Amma ba'd
How To Escape Fitnah, The Stance of the one who wants to escape Fitnah, and some Golden Principles Concerning Fitnah!
Hudhaifa ibn al-Yaman
(radiallaahu Ta'aala 'anhu) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam) say: Trials and Tribulations will be presented to the
hearts just like as a reed mat is interwoven, stick by stick. Any heart which
absorbs these trials will have a black mark put in it. However, any heart that
rejects them will have a white mark put in it. The result is that hearts will be
of (one of) two kinds: one white like a white stone, which will not be harmed by
trials as long as the heavens and earth endure; and the other dark and rusty,
like an over-turned vessel, not able to recognize the good, nor reject evil, but
rather being absorbed with its desires.*
Student Abu 'Abdillaah Hassan
as-Somali (hafidhahullaah Ta'aala) relayed the following points - either word
for word or through meaning - from the book al-Qawl al-Hasan fee
Ma'rifah al-Fitan authored by one of the scholars of the Sunnah,
Shaykh Muhammad al-Imaam (hafidhahullaah Ta'aala):
After mentioning nine important
matters as it directly relates to firmness during Fitnah:
•The importance and merits of
al-Ikhlaas (Sincerity)
•The importance and merits of
al-'Ilm (Knowledge)
•Seeking advice and consulting the Scholars
•Understanding the level of the Scholars as opposed to the level of the students of knowledge
•Verification of affairs, remaining silent until then (do not rush to spread your opinions)
•Busying oneself with 'ibaadah (worship) in times of fitnah (especially du'aa for guidance)
•Understanding the danger of lying or speaking against someone unjustly (there is no hijab between Allaah and the du'aa of the oppressed)**
•Understanding that speaking about the people of bid'ah in a praiseworthy manner brings about the anger and displeasure of Allaah***
• Being warned againt praising and defending Ahlul-Bid'ah (those who have been refuted by the scholars with knowledge and evidence) whilst hammering Ahlus-Sunnah (with harsh and blameworthy statements, degrading them and spreading evil suspicions about them)
•Seeking advice and consulting the Scholars
•Understanding the level of the Scholars as opposed to the level of the students of knowledge
•Verification of affairs, remaining silent until then (do not rush to spread your opinions)
•Busying oneself with 'ibaadah (worship) in times of fitnah (especially du'aa for guidance)
•Understanding the danger of lying or speaking against someone unjustly (there is no hijab between Allaah and the du'aa of the oppressed)**
•Understanding that speaking about the people of bid'ah in a praiseworthy manner brings about the anger and displeasure of Allaah***
• Being warned againt praising and defending Ahlul-Bid'ah (those who have been refuted by the scholars with knowledge and evidence) whilst hammering Ahlus-Sunnah (with harsh and blameworthy statements, degrading them and spreading evil suspicions about them)
Abu 'Abdillaah Hassan as-Somali then relayed these
34 advises - either word-for-word or
through meaning - from Shaykh Muhammad al-Imaam (hafidhahullaah
Ta'aala) to protect one from fitnah, bi idhn
illaah:
1. Focusing on the worship of Allaah during times of turmoil is one of the roads to safety.
2. A person only escapes fitnah by the grace and blessing of Allaah.
3. Fleeing from fitnah and worrying about one's own actions.
4. The Companions: Hasan the son of 'Ali (radiallaahu 'anhum) relinquished his right to the caliphate even though he was worthy of it to protect the believers from fitnah.
1. Focusing on the worship of Allaah during times of turmoil is one of the roads to safety.
2. A person only escapes fitnah by the grace and blessing of Allaah.
3. Fleeing from fitnah and worrying about one's own actions.
4. The Companions: Hasan the son of 'Ali (radiallaahu 'anhum) relinquished his right to the caliphate even though he was worthy of it to protect the believers from fitnah.
5. Those upon
the Sunnah are the furthest of the people from differing.
6. Fitnah annihilates those who rush to embrace it.
7. The impermissibility of chasing after the faults of the people in general and the scholars in specific.
8. Sins are a cause of dissension.
9. Insincerity causes individuals to stumble and trip upon their path.
6. Fitnah annihilates those who rush to embrace it.
7. The impermissibility of chasing after the faults of the people in general and the scholars in specific.
8. Sins are a cause of dissension.
9. Insincerity causes individuals to stumble and trip upon their path.
10.
Understanding of the religion will allow you walk upon the path to safety.
