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Qur’anic Proofs Which Show that the Religion of Islam Embodies the Beneficial Contemporary Sciences and Professions – Part 19

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam.

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

Those Worthy of Being Taken As Examples to Follow By The Muslim World

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Do not look at the one who calls himself a Muslim (or attributes himself to Islaam) yet he throws its morals behind his back, and thus that is used as proof against Islaam and the Muslims due to his ignobility, decadence and lack of good manners; for indeed Islaam is innocent of the one whose situation is like this. And even if he is called a Muslim, then he does not have from it except its likeness, for indeed the religion of Islam is the religion of elevation and correct progress, and all its teachings, instructions, morals and deeds are at the highest degree of perfection and orderliness – in its paths and goals. This is the aim of its guidance to every good, righteousness and rectification for those who are truly attributed to it, as it is well-known regarding the state of affairs of the early generations of the Islamic Ummah – those who truly established it, filled the world with (true, sound) justice, mercy, righteousness and rectification in all situations, and through them is an example taken regarding the perfection of humankind.

Therefore, whoever wants to know the effects of the religion, then let him look at the likes of those people. As for the one who desires arrogance and deception, he has another view. Many people say, “This is the era of knowledge, comprehension, awareness and advancement”, but their intent behind this is to turn away from the (upright) past and the sciences of religion. Indeed, they have spoken the truth in one way and lied in other ways! They have spoken the truth that it is a time in which the sciences related to crafts (industries, skilled occupations etc) and inventions have progressed, as well as that which is related to material things and the natural sciences; but they have uttered the most terrible lies when they restricted knowledge to this type of knowledge. They do not know that the real – useful – knowledge is the knowledge conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah, the guarantor of every good in religious affairs, worldly affairs and affairs related to the Hereafter. The beneficial knowledge from the sciences related to crafts (industries, skilled occupations) and inventions enters into this affair; rather (sound) religious knowledge is the thing that will lead the natural sciences and the beneficial crafts to that which is of sound benefit. It is that which will regulate them to benefit humankind and prevent them from destructive recklessness. And due this, we say: “Indeed, they have also lied from another angle because they did not direct these sciences – which they are proud of- towards useful guidance (or orientation), but rather they used them in that which harms the creation, ruination, annihilation and destruction. It is one of the greatest blessings, but it became one of the greatest afflictions and malice due to the manner they utilised them. This is from that which is well-known – and there is no doubt about it – that indeed a thing that is not (controlled or regulated) by sound religion will take a different orientation, and its harm is greater than its benefit. And they indeed have spoken the truth that it is an era of material progress, however they have lied by calling it progress (unrestrictedly) and thus one thinks that it is progress in everything; rather it is only progress related crafts (industries, skilled occupations) and inventions and not related to virtuous manners and (sound) religious affairs. There is no benefit in material progress if it eliminates those manners that are the purview in everything – the very thing that will make affairs upright and without which the affairs cannot be upright, as it is witnessed and clearly seen. Therefore, what type of progress is this, whose people became like vicious wild animals and whose abiding practice is oppression, annihilation, colonization of weak nations and depriving them of their rights? Sound progress whose effects are from (sound) religion, justice, mercy, fulfilling rights (or obligations)- an urge towards every good and warning against every evil – is the progress whose scent they have neither smelled nor have their hearts perceived. How can they perceive with their hearts whilst their hearts are filled with anxiety, vehement greed, vanity, arrogance, deceit and every evil trait? And indeed, they have also lied in their claim that they are the ones who started the beneficial contemporary sciences and the crafts (or specialist occupations), and that the Islamic legislation neither led the way to them nor guided to its basis (or origins). This is mighty slander and arrogance that is known to the one with the least assessment of the religion of Islaam. How can that be when it has established mighty beneficial fundamental principles for the servants by way of which their worldly affairs became upright, just as it has established for them beneficial principles which brought uprightness in their religious affairs. Indeed, we have already mentioned some of the texts from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah that indicates to this fundamental. Yes, if only they said, “The people – in this era – have benefited through these religious principles and teachings to develop crafts (industries, skilled professions), discover new inventions, acquaint (themselves) with the paths of economic activity and the like, but they developed these affairs through a development that is disconnected and severed from submission to Allāh and the religion ordained by Allāh; so because of this it has brought benefit in that which contains worldly benefits for the people and benefited those who use it to support the religion and do good. On the one hand, it has caused harm and led its proponents to savagery and barbarism whose outcomes has been destruction, ruin and evils that has no comparison.

As mentioned previously, it also caused harm due to what it brought in the souls of its proponents of vanity, deception and arrogance, enslavement of the weak, oppression, violation of rights and various types of evils. If these worldly inventions allied with the religion as its guide, then its benefits would have been twice as great as what is witnessed; its harm and evils would have been repelled and it would have been established upon good and uprightness; its outcomes would have been good and would be a means of rectification in the religious and worldly affairs; but Allāh has matters to bring forth in His created beings (by way of His Decree based on Perfect Knowledge, Wisdom and Justice). [An Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deen Al-Islaamiy. page 34-36]

Qur’anic Proofs Which Show that the Religion of Islam Embodies the Beneficial Contemporary Sciences and Professions – Part 18

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

What Does Revival Necessitate In The View of The Atheists?

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

In the view of these atheists, revival and advancement means to assimilate into the morale and mentality of the outsiders – the enemies of all religions, lose all their personalities by adopting the personalities of those people, imitate them in their manners, dress, dealings and customs precisely and distinctly, because they see that one should dissociate from the religion ordained by Allāh — which is the religion of truth — and from beautiful manners. This is progress and advancement in their view, so they replace that which is lofty, perfect and precious with something that is low and despicable and thus are in agreement with their enemies outwardly and inwardly. And through this path they became the greatest weapon of the enemies against their religion and people, and for this reason they blindly imitated the foreigners in harmful matters. As for that which they possess of those things that are of benefit – even if associated with the religion, then they are the most distant from it as is well-known regarding their state of affairs.

What Does Modern Culture [or Intellectual Development] Necessitate In The View of The Atheists

And through that which the deviants decorate their falsehood is their strong language (or forceful speech) regarding modern culture (or intellectual development), whilst claiming that neither can manners be refined nor free from oppression and tyranny except by way of that. They exaggerated in praising it and its educators, vilify those who do not have this modern culture and ridicule them. They interpret it with various deviated interpretations and everyone blurting, because if sciences are disorderly and manners are based on them, then this is how its people will behave. They do not agree – in anything – in their views and opinions, and all their statements refer back to toppling the religion and manners. Indeed, sound intellectual development and beneficial refinement is that which the religion of Islaam brought, which cleansed the beliefs from polytheism and the worship of images; cleansed the manners from every evil trait, cleansed deeds and etiquettes until matters became rectified, the state of affairs came to be upright, combined between the religious and worldly affairs, reformed the beneficial morale and the materials sciences that support them. And certainly what is witnessed is a testimony to that which we have mentioned, for indeed the contemporary (or modern) sciences and inventions – despite their expansion and vastness – have been unable to rectify the manners, bring about sound virtues and remove evil due to them being devoid of (sound) religion; rather the religion of Islaam is that which will guarantee this rectification, undertake this beneficial refinement, direct towards every good and deter every evil, for indeed it is the rectifier of the apparent matters (i.e. deeds) and the hidden affairs of the soul in the religious and worldly affairs. Whoever looks at its fundamentals, subsidiary issues and what it deters, he will find the affair as we have mentioned; rather -above everything else -Allāh is the granter of success. (1)

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said:

What type of progress is this? A progress whose people became like vicious wild animals and whose abiding practice is oppression, annihilation, colonization of weak nations and depriving them of their rights? (2)

They developed these affairs through a development that is disconnected and severed from submission to Allāh and the religion ordained by Allāh… it has caused harm and led its proponents to savagery and barbarism whose outcomes has been destruction, ruin and evils that has no comparison. (3)

Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls. What the Religion of Islaam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification – it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge, and guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts [upon righteousness], urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity. The essence of that which the religion calls to regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allaah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islaam. Therefore, even if the worldly sciences rectify [some] affairs based upon that which people know in detail, it will still not be equal [in perfection, excellence etc] to the knowledge of the Messengers [in the least]. It will neither reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done; for indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allaah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature. (4)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him said: If medicine, engineering and chemistry are not placed below the knowledge which the Prophets brought, they become nothing; [rather] they will only increase the people in corruption. The knowledge brought by the Prophets is rectification for the people, a guide for them towards the right path and removes them from the darkness they are living in – the darkness of kufr and ignorance. As for the knowledge of the philosophers and the heretics, then what Allaah has stated truly applies to it: [فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ -Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad [and proud] with that which they had of the knowledge [of worldly things]: And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them [i.e. the punishment]. [Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83]

It is the knowledge which the people boast about nowadays, whether it is medicine, engineering, astronomy, [modern] politics and economics. After the Prophets came to them – to remove them from the darkness of ignorance and enter them into the light of the knowledge and Eemaan- they became glad and boastful with the knowledge they possess, [just as Allaah has stated]: [فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ -Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad [and proud] with that which they had of the knowledge [of worldly things]: And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them [i.e. the punishment]. [Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83]

[Likewise, Allaah informed us that] Qaaroon said: [إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِىٓ‌ۚ – This [i.e. vast wealth] has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess. [Surah Al-Qasas’ Aayah 78]. They rebuked him [i.e. Qaaroon] because he did not want to spend from his wealth based on what Allaah has commanded, so Allaah said that he said: [إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِىٓ‌ۚ – This (.e. vast wealth) has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess]. [Surah Al-Qasas’ Aayah 78]

Likewise, Allaah said: [وَإِذَآ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنِ أَعۡرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِ – And when We bestow Our Grace on man (the disbeliever), he turns away and becomes arrogant, far away from the Right Path]. [Surah Al-Israa’ Aayah 83]

[ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلۡنَـٰهُ نِعۡمَةً۬ مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمِۭ‌ۚ بَلۡ هِىَ فِتۡنَةٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ – Then when We have (rescued him from that harm and) changed it into a favour from Us, he says: “Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it.” Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not]! [Surah Az-Zumar’ Aayah 49]

Allaah said that he [i.e. the ungrateful human being says after being rescued from hardship]:

[قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمِۭ‌ۚ – he says: “Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it]; but Allaah said: [ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ – Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not!]

These sciences become a trial and tribulation if they are not placed below [and regulated by] the knowledge which Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah] brought. (5)

Comprehensive Guidance of The Messenger 

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Muhammad’s [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] Ummah is not in need of anyone after him; rather the only need they have is someone to convey what he came with. Muhammad’s message is comprehensive, universal and preserved. This universality, comprehensiveness and preservation is not limited to [any time and place], rather it is comprehensive for those to whom Muhammad was sent [i.e. the whole world] and likewise with regards to everything that is needed in the fundamental and subsidiary issues of the religion.

Muhammad’s message is sufficient, all embracing and universal- nothing else is needed besides it. It has not isolated any affair of truth needed by his Ummah in their sciences and deeds. The Messenger of Allaah did not leave this world until he acquainted his Ummah with everything. He even taught them the etiquettes of using the toilet; the etiquettes of sexual relations; the etiquettes of sleep and after waking up; the etiquettes of eating, drinking and travel.

He acquainted them with the etiquettes of speech and silence; the etiquettes of keeping company with the people and seclusion. He acquainted them with the affairs of illness, good health, poverty and wealth. He acquainted them with all the affairs of life and death. He described Allaah’s throne, the angels, the jinn, the hell fire and the day of judgement in such a manner as if one has seen them with the naked eye. He informed them about their Lord and His Perfect Names and Attributes, and that Allaah alone is their true object of worship.

He acquainted them with the Prophets of old and their nations – the events that took place between them and their nations – in such a manner as if one was present at that time. He acquainted them with all the means to good and the paths of evil- in general and in detail- which no other prophet informed his nation. He acquainted them with death and what will take place in the grave – either bliss or punishment. He acquainted them with the evidences and proofs of Tawheed [i.e. the oneness of Allaah in His Lordship, Names and Attributes, and that Allaah alone has the right to be worshipped].

He acquainted them with Prophet hood and the affairs of the Afterlife, and he refuted all the sects of disbelief and misguidance. He acquainted them with war strategies- how to confront the enemy, the way to achieve victory and conquests. If only they knew and understood these affairs in the correct manner [i.e. the manner it should be understood], they would not be overcome by their enemy. He acquainted them with the plots of Iblees and the ways through which he approaches them, and the ways to repel those plots and plans. He acquainted them with the soul- its characteristics and faults- in such a manner that they are not in need of anyone else to tell them about it. He taught them how to live their daily lives and had they acknowledged and acted upon this; their worldly affairs would be firmly established. He brought them all the means of success in this life and the next, and they do not need anyone besides him. So how can it be said that the path of Muhammad is in need of something else outside of it. The reason for such a claim is due to the weak and little understanding of a person. Allaah [The Most High] said: [أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَىٰ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ – Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) which is recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder (or an admonition) for a people who believe].

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ – And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims)].

Allaah [The Most High] said: [يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ – O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord [i.e. the Qur’an, ordering all that is good and forbidding all that is evil], and a healing for that [disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences, etc.] in your breasts, – a guidance and a mercy [explaining lawful and unlawful things, etc.] for the believers]. (6)

How to Approach the Contemporary Worldly Sciences

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may allaah preserve him] said: The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: Verily, the creation of each of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days as a drop [of water, semen], then he is a clot for a similar period, then a morsel for a similar period…. [An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth. Hadeeth 4]

It is well known that during that era, the Sahaabah did not know these stages (of development of the human being in the womb) through experimental knowledge, vision [i.e. by way X-rays or ultrasound that enables the human to see something in the womb) or other than that; rather it was simply (a statement of the Prophet) which they (believed and affirmed). They were scholars by way of the revelation sent down to the Prophet and not by way of experimentation (examination). [Sharh Al-Arba’een. Hadeeth 4]

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: We do not say, “We do not give consideration to anything stated by the people in the subject matter regarding medicine, astronomy and the celestial bodies”, however, we do not accept everything they say. If what they say opposes the Book and the (authentic) Sunnah, then indeed we do not accept their statements. We take [i.e. believe and affirm without any doubt] that which is conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah], and we say, “An era will come in which the people will bear witness to the falsity of those statements of theirs – at present – that are in opposition to the Book and Sunnah and (bear witness) to the soundness of that which has been conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah. [An excerpt from the ‘Explanation of Bulooghul Maraam’ Vol 1. page 130. Shared by Ustaadh abu Tasneem (Mushaf Al-Banghaalee- may Allaah preserve him)]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Indeed, that which is stated by the astronomers about the celestial bodies, their sizes and the distance between them, and that which is said about the earth [i.e. by the geologists etc] is categorized into three affairs: [a] That which is backed by the sound knowledge-based proofs [i.e. the Sharee’ah], therefore it is accepted. [b] That which the knowledge-based proofs [i.e. the sharee’ah] declares to be false, therefore it is rejected. [c] That which there is no proof to either accept or reject it, therefore it is unproven until a person from the people of knowledge [i.e. upright scholars of Ahlus Sunnah] examines it [i.e. examines what it indicates based on the Book and Sunnah] to show whether it should be accepted or rejected. As for accepting it without [sound] investigation and observation, but merely accepting it by blindly following them [i.e. the astronomers, geologists etc], then this is impermissible because of the numerous mistakes that occur as a result of that and speaking -without knowledge – about Allaah and that which He has created [i.e. the entire universe and all that is within it]. [An Excerpts from ‘Al-Adillah An-Naqliyyah Wal-Hissiyyah Alaa Imkaanis Su’ood Ilal Kawaakib Wa Alaa Jarayaan Ash-Shams Wal-Qamar Wa Sukoon Al-Ard’ page 74. slightly paraphrased]

Therefore, we return to those honest investigators – those students of sound Aqeedah who are well acquainted with both the statements of the upright scholars and the contemporary worldly sciences, such as the likes of Dr. Shaikh Abu Iyaadh Amjad Rafiq [may Allaah preserve him, increase him in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. And likewise preserve all the students and Ahlus Sunnah Aameen].

