Here are some brief study notes for Class 1 of this series. May Allah reward the our diligent sisters who contributed to these. Aameen.
Notes for Class #1 of Fiqhul-Asmaa al-Husnaa
Abu Muhammad al-Maghribee
❃Sheikh Abdur-Razzaaq al-Badr explains that it is upon us to learn about the Names and Attributes of Allah (Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Siffaat) and we should make this a priority and give this great importance in our lives. There are many proofs for this from the Quran, a few of which are:
ٌفَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
..Know that Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (Al-Baqarah 2:209)
وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ
...And know that Allâh is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise. (Al-Baqarah 2:267)
ُوَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ مَوْلاَكُمْ نِعْمَ الْمَوْلَى وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ
then know that Allâh is your Maulâ (Patron, Lord, Protector and Supporter, etc.), (what) an Excellent Maulâ, and (what) an Excellent Helper! (Al-Anfal 8:40)
َاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ وَأَنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Know that Allâh is Severe in punishment and that Allâh is Oft--Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Ma'idah 5:98)
فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَاكُمْ
So know (O Muhammad SAW) that Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allâh knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes). (Muhammad 47:19)
Among many other ayaat…
❃Knowing that "al-Azeez" and "al-Hakeem" are from of Allah’s Names or the mere utterance of these or other names is NOT ENOUGH. This, and all acts of worship, should be done in the manner which the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم set for us as an example and that of the Companions and the salafus-saaleh after them. As occurs in the hadith of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم wherein he said:
من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد
“Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours, will have it rejected.” Reported by Muslim
So along with memorizing these most beautiful Names and lofty Attributes, we do this while studying and gaining their proper understanding and then acting upon this understanding will aid us in every part of our lives; when making a decision, in marriage and interacting with our families, dealing with hardships and even how to conduct ourselves in times of ease.
This manner of learning was the way of the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. This was narrated by Abu Abdir-Rahman that he said, “The companions of the Messenger who used to teach us Quran informed us that they would not pass ten ayaat until they had learned the rulings contained in them and acted upon them.” Reported by Ahmad
Mujaahid (from the tabieen) said that he read the Quran three times to ibn Abbaas. And he stopped him at each verse to check his understanding of it.
Sheikh al-Faifi mentioned that Imam Malik was informed of a 7 year old boy who had memorized the Quran and he disliked this (memorizing without understanding).
So it is upon us to strive as much as we’re able to gain the proper understanding of what we learn and memorize (example is studying from the trustworthy books of tafseer from the likes of ibn Katheer and as-Saa’dee).
❃We should know that the Names and Attributes of Allah are the GREATEST and BEST of things in the Quran.
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728), who was one of the great scholars of his time, said that the mention of Allah’s Names and Attributes in the Quran is greater than the mention of the food, drink and marriage in Paradise combined. And it is also greater in number than the mention of the Day of Judgement.
The greatest ayah found in the Quran is Ayat al-Kursi which contains both from the Names and Attributes of Allah, azza wa jal. It was narrated that the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم asked Ubay bin Ka’b, “Do you know which is the greatest ayah of the Quran?” He replied, “Allah laa illaaha illa huwa alHayyul-Qayyum.” (Ayat al-Kursi). The Messenger patted him on his chest and said, “Knowledge congratulates you yaa Abal-Mundhir.”
The greatest surah found in the Quran is Surat al-Faatihah one proof for this is the hadith of Sa’eed al-Mu’alla when he narrated the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said to him, “I will surely teach you a surah which is the greatest surah in the Quran,” Then he said, “Al-hamdu Lillahi Rabb al- ‘Aalameen…” It is also mentioned that the Messenger said, “In this surah there is a greater mention of the Names and Attributes of Allah than the mention of the Last Day.”
And also regarding Surat al-Ikhlaas, it was narrated by Aishah that the Messenger was informed of a man who used to read Surat al-Ikhlaas (often). And when the man was asked why he did that, he replied, “Because it is a description of ar-Rahmaan, and I love to recite it.” The Messenger then said: “Tell him that Allaah loves him.” Reported by al-Bukhaari.
❃Abu Muhammad closed with reminding us of the importance of seeking knowledge and some of the statements of ibn Uthaymeen regarding the favor Allah has granted us by making it so easy with the use of technology. Seekers of knowledge in the past used to have to walk for months to sit with one of the scholars or would have to write their words by hand to own one of their books. But as for us, we can find books by the trustworthy scholars with ease and even listen to their lectures from the comfort of our homes by way of this modern technology. And may Allah make us from those who find much benefit in it and may He safeguard us and our families from its harms. Aameen.
-End of Notes-
These notes may be used as a study guide for the upcoming exam (also to be posted here).
I'll try to fix the pdf download link soon, in shaa Allah.