11. Holding on to the rope of Allaah (The Book and Sunnah) is a shield that protects the believer from fitnah.
12. Unity is a fundamental from the fundamentals of Islam.
13. The importance of returning back to the scholars of the Ummah when fitnah arises.
14. The
students of knowledge are the bridge between the scholars and their
communities.11. Holding on to the rope of Allaah (The Book and Sunnah) is a shield that protects the believer from fitnah.
12. Unity is a fundamental from the fundamentals of Islam.
13. The importance of returning back to the scholars of the Ummah when fitnah arises.
15. It is obligatory upon the Muslim to examine information that is spread in the public domain especially at times of fitnah.
16. The Muslim should be patient, forbearing and avoid hastiness in the face of fitnah.
17. It is incumbent upon the believer to be just and fair in both speech and actions.
18. Uncovering those who are responsible for igniting the flame of fitnah.
19. The Devils from amongst the Jinn have a major role to play in trying to incite enmity between the people of faith.
20. Beware of seeking revenge!
21. The love of leadership will break a person's back.
22. Attempting to reconcile the differences of the parties involved.
23. Not having malice in the heart, and speaking the truth is from the best of deeds.
24. Think about the consequences of your speech and actions in this life and how they may affect your Hereafter.
25. Be gentle in all affairs.
26. Have the courage to recognize your mistakes and return to the truth.
27. Clinging firmly to the guidelines and the principles of the divine legislation, at all times.
28. Differentiating between the scholars and those who pretend to be from amongst them.
29. Avoid fruitless argumentation and disputes.
30. Rushing to uproot the source of differing as soon as it appears is from the Prophetic methodology.
31. There is a difference between humiliating your brother and advice.
32. There is a difference between envy and competing in good.
33. Differentiating between differing that is acceptable and differing that is unacceptable.
34. Not involving the common people in matters that they cannot understand or solve.
Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah
said: "As for Ahlus-Sunnah
wal-Hadeeth, it is not known that any of their scholars or any of their pious,
righteous commfolk left off their belief or their sayings; rather they were the
best of people in patience. Even if they are trialed or tested with various
trials and tribulations, they remained firm. And this is how the Prophets and
their followers were from before." [Majmoo' al-Fataawa, Vol. 4, pg. 50]
Abu 'Abdillaah said that this is
because they follow the guidelines found in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of
His Messenger (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). This is a strong encouragement to
stick to these guidelines. If you do so, in-sha`Allaah, the fitnah will not harm
you.
Imam as-Sijzee (D. 444H.) said:
"Ahlus-Sunnah are those who are firm in the 'aqeedah that the Saalif-us-Saleh
conveyed to them from the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and
the sahaaba (radiallaahu 'anhum)."
* Imaam Ibn
al-Qayyim said: "The fitan (trials) which are presented to
the hearts - and which are the cause of its weakness - are the trials relating
to shahwah (false desire) and the trials relating to shubhah (doubt)... So the
first causes intentions and desires to be corrupted, whilst the second causes
knowledge and beliefs to be corrupted."
He (rahimahullaah) said: "Hearts, when exposed to such fitan (trials) are of two types:
[The first type is] a heart which, when exposed to such trials, absorbs it like a sponge that soaks up water, leaving in it a black stain. Such a heart continues to soak up the various trials that are presented to it, until it becomes dark and corrupted, which is what is meant by 'an over-turned vessel.' So when this occurs, two dangerous and deadly diseases take hold of it and plunge it into destruction:
Firstly: confusing good with evil, so it neither recognizes the good, nor rejects the evil. This disease may take hold of it to such an extent that it believes good to be evil, and evil to be good, Sunnah to be bid'ah (innovation), and innovations to be the Sunnah, and the truth to be falsehood, and falsehood [to be] the truth.
Secondly: judging by its whims and desires, over and against what Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) came with, being enslaved by its whims and desires and being led by them also.
[The second type is] a white heart in which the light of Eemaan is bright and its radiance is illuminating. So when trials are presented to such a heart, it rejects and turns away from them. This further increases its light and illumination and its strength." [source: Al-Ibaanah Issue No.3, via this salafiTalk page]
He (rahimahullaah) said: "Hearts, when exposed to such fitan (trials) are of two types:
[The first type is] a heart which, when exposed to such trials, absorbs it like a sponge that soaks up water, leaving in it a black stain. Such a heart continues to soak up the various trials that are presented to it, until it becomes dark and corrupted, which is what is meant by 'an over-turned vessel.' So when this occurs, two dangerous and deadly diseases take hold of it and plunge it into destruction:
Firstly: confusing good with evil, so it neither recognizes the good, nor rejects the evil. This disease may take hold of it to such an extent that it believes good to be evil, and evil to be good, Sunnah to be bid'ah (innovation), and innovations to be the Sunnah, and the truth to be falsehood, and falsehood [to be] the truth.