Read: Understanding the Two Definitions of ‘Science’ in Operation – By Shaikh Dr. Abu Iyaadh:
http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/juvtbpd-understanding-the-two-definitions-of-science-and-scientific-enquiry.cfm

[Ref 1, 2 and 3: An Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deen Al-Islaamiy. page 33 and page 44]
[Ref 4: Al-Adillatul Qawaati Wal-Baraaheem Fee Ibtaal Usool Al-Mulhideen. Page 48]
[Ref 5: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. Page 100]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 4/375-377]

Qur’anic Proofs Which Show that the Religion of Islam Embodies the Beneficial Contemporary Sciences and Professions – Part 11

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A Mention of Virtue of The Islamic Legislation

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Allāh said: [إنا لا نضيع أجر المصلحين – We shall never waste the reward of those who do righteous deeds]. [Surah Al-A’raaf Aayah 170]

[فمن آمن وأصلح فلا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون – So whosoever believes and does righteous good deeds, upon such shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve]. [Surah Al-An’aam Aayah 48]

[إن أريد إلا الإصلاح ما استطعت – I only desire reform so far as I am able, to the best of my power]. [Surah Hud. Aayah 88]

The verses that commend righteousness and sound rectification, and command it, are numerous; likewise is the forbiddance against corruption, dispraise on those who initiate it and its perpetrators in the earth after the earth has been set in order.

Rectification includes religious and worldly affairs. Everything that is righteousness and rectification itself or leads to it, is therefore included in these texts; just as corruption enters into the texts that forbid evil, corruption and harm in the religious affairs, worldly affairs and all other deeds. And that which is similar to these texts is the statement of Allāh [The Most High]: [إن هذا القرآن يهدي للتي هي أقوم – “Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right]. [Surah Al-Israa. Aayah 9]

Allāh said [وقل رب زدني علما – And say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge]. [Surah Taha Aayah114] And Allāh said: [قل هل يستوي الذين يعلمون والذين لا يعلمون – Are those who know equal to those who know not?] [Surah Az-Zumar Aayah 9] And there are other verses besides the above mentioned.

And when knowledge is mentioned, it includes the Islamic legislation initially, which is the basis and the nobler aspect of knowledge, and it also includes the worldly sciences. So, every beneficial knowledge in religious or worldly affairs enters into the commendation of knowledge and its people. Allāh [The Most High] stated in clarification of the loftiness of the Islamic rulings, its goodness, justice and mercy:

إن الله يأمر بالعدل والإحسان وإيتاء ذي القربى وينهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر والبغي يعظكم لعلكم تذكرون

Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl [i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet  in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 90]

Allāh said:
قُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ أَتۡلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّڪُمۡ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ‌ۖ أَلَّا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَـٰدَڪُم مِّنۡ إِمۡلَـٰقٍ۬‌ۖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُڪُمۡ وَإِيَّاهُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ‌ۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡڪَيۡلَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا‌ۖ وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ ڪَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰ‌ۖ وَبِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡفُواْ‌ۚ ذَٲلِڪُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ
وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

Say (O Muhammad ): “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. “And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of Allah, This He commands you, that you may remember. “And verily, this (i.e. Allah’s Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).” [Surah Al-An’aam 151-153]

Allāh said: [قل أمر ربي بالقسط وأقيموا وجوهكم عند كل مسجد وادعوه مخلصين له الدين – Say (O Muhammad ): My Lord has commanded justice and (said) that you should face Him only (i.e. worship none but Allah and face the Qiblah, i.e. the Ka’bah at Makkah during prayers) in each and every place of worship, in prayers (and not to face other false deities and idols), and invoke Him only making your religion sincere to Him by not joining in worship any partner to Him and with the intention that you are doing your deeds for Allah’s sake only. s, one as a blessed one (believers), and the other as a wretched one (disbelievers)]. [Surah Al-A’raaf 29]

Allāh said: [واعبدوا الله ولا تشركوا به شيئا وبالوالدين إحسانا – Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 36]

Allāh said: [إن الله لا يحب من كان خوانا أثيما – Verily, Allah does not like anyone who is a betrayer of his trust, and indulges in crime]. [An-Nisaa 107]

Allāh said:
لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآٮِٕلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُواْ‌ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِ‌ۗ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ‌ۖ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ

It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allah, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masakin (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and gives the Zakat, and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqun (pious). [Al-Baqarah 177]

As well as other verses that detail the rulings of the Islamic legislation – the commands and prohibitions, and a clarification that indeed Allāh did not command except beneficial commands, which comprises of all good, blessing and mercy. And He did not forbid except every filth and harmful thing that has no benefit in it.

A (just and sound) observation of the commands of the Islamic legislation from the Qur’aan and the (authentic) Sunnah, reflection on its rulings and beauty is one of the greatest proofs that Islam is the religion of truth and the sound religion, because it commands what is (good and efficient), beneficial, pure and lawful.

Allāh said:
يا أيها الذين آمنوا إذا لقيتم فئة فاثبتوا واذكروا الله كثيرا لعلكم تفلحون وأطيعوا الله ورسوله ولا تنازعوا فتفشلوا وتذهب ريحكم واصبروا إن الله مع الصابرين

O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember the Name of Allah much (both with tongue and mind), so that you may be successful. And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). [Surah Al-Anfaal. Aayaat 45-46]

Allāh stated regarding upright moderate expenditure: [وكلوا واشربوا ولا تسرفوا إنه لا يحب المسرفين – And eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance)]. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 31]

Allāh said: [والذين إذا أنفقوا لم يسرفوا ولم يقتروا وكان بين ذلك قواما – And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes)]. [Surah Al-Furqan. Aayah 67] [An Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deen Al-Islaamiy. page 23-25. Slightly paraphrased]

How to Approach The Contemporary Worldly Sciences

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may allaah preserve him] said: The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: Verily, the creation of each of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days as a drop [of water, semen], then he is a clot for a similar period, then a morsel for a similar period…. [An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth. Hadeeth 4]

It is well known that during that era, the Sahaabah did not know these stages (of development of the human being in the womb) through experimental knowledge, vision [i.e. by way X-rays or ultrasound that enables the human to see something in the womb) or other than that; rather it was simply (a statement of the Prophet) which they (believed and affirmed). They were scholars by way of the revelation sent down to the Prophet and not by way of experimentation (examination). [Sharh Al-Arba’een. Hadeeth 4]

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: We do not say, “We do not give consideration to anything stated by the people in the subject matter regarding medicine, astronomy and the celestial bodies”, however, we do not accept everything they say. If what they say opposes the Book and the (authentic) Sunnah, then indeed we do not accept their statements. We take [i.e. believe and affirm without any doubt] that which is conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah], and we say, “An era will come in which the people will bear witness to the falsity of those statements of theirs – at present – that are in opposition to the Book and Sunnah and (bear witness) to the soundness of that which has been conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah. [An excerpt from the ‘Explanation of Bulooghul Maraam’ Vol 1. page 130. Shared by Ustaadh abu Tasneem (Mushaf Al-Banghaalee- may Allaah preserve him)]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Indeed, that which is stated by the astronomers about the celestial bodies, their sizes and the distance between them, and that which is said about the earth [i.e. by the geologists etc] is categorized into three affairs: [a] That which is backed by the sound knowledge-based proofs [i.e. the Sharee’ah], therefore it is accepted. [b] That which the knowledge-based proofs [i.e. the sharee’ah] declares to be false, therefore it is rejected. [c] That which there is no proof to either accept or reject it, therefore it is unproven until a person from the people of knowledge [i.e. upright scholars of Ahlus Sunnah] examines it [i.e. examines what it indicates based on the Book and Sunnah] to show whether it should be accepted or rejected. As for accepting it without [sound] investigation and observation, but merely accepting it by blindly following them [i.e. the astronomers, geologists etc], then this is impermissible because of the numerous mistakes that occur as a result of that, and speaking -without knowledge – about Allaah and that which He has created [i.e. the entire universe and all that is within it]. [An Excerpts from ‘Al-Adillah An-Naqliyyah Wal-Hissiyyah Alaa Imkaanis Su’ood Ilal Kawaakib Wa Alaa Jarayaan Ash-Shams Wal-Qamar Wa Sukoon Al-Ard’ page 74. slightly paraphrased]

Therefore, we return to those honest investigators – those students of sound Aqeedah who are well acquainted with both the statements of the upright scholars and the contemporary worldly sciences, such as the likes of Dr. Shaikh Abu Iyaadh Amjad Rafiq [may Allaah preserve him, increase him in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. And likewise preserve all the students and Ahlus Sunnah Aameen].

