Causes Behind the Increase & Decrease of Eemaan

Causes Behind the Increase and Decrease of Eemaan

Author: Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq al-‘Abaad

Translator: Abu Safwan Farid ibn Abdulwahid Haibatan

Publisher: Al-Hidaayah Publishing & Distribution

Pages: 132

This in-depth study on eemaan is truly an astounding piece of work, mashaAllaah. It succeeds in its depth, comprehensiveness, eloquence, and sheer importance. The subject matter is incredibly relevant and is sure to resonate with all, for which reason this gem of a book should be essential reading for every Muslim.

How fortunate we are to have been blessed with eemaan, and is there any greater blessing than this? Surely it is of the greatest of the blessings of Allaah ta’ala. Yet still we cannot simply be content with merely having eemaan, rather we must work to strengthen and fortify it, as the forces which would cause its decline are many. While we know that eemaan increases and decreases, this book tell us how this occurs in great depth and detail.

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Weeping from the Fear of Allaah

And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.

(Qurâan 65:2-3)

In his eloquent writing style, Al Awaayishah brings to the forefront that which the believer should truly be occupied with and that which will soften their hearts, hearts which in most cases have become hard as they are occupied with this dunya life. It is a source of purification for the believer, elucidating the virtue of weeping from the fear of Allah and the path towards such an action. The wise statements and narrations are expanse and its powerful content strikes the heart, making one more adamant in striving for the Hereafter. This wonderful compilation of Quraanic ayat, hadeeth and statements of our pious predecessors is such that it truly allows the reader to reflect and reevaluate their current situation, such that they may seek to emulate the great examples of the past, those who had truly gained Allah’s Pleasure.

Oft-times we are far-removed from the teachings of Islaam, for while we may read the Quraan and learn from the Sunnah, many do not reflect upon its discernible reality. Al Awaayishah’s persistence o­n topics such as death and the Day of Judgement dispel such a disposition and as its certainty is brought to the forefront, the seed of fear is implanted into the heart of the believer as the tears ultimately begin to flow.

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Kitaab At-Tawheed

by: Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Wahaab

My highest recommendation goes to the book entitled Kitab at-Tawheed written by Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Wahaab. MashaaAllah it is an excellent and comprehensive book. It illuminates to the reader the light of tawheed [the Oneness of Allah]; tawheed, the very foundation of this deen, the single most important concept and the purpose behind our creation. Surely the sheer importance of tawheed and its being studied is a matter of great importance, Shaykh Muhammad Saalih Ibnul ‘Uthaymeen stated:“So verily the knowledge of tawheed [the oneness of Allaah] is the noblest of sciences, and the greatest in rank, and most obligatory to be studied because it is the knowledge of Allaah the Exalted, and His Names, and His Attributes, and His Rights upon His slaves.”

Kitaab At-Tawheed gears the reader to truly make his acts of worship in accordance with the Quraan and Sunnah, and make them for Allah alone, as is stated in Surah Al An’am, “Say: Verily, my Prayers, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allaah, the Lord of all that exists.” [Quraan 6: 162]

While the book centers around the Oneness of Allah ta’ala, it also provides for a critical study on shirk, a practice which gives the rights of Allah to other than Allah. Indeed, a thorough examination of tawheed can only be done by also examining its opposite – shirk. It has been stated that, the beauty of a thing becomes apparent by its opposite. In this sense, when we ourselves become aware of shirk, its adverse effects, such that it is the only unforgivable sin and that Allah ta’ala has forbidden paradise from the one who engages in it we may truly appreciate tawheed, as its beauty becomes apparent to us.

The style of the book itself is very unique and unlike the conventional Islaamic books we may come across. Perhaps you will seldom see a book whose very foundation is so heavily upon the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. For subhaanAllah, the format is such that each chapter begins with either the Qur’aan or a hadeeth – or both – and the author continues to write important information we can derive from it in a jot note format – subhaanAllah as if he himself wishes to stay in the shadows, while the Qur’aan and Sunnah may shine with their radiance, penetrating the heart of the believer. Many a time we hear of the ‘ulaamaa of the past, who have stated, do not follow me, but instead follow the Qur’aan and Sunnah. This book, I feel, is the very personification of such a noble ideal, for surely the Quraan and Sunnah in this book are more in number than the words of the author himself – subhaanAllah.

May you derive much benefit from this book, with a thorough comprehension, and may you direct your ‘ibadah to Allah alone, The Mighty, The Majestic. [Aameen]

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