The Excellence of Du'a (The Essence of Worship)

Du‘a is the most powerful weapon of a believer. It can change fate, while no action of ours ever do. It is the brain of ‘Ibadah or worship. With it we can never fail; without it we can never succeed. With all the suffering and disasters Muslims are facing in various parts of the world, the question of Du‘a can be directed to all of us today. It is not that we have forgotten Du‘a completely; we refer to it regularly. But, our ideas and practice regarding Du‘a have become distorted. Often it is reduced to the level of a ritual. It is belittled through actions and sometimes even with words. Almighty Allah says:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
“And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship they will surely enter Hell in humiliation.” [Surah al-Ghafir, Verse 60]

The Almighty Allah states:

فَلَوْلا إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُواْ وَلَكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
When the suffering reached them from Us, why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened (with arrogance), and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them. [Surah al-An'am, Verse 43]

..:: THE EXCELLENCE OF DU’A ::..

There are numerous Ahadith relating to the excellence of Du’a.

HADITH NO. 1

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states that Almighty Allah says:

أنا عندَ ظنِّ عبدي بي
I am with the supposition of My servant. [Recorded in Bukhari (Hadith 7239), Muslim, Tirmidi, Nisa’i and Ibn Maja on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah]

This means that as a servant imagines or has an opinion concerning Allah, the Merciful Lord accordingly reacts with him. Knowledge and Qudrat is with everything but there is a special proximity of mercy with those who make Du’a to Him. What bigger mercy can a servant ask for than being blessed with the Divine Proximity of the Sublime Lord? Thousands of acceptances and millions of desires and intentions may be sacrificed on such Divine Proximity!

HADITH NO. 2

لَيْسَ شَيءٌ أكْرَمَ عَلَى اللهِ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ
There is nothing nobler to Allah than Du‘a. [Recorded in Tirmidi, Ibn Maja, Ibn Habban and Hakim narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah. Also cited in Tahzib al-Kamil, Vol. 4, Page 309]

HADITH NO. 3

The Prophet of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam narrates from his Lord who says:

يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتَنِي وَرَجَوْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي
Oh children of Adam Alaihis Salam! Until such time you make Du‘a to Me and have trust and hope in Me, I will continue forgiving your sins no matter what they are, and I do not care of anything (i.e. He is Independent.) [Tirmidi on the narration of Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik, Hadith 3463]

HADITH NO. 4

The Beloved Habib SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

لا تعجزوا في الدعاء ، فإنه لن يهلك مع الدعاء أحد
“Do not get fed up with Du‘a, for no one will perish with (continuously asking) Du‘a.” [Narrated by Ibn Habban and Hakim, Sahih Ibn Habban, Hadith 872]

HADITH NO. 5

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

الدعاء سلاح المؤمن وعماد الدين ونور السموات والأرض
“Du‘a is a weapon of a Muslim, a Pillar of Deen and the light of the skies and earth.” [Narrated by Hakim from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Abu Ya’la from Sayyiduna ‘Ali al-Murtudah, Hadith 6163]

HADITH NO. 6

It is narrated that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:

إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ يَنْفَعُ مِمَّا نَزَلَ وَمِمَّا لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فَعَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ بِالدُّعَاءِ
“All those calamities and misfortunes (Bala) that descends and that which will descend in the future can be averted and protected from, by Du‘a. So, Oh servant of Allah! Observe Du‘a!” [Narrated by Tirmidi and Hakim from Sayyiduna ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar, Sunan al-Tirmidi, Hadith 3471]

HADITH NO. 7

It is reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:

و إن البلاء لينزل فيتلقاه الدعاء فيعتلجان إلى يوم القيامة
“When Bala descends, Du‘a intercepts it and then both wrestle till Qiyamah.” (i.e. Du‘a does not allow the Bala to descend to the earth.) [Reported by Bazar, Tabrani, and Hakim from Umm al-Mu'minin Sayyidah ‘A’ieshah Siddiqah, Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith 1813]

HADITH NO. 8

The Habib of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

الدُّعَاءُ مُخُّ العِبَادَةِ
Du‘a is the essence of worship.

HADITH NO. 9

It is reported that the Noble Prophet of Islam SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:

ألا أدلكم على ما ينجيكم من عدوكم ويدر لكم أرزاقكم؟ تدعون اللّه في ليلكم ونهاركم؟ فإن الدعاء سلاح المؤمن
Must I not inform you of that thing which will protect you from your enemy and increase your sustenance? Make Du‘a to Allah day and night because Du‘a is a weapon of a Mu‘min. [Narrated by Abu Ya’la from Sayyiduna Jabir bin ‘Abdullah, Hadith 6164]

HADITH NO. 10

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلْ اللَّهَ يَغْضَبْ عَلَيْهِ
Allah casts His Anger on those who do not make Du‘a to Him. [Reported by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Abi Shaybah, and Al-Bukhari in Adab al Mufrad, Tirmidi, Ibn Maja and Hakim on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah, Hadith 3295]

Such concepts and meanings are also reported in the Hadith al-Qudsi as follows:

عَنِ النَّبى صَلَى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ سَلَّمَ قَالَ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالى مَن ْ لاَ يَدعُو نِى اَغضَب ُعَلَيهِ
One who does not make Du’a to Me, I will direct My Anger at him. (Allah save us from this!) [Reported by Al-Askari in his Mawa’iz]

Oh Beloved! Du‘a is an amazing wealth that Allah I blessed His servants with, and through it gave them honour. There is nothing more effective and powerful in fulfilling needs in desperation besides Du‘as. Likewise, nothing is more potent in removing Bala than Du‘as. A person benefits from five things of a single Du‘a:

1. He is included in the category of ‘Abids (worshippers) because Du‘a by nature is ‘Ibadah, in fact, the secret of ‘Ibadah.
2. In Du‘a one acknowledges one’s inferiority and dependency in relation to the Omnipotent Lord and His Divine mercies.
3. Obedience to the sacred Shari'ah because it has laid great stress in making Du‘a’s and Divine Anger on those who doubt making Du‘a.
4. It is a great Sunnah of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam as he made Du‘a frequently and ordered others to do the same.
5. It is a deterrent of Bala and achiever of goals as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. If man seeks security from Allah I from calamities, then the Merciful Lord will give it to him. If one seeks a desire to be fulfilled, the Sublime Creator will shower His mercies on him or else blesses him with Thawab in the Akhirah.
 

