#LIFE_LESSONS

It May Sound Appealing, but Verifying Before Sharing Is Always Best Practice We may see students, and even well-known scholars, post statements attributing them to Ibn Al-Qayyim or Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allāh have mercy on them) without referencing their sources. Upon reflection and research, these sayings are neither theirs nor found in any of their writings. In fact, those who are familiar with their works (may Allāh have mercy on him) realise that their style is quite different from what is widely circulated on social media. The reality is that, although these statements are beautiful, eloquent, and beneficial, they are actually from some contemporary virtuous individuals — nothing more. Nonetheless, negligence in attributing words to their true authors or sources may, over time, lead to a generation that thrives on distortion and a lack of scholarly trustworthiness in narration and referencing. Consequently, statements may become confused, and falsehood, errors, and even contradictory views may infiltrate them. Undoubtedly, training oneself to exercise caution in verifying statements, transmitting them, and attributing them accurately is the authentic methodology of the early generations of this Ummah. It is more fitting for us to follow their example and adhere to their path, for therein lies authenticity and safety. Finally, some well-meaning individuals may view reminders about scholarly trustworthiness as excessive strictness, rigidity, or an obstacle to the spread of beneficial content. However, an insightful person who reflects on the consequences of unrestrained circulation of unverified statements through social media will recognise the danger of such an approach. Whoever is unable to verify the source or author of certain words should, at the very least, transmit them without attributing them to a scholar, not knowing whether he actually said them or not — even if we all agree on the beauty and great benefit of these words. In the link below are a collection of some of the widely circulated sayings on social media that are often attributed by posters to Ibn Al-Qayyim but are not actually from him. The most common examples include: ▪️ “If Allāh blesses a person with a blessing, how can he know whether it is a trial or a blessing? He said: If it brings him closer to Allāh, it is a blessing; if it distances him, it is a trial.” ▪️ “By Allāh, a servant finds it difficult to know the sincerity of his own intention in his actions; so how could he presume to judge the intentions of others!” ▪️ “When hearts are close, distance between bodies does no harm.” ▪️ “No servant faults his brother for a sin except that he himself is tested with it. So if you hear of someone’s sin, say: May Allāh forgive us and him.” ▪️ “When the conscience is at peace, one’s rank is elevated; and when you know yourself, what is said about you cannot harm you.” ▪️ “Make all of your supplication that Allāh pardon you; for if He pardons you, your needs will come to you without your asking.” ▪️ “Perhaps you are asleep, while the gates of heaven are being knocked with tens of supplications for you — from a poor person you helped, a hungry person you fed, or a sorrowful person you comforted.” ▪️ “If you are praying and time is short and your needs are many, make all of your supplication that Allāh pardon you; for if He pardons you, your needs will come to you without your asking.” ▪️ “I saw people who neglected Allāh’s gaze upon them in private, so Allāh erased the sweetness of their remembrance; they became present yet as if absent — neither pleasant to behold, nor do hearts yearn for them.” ▪️ “Allāh refuses to admit the people of Paradise one by one; rather, every group will enter Paradise together. So look to your companions — where will they take you?” ▪️ “Do not think it is your soul that has led you to perform righteous deeds. Know that you are a servant whom Allāh loves, so He inspired you to do good. Do not neglect this love.”