Shaykh al-Albānī: Look, may Allāh bless you. The scholars say that the Names of Allāh are tawqīfiyyah. The Names of Allāh are tawqīfiyyah. What does "tawqīfiyyah" mean? It means we do not know the Names of Allāh except through the Prophet ﷺ informing us of them. Is this clear? Okay. It is not permissible for us to name Allāh ﷻ with names that He did not name Himself or that His Prophet ﷺ did not name Him with. We are only allowed to name our Lord with what He named Himself or what His Prophet named Him. So now (as it relates to as-sitr [concealment]), we only find among the Names of Allāh, the Exalted, the Name: as-Sittīr (the One Who conceals). As for as-Sātir and as-Sattār, they are not found among His Names, even though the meaning is correct. Now, for example, if someone were to say to you, "Indeed, Allāh ﷻ is sakhiyy (generous), not bakhīl (miserly)," is this meaning correct or not? Questioner: Yes, it's correct. Shaykh al-Albānī: It is correct. But it is not permissible for us to call Him Sakhiyy. Rather, we call Him by the synonymous name that Allāh named Himself with on the tongue of His Prophet ﷺ, which is al-Karīm (the Generous). Al-Karīm and as-Sakhiyy in the Arabic language are two synonymous terms that convey the same meaning. So, the fact that sakhiyy means karīm does not allow us to say, "O Sakhiyy, honor me, bestow upon me." Instead, we say, "O Karīm," because the Names of Allāh are tawqīfiyyah. Is this clear? Good. Questioner: Okay, it says (in a narration) that the servant errs during the day, and I (Allāh) conceal it, but the servant exposes his concealment (sitr) during the day... So is Sitr one of the Names of Allāh or not? Shaykh al-Albānī: May Allāh bless you. We are talking about what pertains to Allāh, not what pertains to the servants of Allāh. If I see someone committing a mistake and I conceal it for him, there's no issue. And I can say that Allāh conceals it for him as well—no problem. "No servant conceals [the fault of] his Muslim brother except that Allāh ﷻ conceals [his faults]." But do we derive from this a Name to attribute to Allāh and say He is Sātir or Sattār? No. Rather, what has come in the Hadith is his saying, peace be upon him: "When one of you goes to the toilet, let him conceal himself, for Allāh is Ḥayiyy Sittīr, and He loves that His servant conceals himself." Ḥayiyy Sittīr—this is what has been narrated. We have the words Sattār and Sātir very commonly used, but the point is that the Names of Allāh are tawqīfiyyah. Our Lord says in the Noble Qur'an: {They plotted (to kill Jesus), and Allāh plotted, and Allāh is the Best of plotters} (Qur'an 3:54). So it is not permissible for us to name Allāh al-Mākir (the Plotter), nor is it permissible to call Him al-Makkār (the One Who abundantly plots), because He did not name Himself with that. We do not derive from this compound phrase "Allāh is the best of plotters" an active participle Mākir, nor do we derive an intensive form Makkār. No, because the Names of Allāh are tawqīfiyyah. It is not permissible for us to say, for example, "Allāh is 'Āqil (Sensible)," even though we of course believe He is not insane. And 'āqil is the opposite of majnūn (insane). But we have terms in the Qur'an and Sunnah that suffice us from using this name, which are al-Hakīm (the Wise) and al-'Alīm (the All-Knowing). See? This is the meaning of our statement that the Names of Allāh are tawqīfiyyah. Translation: Yasin ibn Jamal Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOY9HJMtwUM

When it comes to the survival and growth of small businesses, every single move counts. The fierce competition, razor-thin margins, and ever-changing customer needs demand nothing less than a thorough understanding of the competitive landscape. But what if we told you there’s a sharper, more refined way to understand your market competitors that can outperform traditional market analysis? Enter Micro-Competitor Analysis—a hyper-focused approach designed specifically for businesses with big ambitions but limited resources. Why Traditional Market Analysis Falls Short for Small Businesses Conventional market analysis offers a bird’s-eye view of your market. It highlights general trends, industry-wide changes, and broad competitor insights. But for a small business? That macro-level perspective can be like using a telescope to study what’s right in front of you—it’s just too distant. Small businesses need data that’s immediate, specific, and actionable. That’s where Micro-Competitor Analysis (MCA) steps in. The Problem with Broad Strokes The global or even national market trends may not accurately reflect what is happening within your local community or niche sector. For example, if a tech startup in New York is experiencing surging demand, that does not necessarily translate into opportunities for a similar business in a smaller town in Indiana. Relying on broad market reports can lead to misguided investments and wasted resources. Real-Life Impact: The Rise and Fall of a Neighborhood Café Consider the case of a beloved neighborhood café in San Francisco. This café had been relying heavily on macro-trend reports predicting a surge in coffee consumption nationwide. What they failed to notice was a new wave of boutique competitors—microbreweries of coffee—setting up shop within their vicinity, offering unique blends and experiences. While the macro data was accurate, it was irrelevant to their micro reality. They eventually closed their doors as customers moved on to the more innovative micro-competitors. Micro-Competitor Analysis: The Game-Changer Micro-Competitor Analysis involves a deep dive into a small group of immediate, relevant competitors rather than the market at large. It focuses on local and niche players with direct customer overlap. By understanding what works for your competitors—and what doesn’t—you can carve out opportunities to differentiate and improve your offerings. The 3-Step Micro-Competitor Analysis Process 1. Identify Your Immediate Competitors This isn't just about industry leaders. It's about anyone who’s vying for your customers' attention and dollars. Tools like Google Maps, Yelp, and community forums can help you zero in on competitors within your specific geographic and demographic space. Think small, think local. 