The Master of the Sinless, Sayyiduna Rasoollulah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

“A servant’s Du‘a is never void of three things:

1) either his sins are forgiven,
2) or he benefits in this Duniyah
3) or virtues are accumulated for him in the akhirah.

When the servant will observe this Thawab accumulated for him in the akhirah in recompensation for that which was not fulfilled in the Duniyah, then he will desire that none of his desires should have been fulfilled in the Duniyah, but rather be accumulated for the Akhirah.”

This desire and benefit is for him who desires so in this Duniyah when making Du‘a. It is advised that when making Du‘a, this ethic should be considered seriously.

--
Taken from
aHsan al-Wiyah li Aadab al-Du'a by Imam Naqi Ali al-Qadiri
Translated by: Shaykh Abd al-Hadi al-Qadiri [Durban - South Africa]

Infallibility Of Prophets (AlaihiMus Salam)

It was very agonizing to have an email from a brother in which he asked me to assist him refuting some so-called Muslim ignorants who accused Prophets Alaihimus Salam being Sinful and Polytheists (Ma’azALLAH). As a matter of fact, the insults of the Prophets made by the deviant sects and insolent individuals have encouraged some people to openly slander and ridicule the Prophets. In addition to this, there has arisen a sect which says that the Prophets are sinners and even polytheists and Infidels (May Allah forbid!), believing that the Prophets were polytheists and Infidels and major sinners and only became Prophets after repenting (Tauba).

It is incumbent upon each and every Muslim to affirm faith (have Imân) in all the Prophets, in such a manner that one does not differ between the Prophets in their core Prophethood. Furthermore, one should respect all the Prophets and believe that they are free from any sin, (major or minor) or imperfections; before their declaration of Prophethood or after, is also an essential element in belief. This is the sound position and this is the opinion of the majority of scholars.

The Major and Minor Sins:

It must be known that leaving obligatory (farḍ) or necessary (wājib) acts even once without excuse is considered an enormity (kabīra). Likewise, committing the unlawful (Harām) is also considered an enormity. Leaving the sunna act once without excuse due to laziness or taking the matter lightly is considered a minor sin (ṣaghīra), as is committing a disliked action (makrūh). However, habitually leaving the sunnah or committing disliked actions also becomes an enormity, though they are considered enormities beneath other enormities. This is because major and minor are relative terms, and thus it is said, “The good deeds of the pious are the sins of the intimate (muqarrabīn).”

Sunnah here is taken in the juridical sense where it refers to an action regularly performed by the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and left at times in order for it not be taken as an obligation. This is then sub-categorized into the emphasized sunnahs and the non-emphasized sunnahs, the latter being more like the mustaHabb (preferred) acts, i.e., those performed by the Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam sometimes or encouraged in general.

Infallibility of the Prophets:

The Prophets (upon them be Blessings and Peace) are all free from major and minor sins, enormities, unbelief, and wicked acts before and after receiving Prophethood (Nubuwwah). However, some slips and mistakes have escaped them.

An example of a slip (zalla) is when Ādam Alaihis Salam ate from the tree, and an example of a mistake (khaṭa’) is when Mūsā Alaihis Salam killed a member of Pharaoh’s people. He did not intend to kill him, but only to strike him with his hand in order to push him away from the Israelite. Thus, the strike was intentional, but the killing a mistake. The killing was also a slip, because every mistake is a slip, but not every slip is a mistake. Therefore, between the two is the universal-particular relationship. A slip sometimes occurs by mistake, sometimes out of forgetfulness, sometimes out of inattentiveness, and sometimes out of leaving the more worthy or preferred action.

Imām 'Umar al-Nasafī states in his Tafsīr, “The Imāms of Samarqand do not use the word zalla for acts committed by the Prophets (upon them be blessings and peace) because a zalla is a type of sin. Instead, they say, “They performed the good act (fāḍil) and left the preferred one (afḍal), and they were lightly reproved for it, because for prophets to leave the more preferred act is equivalent to others leaving an obligation (wājib).”

Another view is that the slip of a Prophet or a Friend of Allāh Most High is a means of closeness to Him. Abū Sulaymān al-Dārānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) states:

“Dāwūd Alaihis Salam did not perform an act more beneficial for him than a misdeed. He continued to flee from it toward his Lord until he reached Him. Hence, the misdeed was the cause of his fleeing toward Allāh, away from himself and the world.”

Hadrat Shaykh al-MuHaqqiq Shaykh Abd al Haqq Muhaddith Dehlawi (may Allāh have mercy on him) states in his Ashi’ah al-Lam’at:

“What has been stated in the Holy Qur’an as regards to the ‘error’ of Prophet Adam and Allah’s reprimand shows the high status of Prophet Adam and his closeness to the Almighty Allah.” [Ashi’ah al-Lam’at Vol 1 Page 40]

Furthermore, it is Allah’s will, whoever He reprimands or punishes, even though the error committed by His slave, may not have reached the level in which we may say that it was a ‘sin’. No one has the authority to utter anything. There is a criteria and a standard for respect which is necessary to behold, and this standard of respect is that when Allah has reprimanded some of His Prophets, who are the closest to Him, or when one some occasions the Prophets or the Messengers expressed humility, by which someone may assume a defect in these prophets, then it is not permissible for us that we ponder into this and say the words of reprimand or humility to these noble prophets.

There are a number of explanations for why Syeduna Aadam Alaihis Salam ate from the forbidden tree. One is that he ate from it out of forgetfulness. Another is that he did not eat from the specific tree that Allāh forbade, but from another tree of the same type, assuming that the prohibition of Allāh was only regarding the specific tree, as Allāh said, “but approach not this tree.” He thus chose the less superior or suboptimal (rukhṣa) path, in accord with the wisdom of Allāh in order illustrate the weakness of the human ability and condition and to express the strength of divine forgiveness. This is why a Hadīth states, “If you did not sin, Allāh would bring forth a people who would sin and seek forgiveness and Allāh would forgive them”(Muslim, Tirmidhī).