Read: Understanding the Two Definitions of ‘Science’ in Operation – By Shaikh Dr. Abu Iyaadh:
http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/juvtbpd-understanding-the-two-definitions-of-science-and-scientific-enquiry.cfm

Qur’anic Proofs Which Show that the Religion of Islam Embodies the Beneficial Contemporary Sciences and Professions – Part 3

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Human beings Urged to Ponder Upon Their Food and Drink

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Then, let him contemplate on his nourishment and the strong desire Allāh placed in him to eat and drink, and its outcomes; the specific organs placed in him which aids him to eat and drink and the great heat in him that digests both heavy and light foods; then distributed to all parts of the body and every limb and organ receives its share and portion of nourishment, without which a person would have been annihilated and destroyed. And Allāh created a passage in which settles the indigestible bits of the nourishment and then exited from the body so that it does not remain and thus harm or destroy it.

Human beings Urged to Ponder Upon The Intellect Allāh Has Bestowed On Them

Then, indeed let the human being look at that which Allāh placed in him of intellect, which distinguished him from all other created things! And by way of this intellect, Allāh guided him to paths of guidance in religious and worldly affairs, which can neither be counted nor can its details be enumerated. Allaah also guided him to bring raw materials under his control, minerals, inventions, skills and industries that have not ceased to be renewed all the time. Indeed, Allāh [The Most High] informed us that He has subjugated to us all that is in the heavens and the earth, so that we benefit from its signs, extract its benefits and treasures, and thank Him for facilitating us with the ability to bring things under our control and for this guidance and blessing, which we would not have been able to reach had it not been for His Grace and Generosity.

Allāh Subjugated Resources of The Earth to Humankind

Among Allaah’s signs in the universe and within themselves (i.e. humans and jinns) is that Allāh [The Most High] subjugated to the human being all that is in the heavens and the earth, and the minerals of the world and its elements. Allaah stated that He brought the human being out of his mother’s womb whilst he knew nothing; gave him hearing, sight, a heart, the tools of knowledge and taught him that which he did not know, so that he utilizes this means of subjugation and education – from knowledge of the different professions and those professions related to the remarkable inventions that are seen and well known- by way of which emerged industries, inventions expanded, different types of benefits occurred, vast regions became close to one another and the people of the east and the west established communication. Does this not clearly show Allāh’s Perfect Ability and His Truthfulness in that which He has stated regarding the unseen matters, which the liars used to deny and declare implausible due to comparing Allāh’s Perfect Ability- The One Who when He wishes for something to happen, He Says ‘Be’ and that thing comes into existence – to the weak ability of the human being in knowledge, ability and all his circumstances?! So, Allāh shows them some effects (outcomes) of His Perfect Ability through this human being (i.e. how he enables the human being to accomplish many amazing things), which shows the Perfect Ability of his Creator and teacher, His Oneness and the truthfulness of His Messengers. And Allāh has not ceased showing one thing after another from His signs in the universe and within themselves, so those who desire the truth benefit and follow it, and the perfect proofs and arguments are established against the obstinate opponents and the haughty ones, and thus their knowledge become harmful to them because they became proud by way of it, filled with beguilement and falsehood.

Allāh is The One Who created this human being, facilitated and provided him with every path by way of which he acquires various kinds of beneficial disciplines – different types of religious and worldly disciplines; then Allaah tied the physical sciences to the religion- commanded that the religion be established and that worldly things be used as an aid to establish both the religious and worldly needs. Allāh [The Most High] said:

[يا أيها الرسل كلوا من الطيبات واعملوا صالحا – O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibaat [all kinds of Halal (legal) foods which Allah has made legal (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do righteous deeds].  [Surah Al-Muminoon. Aayah 51]

And He commanded the believers that which He commanded the Messengers, saying:
يا أيها الذين آمنوا كلوا من طيبات ما رزقناكم واشكروا لله إن كنتم إياه تعبدون

O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship. [Surah Al-Baqarah 172]
And Allāh said:

قل من حرم زينة الله التي أخرج لعباده والطيبات من الرزق قل هي للذين آمنوا في الحياة الدنيا خالصة يوم القيامة

Say (O Muhammad): “Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for his slaves, and At-Taiyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) things] of food?” Say: “They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them (believers) on the Day of Resurrection (the disbelievers will not share them).” [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 32]

So, the believers are blessed with blessings in this world and the Hereafter. They utilize the good and lawful things, and the various types of beneficial things- which cannot be enumerated – as an aid to worship Allāh and obey Him. Their preoccupation with these beneficial things – which lead to rectification of the religion and the worldly affairs- became an act of worship and one of the means to drawing close to Allāh. As for those besides them, such as the materialists and the misguided heedless ones, they know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping, etc.), and they are heedless of the Hereafter. They busy themselves with the worldly life at the expense of the religion, so they forget Allah [i.e. became disobedient to Allah], so He left them to go astray (i.e. due to the obstinacy in their hearts), so they enjoy themselves like cattle enjoy themselves and thus they lose both this world and the Hereafter, and that is indeed the evident loss.

They cut off the created means and causes from the one who brought them into existence, and cut off their relationship with Allāh when arrogance became established in their hearts, as Allāh said about them:

إن الذين يجادلون في آيات الله بغير سلطان أتاهم إن في صدورهم إلا كبر ما هم ببالغيه فاستعذ بالله إنه هو السميع البصير

Verily, those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority having come to them, there is nothing else in their breasts except pride [to accept you (Muhammad ) as a Messenger of Allah and to obey you]. They will never have it (i.e. Prophethood which Allah has bestowed upon you). So seek refuge in Allah (O Muhammad  from the arrogants). Verily, it is He Who is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 56]

Therefore, Seek Allāh’s Refuge against this pride that comes between a human being and his true wellbeing. Allāh said: [فلما جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينات فرحوا بما عندهم من العلم وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون – Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 83] [An Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deen Al-Islaamiy. pages 4-7. Slightly paraphrased]

How to Approach The Contemporary Worldly Sciences

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] said: The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: Verily, the creation of each of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days as a drop [of water, semen], then he is a clot for a similar period, then a morsel for a similar period…. [An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth. Hadeeth 4]

It is well known that during that era, the Sahaabah did not know these stages (of development of the human being in the womb) through experimental knowledge, vision [i.e. by way X-rays or ultrasound that enables the human to see something in the womb) or other than that; rather it was simply (a statement of the Prophet) which they (believed and affirmed). They were scholars by way of the revelation sent down to the Prophet and not by way of experimentation (examination). [Sharh Al-Arba’een. Hadeeth 4]

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: We do not say, “We do not give consideration to anything stated by the people in the subject matter regarding medicine, astronomy and the celestial bodies”, however, we do not accept everything they say. If what they say opposes the Book and the (authentic) Sunnah, then indeed we do not accept their statements. We take [i.e. believe and affirm without any doubt] that which is conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah], and we say, “An era will come in which the people will bear witness to the falsity of those statements of theirs – at present – that are in opposition to the Book and Sunnah and (bear witness) to the soundness of that which has been conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah. [An excerpt from the ‘Explanation of Bulooghul Maraam’ Vol 1. page 130. Shared by Ustaadh abu Tasneem (Mushaf Al-Banghaalee- may Allaah preserve him)]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Indeed, that which is stated by the astronomers about the celestial bodies, their sizes and the distance between them, and that which is said about the earth [i.e. by the geologists etc] is categorized into three affairs: [a] That which is backed by the sound knowledge-based proofs [i.e. the Sharee’ah], therefore it is accepted. [b] That which the knowledge-based proofs [i.e. the sharee’ah] declares to be false, therefore it is rejected. [c] That which there is no proof to either accept or reject it, therefore it is unproven until a person from the people of knowledge [i.e. upright scholars of Ahlus Sunnah] examines it [i.e. examines what it indicates based on the Book and Sunnah] to show whether it should be accepted or rejected. As for accepting it without [sound] investigation and observation, but merely accepting it by blindly following them [i.e. the astronomers, geologists etc], then this is impermissible because of the numerous mistakes that occur as a result of that, and speaking -without knowledge – about Allaah and that which He has created [i.e. the entire universe and all that is within it]. [An Excerpts from ‘Al-Adillah An-Naqliyyah Wal-Hissiyyah Alaa Imkaanis Su’ood Ilal Kawaakib Wa Alaa Jarayaan Ash-Shams Wal-Qamar Wa Sukoon Al-Ard’ page 74. slightly paraphrased]