2. Gather Hyper-Specific Data Micro-competitor analysis means leaving no stone unturned. This involves: • Customer Sentiment Analysis: Scour reviews, forums, and social media to understand customer pain points and preferences. What are customers saying about them? What do they praise or criticize? • Pricing Models: Take a closer look at their pricing structures, promotions, and sales tactics. Where are they flexible? Where are they rigid? • Customer Experience (CX): Visit their stores or interact with their websites. Document your experience, and don’t be afraid to speak to customers yourself. 3. Analyze, Adapt, Outperform The end goal isn’t to mimic your competitors but to outdo them. By analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, you can adapt your strategy and carve out a superior offering. Spot gaps where they’re underperforming and fill those voids. Did their customers complain about slow service? Make speed your unique selling point. Case Study: The Baker That Bounced Back Take, for example, a small bakery in Portland. Facing declining sales, the owners opted for Micro-Competitor Analysis. They discovered their three closest competitors were winning over health-conscious customers with vegan options. The bakery revamped its menu, introduced gluten-free and vegan selections, and advertised heavily within the local vegan community. Within six months, foot traffic tripled, and sales soared. Micro Data vs. Macro Data: A Statistical Insight A 2023 report by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) found that 76% of small businesses that conducted competitor-specific market analysis outperformed those relying on traditional market insights. The same report highlighted that customer acquisition rates were nearly 30% higher among those using micro-focused strategies. Unlike macro analysis, which often results in vague, one-size-fits-all recommendations, micro-competitor insights drive precise, high-impact change. Applying Micro-Competitor Analysis to Your Business Let’s make it actionable. Here’s how small businesses can deploy Micro-Competitor Analysis with minimal budget and time investment: 1. Engage with the Community Build genuine relationships with your customers and learn why they choose—or reject—your competitors. Attend local meetups, sponsor community events, and create a customer feedback loop. 2. Utilize Free Tools and Platforms Websites like SimilarWeb and SEMrush offer free insights into competitor traffic and keywords. Social media monitoring tools like Hootsuite allow you to track mentions and sentiments surrounding competitors. 3. Benchmark and Test Continuously Continuously compare your performance metrics to your closest competitors. Try out small changes—price tweaks, marketing copy, product variations—and gauge how they impact sales. This constant iterative process creates a competitive edge. Real Business Impact: A Brick-and-Mortar Retail Store One notable example comes from a family-owned clothing store in Ohio. By focusing on micro-competitor data, they identified a gap in their competitors' offering: children’s clothing. None of their rivals carried a full line. By introducing a high-quality children’s clothing section and marketing heavily, they captured a completely new audience segment. Sales surged by over 40% in one year. Why Micro Matters More Than Ever In a world where the customer has more choices than ever, understanding your competitors' immediate movements can define success or failure. Micro-Competitor Analysis doesn’t just supplement market research; it replaces what’s outdated, irrelevant, and far too broad for a small business fighting to carve out its place. It allows businesses to act faster, react smarter, and innovate bolder—directly responding to the pulse of their community and consumer. So, the next time you’re tempted to scan through a thick macro-market report, remember this: victory is in the small details. Your competitors may already be speaking directly to your potential customers. Are you listening closely enough to what they’re saying?

خطأ شائع جعل موقف الإمام أرفع من موقف المأموم حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ الْفُرَاتِ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ الرَّازِيُّ الْمَعْنَى، قَالَا : حَدَّثَنَا يَعْلَى ، حَدَّثَنَا الْأَعْمَشُ ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ ، أَنَّ حُذَيْفَةَ أَمَّ النَّاسَ بِالْمَدَائِنِ عَلَى دُكَّانٍ ، فَأَخَذَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ بِقَمِيصِهِ فَجَبَذَهُ، فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ قَالَ : أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُنْهَوْنَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ. قَالَ : بَلَى، قَدْ ذَكَرْتُ حِينَ مَدَدْتَنِي .(فتقدم حذيفة) أي من الصف (فأخذ على يديه) أي أمسكهما وجر عمارا من خلفه لينزل إلى أسفل ويستوي مع المأمومين (فاتبعه) بالتشديد أي طاوعه (قال عمار لذلك) أي لأجل سماعي هذا النهي منه أولا وتذكري بفعلك ثانيا (اتبعتك) في النزول. قال في النيل: والحاصل من الأدلة منع ارتفاع الإمام على المؤتمين من غير فرق بين المسجد وغيره وبين القامة ودونها وفوقها لقول أبي مسعود: إنهم كانوا ينهون عن ذلك، وقول ابن مسعود: {نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يقوم الإمام فوق شيء والناس خلفه يعني أسفل منه}. وأما صلاته صلى الله عليه وسلم على المنبر فقيل: إنه إنما فعل ذلك لغرض التعليم كما يدل عليه قوله: "ولتعلموا صلاتي" وغاية ما فيه جواز وقوف الإمام على محل أرفع من المؤتمين إذا أراد تعليمهم. قال ابن دقيق العيد: من أراد أن يستدل به على جواز الارتفاع من غير قصد التعليم لم يستقم لأن اللفظ لا يتناوله ولانفراد الأصل بوصف معتبر تقتضي المناسبة اعتباره فلا بد منه انتهى