Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls

By the Noble Scholar of Islm, al-Shaykh, Dr. li ibn Fawzn al-Fawzn

Prepared for English translation by Ab al-asan Mlik dam al-Akhar

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Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls al-Ramniyyah Publishing

Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls1 By the Noble Scholar of Islm, al-Shaykh, Dr. li ibn Fawzn al-Fawzn
In the name of Allh, Most Merciful, Bestower of Mercy, all Praise is for Allh, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allh (sallahu alayhi wa sallam). To proceed: The story of dam and Ibls is oft-repeated in the Noble Qurn to serve as an admonition and reminder of what transpired in this narration concerning dam and Ibls. So when Allh honored dam and made him to excel over the angels in knowledge and placed him and his wife (aw) in the abode of Paradise, Ibls was envious of him (dam); and when the angels were commanded to prostrate before dam, in honor of him and in obedience to the command of Allh, he (Ibls) became insolent toward him. And the prostration was nothing other than submission to Allh and worship of Him, including reverence of dam (alayhi salm) and demonstration of his nobility and virtue. So Ibls became haughty and refused to prostrate before him saying: I am better than him. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay (earth). [al-Arf 7:12] And he was not aware that earth is better than re, because earth grows vegetation, brings forth a good yield and produces many benets. As for re, then it destroys--and refuge is sought with Allh--and does not produce, rather, it merely scorches; therefore, earth is better than re, but Ibls believed that re was superior to earth and thus became boastful concerning his origins; in spite of the fact that boasting about ones origins is impermissible, as indeed boasting is a sign of haughtiness. Even concerning worship and prayer, a person should not boast, instead, he should have humility for Allh and not behave arrogantly, and all of this arose from Ibls. In addition to this, he (Ibls) did not repent to Allh, instead, he disputed with his Lord using the Qadar (Divine Decree). He said, Because You have led me astray... [al-Arf 7:16]

This is taken from a series of recordings delivered by the noble scholar of Islam li ibn Fawzn al-Fawzn, may Allah preserve him, entitled Majlis Ramiyyah (Ramadn Gatherings). http://www.sohari.com/alfozanramadan-1428/qessat-aadam_1428-9-3.mp3
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Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls al-Ramniyyah Publishing

So he placed blame with Allh and did not charge himself, nor admit to his sin. As for dam, then he acknowledged his sin and sought his Lords Forgiveness, and as a result, Allh forgave him. Allh mentions: They (dam and aw) said: O Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If you do not forgive us nor bestow Your Mercy upon us, we will indeed be from the losers. [al-Arf 7:23] And He says: Then dam received Words from his Lord. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. [al-Baqarah 2:37] As for Ibls, then he did not repent, instead, he argued [using the Qadar]; but the Qadar can not be used to justify sin and wrongdoing, rather, the Qadar is only used in the case of calamities. So if a calamity befalls a person, then he is aware that this is from Allhs Decree and remains patient and does not become apprehensive; and he holds himself accountable for his sin, because no calamity befalls him except for something from himself. Allh says: And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. [al-Shur 42:30] And this is what transpired with dam; he recognized his wrong and sought his Lords Forgiveness and knew that this calamity only occurred due to his sin. So he repented to Allh, and He forgave him. And this story is very remarkable. It shows that the one who repents to Allh, even if his sins are grievous, Allh will accept his repentance, and the one who is persistent and does not atone to Allh, and argues using the Qadar (Divine Decree), then Allh will be Angry with him.

Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls al-Ramniyyah Publishing

When Mus met his father dam, he blamed him and said to him, Why did you cause us to be removed from Paradise?2 So dam responded to him with the Qadar, because this was a misfortune, and it is permissible to use the Qadar regarding misfortune. As for using it as an excuse for sins and wrongdoing, then this is impermissible; this is the aair of Ibls. He is the one who used the Qadar as an excuse for sin and wrongdoing. As for dam, then he recognized his sins and repented; however, he used the Qadar regarding the misfortune; [acknowledging] that it was from Allh. He says: No calamity befalls, except by Allhs Permission [i.e. decision and Qadar] and whosoever believes in Allh, He guides his heart. [al-Taghbun 64:11] Alqamah said regarding this verse: He is a person befallen by a misfortune and knows that it is from Allh and is pleased with Allhs Decree and surrenders [to His Decision]. Allh says: Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: Verily! To Allh we belong and to Him we shall return. [al-Baqarah 2:156] So the Muslim does not despair over the calamity and does not become angry, instead, he is pleased with Allhs Decree and says from Allh we come and to Him we return and knows that whatever misfortune befalls him was not going to miss him, and whatever misses him was not going to come to him, as the Messenger of Allh (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned; 3 so he does not become apprehensive, nor does he become angry, rather, a person
This refers to the Hadth collected by al-Bukhri in his ai in the Book of al- Qadar (no. 6245) and Muslim in al-ai in the Book of Qadar (no. 4771) both on the authority of Ab Hurayrah who said: The Messenger of Allh (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: dam and Mus disputed. Mus said to him, O dam, you are our father and you dissapointed us and had us removed from Paradise. dam responded to him, O Mus, Allh chose you with His Speech (spoke to you directly) and wrote [the Tawrah] for you with His Hand. Will you blame me for what Allh decreed for me forty years before he created me. So the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) repeated thrice: Thus dam confuted Mus.
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He is referring here to the adth collected by al-Tirmidh in his al-Jmi (no. 2648) on the authority of Jbir ibn Abd Allh from the Messenger of Allh (sallahu alayhi wa sallam), No slave of Allah will truly believe until he believes in al-Qadr, its good and bad from Allh, until he knows that what has befallen him was not going to miss him and that what missed him was not going to come to him. This narration has been authenticated by al-Shaykh al-Albn in Silsilah al-aah (no. 2439)
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Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls al-Ramniyyah Publishing

only nds fault with himself, repents to Allh and seeks forgiveness for his sins. And he is aware that whatever misfortune befalls him, it is only the result of his sins and thus repents and seeks forgiveness; and whoever repents [sincerely], Allh will forgive him. The door of repentance is open until the soul reaches the throat at the point of death, so in this instance, penitence is not accepted from the one who repents.4 However, as long as a person is still alive and able to do acts of worship from obedience and atonement, then the penitence is accepted by Allh. He says: And those who, when they have committed al-Fhishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allh and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allh - And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for those who do righteous deeds. [li Imrn 3:135-136] And Allh says: And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allh's Forgiveness, he will find Allah OftForgiving, Most Merciful. [Al-Nis 4:110] And He says: Allh accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to

Here he is referring to the adth collected by al-Tirmidh in his al-Jmi (no. 2529) and Ibn Mjah in his alSunan (no. 4235) both on the authority of Abd Allh ibn Umar from the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa sallam): Verily, Allah will accept the repentance of the slave (worshipper) as long as the soul does not reach the throat. al-Tirmidh says, This narration is asan. It has also been graded asan by al-Shaykh al-Albn in a Jmi al-Tirmidh (no. 2802) and a Ibn Mjah (no. 4329)
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Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls al-Ramniyyah Publishing

whom Allh will forgive and Allh is Ever AllKnower, All Wise. [Al-Nis 4:17] Allh forgives the wrongs of those who repent, [He is] the One Who Forgives sins and Accepts repentance, Severe in Punishment; so the one who does not repent has awaiting him a severe punishment, but the one who repents has before him mercy and forgiveness from Allh. And mankind is not free from error. They will make mistakes. All of you make mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent.5 So the regard is for the one who repents to Allh. And do not lose hope in Allhs Mercy saying, Allh will never forgive me. I have too many sins. I have committed too much evil, so he nds Allahs Forgiveness unlikely, and therefore, does not repent to Him. Allh says: Say: O My slaves, who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allh, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped. [al-Zumar 39:53-54] It is upon the Muslim to repent to Allh. Even if his sins are abounding, even if they are grievous, he should not despair of Allhs Mercy nor lose hope, rather, it is upon him to turn in penitence, and Allh has opened the door for the repenters. He descends the last third of every night to the lowest heaven and says, Is their one who asks from Me, so I may grant it?