Therefore, we return to those honest investigators – those students of sound Aqeedah who are well acquainted with both the statements of the upright scholars and the contemporary worldly sciences, such as the likes of Dr. Shaikh Abu Iyaadh Amjad Rafiq [may Allaah preserve him, increase him in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. And likewise preserve all the students and Ahlus Sunnah Aameen]. Read: Understanding the Two Definitions of ‘Science’ in Operation – By Shaikh Dr. Abu Iyaadh: http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/juvtbpd-understanding-the-two-definitions-of-science-and-scientific-enquiry.cfm

Surah Al-Asr: [Reminders From Imaam Ibnul Qayyim and a Reminder From Imaam Al-Albaanee]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Brotherhood, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ

By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! The human is in loss; except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, enjoin one another to the truth and enjoin one another to patience.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “If all the people pondered upon this Surah, it would have sufficed them”. The clarification of this affair is that the fulfillment of four affairs – (mentioned) in this Surah- will lead a person to attain the highest level of human perfection. The first affair is acquaintance with truth, the second is to act upon truth, the third is to teach truth to the one who does not know and the fourth affair is to exercise patience whilst learning the truth, acting upon it and teaching. Allaah mentioned these four levels in this Surah and made an oath by Time – that everyone is in a state of loss except those who believe and perform righteous deeds, and they are those who act upon the truth they know, enjoin one another to the truth whilst exercising patience in the path and being steadfast. This is pinnacle of human perfection, because indeed perfection necessitates that a person attains perfection himself and enables others to attain it. This is attained through rectification of the strength of one’s knowledge and action- rectification of the strength of one’s knowledge is attained by way of Eemaan and rectification of the strength of one’s actions is attained through righteous deeds; then enabling others to attain this perfection (i.e. by the will of Allaah) through teaching, exercising patience upon this path and enjoining one another to exercise patience in the path of knowledge and righteous action. This Surah, despite its shortness, is one of the most comprehensive Suras of the Qur’aan that gathers good in its entirety, and all praise and thanks is due to Allaah Who revealed and assured that His Book is sufficient besides everything else – a cure for every disease and a guide to every good. (1)

It is not enough that they know the truth and exercise patience, rather they have to command, guide and urge one another to act upon it. And when it is the fact that others besides these people are losers, it is well known that disobedience and sins blinds the sound discernment (or perception, foresight) of the hearts, so they do not understand the truth as it should be and their strength of determination is weakened due to not exercising patience; rather indeed the heart is exposed to haphazard thoughts until its understanding goes the opposite way and likewise the person’s conduct, so he perceives falsehood as truth and truth as falsehood, good as evil and evil as good. His conduct goes the opposite way- turns away from his journey towards attaining the Pleasure of Allaah and the home of the afterlife (i.e paradise) and proceeds towards the residence of the futile souls that are pleased with the worldly life, satisfied with it, heedless of Allaah and His signs (revelation, lessons etc), and abandons preparing to meet Allaah (i.e. by way of upright believe and righteous deeds). (I) Had there not been any other punishment due to one’s sins other than this, it would have been (enough as a) demand that one abandons this path and distance from it. And Allaah’s Aid sought! (2)

Footnote (I): The Imaam also stated in Al-Fawaa’id pages 137-137: if a person prefers what is deficient and will eventually cease to exist, then that is either because the virtue of (the afterlife) is not manifested to him or due to a lack of desiring what is more virtuous. Both these two states are an indication of weakness in Eemaan, intellect and clear-sightedness, because indeed the one who desires the Dunyah- the one who gives it precedence and is eager for it, either he testifies that there is what is more virtuous and everlasting, or he does not testify. If he does not testify (i.e. that the Aakhirah is more virtuous and everlasting), he is completely devoid of Eemaan; however if he testifies (i.e. that the Aakhirah is more virtuous and everlasting) but does not give it precedence, then his intellect is corrupt and he has made an evil choice for himself. These two (testimonies) are inevitable and a servant cannot escape them, because giving precedence to the Dunyah over the Aakhirah is either due to corruption in Eemaan or due to corruption of one’s intellect, and in many cases both of them are combined together (in a person).

Indeed, Allaah placed humans in two categories – the loser and the gainer. The gainer is the one who sincerely exhorts himself with Eemaan and righteous deeds; sincerely exhorts the people by enjoining truth, which incudes teaching the truth and guiding to it; and enjoining patience, which also includes that he himself exercises patience. The Surah comprises of the two sincere exhortations, two characteristics of human perfection and the highest level of two types of strengths, expressed in the shortest, the most concise and clearest wording, the best preamble and the best precision in the suitable place (or subject matter).

As for the two sincere exhortations, they are the person’s sincere exhortation of himself and his brother in Islam by enjoining truth and exercising patience upon the path. As for the two characteristics of human perfection, they are the person’s self-perfection and enabling others to attain self-perfection (i.e. by help of Allaah). As for perfection of the two strengths, the soul has two strengths and they are: the strength of knowledge and sound observation, and these two affairs are perfected through Eemaan; the strength of sound intent, love (for everything praiseworthy, especially love for Allaah) and knowledge, and these affairs are perfected through righteous deeds (i.e. deeds carried out sincerely for the sake of Allaah and in conformity with the authentic Sunnah), and this cannot be accomplished except through patience.

Therefore, there are three affairs carried out by the person and then he enjoins them on others- perfection of the strength of knowledge through Eemaan, perfection of the strength of action through righteous deeds, being consistent upon that with patience and commanding others with it. And by way of these three affairs, he becomes a participant and one attributed to them, teaching and calling to them. This is the absolute gain, and in estimation of whatever he misses of this gain, he incurs some loss the like thereof. And Allaah’s Aid is sought and to Him we entrust all affairs! (3)

The majority of the Qur’aan commentators hold that Al-Asr (Time) is Ad-Dahr (the time period in this world) and this is the statement that is carries more weight based on the sound evidences.

Allaah made an oath by Al-Asr (Time) due to it being the period in which moral lessons and signs occur, for indeed the passing of night and day is under the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing (Allaah)- organized to serve the welfare of the universe (and its inhabitants) based on the most perfect order and organization; alternating with one another, sometimes not much difference between them and at other times one takes from the hours of the other; the difference between the light, the darkness, the heat and the cold; the different time periods divided into generations, years, months, days, hours and what is lesser than that! These are all signs (creations) of the Lord [The Exalted] and a Burhaan [i.e. proof that clarify and distinguish between truth and falsehood in everything] from the Baraaheen [proofs] regarding Allaah’s All-Encompassing Perfect Ability and Wisdom (free from all imperfections, faults, deficiencies, shortcomings).

Allaah made an oath by Time and that is the period within which human beings perform deeds for which one will either receive punishment or a good recompense. He gave a notification about Time, which is the Mab’da [i.e. the beginning within which humans perform deeds] and notified the performers of deeds about the Ma’aad [the Hereafter], and that just as He was not unable to initiate the beginning, likewise He is not unable to establish the Hereafter; and that His Wisdom, which necessitated the creation of Time, the performers of deeds and their deeds, and categorized them into good and bad deeds, (i.e. deeds chosen by the person after being given free will and shown guidance through the Messengers) establishes the fact that the people are not equal, and it cannot be that the good doer will not receive a good recompense and that the evil doer will not be recompensed for his evil, and it cannot be that there will not be two groups- the gainers and the losers; but rather the human being in essence is a loser, except the one whom Allaah shows mercy, guides, blesses him with Eemaan, the ability to perform righteous deeds himself and the ability to command others. The opposite of this person is the other one who is reduced to the lowest of the low, except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, then they shall have a reward without end (Paradise). (4)

[وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ – and do righteous good deeds, enjoin one another to the truth and enjoin one another to patience]. This leads to the station of upright leadership and strength in the religion, just as Allaah said:

[وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواْ‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ – And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)]. [Surah As-Sajdah. Verse 24] So, through patience and certainty upright leadership in religion is attained.