Secondly: judging by its whims and desires, over and against what Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) came with, being enslaved by its whims and desires and being led by them also.
[The second type is] a white heart in which the light of Eemaan is bright and its radiance is illuminating. So when trials are presented to such a heart, it rejects and turns away from them. This further increases its light and illumination and its strength." [source: Al-Ibaanah Issue No.3, via this salafiTalk page]
** Sa'd Ibn Abee Waqas (radiallaahu
Ta'aala 'anhu) - when he was lied upon - made the following du'aa to Allaah:
Oh Allaah, if this (words unclear) is lying upon me and he has said what
he said to show off or to become famous, then give him a long life and make him
severly poor, and expose him to Fitnah. [The one whom Sa'd made du'aa
against used to say in his old age: "I am an old man and have been afflicted.
The du'aa of Sa'd concerning me was answered." And another reported that this
man's eye balls fell off his face from old age.]
***The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Whoever innovates or accommodates (shelters or harbors) an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind. [Bukhari (12/41) and Muslim (9/140)]
***The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Whoever innovates or accommodates (shelters or harbors) an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind. [Bukhari (12/41) and Muslim (9/140)]
Imam Ash-Shatibee (rahimahullaah) said:
"There is no doubt that accomodating (sheltering, harboring) comprises
and includes praising them or honoring them."
Some of the Salaf such as Al-Fudayl Ibn
'Iyyad (rahimahullaah) said: "Whoever honors or praises a person of
Bid'ah, then he has assisted in the destruction of al-Islaam."
Because assisting a person of bid'ah is only done out of
hypocrisy. As Al-Fudayl Ibn 'Iyyad (rahimahullaah) said: "It is not possible that a person of
the Sunnah praises, assists, promotes someone from Ahlul-Bid'ah except out of
hypocrisy!"
Some of the scholars - such as (Imam)
Ahmad - have said that if you see a Sunni assisting someone from Ahlul-Bid'ah,
then this is considered an act of hypocrisy.
Source:
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Shaikh
Fawzaan advises to say: "All Praise is due to Allaah, we are
upon guidance and a clear Religion. Solace is close by, and evil will cease to
exist by the permission of Allaah"
Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan: Explanation of the hadith of Hudhaifah b. Al Yamaan 'We were in a state of Jaahiliyyah'
The following are excerpts from the highly beneficial scholarly sharh (explanation) of the hadeeth of Hudhaifa 'We were in a state of Jaahiliyah,' due to what they contain of golden advice for times of fitaan:
Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan: Explanation of the hadith of Hudhaifah b. Al Yamaan 'We were in a state of Jaahiliyyah'
The following are excerpts from the highly beneficial scholarly sharh (explanation) of the hadeeth of Hudhaifa 'We were in a state of Jaahiliyah,' due to what they contain of golden advice for times of fitaan:
[Allaah said (what means):] So verily, with the hardship,
there is relief. Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e. there is one
hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two
reliefs). (Ash-Sharh, ayat 5-6)
Solace must come about. He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Know that along with assistance is patience, along with solace is distress, and along with every hardship is relief. (Ahmad)
Solace must come about. He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Know that along with assistance is patience, along with solace is distress, and along with every hardship is relief. (Ahmad)
He (the person) should not lose
hope when Fitan and evil increases. Indeed, he is to be upon tranquility
and makes others tranquil when fitnah occurs, and he says: "All Praise is due to Allaah, we are upon guidance and a
clear Religion. Solace is close by, and evil will cease to exist by the
permission of Allaah."
This is what is incumbent upon THE PEOPLE OF GOOD AND THE SCHOLARS that they have tranquility and make the people tranquil; because this (EVIL) is something that will cease to exist by the permission of Allaah, and solace will come after it.
This is what is incumbent upon THE PEOPLE OF GOOD AND THE SCHOLARS that they have tranquility and make the people tranquil; because this (EVIL) is something that will cease to exist by the permission of Allaah, and solace will come after it.
It is not permissible for the
person to say: "the people are destroyed." This is
not permissible; rather he makes the people tranquil, firm upon goodness and
expectant of assistance. For indeed, the good end is for the people of piety.