Also Ādam’s Alaihis Salam offense was in Paradise, which was not considered an abode of accountability (dār al-taklīf ), in spite of the fact that Allāh forbade him from eating from the tree. In other words, he had no knowledge of the consequences for disobedience. Thus his disobedience was not open defiance as in the case of Satan.

Foot Mark of Hadrat Syeduna Aadam Alaihis Salam on
Mount Adam or Adam's Peak in Srilanka... First Foot Mark on Earth!!

Prophets are even protected from Minor Sins:

Imam Qadi `Iyad in al-Shifa' said that the Jumhur (Consensus) of the Jurists from the schools of Malik, al-Shafi`i, and Abu Hanifa, agree that the Prophets are protected from all minor sins because one is required to follow them in the minutest matters. It is even reported from Malik that this is obligatory to believe.

Abu Ishaq al-Isfarayini's (d. 418) position was that no sin great or small issues from Prophets whether deliberately or by mistake and this is also our position. [Taj al-Din al-Subki Tabaqat al-Shafi`iyya al-Wusta as cited in the Kubra (4:260)]

Imam al-Zarqani said in his monumental commentary on al-Qastallani’s al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya (5:361) [Al-Qastallani’s original text is in parentheses):

(And among his Mu'jizaat is that he is immune from sins) before Prophethood and after it (both great and small, both by deliberate commission and by mistake) according to the soundest view, outwardly and inwardly, in secret and in public, in earnest and in jest, in contentment and in anger. And how not, when the Companions were unanimous in following him and faithfully imitating him in all his acts? (As were the Prophets)

Imam Taj al-Din al-Subki said:

"The Ummah concurs on the true immunity ('isma) of Prophets, in what pertains to conveyance and other, from grave and small, contemptible sins as well as persistence in small sins but there is disagreement over small sins that do not detract from their rank. The Mu'tazila and many others allow them. The preferred view is that they are precluded because we have been ordered to follow them in what issues from them; how then could something inappropriate occur on their part? As for those that deemed it possible, they did not do so on the basis of any textual stipulation or proof."

That is, they only clang to externalities which, if they followed their logical conclusions, would lead them to violate consensus and take positions no Muslim takes, as expounded by `Iyad [in al-Shifa'].

A very Interesting Fact:

It is stated in Radd al MuHtar, “The Prophets are protected from yawning, as yawning is from the Satan. The best way to stop this is that when one starts to feel yawning then he/she should immediately think (in their hearts) that the Prophets never yawned and were protected from it. By going this, the yawning shall immediately terminate.” [Radd al-Mohtar – Vol. 1 Pg. 336]

Any person having a slight Common Sense would be able to conclude that when the Exalted Prophets Alaihimus Salam are protected from Yawing as it is from Satan then how come the Prophets be accused of committing the sins or being the culprits?

CONCLUSION

Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is the Lord and Creator of the Prophets and they are His beloved. He can mention their mistakes in whatever way He wishes and they can demonstrate their humility to Him in whatever way they wish. We have no right to speak about their mistakes or disrespect and slander them unless we want our record books blackened with sins. Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has ordered us to respect and revere His Prophets. If a Prophet became a sinner, both opposing him and obeying him would become necessary, and this is a concentration of two opposite things. So, the majority of the Scholars including the Imams of the Four Schools of Law followed what they considered to be the stronger position, namely that Prophets are protected even from minor sins. Beware... Beware.. Beware O My Muslim Brothers and Sisters!! To disrespect any Prophet, to find any faults or defect in them or to be rude or insolent to these Prophets is Kufr (Infidelity).

May ALLAH keep us and our Generations be respectful towards the exalted Prophets Alaihimus Salam and protect us and our Generations for the misguided sects and deviant indivisuals. May ALLAH keep us on the path of those whom HE have favoured and refrain us from the path and even the shadow of those who earned HIS anger and those who are astray... Aameen!!

Respecting the things and places associated with the Beloved Prophet

Another element of the reverence and esteem for Beloved Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him is found in all things and places connected to him in Makkah al-Mukarrama, Madinah al-Munawwarah and elsewhere.

Hadrat Saffiyah bint Najda Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha tells us that Abu Madhura Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho had a long lock of hair on his forehead that touched the ground when he sat down. When he was asked why he did not cut it he replied,

لم أكن بالذي أحلفها ، و قد مسها رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم بيده
"I will not cut off something that the hand of the Messenger of Allah Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him touched." [Ash-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 62]

The Sword of Islam, Hadrat Sayyiduna Khalid Ibn Waleed Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho had some strands of the Prophet's of hair that he placed inside his cap. During one of the battles the cap fell off whereupon he fought zealously to retrieve it. He told his companions that,

لم أفعلها بسبب القلنسوة ، بل لما تضمنه من شعره صلى الله عليه و سلم لئلا أسلب بركتها و تقع في أيدي المشركين
I didn't fight for the sake of the cap, rather I fought to retrieve the strands of the Prophet's hair that were tucked within it so that I would not be deprived of their blessing, and also to avoid them falling into the hands of the unbelievers. [Majma' az-Zawaid, Vol. 9, Page 349 – Mustadrik, Vol. 3, Page 239]

Ibn al-Sakan narrated through Safwan ibn Hubayra from the latter's father: Thabit al-Bunani said: Anas ibn Malik said to me (on his death-bed):

هذه شعرة من شعر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فضعها تحت لساني فوضعتها تحت لسانه فدفن وهي تحت لسانه
"This is one of the hairs of Allah's Messenger, Allah's blessings and peace upon him. I want you to place it under my tongue." Thabit continued: I placed it under his tongue, and he was buried with it under his tongue." [al-Isaba fi tamyiz al-Sahaba (Calcutta - 1853), Vol. 1, Page 72]

Imam al-Bayhaqi records in his Dalail al-Nabuwwah and Imam Qadi Iyad al-Maliki states in his Ash-Shifa:

