Classic Collection - The Legacy of the Prophet

The Legacy of The Prophet; Translation of Nurul Iqtibas fi Mishkat Wasiyyah Al-Nabil li Ibn 'Abbas. The spiritual and worldly life of a Muslim is focussed on Allah. Success in both entails knowing Allah, loving Him, trusting him and worshiping him alone. It requires the Muslim to learn his religion, discipline his soul and refrain his conduct. The Muslim must have firm faith that everything that happens to him in this life is good for him, that his lord would never decree anything that would be detrimental and, as such, he is required to be patient and step fast in the face of adversity and great full at times of ease. In this treatise, the author, Ibn Rajab sets out to explain the advice the Prophet (s.a.w) imparted to Ibn 'Abbas, "Safe guard Allah and He will safe guard you. Safe Guard Allah and you will find Him in front of you. Know Allah in times of ease and He will know you in times of Hardship. When you ask, ask Allah. When you seek aid, Turn to Allah. The Pen has dried (after having written) all that would occur..." It would not be exaggeration to say that if a Muslim was to understand this Hadith and follow it closely, he would be well on his way to fulfilling the goals highlighted above. It is for this reason that Ibn Jawzi said, 'I pondered this Hadith and it struck me with awe; I was so astounded that I almost became light headed...the prevailing ignorance of this Hadith and the lack of understanding there off is truly distressing! 'Abdal Qadir Al-Jaylani said; 'Every believer should make this Hadith a mirror to his heart, his axiom, his shelter and his topic of conversation. He should act by it in all times of motion and stillness so that he can be saved in this world and the hereafter.' About the Author: Imam Ibn Rajab al Hanbali (736 - 795 AH). He was the noble Imaam, the Haafidh, the Critic, Zayn-ud-Deen ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Ahmad bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan bin al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Abil-Barakaat Mas’ood As-Salaamee Al-Baghdaadee (due to his place of birth), Al-Hanbalee (due to his madh-hab), Ad-Dimashqee (due to his place of residence and death). His kunyah was Abul-Faraj, and his nickname was Ibn Rajab, which was the nickname of his grandfather who was born in that month (of Rajab). He was born in Baghdad in 736H and was raised by a knowledgeable family, firmly rooted in knowledge, nobility and righteousness. His father played the greatest role in directing him towards the beneficial knowledge. Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him, was deeply attached to the works of Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah, for he would issue legal rulings according to them and would constantly reference his books. This is since he served as a student under Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, the most outstanding student of Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah, may Allah have mercy on all of them. But in spite of this, he (rahimahullaah) wasn’t a blind follower or a fanatical adherent (to his teacher). Rather, he would review, authenticate, verify and follow the evidences. Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab, may Allaah have mercy on him passed to the realm of the Akhira in Ramadaan, 795H. He died while in Damascus.