“Al-wassiyah as-Sughra” or the mini advice is a terse yet beneficial advice given by Ibn Taymiyyah upon asking him the following question..
I request Ibn Taimiyyah to advice me on which will benefit me in my religion and my worldly life, and to direct me to a book in the science of hadith and in other shariah sciences, and to indicate to me the best of deeds after the obligatory and the best means of earning, let all these answers be short and precise, may Allah protect Ibn Taimiyyah and reward him. Salam.
Answer of Ibn Taimiyyah
Praise be to Allah.
As for advice, I do not know of an advice better than which Allah and His messenger gave for those who ponder and reason and follow, Allah says:
“And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allâh,” [surah an-Nisa: 131]
And the Prophet advised Moaz when he was sent to Yamen and said: “O Moaz, fear Allah wherever you are, and follow a sinful act with a virtuous one which will wipe it, and treat the mankind with good behaviour”.
Excellence of Moaz
Moaz was of great rank to the Prophet,
as the Prophet told him once “O Moaz, by Allah I love you”,
and he used to take him behind when riding,
and it was reported that he was the best among the Ummah to know the Halal and Haram,
and that on the Day of Judgement he will march forward in front of the scholars.
Among his virtues, he was sent as preacher, teacher, Mufti and governor to the people of Yemen.
The Prophet used to resemble him with Prophet Ibrahim who was the Imam of mankind. Ibn Masoud used to say that Moaz is himself like an Ummah obedient to Allah and not among the Mushrekeen, like Ibrahim (see verse 120 of surah an-Nahl)
Since the Prophet gave this advice to Moaz, it was evident that this advice is a great comprehensive advice.
This hadith is comprehensive because:
There are two rights on a slave: the rights of Allah and rights of His slaves. As for the rights of Allah, a slave must fall short from fulfilling the rights of Allah entirely, either by disobeying an order or committing a prohibition. The Prophet said “Fear Allah wherever you are” to show that Taqwah is something one needs all the time and everywhere, and then said “follow a sinful act with virtuous act and the sin will be wiped away”, so when a patient takes harmful thing the physician advices him of what corrects this harm, similarly committing sin seems unavoidable thing, and the noble person is he who continues to do virtuous acts which should wipe out his sins. In this hadith the Prophet mentioned sin first, because the intention is to wipe it out and not to do the virtuoso deed, as if it was like the Bedouine who urinated in the masjid and the Prophet directed to wipe it out through pouring water. It is recommended to choose the good deeds from the same category of the sinful deeds which he committed, so the wiping out would be more effective.
Wiping out of sins is achieved by a number of acts:
One, Tawbah (repentance)
Two, Istegfar (seeking forgiveness) without tawbah, as Allah could forgive a person without tawbah if he made supplication to Allah even if he did not repent, but if the two were joined (tawbah and istegfar) that would be more perfect.
Three, performing good deeds which expiates the wrong doings. This could be (1) the kaffarah (expiation deeds) like the kaffarah of having sex in the day of Ramadan, or doing the prohibitions during hajj, or hunting or else. These kind of kaffarah fall under four categories: Hadi (slaughtering animal), Itq (slave freeing) Sadaqah (charity) and fasting. (2) Or the expiation could be through general good deeds, as Hudaifah said to Omar “ the tribulation of a man within his family, property and children would be expiated by prayer, fasting, alms giving, enjoining good and prohibiting vice” and many verses and hadiths relate this fact that the five prayers, jumuah prayer, fasting and hajj and other actions where there is the general style of “whoever does such and such, his sins will be forgiven, or his past sins will be wiped out” and these actions are many and would be found embedded in hadiths on virtues of deeds.
Importance of following sins with Hasanat
Be it known that adhering to this principle of performing expiating virtuous deeds is very essential for a man, as when a man from the moment he reaches puberty especially in our time and similar time of degradation which is somehow similar to the days of Jahiliyyah (ignorance) he needs this expiation, for a man who grows up within a community of scholars may get contaminated by matters of jahiliyyah, so what about those who stay within the filth of jahiliyyah?