رئي ابن عمر واضعاً يده على مقعد النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم من المنبر ، ثم وضعها على وجهه
Hadrat Sayyiduna Ibn Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho was seen placing his hand on the seat of the Beloved Prophet's pulpit and then wipe it over his face. [Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 6, Page 249]

Abu Abd ar-RaHman Salma Alaihir raHma narrated from Ahmad Ibn Fadlwiya Zahid Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anho that he was a famous archer in Battles. He says:

ما مسست القوس بيدي إلا على طهارة منذ بلغني أن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم أخذ القوس بيده
I never touched my bow without Ablution from the time Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) took it in his Blessed Hands. [Ash-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 63]

It was on account of the esteem Imam Malik Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho had for the Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him that we would not ride a mount in Madinah al-Munawwarah. He would say,

أستحي من الله أن أطأ تربة فيها رسول الله بحافر دابة
"I am too shy before Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala to trample with the hoof of an animal upon the earth in which the Messenger of Allah Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him is buried." [Ash-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 63]

Someone in Madinah al-Munawwarah said, "The soil of Madinah al-Munawwarah is bad." (May Allah Forbid) This outrageous statement caused Imam Malik to pronounce the judgement against him that he should be beaten and jailed. The man had connections to the hierarchy of Madinah al-Munawwarah but Imam Malik did not retract his judgement and said,

تربة دفن فيها النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم يزعم أنها غير طيبة
"He claims the soil in which the Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him is buried is not good!" [Ash-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 63]

Of Madinah al-Munawwarah, the Beloved Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him said,

من أحدث فيها حدثاً أو آوى محدثاً فعليه لعنة الله و الملائكة و الناس أجمعين ، لا يقبل الله منه صرفاً و لا عدلاً
"The curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind falls upon whosoever innovates something (against the spirit of Islam) in it or shelters an innovator (of something against the spirit of Islam) therein." [Ash-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 63]

Imam Qadi Iyad al-Maliki Alaihir raHmah records in Ash-Shifa bi Ta'rifi Huqooqil Mustafa:

أن جهجاها الغفاري أخذ قضيب النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم من يد عثمان رضي الله عنه ، و تناول ليكسره على ركبته ، فصاح به الناس ، فأخذته الأكله في ركبته فقطعها ، و مات قبل الحول
Jihjah al-Ghifari snatched hold of the Beloved Prophet's staff from Sayyiduna Uthman's hand and proceeded to try and break it across his knee. Upon seeing this, the people shouted at him. Thereafter he was stricken by an itching disease in his knee and despite its amputation he died within the year. [Ash-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 63]

The Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him said,

من حلف على منبري كاذباً فليتبوأ مقعده من النار
"Whosoever swears to a lie on my pulpit will have a seat in the Fire." [Ash-Shifa, Vol 2, Page 63]

Abu Fadl al-Jowhari Alaihir raHma was blessed to visit the City of Madinah al-Munawwarah and as he approached he recited:

رفع الحجاب لنا فلاح لناظر ـــ قمر تقطع دونه الأوهام
و إذا المطي بنا بلغن محمداً ـــ فظهورهن على الرجال حرام
قربننا من يخر من وطيء الثرى ـــ و لها علينا حرمة و ذمام
"The veil has been lifted from us and a moon shines; out to those who look on, banishing all illusions.
As our mounts reach Muhammad; it is forbidden for us to be found in our saddles.
We are drawing near to the best man to have ever walked upon the earth; so it is with respect and honor that we hold this ground." [Ash-Shifa, Vol 2, Page 64]

When a pious Shaykh went on pilgrimage, he went on foot. When asked why he had done so, he replied,

العبد الآبق لا يأتي إلى بيت مولاه راكباً ! لو قدرت أن أمشي على رأسي ما مشيت على قدمي
"What, an offending worshiper going to the home of his master riding! Had I been able to walk upon my head, I would not have walked upon my feet!" [Ash-Shifa, Vol 2, Page 64]

Reverence and respect for the places in which the Revelation were received and which the angels Jibra'il and Mika'il visited, as well as places where the angels descended, also places that heard the sounds of worship and exaltation, and the blessed soil that surrounds the body of the Master of all mankind Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him and places from which the religion of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the prophetic quotations of the Messenger of Allah Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him were spread are necessities.
One must also revere and respect the places where verses of the Holy Qur'an were studied, the mosques in which the prayer was offered, places where virtues and good deeds were witnessed, places that saw proofs and miracles, places associated with the rites of the religion and the stations of the pilgrimage and the way marks of the Master of all the messengers of Allah, praise and peace be upon them. The places where the Seal of the Prophets Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him lived and from which the prophecy gushed and where its waves overflowed. The places that witnessed the message, and the first earth that the skin of the Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him touched after his death – its fragrance should be inhaled, its residence and walls kissed.

يا دار خير المرسلين و من به ـــ هدي الأنام و خص بالآيات
عندي لأجلك لوعة و صبابة ـــ و تشوق متوقد الجمرات
و علي عهد إن ملأت محاجري ـــ من تكلم الجدران و العرصات
لاعفرن مصون شيبي بينها ـــ من كثرة التقبيل و الرشفات
لولا العوادي ، و الأعادي زرتها ـــ أبدا و لو سحباً على الوزجنات
لكن سأهدي من حفيل تحيتي ـــ لقطين تلك الدار و الحجرات
أزكى من المسك المفتق نفحةً ـــ تغشاه بالآصال و البكرات
و تخصه بزواكي الصلوات ـــ و نوامي التلسيم و البركات

"O abode of the best of all Messengers; the one by whom people are guided
and he who was chosen to receive the verses. For you I have intense, passionate love,
and a yearning which kindles the embers of my heart. I have a vow – if I fill my eyes with those walls
and the places where you walked, then my turbaned Gray head will be covered with dust from so much kissing.
Had it not been for obstacles and enemies, I would always visit them, even if I were to be dragged upon my feet.
But I will be guided in my eagerness to greet the inhabitants of those houses and rooms.
By a scent purer than the most splendid musk which covers him each morning and evening.
Pure and ever increasing blessings are bestowed upon him through the prayers for Peace and Blessings upon Him." 