This refers to the adth collected by al-Tirmidh in his al-Jmi (no. 2736) and Ibn Mjah in his al-Sunan (no. 4233) both on the authority of Anas ibn Mlik who said that the Messenger of Allah said (sallahu alayhi wa sallam): All of the children of dam constantly err, and the best of those who err are those who constantly repent. After narrating this adth, al-Tirmidh says, asan gharb, we do not know of it (this adth) except from the narration of Al ibn Masadah on the authority of Qatdah. This narration has been graded asan by al-Shaykh al-Albn in a Jmi al-Tirmidh (no. 2497)
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Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls al-Ramniyyah Publishing

Is there one who seeks Forgiveness so I might pardon him? Is there one who wants to repent, so I might Forgive him? And this happens every night.6 And this is from the best times to turn in penitence, but repentance is to be sought at all times of the day and night; and the door of repentance is open and will not close until the time when the sun rises from the west.7 And the door of repentance is open to the worshippers day and night. Whoever sincerely repents to Allh with pure intentions, He will forgive him and expiate his sins, but repentance is not merely a statement; seeking forgiveness is not simply uttered with the tongue, rather, repentance must be done with the tongue, heart and with the actions [of the limbs]. He (the repenter) repents and corrects [the wrong] and returns to Allah, so that He will forgive him. Even the disbeliever and polytheist, if he repents, Allah will forgive him. He says: Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven. But if they return (thereto), then the examples of those (punished) before them have already preceded (as a warning). [Al-Anfl 8:38] Allh forgives those who repent to him, and repentance wipes away what preceded it; so the person should not despair or lose hope. Instead, he must constantly repent, and every time he commits a sin, he atones to Allh and does not say, I committed a sin and repented and then returned to the sin, so there is no atonement for me. This is from Shaytn. So he (the repenter) repeatedly repents and seeks Forgiveness from his Lord every time he commits a sin. And there are sins and shortcomings the slave (worshipper) is unaware of, therefore, it is incumbent upon him to constantly turn to Allh in repentance and seeking forgiveness. Just as
This refers to the adth collected by al-Bukhr in his al-ai (no. 5918) and Muslim in his al-ai (no. 758) both on the authority of Ab Hurayrah who said: Allh's Messenger (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, When it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, descends every night to the lowest heaven and says, Is there anyone who invokes Me (asks anything from Me), that I may respond to his invocation; Is there anyone who asks Me for something that I may give (it to) him; Is there anyone who asks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?
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He is referring to the adth collected by Muslim in his al-ai (no. 4850) on the authority of Ab Hurayrah who said: The Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Whoever repents before the sun rises from its west, Allah will forgive him.
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Admonitions from the Story of dam and Ibls al-Ramniyyah Publishing

the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) would say: O people! Repent to you Lord. For indeed I repent to Allh more than seventy times in a day.8 And the companions would count his Istighfr (seeking of forgiveness) more than onehundred times in a single sitting. He would say, I seek Allhs Forgiveness and repent to Him. 9 And he was the Messenger of Allh (sallahu alayhi wa sallam). And man falls short concerning the Right of Allah, so seeking forgiveness compensates for this deciency and shortcoming. Therefore, he should increase himself in seeking forgiveness; so if he is aware of a sin, he repents sincerely and replaces it with righteous deeds, Except those who repent and make amends. [al-Baqarah 2: 160] They repent and correct the wrong. As for those who simply repent with the tongue and do not correct their actions and desist from wrongdoing, then this is the repentance of the liars. We ask Allh for His Pardon. O Allah! Forgive us. Indeed You are Oft-Forgiving, Bestower of Mercy. May the Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet, Muammad (sallahu alayhi wa sallam), his family and all of his companions.

This refers to the adth collected by Muslim in his al-ai (no. 4849) on the authority of Abd Allh ibn Umar who said: The Messenger of Allh (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: O people! Repent to Allah! For indeed I repent to him one-hundred times in a day. There is also another adth collected by al-Bukhr in his al-ai (no. 5953) on the authority of Ab Hurayrah who said: I heard the Messenger of Allh (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) say: By Allah, indeed I seek Allhs Forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times in a day. The great scholar of adth Ibn ajar al-Asqaln mentions in his monumental work Fat al-Br: And his statement more [than seventy times] is indenite, but is understood in accordance with the above-mentioned narration of Ibn Umar that he (the Messenger of Allh) reached one-hundred times.
8 9

Ibid