It was narrated in the two authentic books (Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of Abu Said –may Allah be pleased with him- “ verily you would imitate the path of the people before you, point by point, even if they went inside lizard hole, you would follow them” they said “ are they the Jews and Christians?” the Prophet replied “who else?” This is confirmation of the verse “Like those before you: they were mightier than you in power, and more abundant in wealth and children. They had enjoyed their portion (awhile), so enjoy your portion (awhile) as those before you enjoyed their portion (awhile); and you indulged in play and pastime as they indulged in play and pastime.” [surah at-Tawbah 69] and there are other authentic hadiths along this meaning.
This is a matter which might spread among those known as religious scholars, as more than one among the salaf –like Ibn Uyainah- said that many of the affairs of Jews is repeated among those regarded as scholars, and many of the affairs of Christians are present among those regarded as religious saints, this is a matter which any one who understands Islam that was revealed on Muhammad tries to apply it on the affairs of the mankind.
If the situation is so, then he who’s breast is been open to Islam he is in light from his Lord, and he who was dead and is been made alive by Allah and is given a light to walk among the mankind, he then must observe the situation of Jahiliyyah and the affairs of the two nations: the one on whom the wrath is spelled (Jews) and the one who lost their path (Christians), and check himself if he is safe from such Jahiliyyah.
Thus, the most beneficial for individuals and scholars is to know how to save one’s soul from being imprisoned in such captivity, and that is to follow the sinful deeds with righteous deeds.
What are righteous Deeds?
And the Hasanat (righteous deeds) are those which are recommended by Allah through His last messenger, among the deeds and behaviours and characters, and the acts that would expiate the effect of sins and the hardship that expiates the sin (like painful events, sadness, anxiety, which afflicts body or property and are not among the voluntary deeds of a man).
Good treatment of Mankind
So when the Prophet covered the rights of Allah by doing righteous and mending the sin, the Prophet went to cover the rights of mankind which is to treat them with good manner.
The gist of good manner is to (1) connect with those who cut you through giving salam and hospitality and making dua for him and asking Allah his forgiveness and praising him, visiting him, and (2) to give those who deprived you, give them knowledge, benefits, money and (3) to forgive those who made unjust to you in your blood, property or honor. Among these manners things which are wajib (obligatory) and those which are mustahab (recommended).
As for the great manner which was attributed to the Prophet in Quran, it is the Islam in it’s entirety covering all of Allah’s commandments. Thus it was said by Mujahid and others and that is the interpretation of Quran as Ayesha answer the one who asked her about the manner of the Prophet. It’s essence is to march forward towards what pleases Allah with a heart full of love, pleasure and surrender.
As for relating this with the Quranic verse, then Taqwa is a comprehensive name to include all which Allah commanded as obligatory or voluntary and prohibited as haram or markuh (disliked), which encompasses the rights of Allah and rights of the creatures. However, when Taqwah frequently referred to fear of torment leading to refrain from prohibitions, it came elaborated in the hadith of Moaz as well in the hadith of Abu Hurairah which was in Tirmidhi –which he authenticated- it was reported to the Prophet “What is the most which leads people to Jannah?” He said “ Taqwah of Allah and good character”, it was then said: “and what makes them enter hell-fire?” the Prophet replied: “ mouth and private parts”
Also, in the two authentic books narrated by Ibn Umar –may Allah be pleased with both of them- that the Prophet said “the most perfect among the believers is the best in behavior”. Thus, the perfectness of Emaan is achieved by the perfectness of character. It is known that faith entirely is Taqwa. This article is not enough to elaborate on branches taqwa. However, the source and ingredient of success is Ikhlas (sincerity) in worshipping Allah and depending on Him alone as is mentioned in following verses:
“You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help” [fatiha 5]
“So worship Him and put your trust in Him” [ Hud 123]
“Such is Allâh, my Lord in Whom I put my trust, and to Him I turn in repentance.” [ash Shura 10]
“so seek your provision from Allâh (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him.” [al Ankabout 17]
So a slave cuts all his heart inclination with creatures seeking their help or working for them, and to make one’s intention and destination Allah alone through continuous supplication to Him in all cases of need, poverty and insecurity and to work for him with what pleases Him. This will causes him enormous success.
