today. You'll find him to be one who has bad character with his family but he has good character with other than them. This is a major mistake/wrongdoing. Your family has more right to be treated with goodness. That is because they are with you night and day, in private and in public. If something befalls you, they are afflicted along with you. If you're happy, they are happy. If you're sad, they are sad. Therefore, let your dealings with them be better than your dealings with outsiders. The best of the people are those who are best to their families. We askAllaah to complete for me and the Muslimeen the Eemaan and that He makes us the best of the servants ofAllaah regarding our families and those who have rights over us."

Source: Explanation of Riyaadus-Saaliheen

Preparing our Youth To be Leaders Of Tomorrow

(Written by sister Zohra Sarwari)

Building great leaders requires hard work from parents, educators, teachers, counselors, imams, elder siblings, and community leaders. Some of the greatest leaders have emerged when Jahiylah was far and wide. In fact, Islaam spread at a time of great cruelties and social ills. As centuries passed, eminent leaders continued to appear even though there was corruption in the land. Therefore, instead of allowing the disheartening realities surrounding us to wallow in despair, we should focus on ways in which we can foster distinguished leaders. The biggest problem that the Ummah faces in building righteous leaders is a lack of unified vision and mission.

Saykh Ibn Uthaymeen: Advice on Unity

I advise my brothers that they should unify their ranks, and that they should be like a single body seeking to establish the Religion of Allah, as Allah - the Most High - said:

"He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad ), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion)..." [Sura ash-Shooraa 42:13].