Therefore, no matter how great the evil and fitan is, indeed it will cease to exist. He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: A group of my followers will remain manifest upon the truth. They will neither be harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them till Allaah's (Ta-baaraka-Wata-aalaa) order come. (Bukhari and Muslim)
Therefore, no matter how great the evil and fitan is, indeed it will cease to exist. He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: A group of my followers will remain manifest upon the truth. They will neither be harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them till Allaah's (Ta-baaraka-Wata-aalaa) order come. (Bukhari and Muslim)
And even though there is one
who deviates from it and becomes deviated, as the saying goes 'Fitnah has its
victims.' It takes away the one who goes with it; but the people of
Eemaan will remain even if they are small in number.
Even if there is one who goes along with the Fitnah, and the one who goes astray and the one who comes along, still the truth and its people remain wal-Hamdulillaah. The truth is present. Allaah (Jalla-Wa-'Alaa) said: Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). (Al-Hijr, ayah 9)
Even if there is one who goes along with the Fitnah, and the one who goes astray and the one who comes along, still the truth and its people remain wal-Hamdulillaah. The truth is present. Allaah (Jalla-Wa-'Alaa) said: Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). (Al-Hijr, ayah 9)
The person should neither lose
hope nor despair. He should not make the people lose hope of the return to
goodness. He should not make the people lose hope with regards to (the fact)
that truth will prevail and falsehood repelled; because Allaah (subhaanahu Wa
Ta'aala) has made that promise and He does not fail to fulfil His promise.
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: "The Religion is aided when put to the test. So do not be amazed, for this is the way of Ar-Rahmaan (Allaah)."
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: "The Religion is aided when put to the test. So do not be amazed, for this is the way of Ar-Rahmaan (Allaah)."
[Allaah said (what means:)]
And so are the days (good and not-so good), We give to men by turns,
that Allaah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among
you. And Allaah likes not the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers). And that
Allaah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the
disbelievers. (Al-'Imran, ayat 140-141)
This is the wisdom behind the occurrence of Fitan and test, so that the believers are purified. And so that they are made to exercise patience, be firm upon the truth and warned of their mistakes; in order that they may repent to Allaah (Azza Wa Jall), and that the kuffaar are destroyed.
Therefore, (Fitnah and test) is purification for the believers and destruction for the kuffaar Wa lillaahil-hamd.
And upon the Muslim is that he looks at (the affairs) with optimism. He should neither look at history and the state of affairs with pessimism and hopelessness, and causing the people to lose hope.
This is the wisdom behind the occurrence of Fitan and test, so that the believers are purified. And so that they are made to exercise patience, be firm upon the truth and warned of their mistakes; in order that they may repent to Allaah (Azza Wa Jall), and that the kuffaar are destroyed.
Therefore, (Fitnah and test) is purification for the believers and destruction for the kuffaar Wa lillaahil-hamd.
And upon the Muslim is that he looks at (the affairs) with optimism. He should neither look at history and the state of affairs with pessimism and hopelessness, and causing the people to lose hope.
And in the hadeeth:
Whoever says: the people are ruined, then he himself is ruined.
(Muslim)
Therefore, the person neither
loses hope in Allaah's Mercy nor does he make people lose hope of solace from
Allaah.
So, whoever wants to save
himself at the time of these Fitan and evils, then he should not move away from
what the Muslims and their leader are holding onto; rather he must exercise
patience along with them. And even if he is afflicted with difficulties, he
still exercises patience until Allaah (Jalla Wa 'alaa) brings about Solace. This
is the path to safety from Fitan.
He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Stick to the Jamaa-ah of the Muslims and their leader.
He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: Stick to the Jamaa-ah of the Muslims and their leader.
In this is evidence that what
is given consideration are the FINAL ACTIONS.
Indeed the one, who isolates himself from fitan, stays firm upon the truth, and exercises patience in facing trials until death comes to him in this state; then indeed he will be from the people of Paradise.
Indeed the one, who isolates himself from fitan, stays firm upon the truth, and exercises patience in facing trials until death comes to him in this state; then indeed he will be from the people of Paradise.
[Shaikh Fawzaan ended with this tremendous warning:] And the one upon whom death comes to while he has changed and substituted (the haqq, his deen, etc), and followed the callers to misguidance, then indeed he will be from the people of hellfire, walaa-hawla-wa-laa-quwwata-illaa-billaah!
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Some Golden Principles
During Times of Fitnah
In his exellent book The
Position of the Mu`min At Times of Fitnah, Shaikh 'Abdul-Azeez bin
'Abdillaah bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) said:
"Therefore, the only thing that
will save you and protect you from Fitnah, by the permission of Allaah, is:
judging by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His
Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and that is by returning
back to Ahlus-Sunnah and the scholars of the
Sunnah, who have the
understanding of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (salallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam), and studied very well, knowing their rulings and adhering to
them.