The Best Deed after Obligatory Acts
As for the query about the best deed after obligatory acts, it varies from one person to another depending on their ability and which suites their time, so it is difficult to give one unique answer. However, it is like a consensus among the Ulama that continuous remembrance (dhikr) of Allah is the best one can occupy his time with –in general.
It is evident from the Hadith of Abu Hurairah in Sahih Muslim: “The Mufarredon has advanced in race”, they asked “O Prophet who are the Mufarredon?” he replied “Those are those –males and females- who do lots of Dhikr (rememberance of Allah)”.
Also abu Dawood narrated on the authority of Abud Darda’ –may Allah be pleased with him- that the Prophet said: “shall I not tell you the best of your deeds and the purest in the eye of your Lord and the most increasing in your rank, and which is better that spending gold and silver, and better than meeting your enemy and beheading them and them beheading you”, they replies “sure (tell us about this deed)”, he said: “Dikr Allah (remembrance of Allah)”.
Also, Quranic verses are many which indicates this point. The minimum one should adhere to is the Dhikr which are reported that the great Teacher and Ledear of Muttaqueen (our Prophet) used to utter at particular times like the beginning and end of a day, before sleeping at the night, after waking up in the morning, after finishing the five prayers, and those Dhikr in particular situations like at the time of taking meals or drinking, putting on cloth, having sexual intercourse, entering home or masjid or toilet and getting out of them, at the time of rain or thunder, and else. There has been books authored on this subject.
After the dhikr in special occasions it is advisable to engage in dhikr all the time, and the best dhirk is “La Ilaha Illalllah” (there is no true deity except Allah), but there could come situations when other dhirks like Subhannal, Alhamdu Lillah, Allahu Aknar or La Hawla wala Quwwata Illa Billah would be better.
Then, let it be known that whatever utterance made associated with heart acknowledgement which brings close to Allah among knowledge acquisition or teaching or enjoining good and forbidding vice, then that is counted as dhikr. This is why, if someone occupies himself –after performing the obligatory acts- with seeking knowledge or sitting in a meeting to discuss fiqh (knowledge) which is ascribed as fiqh by Allah and His messenger, then that is regarded as a best way to remember Allah. If you understood this, then you will not find much confusion in understanding the words of the predecessors in identifying the best deed.
Istikharah and Duaa
As for those who are in dilemma as which is best for him, then let him do istikharah (seeking preference from Allah) for he will never regret who makes istikharah, also let him supplicate (duaa) to Allah as duaa is key to all success. Let him not become impatient to get results of duaa and say “I supplicated but got no answer!”. Let him choose for duaa the best times like the end of night, and end of prayers, at the time of Adhan (calling for prayer), at the time of rain fall, and else.
Best means of Income
As for the best means of income is the tawakkul (dependence) on Allah, and confidence in Him alone and developing noble assumption about Him. For he who is interested in provision let him take asylum with Allah and supplicate to Him, as it was said by Allah and narrated by His messenger: “O My slaves, all of you are hungry except those whom I have fed, so seek food from me and I will feed you, O my slaves, all of you are naked except those I provided cloth, so seek cloth from me and I will give you”, and in another hadith in Tirmidhi by Anas –may Allah be pleased with him- the Prophet said “Let one of you ask his Lord everything even the laces of his shoes if torn away, for if Allah does not ease that for him it will not be easy to get it”.
Also Allah said: “And ask Allah of His Bounty” [an-Nisa 32], also Allah said: “ Then when the (Jumu'ah) Salât (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allâh (by working, etc.)” [al-Jumua 10] for although this is meant to be Jumuah prayer it’s meaning extends to other prayers as well, and for this reason –and God knows better- the Prophet commanded those who enter masjid to say “O Allah open for me the gates of your mercy” and upon exit to say “O Allah I ask you your favour”. Ibrahim the beloved by Allah said: “so seek your provision from Allâh (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him” [al Ankabout 17], this is a command which makes it to be an obligation. Thus seeking His assistance, and taking asylum with Him in matters of provision is a fundamental matter.
