In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Chaos Continues In The Absence of a Return to The Final Revelation For Judgement

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فِيمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ‌ۚ

Mankind were one community (i.e. upon Tawheed and Allaah’s Sharee’ah) and Allah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed]. [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayah 213]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Even though there is something in the paths of analogical reasoning and reflection that will lead to knowledge, however sometimes it cannot give detail explanation in a dispute between the people of the earth due to the minute details and ambiguities [in that dispute], and at other times due to the fact the people differ when prioritizing necessities. Therefore, due to this Allaah [The Most High] commanded [us] to return to the revelation in times of dispute. Allaah [The Most High] designated the revealed Books [i.e. the Qur’aan being the final of them] as the judge between the people in matters wherein they differ”. (1)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Everyone with a bit of (sound) intellect knows that the corruption of the world and its ruin occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over the divine revelation and (evil) desires over sound intellect. These two corrupt motives are not entrenched in a heart except that its destruction becomes inevitable nor in a nation except that its affairs are completely corrupted”. (2)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to pure Islamic Monotheism and obedience to Allaah’s Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to opposing the Messenger and calling to other than (the path of) Allaah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allaah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this affair regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allaah –The Most High, The Most Great”. (3)

The Tongue and Accountability

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ وَنَعۡلَمُ مَا تُوَسۡوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفۡسُهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ ٱلۡوَرِيدِ
إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ۬
مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ۬

And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). [Surah Qaaf. Aayaat16-18]

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “A slave (of Allaah) may utter a word which pleases Allaah, without giving it much importance, and because of that Allaah will raise him to degrees (of reward); a slave (of Allaah) may utter a word (carelessly) which displeases Allaah, without thinking of its gravity, and because of that he will be thrown into the Hell-fire”. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari Number 6478]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Disobedience can appear agreeable to a human being, such as Gheebah, Nameemah, self-praise and being quarrelsome – whether uttered blatantly or indirectly, verbally abusing the one you hate, praising the one you love and what is similar to that. The intense urge to engage in these deeds agrees with the soul’s desire, becomes easy for the tongue to move and thus one’s patience weakens; so due to this the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to Mu’aadh [may Allaah be pleased with him], ‘Restrain your tongue’, so Mu’aadh said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Will we be held accountable for what we say?’ He said, ‘May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’aadh! Is there anything that topples people on their faces – or he said on their noses into the fire- other than the harvest of their tongues?!'” Regarding the statement, “May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’aadh!” The Arabs used this statement for the purpose of persuasion and exhortation, and they did not intend its apparent meaning, which is “May his mother lose him”, rather what is intended is persuasion and exhortation. This (i.e. sinning with the tongue) occurs, especially when sinning through the tongue is habitual because it entices a person towards impatience. This is why you find that a man performs the night prayer [i.e. Tahajjud, Qiyaamul Layl], fasts during the day and refrains from reclining on a pillow made of silk -out of fearing that he might enter into a doubtful affair that will affect him in the afterlife, but he backbites, spread tales and violates the honour of the people. (4)

The Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say, ‘Fear Allaah for our sake, (for) we are with you; if you are upright, we will be upright; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked'”. (5)

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his mouth, his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him”. Imaam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz [may allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This requires two affairs; profuse remembrance (of Allaah), keeping away from gatherings of heedlessness and doubts, and (keeping away from) that which will result in fornication and nonsense speech”. (6)

A man came to the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and said, “Admonish me and be brief”. The Prophet said to him,”When you stand for your prayer, then pray a farewell prayer (i.e. as if it is your last Salah before death). Do not speak with a statement for which you may have to apologize tomorrow, and forgo what is in the hands of the people (i.e. do not be desperate for the worldly possessions of the people)”. (7)

Don’t Hide Facts During Dispute

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 135]

[وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do]- Meaning: Allaah [Glorified be He and Free is He from all imperfections] mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth:

The first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness, because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types: Distorting words and distorting meanings. Distorting words is when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word or omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else- to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended by it, just as the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who disbelieved in the Prophet and hated him] used to distort words when giving Salaam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion.