Therefore, it is obligatory upon every individual in the Ummah - including mankind and jinn, Arabs and non-Arabs, men and women - to judge by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and to adhere to the methodology of the Salaf of the Ummah..."
Therefore, it is obligatory upon every individual in the Ummah - including mankind and jinn, Arabs and non-Arabs, men and women - to judge by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and to adhere to the methodology of the Salaf of the Ummah..."
Ibn Baaz (rahimahullaah)
continued: "...As for the hadeeth that is narrated from the Prophet (salallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam) regarding sitting down at time of Fitnah, this is known with
the people of knowledge and its details are as follows:
The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: There shall soon be a Fitnah: the one who sits in that time is better than the one who stands, and the one who stands is better than the one who walks, and the one who walks is better than the one who hastens to it. And the closer you get to it, the closer it would get to you. Therefore, whoever is able to seek refuge in a shelter, let him do it. [Bukhari (3602), Muslim (6886); narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiallaahu 'anhu)]
The temptations that are meant in this hadeeth are the ones that are vague and ambiguous, and the way of truth in them is unknown; rather it is mixed up. Such are the temptations which the believer is advised to abstain from and stay far away from it with whatever way necessary.
And this is similar to what is stated in his (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) statement: There shall soon be a time in which the best wealth of the Muslim man will be his sheep which he will carry along with him to the peak of the mountain and the falling places of rain, fleeing with his religion from Fitan. [Bukhari (19), narrated by Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (radiallaahu 'anhu)]
The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: There shall soon be a Fitnah: the one who sits in that time is better than the one who stands, and the one who stands is better than the one who walks, and the one who walks is better than the one who hastens to it. And the closer you get to it, the closer it would get to you. Therefore, whoever is able to seek refuge in a shelter, let him do it. [Bukhari (3602), Muslim (6886); narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiallaahu 'anhu)]
The temptations that are meant in this hadeeth are the ones that are vague and ambiguous, and the way of truth in them is unknown; rather it is mixed up. Such are the temptations which the believer is advised to abstain from and stay far away from it with whatever way necessary.
And this is similar to what is stated in his (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) statement: There shall soon be a time in which the best wealth of the Muslim man will be his sheep which he will carry along with him to the peak of the mountain and the falling places of rain, fleeing with his religion from Fitan. [Bukhari (19), narrated by Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (radiallaahu 'anhu)]
When the Prophet (salallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam) was asked: Who is the best among the people? He (salallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam) replied: A believer who strives his utmost in Allaah's
Cause with his life and property. They asked: "Who is next?" He (salallaahu
'alaihi wa sallam) said: A believer who stays in one of the mountain
paths worshipping Allaah, and leaving the people secure from his mischief.
[Bukhari (2786), Muslim (1888), narrated by Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri]
The intent behind 'Fitan' in the above mentioned hadeeth are the bewildering ones, and it is upon the believer to stay away from them. But if it is a situation when the oppressor is obvious from the oppressed, and the truth is obvious from falsehood, in this case, it is obligatory upon him to follow the truth and be at the side of the oppressed, and oppose the oppressor and falsehood.
As the Prophet said: Aid your brother whether he is an oppressor or oppressed. He was asked: O Messenger of Allaah, how can I help him when he is an oppressor? He said: Prevent him from opression; that is helping him."
Source: The highly beneficial book The Position of the Mu`min At Times of Fitnah, by Shaikh 'Abdul-Azeez bin 'Abdillaah bin Baaz (rahimahullaah)
The intent behind 'Fitan' in the above mentioned hadeeth are the bewildering ones, and it is upon the believer to stay away from them. But if it is a situation when the oppressor is obvious from the oppressed, and the truth is obvious from falsehood, in this case, it is obligatory upon him to follow the truth and be at the side of the oppressed, and oppose the oppressor and falsehood.
As the Prophet said: Aid your brother whether he is an oppressor or oppressed. He was asked: O Messenger of Allaah, how can I help him when he is an oppressor? He said: Prevent him from opression; that is helping him."
Source: The highly beneficial book The Position of the Mu`min At Times of Fitnah, by Shaikh 'Abdul-Azeez bin 'Abdillaah bin Baaz (rahimahullaah)
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Related Links: Stance Towards Fitan, by Shaikh Muhammad Bazmool
(hafidhahullaah Ta'aala) -------> http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=6193 or on this site
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All Praise is due to Allaah, we
are upon guidance and a clear Religion; Solace is close by, and evil will cease
to exist by the Permission of Allaah.