Moreover, let him take the money with generosity of heart so as to be blessed in it, and should not take with longing and heart inclination, rather the money to him should be like the toilet which is very needed yet is not to be inclined to, but to give it needed attention like when it needs maintenance. It was reported in a hadith by at-Tirmidhi and else: “He who starts his day with this world being his object of attention and destination, then Allah punishes him by scattering his collective possession, and dispersing his property and would gain nothing from this world except those which is been decreed to him, and he who starts the day with the world hereafter being his object of attention, then Allah preserves his collection and makes his heart rich and this world comes rushing to him with due humiliation”
Some of the salaf (predecessors) said: “you are in need of this world, but your need for the aakherah (the world hereafter) is even greater. So, when you start paying attention for akherah, then pass by your share of this world and organize it”, for Allah said “I have not created Jinn and mankind but to worship me, I do not want from them any provision nor do I want them to feed Me. Indeed it is Allah the Provider, the firm possessor of strength” [adh-Dhariayat 56-58]
As to identify particular job and prefer it over another like doing business or involving in industry or building or agriculture, then it varies from a person to another and I do not know of a general rule for the preference. However, when someone is in dilemma let him seek the preference from Allah (istikharah) through the way been taught by the teacher of mankind (Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him), for in it lies the barakah (blessings) in a way unimaginable, and then whatever he attains let him not be too much anxious for alternative unless the current job involves disliked matters by shariah.
The Best Knowledge
As for the books to depend on for seeking knowledge, then that also is a vast subject and varies depending on the country where someone lives. For there might be some kind of knowledge available in a country which is not in somewhere else. However, the comprehensive beneficial knowledge is to seek the help of Allah in acquiring the knowledge which has been passed by our Prophet, and that alone deserves to be called knowledge, and other than that could be either a beneficial knowledge or not a knowledge (even if that is called a knowledge), and for those which are beneficial then there must be a similar or better counterpart in the knowledge brought by our Prophet which should be sufficient. So, let one’s endeavour be to understand the intention of the Prophet in his commandments and prohibitions and the rest of his sayings, and when his heart is satisfied in understanding the objective of the Prophet, then let him not divert from this knowledge in dealings with Allah or the mankind as much as possible.
Moreover, let him put effort to resort to some authentic evidence from the Prophet in any branch of knowledge. However, when he gets confused with so many different opinions let him supplicate to Allah with the duaa mentioned in sahih Muslim by Ayesha –may Allah be pleased with her- that the Prophet when about to pray at night used to start with “O the Lord of Gabriel, Mikael, and Israfeel, the innovator of the Heavens and Earth, the Knower of the seen and unseen, You judge between your slaves on issues of their dispute, (So) guide me on such matter of dispute to the truth by your grace, (because) You are the one who guides whomever you want to the straight path”, Allah has said in what narrated by His messenger “O my slaves, all of you are misguided except those I guided, so ask guidance from me, and I will guide you”.
The Best Book of Knowledge
As for the books then no chaptered book is more beneficial than the authentic Book of Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, but it alone is not capturing the fundamentals of knowledge, and will not satisfy the one who wants to go deeper, for he needs to know many other haidths and the sayings of the scholars in their respective fields. This ummah has filled the gap in each branch of knowledge with due books, and for he who’s heart is been illuminated by Allah, he will be guided by whatever books reached to him, but he who is blind the more books he reads the greater confusion and frustration catches him, as the Prophet said to Abu Labid al-Ansari “Are not Torah and Gospel with Jews and Christians, so what benefit they brought to them?”.
So, we ask Allah the greatest to give us guidance and accuracy and give us wisdom and prevent from us the harm we inflict to ourselves and let Him not deviate our heart after been guided, and give us His mercy, for indeed He is the one who can give these things. And all praise is to Allah and His prayer to the best of the Messenger.
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Do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers. [Quran aal-Imran (3):139]
Garden of Ibn Taymiyyah