The Beloved Prophet's Cleanliness (Sallallahualaihiwasallam)

The Beloved Prophet's Cleanliness
SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam

The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was blessed by Allah with the extra special quality of being free from all forms of uncleanliness and bodily defects. These qualities were special for him and no one else has ever been privileged with such qualities. Moreover, the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam said, "The religion is based on cleanliness." [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol 4, Page 18]

When the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was born he was already circumcised and his umbilical cord cut. [Dalail an-Nabuwwah li Abi Nu'aym, Vol 1, Page 153 - Tibrani, Vol 8, Page 238]

His mother Syeda Aamina Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anha reported, "He was clean when he was born and there was no trace of impurity upon him."[Tabqat Ibn Sa'ad, Vol 1, Page 12]

The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was adorned with the sweetest of fragrances, as was his perspiration. Anas commented, "I have never smelled amber, musk or any other (perfume) more fragrant than the aroma of the Messenger of Allah." [Sahih Muslim, Vol 4, Page 1814]

If the sweat of my rose is given to the bride;
She will instantly put her roses and her perfumes aside!!

One day the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam touched the cheek of Jabir, Samura's son and Jabir said, "I felt a cool sensation and his hand was fragrant, it was as if he had withdrawn it from a sachet of perfume." [Sahih Muslim, Vol 4, Page 1814]

Jabir also said, "When the Prophet walked down a road, anyone who happened to pass along the same road knew he had been there on account of his fragrance." [Sahih Muslim, Vol 4, Page 1815]

When the prophet walked along any street;
The entire earth became fragrant and sweet!!

On another occasion Jabir rode behind the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam and put his mouth upon the seal of his prophecy between his shoulders and its fragrance spread over him like musk. [Tareekh Ibn Asakir, Vol 5, Page 361]

It was also reported that even if he had perfumed his hand or not, if he shook the hand of a man the fragrance would remain for the rest of the day. When the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam placed his hand on the head of a child, the child was recognizable from amongst other children by its fragrance. [Imam Bukhari recorded it in his Tareekh al-Kabeer]

The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam visited the house of Anas and fell asleep on a rug and perspired. When Anas's mother noticed the perspiration she fetched a long necked bottle into which she collected the drops of perspiration. Later, the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam inquired about it, whereupon she replied, "We mixed it with our perfume and it is the most fragrant of scents." [Majma az-Zawaid, Vol 8, Page 282 - Sunan Daarimi, Vol 1, Page 32]
Even when the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam relieved himself, it is reported that the earth would split open and swallow his discharge and there remained a fragrant aroma. Mother of the Believers Syeda Ayesha may Allah be pleased with her, said to the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam "When you return after relieving yourself, there is nothing offensive about you." He replied, "O Ayesha, don't you know that the earth swallows up what is discharged from the prophets so that nothing is seen?" [Haakim, Vol 4, Page 72]

When the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam passed away, Syeduna Ali Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho washed his body and said, "I washed the Prophet, and looked for the normal discharge from a deceased person but found nothing, whereupon I said, 'You were pure during your life and pure in death.'" He added, "A sweet aroma exuded from him, the like of which I have never experienced." [Sunan Ibne Maaja, Vol 1, Page 47 - Haakim, Vol 3, Page 362]

Upon kissing the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam after his death, Syeduna Abu Bakr Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho said something similar. [Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Baihaqi, Vol 3, Page 257 - Maraseel Abu Dawood, Page 77]

On the day of Uhud the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam suffered a slight injury, whereupon he permitted Malik Sinan's son to remove the blood which he then swallowed. The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam told him, "The Fire will not touch you." [Majma az-Zawaid, Vol 8, Page 280 - Maujam al Awsat lil Tibrani]

On another occasion, the Prophet's blood was cupped, whereupon Abdullah, Zubair's son swallowed it. The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam did not object to what he had done but said, "Woe to you from the people and woe to the people from you." [Haakim , Vol 3, Page 355 - Bazaz, Vol 3, Page 145]

The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam kept a wooden bowl under his bed in which, if he felt the need, he could urinate during the night. One night a lady by the name of Baraka, (scholars differ whether or not she is the same Baraka who served the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), felt thirsty and upon seeing the cup drank the urine without knowing. There were also similar occurrences in which his urine was drunk, when the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam learned of it he did not order the washing of their mouth nor did he forbid them to do it again. [Abu Dawood, Vol 1, Page 28 - Sunan Nisae, Vol 1, Page 31 - Ibn Habban, Vol 2, Page 348]

Hadrat Syeda Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "I never saw the private parts of the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam۔" [Shamail Tirmidhi, Page 183 - Sunan Ibn Maja, Vol 1, Page 127]

The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam asked Syeduna Ali to ensure that no one except him wash him (after his death). He told him, "No one has ever seen me naked least he turns blind." [Bazaz, Vol 1, Page 400 - Dalali an-Nabuwwah lil Baihaqi, Vol 7, Page 244 ]

Abbas' son said that as the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam slept he heard him breathing deeply. He woke up to pray but did not make ablution. Ikrima said, "That was because he was protected by Allah and when he slept his eyes were closed but his heart and internal being was not in the status of sleep, therefore he would make ablution only when it was needed. The Prophet said, "My eyes sleep but my heart does not. Allah feeds me and gives me to drink." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, Page 29/117 - Sahih Muslim, Vol 4, Page 1875]

True Essence of Hajj

A man came to visit Sayyiduna Junaid Baghdadi, whose life reflected no change, even after having performed Hajj.

Sayyiduna Junaid asked him: “Where are you coming from?”

“Sir, I have returned after performing Hajj of the House of Allah”, was the reply.

“So, have you actually performed Hajj?”

“Yes, Sir, I have performed Hajj “, said the man.

“Did you pledge that you would give up sins when you left your home for Hajj?” asked Sayyiduna Junaid.

“No, Sir, I never thought of that”, said the man.
“Then, in fact, you did not even step out for Hajj. While you were on the sacred journey and making halts at places during the nights, did you ever think of attaining nearness to Allah?”