Patience is two types:

Patience when facing what has decreed, such as calamities. Patience when fulfilling the divine legislated acts of worship and has two aspects- commands and prohibitions. The fulfilment of commands is related to patience in intent and action (i.e. persevere whilst fulfilling commands) and the second is related patience in keeping away from what one intends and wants to do (i.e. persevere whilst keeping away from evil).

As for the first type of patience (i.e. patience when facing the calamities decreed by Allaah), it is shared by both a believer and a disbeliever, a righteous person and a wicked sinner, and one is not rewarded if it is not connected to Eemaan [i.e sound belief] and Ikhtiyaar [i.e. the person willingly chooses to exercise patience as an act of worship devoted to Allaah]. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said about his daughter (whose son was on his death bed), “She should be patient and hope for Allah’s reward.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree. Number 1284]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٌ۬ وَأَجۡرٌ۬ ڪَبِيرٌ۬ – Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds, those: theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise)]. [Surah Hud. Verse 11]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [بَلَىٰٓ‌ۚ إِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ – Yes, if you hold on to patience and piety]. [Surah Aal Imran. Verse 125] [a] Allaah said: [وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ – But if you remain patient and hold on piety]. [Surah Aal Imran. Verse 120] [b]

Patience without sound belief and piety is like a bodily strength that is devoid of sound belief and piety. So the level of one’s certainty in what has been divinely legislated determines the level of patience when facing calamities decreed by Allaah (i.e. a person will return to what Allaah has legislated in the divine revelation regarding how to deal with calamities). [c]

Abdullah: Allaah [The Exalted] said: [فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey)]. [Surah Ar-Rum. Verse 60]

Allaah commanded the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] to exercise patience and not to be like those who do not have certainty due to lack of patience, because indeed their lack of certainty is due to their lack of patience, and they fear and frighten their people. Had they attained certainty and truth, they would have exercised patience – neither fear nor frighten others. So, the one whose certainty is little, his patience will be little, and the whose patience is little will fear and frighten others. The person who has certainty and patient is self-possessed because he has intelligence and common sense, and the one who neither has certainty nor patience is lightheaded, so desires and lust flings him here and there just as the wind does with something light. And Allaah’s Aid is sought! [d] (5)

Footnote a: The full verse: [بَلَىٰٓ‌ۚ إِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ وَيَأۡتُوكُم مِّن فَوۡرِهِمۡ هَـٰذَا يُمۡدِدۡكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِخَمۡسَةِ ءَالَـٰفٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ مُسَوِّمِينَ -Yes, if you hold on to patience and piety, and the enemy comes rushing at you; your Lord will help you with five thousand angels having marks (of distinction). [Surah Aal Imran Verse 125]

Footnote b: The full verse:

إِن تَمۡسَسۡكُمۡ حَسَنَةٌ۬ تَسُؤۡهُمۡ وَإِن تُصِبۡكُمۡ سَيِّئَةٌ۬ يَفۡرَحُواْ بِهَا‌ۖ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ لَا يَضُرُّڪُمۡ كَيۡدُهُمۡ شَيۡـًٔا‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ۬

If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you remain patient and become pious, not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do. [Surah Aal Imran. Verse 120]

Footnote c: Sa’eed Bin Jubayr [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Patience is the person’s acknowledgment that what has afflicted him is from Allaah, seeking for reward from Allaah and hoping for Allaah’s good recompense. Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you see nothing from him except patience”. [As-Sabr Wath-Thawaab Alayhi. By Ibn Abee Dunya page 113]

Regarding the statement “Patience is the person’s acknowledgement that what has afflicted him is from Allaah”, Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Innaa lil laah – to Allaah we belong”. So, the person acknowledges that he belongs to Allaah and his owner does whatever He wants with him.

Regarding the statement “Seeking for reward from Allaah”, Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon – and to Him (i.e. Allaah) we shall return”, meaning we shall return to You, so that you reward us due to our patience and the reward for being patient during calamity will not be lost”.

Regarding the statement “Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you do not see from him except patience”, Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said, “Patience is not that one bears the whip, rather it is to restrain the heart from getting angry with Allaah’s decree and to restrain the tongue from complaining about Allaah. Whoever is whipped and his heart is displeased with Allaah, then he is not one who is patient”. [Iddat As-Saabireen pages 183-184]

Footnote d: Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: A man asked Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] and said, “What would be better – that one is granted strength and the authority to establish the path of Allaah and His Messengers without any hindrance from those who belie or oppose Allaah and His Messengers, or face trials [at first]?’’ So, Ash- Shaafi’ee said to him, “One will not be given strength and the authority to follow the path of Allaah without any hindrance from those who belie or oppose Allaah and His Messengers until after facing trials; for indeed Allaah tried Nooh, Ibraaheem, Moosaa, Eesaa and Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them] and after they exercised patience, they were granted authority and strength to establish the path of Allaah without hindrance’’. Therefore, one should never think that he will escape pain. [Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 293-300]

He also said, “The person who has no certainty in faith [or lacks certainty] does not remain firm, rather he acts carelessly, whereas certainty is that firm Eemaan in the heart based on [sound] knowledge and action. And it maybe that a person has sound knowledge but does not exercise patience during calamities; rather he is swayed by emotion. Al-Hasan Al-Basri [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: If you wish to see someone with insight but has no patience, you will see him; and if you wish to see someone who has patience but not insight, you will see him; but if you see a person who had insight as well as patience, then he is the one mentioned by Allaah in the Aayah: [وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواْ‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ – And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)]. [Surah As-Sajdah’ Aayah 24] [Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 293-300]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said regarding the statement of Allaah:

[فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allaah is true. And let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey)]. [Surah Rum’ Aayah 60]

[فَٱصۡبِرۡ – So be patient]- Meaning, upon that which you have been commanded and in calling them to the [path of] Allaah; even if you see them turning away that should not turn you away from the call. [إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ – Indeed, the promise of Allaah is true]- Meaning, there is no doubt about that. And this is from that which aids a person to exercise patience, because when a servant know that his deeds will not be in vain and will find a full reward for it [in the afterlife], then what he faces of hardship will become minor, and it will become much easy for him to bear every difficulty.

[وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – And let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you]- Meaning, their Imaan is weak and their certainty is little, so their forbearance becomes lacking as result of that and their patience is little. So, beware out of fear of being discouraged by these people, because unless you are not careful about their affair, they will discourage you and lead you to not being firm in holding fast to the commands and prohibitions, and the soul may assist them in this affair and seek to be similar and to be in agreement with them. [An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi]

A Practice of The Companions – By Imaam Al-Albaanee [may Allaah have mercy upon him]

“When two men among the Prophet’s companions met, they would not depart from one another, except after one of them recited to the other:[إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ ][ وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ] – (By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! The human is in loss….(i.e. the full Surah)]. Thereafter one would give Salaam to the other].

After quoting few other narrations and then graded their authenticity, Imaam Al-Albaanee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: In these narrations is that one gives Salaam when departing (i.e. one of gives Salaams to the other when departing after meeting). The other affair we benefit (from this report) is that the companions held onto this deed and that is the recitation of Surah Al-Asr (i.e. before departing after meeting, one recites Surah Al-Asr to the other and then gives Salaam), because we (firmly) believe that they were far removed from initiating – in the religion – a newly invented act of worship as a means of getting close to Allaah by way of it; rather the only reason they did this was due to something established through Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] – either by way of a statement of his, deed or tacit approval. (6)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Miftaah Daarus Sa’aadah page 61. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafi 135-136. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 3: Al-Kalaam Alaa Mas’alah As-Samaa 404. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 4: An Excerpt from At-Tibyaan Fee Aqsaam Al-Qur’aan 83-88. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 5: At-Tibyaan Fee Aqsaamil Qur’aan 83-88. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 6: Silsilah Al-Hadeeth As-Saheehah. Number 2648. Vol 6. pages 307-309]

Medication For Those Who Still Experience Butterflies in The Stomach or Chest Flutters When Islam, The Pure Sunnah and Salafi Path Are Detailed and Made Distinct

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam.

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

What Is As-Salafiyyah?