The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording- giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning or dropping other meanings intended by it. Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do]. (8)

Narrated Umm Salamah [may Allaah be pleased with her]: Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Indeed, I am only a human being and you people (i.e. disputants) come to me with your disputes. And it may be that one of you can present his case more eloquently than the other and I consider him truthful, and judge in his favour. So if I ever judge and give the right of a brother to his brother, then it is a piece of hell-fire and let him not take it”. (9)

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيئَةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِ بَرِيئًا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلَ بُهْتَانًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا – And whoever earns a fault or a sin and then throws it on to someone innocent, he has indeed burdened himself with falsehood and a manifest sin]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 112]

Do Not Be Quarrelsome

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “The most hated of men in the sight of Allaah is the one who is most quarrelsome”. Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “A warning against (blameworthy) argumentation, falling into wicked behaviour and its severe (consequences), especially if the argumentation is based on falsehood. As for when it is based on truth, there is nothing wrong with that for the one who has a right to do so; but he should be just in his argument so that he does not enter into oppression or error, and Allaah knows best. The hadeeth is related to warning against lying during argumentation- [a warning against] bringing falsehood and adorned speech into it until one change falsehood into truth and truth into falsehood – not bothered about making an oath, lying or giving false witness. All this occurs from a person who is extremely quarrelsome, goes into excess in the affair and does not feel shy in the presence of Allaah- neither fears punishment in this life nor in the next life. And when it is the case that the extremely quarrelsome person is blameworthy, then indeed the person who has good conduct – if entitled to something – during an argument and other affairs, he will not utter except truth, and will not seek after anything except the truth- neither lies nor deceives the Sharee’ah judge. This is from the characteristics of the people of Eemaan – those whom Allaah praised in the Qur’aan and the Prophet (also) praised them in the (texts of) the pure Sunnah”. (10)

Be warned against Fujoor Fil Khusoomah [Iniquity when disputing]! Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have rahimahullaah] said, “Iniquity when disputing is of types: To claim what one is not entitled to and reject what is obligatory upon him (to fulfil, give etc)”. (11)

Do Not Spread Tales to Ruin The Relationships

Narrated Anas Ibn Maalik [may Allaah be pleased with him] that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Do you know what Al-Ad’hu is (i.e. calumny)?” They (i.e. the people) said, “Allaah and His Messenger know best”. He said, “Transmitting speech from some people to another people in order to destroy their (mutual relationships)”. Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated, “The subject matter of this hadeeth is about the dangerous (consequences) of tale-carrying in this Dunyaa and in the Aaakhirah. Indeed, the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] called it Ad’hu, and the meaning of Ad’hu is to transmit speech from some people to another people in order to corrupt their (mutual) relationships. And in the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood [may Allaah be pleased with him], it is explained to mean tale-carrying and that is to transmit the statement of one person to another person, or from a group of people to another group, or from one country to another one in order to cause corruption. This (deed) is one of the major sins due to its evil (consequences) and the punishment (associated with it) in this life and the next. In this worldly life, it might lead to murder, chaos and other similar affairs – events that are in opposition to rectification. And due to this, the scholars say that the tale carrier- the one who transmits speech from one person to another person, or from a group of people to another group, or from one country to another in order to sow the seeds of corruption- causes more harm than a magician. This is because a magician might only harm one person, but as for the tale-carrier, he might harm many individuals and the tribulation that (results from this deed of his) will be prolonged. Therefore, it is forbidden for a Muslim to transmit speech (for the purpose) of causing corruption between those upon brotherhood and those who aid one another upon piety. And even if nothing like this (i.e. fighting, chaos, killing etc) results (from tale-carrying), it is still not permissible to corrupt the relationship between the people by way of lies- sowing the seeds of enmity and hatred between them. The Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] went past two graves and then said, “Both of them (i.e. the two people in these graves) are being punished, and they are not being punished due to the greatest of the major sins, but indeed they are great sins. One of them used not to protect himself from being soiled with his urine and the other one used to go about with tale-carrying”. (12)