“Sir, I had no such idea.”

“Then you did not at all travel to the Ka’bah, nor did ever visit it. When you put on the Ihram garments, and discarded your ordinary dress, did you make up your mind to abandon your evil ways and attitudes in life as well ?”

“No, Sir, I had no idea of that.”

“Then, you did not even don the Ihram garments!” said Sayyiduna Junaid ruefully. Then he asked; “When you stood in the Plain of Arafat and were imploring Allah Almighty, did you have the feeling that you were standing in Divine Presence and having a vision of Him?”

“No, Sir, I had no such experience.

Sayyiduna Junaid then became a liltle upset and asked: “Well, when you came to Muzdalifah, did you promise that you would give up vain desires of the flesh?”

“Sir, I paid no heed to this.”

“You did not then come to Muzdalifah at all.” Then he asked: 0″Tell me, did you happen to catch glimpses of Divine Beauty when youmoved round the House of Allah?”

“No, Sir, I caught no such glimpses.”

“Then, you did not move around the Ka’bah at all.” Then he said: “When you made Sa’i (running) between the Safa and the Marwa, did you realize the wisdom, significance and objective of your effort?”

“Sir, I was not at all conscious of this.”

“Then you did not make any Sa’i!” Then he asked: “When you slaughtered an animal at the place of sacrifice, did you sacrifice your selfish desires as well in the way of Allah?”

“Sir, I failed to give any attention to that!”

“Then, in fact you offered no sacrifice whatever.”

“Then when you cast stones at the Jamarahs, did you make a resolve to get rid of your evil companions and friends and desires?”

“No, Sir, I didn’t do that.”

“Then, you did not cast stones at all”, remarked Sayyiduna Junaid regretfully, and said:

“Go back and perform Hajj once again, giving due thought and attention to all the requirements, so that your Hajj may bear some resemblance with Prophet Ibrahim’s Hajj, whose faith and sincerity has been confirmed by the Qur’an: Ibrahim who carried out most faithfully the Commands (of his Lord).” (53:37)

Using RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu for other Than Sahabi

All Praises is due to Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, Peace and Blessings be upon the most perfect of creations, His Beloved Habeeb, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam his noble Family and the illustrious Sahaba Riwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een and all the pious servants of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.

I have been writing and reciting Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho whenever the name of the Exalted names of Glorious SaHaba and dignified Awliya Allah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een is mentioned following the practice of highly ranked Ulama (Scholars) and Pious people of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. And for the same reason, I have been writing Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho with names of Awliya and Ulama in my notes. I found few people, sharing with me their confusion over using Radi Alllah Anhu for other than a SaHabi and I also found few deviants, who were creating cofusions in the minds of our unaware Muslims Brothers and Sisters for which I thought to provide them a note proving it to be permissible and a practice of prominent and pious scholars of Islam.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Use of Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu for other than a companion of the Beloved Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him is permissible as written in Durr al-Mukhtar:

1. To use Radi Allahu Ta’ala for a companion is Mustahab and for Taba’een and others, raHmatullahi Ta’ala Alaih is recommended and its opposite, that is , rahmatullahi Ta’ala alaih for a companion and Radi Allahu Ta’ala for Taba’een and others is also permissible. [Durr al-Mukhtar , Vol 5, Page 480]

2. Alla’ma al-Khaffaji in his Naseem ar-Riyadh [Sharah al-Shifa of Qadi Ayad Al Mailki] writes : “It is permissible to use Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Masha'ikh and others.” [Naseem ar-Riyadh, Vol 3, Page 509]

3. Shayh Abdul Haq Muhaddith al Dehalwi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Hadrat Owais al- Qarni, who was not a companion. [Ashi’at-ul-Lama’at, Vol 4, Page 743]

4. Imam Ibn Abideen uses Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Abu Hanifa at many places. [Rad Al-Muhtar, Vol 1, Printed from Deoband, Page 35, 36, 37 and Page 42 , Total Six times]

5. Imam Ibn Abideen has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Shafi’i at seven places. [Page 35, 38, 41, 43] and has also used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Sahl bin Abdullah al –Tustari. [Page 38] [Radd al – Muhtar, Vol 1]

6. Imam Haskafi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Shafi’i and Abdullah bin Mubarak. [Durr al-Mukhtar ,Vol 1 , Page 45]

7. Imam Fakhr al-Din Razi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Abu Hanifa. [Tafsir al-Kabir, Vol 6, Page 382]

8. Imam Ali Al Qari has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Shafi’i. [Mirqat, Vol 1, Page 3 - Bombay Edition]

9. Sayyid Ahmed Tahtawi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Abu Hanifa. [Tahtawi ‘ala al-Miraqi, Istanbul Edition, Page 11]

10. Imam Al Ghazali has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Malik and Imam Shafi’i. [Ihya al-Uloom al-Deen , Vol 2, Page 7]

11. Imam Hajar al Asqalani has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Bukhari and Imam Shafi’i. [Muqaddima , Fat’h al-Bari , Page 18 and 21]

12. Imam Nawawi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Muslim. [Muqaddima, Sharah Muslim , Page 11]

13. Shayh Abdul Haq Muhaddith al Dehalwi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Shafi’i and Imam Bukhari. [Ashi’at-ul-Lama’at, Vol 1 , Page 9 and 16]

14. Shaykh Al Tibrizi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Baghawi. [Muqadiima , Mishkat al Masabih]

15. Alla’ma Al-Khaffaji has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Imam Qadi Iyad. [Naseem ar-Riyadh, Page 5, Cairo Edition]

16. Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith al Dehalwi has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Sayyiduna Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani al Hasani al Hussaini at more than fifteen places. [Ashi’at-ul-Lama’at, Vol1 , Page 18 and Akhbar al Akhiyar Page 15,16, 18 21, 22, 23, 24 , 209, 210, 211, 212, 213 and 214]

17. Imam Mulla Ali al Qari has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Abdullah bin Mubarak, Layth bin Sa’ad, Imam Malik bin Anas, Dawud Tai’i, Ibrahim Bin Adham and Fudayl ibn Iyaad. [Mirqat, Vol 1 , Page 27]

18. Allama Al-Sa’avi al Maliki has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for Shaykh Suleyman Jamal, Ahmed Dardeer, Salim Hafnawi, Shaykh Ameer, Imam Abul Hasan Sahykh Saeed Adawi , Allama Mohammed bin Badeeri Dimyati, Nuruddin Ali Shabralsi, Allam Halabi, Allama Ali Ajhori, Burhan Alqi, Shamshuddin Alqami , Imam Ziyaadi, Shaykh Ramli, Shaykhul Islam Zakariyya Anasari, Jalaluddin Muhalli and Imam Suyuti. [Tafsir al-Sawi , Vol 1 , Page 3]

19. Imam al Shatnufi in [Bahjat al-Asraar] has used Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu at many places for other than companions and in Bidaya , Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu has been used for Sahib al-Hidaya by his students at many places. 