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated:

Salafiyyah is to follow the Madhab of the Salafus Saaleh [pious predecessors] – the Sahaabah, the Taa’bi’een and the virtuous generations. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِـإِحۡسَـٰنٍ۬ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ – And the first to embrace Islaam of the Muhaajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansaar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhaajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allaah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him].

And Allaah [The Most High] said about the Sahaabah:

[إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَـٰهَدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٲلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِہِمۡ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَواْ وَّنَصَرُوٓاْ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ بَعۡضُہُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءُ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ – ‘Verily, those who believed, and emigrated and strove hard and fought with their property and their lives in the Cause of Allaah as well as those who gave (them) asylum and help, – these are (all) allies to one another [8:72] – up to His statement- [وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدُ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَـٰهَدُواْ مَعَكُمۡ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مِنكُمۡ‌ۚ – And those who believed afterwards, and emigrated and strove hard along with you, (in the Cause of Allaah) they are of you].

Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all Imperfections] said in Surah Al -Hashar:

لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ ٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُخۡرِجُواْ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمۡ وَأَمۡوَٲلِهِمۡ يَبۡتَغُونَ فَضۡلاً۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضۡوَٲنً۬ا وَيَنصُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ
وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلۡإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ يُحِبُّونَ مَنۡ هَاجَرَ إِلَيۡہِمۡ

(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking Bounties from Allaah and to please Him. And helping Allaah (i.e. helping His religion) and His Messenger (Muhammad). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say); And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them.” [59:8-9]- up until His [The Most High] statement: [وَٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ – And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith].

The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: ”This ummah will split into seventy three sects; all of them will enter the fire except one. (F.1) They said, ‘which is that (saved sects) O Messenger of Allaah? He replied: ‘those who are upon that which I and my companions are upon today.” The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ”Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafaa after me”.

Therefore, Salafiyyah is the Methodology that has been obligated on us to follow and we are to abandon all other methodologies that are in opposition to it. The [people of Salafiyyah] are the saved sect, Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa-ah, and they are the aided group till the Day of Judgement (F 2). May Allaah include us amongst them.

However, ascription to this methodology [of the Salaf] requires [an acquisition of] knowledge of its fundamentals in order that the Muslim may adhere to it. [One is] required to have knowledge of the other methodologies that are in opposition to Salafiyyah in order to avoid them. Therefore, Salafiyyah upon the path of the pious predecessors has to be [followed] upon knowledge and clear sightedness. It is not enough for the person to ascribe himself to [salafiyyah] whilst being ignorant of it or being in opposition to it. For that reason Allaah [The Most High] said:[ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِـإِحۡسَـٰنٍ۬ – And also those who followed them exactly (in Faith)].

They follow [them] with knowledge- they neither fall into extremism nor negligence. They neither exaggerate nor fail to give the affair its right- like those who ascribe themselves to the madhabs of the four imams [Abu Haneefah, Maalik, Shaa-fi’ee and Ahmad] whilst being in opposition to them in Aqeedah and Ibaadaat. And like the one who ascribes himself to the methodology of the Salaf, yet he either declares the Muslims to be disbelievers or rebels against the Muslim rulers, or he follows other directions towards extremism. This person is not a Salafi, rather he is named a khaariji or a Mutazili. Or like the one who ascribes himself to the methodology of the salaf, but speaks with the statement of the Mur’ji’a in the affair of Eemaan and Kufr. This is not Salafiyyah.

Therefore, it is obligatory to pay attention to this affair and not to mix the Salafi methodology with the other methodologies that are in opposition to it, and then say: ”all these methodologies [including the Salafi methodology] are not from Islaam.” This is recklessness in speech, an oppressive judgement and deception against the people. (a)

Ascribing (oneself) to the Muslim Ummah is a fundamental principle affirmed (or established) in the (Islamic) legislation. The Muslims are a just and balanced nation [i.e. those amongst them (upon a balanced path- neither being lackadaisical nor exceeding the limits ordained by Allaah and His Messenger)].

Allaah said:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا ۗ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الْقِبْلَةَ الَّتِي كُنتَ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُ الرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ ۚ وَإِن كَانَتْ لَكَبِيرَةً إِلَّا عَلَى الَّذِينَ هَدَى اللَّهُ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَانَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Thus We have made you [true Muslims – real believers of Islamic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a Wasat (just) (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad) be a witness over you. And We made the Qiblah (prayer direction towards Jerusalem) which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger (Muhammad) from those who would turn on their heels (i.e. disobey the Messenger). Indeed it was great (heavy) except for those whom Allah guided. And Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered towards Jerusalem). Truly, Allah is full of kindness, the Most Merciful towards mankind. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 143]

They are the best of all nations. [Allaah (The Most High) said]:

كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ

You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar(polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. [Surah Aal Imran. Verse 110]

They are followers of a single religion agreed upon by all the Prophets (F.3). They ascribe themselves to it and unite upon it. [Allaah (The Most High)] said: [إِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ – Truly! This, your Ummah [Sharia or religion (Islamic Monotheism)] is one religion, and I am your Lord, therefore worship Me (Alone)]. [Surah All-Anbiyaa 92]

Allaah said: [وَإِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاتَّقُونِ – And verily! This your religion (of Islamic Monotheism) is one religion, and I am your Lord, so keep your duty to Me]. [Surah Al-Mu’minoon. Verse 52]

The believers are brothers in Religion and they give allegiance to one another. [Allaah (The Most High)] said: [إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ – The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy]. [Surah Al-Hujuraat Ayah 10]

Allaah named us Muslims:

وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ ۚ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ

And strive hard in Allah’s Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islamic Monotheism). It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur’an), that the Messenger (Muhammad) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), give Zakat and hold fast to Allah [i.e. have confidence in Allah, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper! [Surah Al-Hajj Ayah 78]

And from the branches (or aspects) of this ascription is ascription to Salafiyyah [i.e. the way of the pious predecessors], for indeed there is no hindrance (or prohibition) from (ascribing oneself to that); rather ascription to Salafiyyah is an ascription to Islaam based on what the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and his companions were upon. Yes, (or certainly) it is not permissible that ascription to Salafiyyah is made to mean a party [of illegal partisanship] -(establishing) love and hate based on other than what the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and his companions were upon, for indeed this is blameworthy and it is the meaning of (that) detestable partisanship.

Ascription to Islaam is (done in order to differentiate oneself from the followers of) other religions; ascription to the Sunnah (is done in order to differentiate oneself) from Bidah and the Shiites; ascription to Salafiyyah (is done in order to differentiate oneself from) the Innovated Dawah Methodologies, which are followed by the followers of the different (deviant) groups. So the Muslim needs to say about himself that he is a Muslim, Sunni, Salafi. (b)

Categorizing The People and Attributing Them to Their Creeds

Categorising the people and attributing them to their creeds, religions and characteristics – with respect to [passing] judgement and [establishing] principles – is neither an innovated nor a new [aspect] of knowledge; rather it is knowledge of Jarh Wat Tadeel that will not cease in this Ummah as long as night and day exists. Whoever seeks to extinguish the light of this discipline for sake of his Hizb [party] or out of fearing for his beloved ones – those who have been disparaged justifiably – then indeed he is a misguided person and one who misguides others. Categorising the people based on truth and clear-sightedness is a protection for the religion ordained by Allaah. It is a soldier among the soldiers of Allaah [i.e. in this case it is a safeguard given to this Ummah] by way of which the distortions of those who go beyond bounds, the false claims of the falsifiers [or liars] and the false interpretations of the ignorant ones are repelled, [and likewise] the deviations of the innovators, the plots of the Khawaarij and all the [deviant] sects that emerge from the Ummah. (c) As for those who are followed- those who set up principles of bidah and call the people to their bidah and misguidance, then indeed they are marked with the bidah they innovated and call the people to, and for them there is no honour. (d)

Who Initiates Splitting In The Ummah?