Do Not Misconstrue The Six Levels of Comprehension

Salafi Shaikh, Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Knowledge (Ilm) is to comprehend the reality of something as it truly is, with certainty. The levels of comprehension are six: [Al ‘Ilm – Knowledge], which is to comprehend the reality of something as it truly is, with certainty. [Al Jahlul Baseet- slight ignorance], which is absence of full comprehension. [Al Jahlul Murakkab-, Aggravated/compounded ignorance], which is to comprehend something in a way contrary to its true reality. [Al Wahm – Delusion], which is to think that one comprehends something despite the presence of that which should cause you to realize that you are incorrect. [Ash Shakk- Doubt], which is to think that you comprehend something, yet you are aware of something contrary to it which you think has the same possibility of being the truth. [Dhann – Preponderant belief], which is comprehension of something, despite the presence of something which is contrary to it, but which is less likely to be true. (13)

Beware of Rebellious Behaviour, Evil Plotting and Treachery

It used to be said that whoever perpetrates these three acts will be haunted by them: [a] Rebellion against Allaah’s commandments: Allaah [The Most High] said: [يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ – O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your ownselves]. [Soorah Yoonus: Ayah: 23] [b] Evil plotting: Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ – But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it]. [Soorah Faatir: Ayah: 43] [c] Breaking pledges: Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَمَنْ نَكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنْكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ – Then whosoever breaks his pledge only breaks it to his own harm]. [Soorah Al-Fath: Ayah: 10] (14)

Treat Others In The Manner You Would Love to Be Treated

Abdullah Bin Amr [may Allaah be pleased with him] reported that Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever would love to be delivered from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise, let him meet his end whilst believing in Allaah and the Last Day, and let him treat people as he would love to be treated”. Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This is from the Jawaami al-Kalim of the Prophet [i.e. precise speech with a comprehensive meaning] and his amazing wisdom. It is obligatory to pay close attention to this important principle and that a person must not deal with the people except in a way he loves to be dealt with”. (15)

Finally, the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbor and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should speak what is good or keep silent.” (16)

There can be no sound and permanent solution except that which is founded upon Taqwah – fear of Allaah, fulfilling commands and keeping away from prohibitions. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَيْرٌ أَمْ مَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَانْهَارَ بِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Is it then he, who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allah and His Good Pleasure, better, or he who laid the foundation of his building on an undetermined brink of a precipice ready to crumble down, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the Fire of Hell. And Allah guides not the people who are the Zaalimoon [polytheists and wrong doers]. [Soorah At-Tawbah: Ayah: 109]: https://salaficentre.com/2020/04/02/the-only-robust-foundation-that-will-never-crumble-and-establishes-a-person-on-firmness-in-all-affairs/

And Allaah knows best

[Ref 1: Dar Ta’aarud Al-Aql Wan-Naql: 9/17-18]
[Ref 2: A’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69]
[Ref 3: Badaa’i Al-Fawaa’id 3/525-526]
[Ref 4: Quoted by Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (hafidhahullaah) in Sharh Ar-Risaalah AlMughniyah Fis Sukoot Wa Luzoomil Buyoot. Lesson 1]
[Ref 5: Reported by Tirmidhee Number 2407: Chapter: What has been reported concerning preservation of the tongue] [Hadeeth Delared Hasan By Imaam Albaani]
[Ref 6: Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh al-Bukhari. Vol 4. Page:244. Footnote:2]
[Ref 7: Reported by Imaam Ahmad 23498 and Imaam Ibn Maajah 4171. As-Saheehah Number 401]
[Ref 8: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah). Vol 1. Page 300-303. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 9: Saheeh Al-Bukhaari -Kitaab Al-Ahkaam (Book of Judgements): Chapter 29: Hadeeth Number: 7181]
[Ref 10: An Excerpt from ‘At-taleeqaatul Maleehah Alaa Silsilatil Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Page 26. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 11: Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen 4/49-50]
[Ref 12: At-ta’leeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilatil Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah’ pages 27-28]
[Ref 13: Sharh Usool Ath-Thalaatha- Explanation of the three fundamental principles. English Translation pages 37. By Shaikh Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife Aameen)]
[Ref 14: Kitaab Uyoonul Akhbaar of Ibn Qutaybah (rahimahullaah) Vol 1: page: 149]
[Ref 15: Sharh Saheeh Muslim Vol 12/196]
[Ref 16: Sahih al-Bukhari 6136]