I hope my effort will be appreciated and my brothers and sisters in faith will surely remember me in their prayers for peace and prosperity, health and happiness and Allah’s SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala Mercy and Favour. May Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, through the intercession of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam accept this humble effort; and may He SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala give us the Toufeeq and Hidayah to restore the true rights and respect towards our Ulama and Awliya as dictated by Islam. Aameen!!

Special Thanks:

Brother Faisal Noori - UK

Reply to:

Reply to Mohsin Khan

Follow The Sunnah and Increase Your Beauty

Hadrat Ibn-e-‘Umar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Do the opposite of what the polytheists do; let the beard grow long and clip the mustache.” A version has, “trim the mustache down and leave the beard.” [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Page 875]
Hadrat Zaid ibn Arqam Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever does not take something off his mustache is not one of us (not on our path).” [Sunan Nisa'i, Vol 2, Page 274]

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reported that the Holy Prophet Peace and Blessings be Upon Him said: “He who does not shave off the hair from the abdomen and does not cut his nails and does not trim his mustaches, is not of us”.
Sayyiduna Anas Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reported that the maximum exemption for shaving off the hair from the abdomen and armpit and for cutting nails and for trimming the mustaches is forty days. [Sahih Muslim]

Hadrat Abu Huraira Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Cut the mustaches and let the beards grow long; (by doing this) do the opposite of the fire worshipers.” [Sahih Muslim, Vol 2, Page 129]
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reported that the Glorious Prophet of Islam Peace and Blessings be Upon Him said: “Five things are from the traditions of the Prophets of the old: circumcision, removing the hair below the navel, trimming the mustaches, cutting the nails and removing the hair from armpit”. [Bukhari, Muslim]

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Many of our Muslim brothers have opted to make their beards into a fashion and have a ‘stylish’ effect to it. Many completely shave it off and some leave a bit on the chin. Some keep their beards only 2 fingers long, and believe that they’re following the Shari’ah, despite the fact that those who shave all of their beards and those who shave it to less than one fist are all the same in sin in the eyes of Shari’ah. It has been stated in Bahar-e-Shari’at:

To grow the beard is the Sunnah of the prophets. To shave it all or less than a fist is Haraam.

Hadrat Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq “Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi” has stated:

To shave the beard is Haram, and the way of the English, the hindus and monkey-dancers. It is wajib to leave the beard to grow to one fist. Those fuqaha (scholars) who have stated that to keep the beard one fist is sunnat, then this is not because according to them to keep the beard to one fist is not wajib, but in fact “sunnah” in this context means the Islamic way, or because the wujub (necessity) of keeping a beard one fist has been proven from the Sunnah (the ahadeeth – prophetic traditions of the Beloved Prophet), just as the Eid prayers have been called sunnat, despite the fact that they are wajib.

It has been stated in al-Durr al-Mukhtar (Vol. 2 Pg. 116), Radd al-Muhtar (Vol. 2 Pg. 117), al-Bahr al-Ra’iq (Vol. 2 Pg. 280), Fath al-Qadir (Vol. 2 Pg. 270), Tahtawi (Pg. 411) that: [and the words quoted here are of Tahtawi’s]

According to the unanimous opinion, to shave the beard less than a fist as is the way of some westerners and effeminate persons who are fond of make-up like women, is not permissible. As regards shaving whole of the beard, then this is the way of the Jews of India and the fire-worshippers of Iran.

2. Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam al-Ghazali Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho said:

If in a battle the dead amongst the Muslims and non-Muslim become mixed then every corpse will be recognized by their trimmed mustaches and beards (not less than a fist). Those that possess trimmed mustaches and beards will be bathed and dressed according to the Muslim rites and Salat-ul-Janazah read over them while those not possessing the above signs will be buried like the non-Muslims i.e. Without bathing and dressing and Salaat-ul-Janazah.

3. It is permissible to grow the beard more than the Shari’i limit of one fist. However - according to our Imams and scholars - to let the beard grow such that it becomes extremely out of proportion, and which shall be a incite people to point fingers and make humor out of that person, is offensive and disapproved of. [Lum’ah al-duha fi I’fa al-Luha (Imam Ahmed Raza Khan), Fatawa-e-Radawiyyah, Vol 22, Pages 571/573]

- Taken from -

Anwaar al-Hadith by Mufti Jalal al-Din al-Amjadi Alaihir raHma
and "The way to be.." by Sayyid Shah Ale’Rasool Nazmi Barkaati Marehrawi

Ruling on referring to Madinah Al-Munawwarah as Yathrib

A Question was sent to Syeduna AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho by Syed Muhammad Shah Sahib of Amroha on 22nd Sha'ban al Mu'azzam 1311H regarding the ruling on Referring to Madina Sharif as 'Yathrib' according to Shari'ah al Mutahhara... Following is the Question and the remarkable Answer given by the Great Imam and Mujaddid Alaihir RaHmatu war-Ridwan!!

Question: Is it permissible in the Shari’ah to call Madina Sharif 'Yathrib'? What is the ruling for the person who does? Bayyinu Tujiru.

