The topics covered in this book include:
Translator's Foreword
The Overall Theme of Soorah al-'Ankaboot
Life is But a Series of Trials
The Fitnah of Disbelieving Parents
The Fitnah of Being in the Minority
The Fitnah of Seeing Disbelievers Live Long, Prosperous Lives
The Fitnah of Passions and Desires
The Fitnah of Disobedience Upon Knowledge
The Fitnah of Argumentation
The Fitnah of Materialism
The Fitnah of Safety and Security
Shaykh Saalih Aal Shaykh said:
"...Another kind of fitnah is when the people have knowledge and the society knows what is correct, but they do not act according to their knowledge. An ignorant man can be taught. Yet, when knowledge has spread in a society and people know the legislated limits [of Allah] and they have some insight, and yet they still contradict what they know, is that not a fitnah?!
Knowledge has not been a blessing for them, rather it has only been a fitnah. Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, mentions that the tribes of ‘Aad and Thamood were people of knowledge. They knew and had insight. Yet, with all of that, they rebelled and disobeyed. Allah, the Exalted, has said:
And [remember the destruction of] ‘Aad and Thamood! That has been made clear to you, from [consideration of] their [ruined] places of residence [how they were destroyed]. The Devil beautified their actions for them and kept them away from the Path, whilst they were people of insight. (29:38)
The Devil beautified their actions for them, and then kept them away from the Path, whilst they were people of insight! Were they ignorant? No! Were they deficient in some of their knowledge? No! They had knowledge, but the Devil beautified their actions for them, and thus he kept them away from the Path! All of this while they had good insight and clear vision.
This is a tremendous fitnah, that a man has knowledge but he obeys the Devil instead, leaving behind the knowledge that he has received from his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, and from His Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace)..."
Moosaa Richardson, the translator, adds the following advice in his footnotes to the text:
"We suffer from this greatly in the West, and to Allah is our complaint and our plea for help against our own selves! Often, the real problem a person struggles with is not his ignorance of correct Islamic beliefs and practice. The problem is so commonly his lack of application of what he knows. It is perhaps the result of information overload, when knowledge is available in abundance, so much that it overwhelms a person, and then he spends his life collecting and passing on knowledge without practicing it! We need to be reminded that knowledge without practice is like a tree without fruits. It was the way of those who have earned Allah's Anger, and we seek refuge with Allah from this evil path every time we read Soorah al-Faatihah!
We need to be reminded that the Quran will be a proof for or against us on the Day of Judgment. (Saheeh Muslim, no.223) It is a proof in our favor when we learn and implement it, yet a proof against us if we contradict what we know of it!
We need to be reminded that our feet will remain in their places on the Day of Judgment, and we shall not budge, until we are asked a number of questions. We will be asked about our knowledge and what we have done with it! (Jaami' at-Tirmidhee, no.2417)
We need to be reminded that our Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) used to seek refuge with Allah from knowledge without benefit! (Saheeh Muslim, no.2722)"
Reviews (28)
Excellent, you most likely MUST read this.
Is it not obligatory for you to know the many types of trials and tribulations that endanger your religion, and therefore your eternal abode? If you did not know already that your existence in this life is surrounded by different trials and tribulations, you must learn this quickly, Allah has laid them out in the Quran, and this work makes the proper understanding accesible to English readers. Excellent, clear English from someone who has studied Islam from many of the best current scholars. What else do you need to know to buy it right now? If you already knew you were surrounded by trials and tribulations, do you not need a reminder and a reference text for your library? To the author: jazakumu Allahu khair!! Just one note: when quoting the translation of the meaning of the Quran, you usually write something like “Allah has said (what means) ...”. But at least once you skipped the “(what means)”. Besides this small slip, just plain excellent, May Allah grant us sincerity, and multiply your reward, Amin!!
Beautiful reminders maasha'Allaah
Simple, concise reading...even an easy read for teens...
Maa sha Allaah
Not a single issue, this was the first time I used this service.