Answer: It is impermissible and forbidden to call Madina Tayyiba as Yathrib. It is a sin and the one who says it a sinner. RasoolAllah SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam said:

من سمی المدینة یثرب فلیستغفر اﷲ ھی طابة ھی طابة، رواه الامام احمد بسند صحیح عن البراء ان عازب رضی اﷲ تعالٰی عنه
“Whoever calls Madina Yathrib, it is necessary for him to repent. Madina is Taabah, Madina is Taabah. [Narrated by Bara’ bin ‘Azin, Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Maktaba al Islami (Berut), Vol 4, Page 285]

‘Allama Manawi writes in al-Taysir Sharh al-Jami’ al-Saghir:

فتسمیتھا بذٰلک حرام لان الاستغفار انما ھو عن خطیئة
From this hadith we learn that it is Haram to name Madina Tayyiba as Yathrib. We are told to repent after calling it so and repentance is only after a sin. [al-Taysir Sharh al-Jami’ al-Saghir, Maktaba Imam Shafa'ee (Riyadh), Vol 2, Page 424]

Mulla ‘Ali Qari rahimahu’l Bari writes in al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat:

قد حکی عن بعض السلف تحریم تسمیة المدینة بیثرب ویؤیده مارواه احمد لافذکر الحدیث المذکور ثم قال قال الطیبی رحمه اﷲ تعالٰی فظهران من یحقر شان ما عظمه اﷲ تعالٰی ومن وصف ماسماه اﷲ تعالٰی بالایمان بمالایلیق به یستحق ان یسمی عاصیا
It is reported from some of the predecessors that calling Madina as Yathrib is Haram. This is supported by the hadith which is recorded by Imam Ahmad . ‘Allama Tayyibi rahimahullah said that it is evident from this that whoever disrespects anything that Allah has honoured and has given the name Iman and this person talks about it in a way that is unbefitting, then he is worthy of being names ‘Aasi (sinner). [al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Habibiya (Quetta), Vol 5, Page 622]

When the Qur’an mentions the word Yathrib, it is to inform us what the hypocrites would say:

واذاقالت طائفة مهنم یااھل یثرب لامقام لکم
And when a party of them said: O folk of Yathrib! There is no stand (possible) for you, therefore turn back. [33:13]

The word Yathrib means fighting and censure. This is why these filthy people referred to it as such. Allah refuted them by naming it Taabah. RasoolAllah SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam said:

یقولون یثرب وھی المدینة
They call it Yathrib but it is Madina. [Bukhari, 1:252]

He SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam also said:

ان اﷲ تعالٰی سمی المدینة طابة
Indeed Allah has named Madina as Taabah.

References:

Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Maktaba al Islami , Vol 5, Page89
Sahih Muslim, Qadeemi Kutb Khana , Vo 1, Page 445

Mulla ‘Ali Qari writes in al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat:

المعنی ان اﷲ تعالٰی سماھا فی اللوح المحفوظ او امرنبیه ان یسمیھا بها ردا علی المنافقین فی تسمیتھا بیثرب ایماء الی تثریبهم فی الرجوع الیها
It means that Allah had names Madina Munawwara as Taabah on the preserved tablet or He ordered his beloved Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam to name it such. Allah has castigated the hypocrites for reverting to the disreputable name Yathrib. [al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Habibiya (Quetta), Vol 5, Page 622]

He also writes:

قال النووی رحمه اﷲ تعالٰی قد حکی عیسٰی بن دینار ان من سماھا یثرب کتب علیه خطیئة واما تسمیتھا فی القراٰن بیثرب فهی حکایة قول المنافقین الذین فی قلوبهم مرض
Imam Nawawi rahimahullah states that it is reported regarding ‘Isa bin Dinar that whoever calls Madina as Yathrib, he is a sinner. When the Qur’an refers to Yathrib, it is only to let us know of the illness present in the hearts of the hypocrites. [al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Habibiya (Quetta), Vol 5, Page 622]

Some verses of poetry from the scholars contain this word. Our excuse for them is that they did not know of this hadith and ruling. He who knows the ruling and persists has no excuse, whether it is poetry or otherwise. The Shari’ah governs the poetry, not vice versa. Mawlana Shaykh MuHaqqiq ‘Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi Quddassa Sirrahu writes:

حضرت محمد صلی الله تعالٰی علیه وسلم او رامدینه نام نهاد از جهت تمدن واجتماعی مردم واستیناس و ایتلاف ایشاں دردے ونهی کرد از خواندن یثرب یا از جهت آنکه نام جاهلیت است یا سبب آنکه مشتق از یثرب بمعنی هلاک وفساد وتثریب بمعنی توبیخ وملامت ست یا بتقریب آنکه دراصل نام صنمے یا یکے از جبابره بود، بخاری درتاریخ خود حدیثے آورده که یکبار یثرب گوید باید که ده بار مدینه گوید تاتدارک و تلافی آں کند ودر روایتے دیگر آمده باید که استغفار کند و بعضے گفته اند که تعزیر باید کرد قائل آں را وآنکه درقرآن مجید آمده است یا اهل یثرب از زباں منافقان ست که بذکر آں قصد اهانت آن می کردند عجب که برزبان بعضے اکابر دراشعار لفظ یثرب آمده۔ والله تعالٰی اعلم وعلمه جل مجده
The Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam names it Madina. This is because people lived and gathered there and loved the city. He warned against calling it Yathrib because this is the name from the days of ignorance or because it is derived from either Tharb which means destruction and fighting or Tathrib which means reprimand and censure or because Yathrib was the name of an idol or an oppressive and rebellious person. Imam Bukhari narrates a hadith in his Tareekh that whoever says Yathrib once, he should say Madina ten times so that he compensates for it. When the Qur’an says, “Ya ahla yathrib”, it is from the tongues of the hypocrites and by saying Yathrib, they wanted to disrespect Madina. Another narration mentions that whoever says Yathrib should repent towards Allah and seek forgiveness. And some have said that he be punished. Amazing is the fact that some leading people have used Yathrib in their poems. And Allah knows well, the knowledge of the glorious is complete and strong. [Ashi'atul Lum'aat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Noori Razavi (Sukkar), Vol 2, Page 393-394]

Taken From
Fatawa Radawiyyah, Vol 21, Page 116 to 119

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Courtesy
Muhammad Aqdas
United Kingdom