Informative
Interesting
Wonderful translation
Such a wonderful translation may Allah reward the translator immensely. Definitely a great addition to the English speaking students library.
Best Read!
Life is but trails and tests. Eye opener.
Topic is of Substance
Reads like an essay/treatises Some grammar errors Forty-two pages of 500+ Seems much more is missing Expected more in depth
Loved this book amazing reminders.
Very relatable, and humanistic read. Very gentle reminders that allow us to refocus and reframe our daily tests and life trials enabling us to put things back into perspective with regard to our purpose.
Good read.
This a great read may Allah preserve the Shaikh and increase the translator in goodness and place him firm upon the truth
The reminder benefits the believer
May Allah have mercy upon me and upon all the believers and grant us the ability to be from those who are successful in this life and in the life to come. Thank you for the translation of this text and for the explanation and points of benefit. Without doubt the content is something that must be reflected upon, rectified, and seriously put into action. Read it! May Allah grant me and you understanding.
Excellent, you most likely MUST read this.
Is it not obligatory for you to know the many types of trials and tribulations that endanger your religion, and therefore your eternal abode? If you did not know already that your existence in this life is surrounded by different trials and tribulations, you must learn this quickly, Allah has laid them out in the Quran, and this work makes the proper understanding accesible to English readers. Excellent, clear English from someone who has studied Islam from many of the best current scholars. What else do you need to know to buy it right now? If you already knew you were surrounded by trials and tribulations, do you not need a reminder and a reference text for your library? To the author: jazakumu Allahu khair!! Just one note: when quoting the translation of the meaning of the Quran, you usually write something like “Allah has said (what means) ...”. But at least once you skipped the “(what means)”. Besides this small slip, just plain excellent, May Allah grant us sincerity, and multiply your reward, Amin!!
Beautiful reminders maasha'Allaah
Simple, concise reading...even an easy read for teens...
Maa sha Allaah
Not a single issue, this was the first time I used this service.
Informative
Interesting
Wonderful translation
Such a wonderful translation may Allah reward the translator immensely. Definitely a great addition to the English speaking students library.
Best Read!
Life is but trails and tests. Eye opener.
Topic is of Substance
Reads like an essay/treatises Some grammar errors Forty-two pages of 500+ Seems much more is missing Expected more in depth
Loved this book amazing reminders.
Very relatable, and humanistic read. Very gentle reminders that allow us to refocus and reframe our daily tests and life trials enabling us to put things back into perspective with regard to our purpose.
Good read.
This a great read may Allah preserve the Shaikh and increase the translator in goodness and place him firm upon the truth
The reminder benefits the believer
May Allah have mercy upon me and upon all the believers and grant us the ability to be from those who are successful in this life and in the life to come. Thank you for the translation of this text and for the explanation and points of benefit. Without doubt the content is something that must be reflected upon, rectified, and seriously put into action. Read it! May Allah grant me and you understanding.
Must read
A beleivers must read MashaaAllah May Allah reward the author for their striving
Most read
Realistic view on suffering and spiritual solutions for them. Short easy to read book. I recommend for muslim and none muslims alike.
Apt, relevant and greatly beneficial
This book is concise and the best part of it is the way the translator (hafithahullah) makes the points discussed relevant to our everyday lives with vivid examples. May Allah keep us safe and protect our imaan
Must have for the Library.
This book highlights the different types of trails one can encounter in their life. And for this reason, the book is a great reminder for mankind. One of my favourite books.
good
nice
A reminder for reflection !
Beautiful reminder, a short , clear and beneficial read. Avid readers can read in less than an hour in Shaa Allah. I would recommend reading more than once.
Five Stars
Highly recommended
Very beneficial
Very beneficial book alhamdulilah. May Allaah Ta'ala preserve the Shaykh and safeguard us against fitnah, Ameen. May Allaah Ta'ala also reward Moosa Richardson for this free book and make it heavy on the miizaan.