Al-Allaamah Zaid Bin Haadee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The Mubtadi [innovator in religious affairs] is the cause for the splitting [in the Ummah], because splitting is connected to innovation and unity [upon the sound creed and methodology of the Salaf] is connected to the Sunnah.  The obligation of refuting the Mukhaalif [the opposer of the truth] is not lifted from the scholar due to anticipation of harm, unless it is harm he is not able to bear.  Then [in this case], Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.  The earth is not devoid of people of knowledge who will carry out refutation against the Mubtadi and the obstinate opposer of the truth. (e)

Allaah [The Most High] said: [ أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا – Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair seeming, so that he considers it as good (equal to one who is rightly guided)?] [Surah Faatir; Ayah 8] Sa’eed Bin Jubair [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This was revealed concerning the people of bidah and desires”. (f)

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The Salaf named Ahlul Bidah Wal Furqah [i.e the people of Bidah and Splitting]- those who oppose the Book and the Sunnah- ahlul ahwaa [the people of desires], because of the fact that they accept what they love and reject what they hate based on their desires without guidance from Allaah. (g)

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَلَا تَرۡكَنُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ -And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you]]. [Surah Hud: Ayah 113]

Al-Allaamah Rabee bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee [may Allaah preserve him] said: The word [ظلم –wrong] in [this ayah] can [mean] disbelief; it can mean bidah and it can be [فسوق  i.e. sinful, immoral behaviour], because (ظلم) can be applicable to all [i.e. in different contexts]. Therefore, we refrain from inclining towards the evil doers, the people of bidah, the Kuffaar, the Ilmaaniyyoon and other than them. And we protect ourselves, our Aqeedah, the Eemaan and sound religion which Allaah has bestowed on us.

It is enough for us to remember that the Salaf fled from Fitan – not mixing, sitting and debating with the people of Fitan. And even amongst them, such as the likes of Ayyoub As-Sakhtiyaanee and Ibn Seereen did not listen to the speech of those [people of bidah]. And when Ibn Seereen was asked,  “Why do you not speak; why do you not listen to them?” He said, “Indeed, my heart is not in my hands! I am not in control of my heart; I fear for myself that I may be misguided”. So the likes of these Imaams feared fitna and deviation for themselves; but you the Miskeen possess that bravery to enable you to challenge ahlul bidah….!!! Many people say, “We sit with ahlul ahwaa [i.e. the people of desires] and we take [from them]; we distinguish between truth and falsehood; we take what is truth and abandon falsehood”, whilst he [i.e. the utterer of this speech] is a Miskeen who can neither distinguish between truth and falsehood nor is he in control of his heart. How many a young person has been put to trial through this satanic view and thus he [becomes] degraded, reverts back on his heels [into misguidance] and depraved, and Allaah’s Aid is sought. He falls prey in the arena of the people of fitan! Therefore, it is obligated on a student of knowledge not to [regard] himself safe from ahlul bidah, for indeed he is not more knowledgeable than Ayyoub and Ibn Seereen, nor can he reach their station [in knowledge, piety etc] and those who followed them. (h)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhalee [may Allaah preserve him] said: By Allaah! Islaam and the [affairs of the] Muslims are not ruined except by these categories of [people] amongst the people of bidah and misguidance-the khawaarij and those similar to them, and those who are worse, such as the rawaafid [i.e. Shiites of Iran and those upon their beliefs]. The rawaafid are worse than the khawaarij, and Ikhwaan al-Muslimoon (i.e. the sect -the Muslim brotherhood in Egypt and elsewhere) ally with them and they say: “They (rawaafid) are our brothers; the differing between us and them is like the differing between (Imaam) Maalik and (Imaam) Shaafi’ee;” meaning: The differing between us (i.e. Ikhwaan Muslimoon) and them (i.e. rawaafid shiites) is based on ijtihaad, and if Imaam (Maalik) and (Imaam) Shafee’ee differ in (some) affairs, they are all rewarded; and if we (ikhwaan al-muslimoon) differ with the rawaafid shiites, then us and them are rewarded.

O deceivers! [i.e. Ikhwaanis] The rawaafid (shiites) revile the Sahaabah and declare them disbelievers; they revile the wives of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallaam); they say that the Qur’aan is distorted; they (rawaafid) have shir’kiyyaat (beliefs and acts of major polytheism) and they deify the leaders of the Prophet’s family. So does all of this not harm them (i.e. harm their claim to Islaam); is this not irjaa?! (i.e. O Ikhwaanis! Is this alliance of yours with the rawaafid and that the differing between you and them is like the differing between Imaams Maalik and Shaafi’ee not Ir’jaa?!) (i)

Shaikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Indeed Ahlul Bidah are more evil than the people of sinful desires and [this is confirmed by way of] text and Ijmaa (consensus of the scholars); for indeed the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) commanded that the khawaarij are to be fought [i. e. by the Muslim ruler], but he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) forbade (us) from fighting the oppressive rulers. And he (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) said about the man who drank alcohol [i.e. the one who was brought to the Messenger due to drunkenness (F 4): “Do not curse him, for indeed he loves Allah and His Messenger”; but he (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) said about Dhul Khuwaysirah: A people will appear from this man, who will recite the Qur’aan but it will not go beyond their throats and they will exit the religion as an arrow passes through a target. You will belittle your prayer compared to your prayer, your fasting compared to their fasting and your recitation of the Qur’aan compared to their recitation. Kill them wherever you find them [i.e. whenever they come out to fight, the Muslim ruler should rally his armies against them, because indeed there is a reward on the day of judgement for the one who kills them. (j)

Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] said: Do not sit with the people of desires [i.e. ahlul bidah], for indeed sitting with them will cause sickness to the hearts. (k)

Imaam Ahmad [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Beware of writing down [knowledge] from one of the people of desires-be it a little or a lot. (l)

A Final Blast Against The Hizbiyyoon – The Proponents of Illegal Partisanship and False Unity

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhali [may Allaah preserve him] said: After speaking about those who make Takfeer based on falsehood amongst the different factions of the Jahmiyah, the Khawaarij, the Rawaafid and the Qadariyyah, and the reason behind such Takfeer, Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] stated: “On the opposite side of these people who make Takfeer based on falsehood, there are a people who do not know the creed of Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah as it should be; or they know some of it and are ignorant of some. And perhaps what they know of it, they do not clarify for the people, rather they conceal it. And neither do they forbid innovations that is in opposition to the Book and the Sunnah nor censure Ahlul Bidah and punish them; rather perhaps they would censure speech regarding the Sunnah and the fundamental principles of the religion – completely – and would not differentiate – in that – between what Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah say and what Ahlul Bidah Wal Furqah [The people of innovation and splitting] say; or they would affirm all their differing Madhabs [creeds etc] in a manner similar to how the scholars would affirm the different opinions related to affairs of Ijtihaad (F.5) in which difference of opinion is justified [or allowed]. This path has overwhelmed many of the Murji’ah, some of the jurists, those pursuing the path of asceticism and the philosophers, just as it has overwhelmed – first and foremost – many amongst the people of desires and rhetoric. Both these paths are perverted, outside the Book [i.e. The Qur’aan] and the Sunnah”.  [End of Quote From Shaikhul Islaam (rahimahullaah)]

Firstly, ponder upon the above statement of Shaikhul Islaam [rahimahullaah] and then read Shaikh Rabee’s [hafidhahullaah] commentary as follows! Al-Allaamah Rabee says, “I say, may Allaah have mercy on Ibn Tamiyyah. Indeed, he clarified the situation of the people of his era and those before them; then what if he saw the situation of many amongst the Al-Jamaa’aat Al-Hizbiyyah Wal-Bid’iyyah [The Groups of Illegal Partisanship and Bidah (F.6) who ascribe themselves to Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah and take cover behind him- in particular – to promote [spread, disseminate] their falsehoods. What if he saw them whilst they have definitely gathered between the Madhabs of the two groups- the khawaarij and those who follow their way in pronouncing Takfeer in the subject matter of Al-Haakimiyyah (F.7) and the way of the Mur’jiah (F.8) in the manner they approach the affair of people who are upon the big and numerous bidah, and equating Bidah to those affairs of the religion in which Ijtihaad is justified -whose people are rewarded alongside a refutation against their mistakes. In the view of these people, the leaders of Misguidance and Bidah are just like the Imaams of Guidance and Sunnah. [Al-Mukhtaaraat Al-Bahiyyah Min Kutub Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah. By Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee and arranged by Shaikh Khaalid Adh-Dhufayree. Pages 62-63]

Secondly, ponder upon this statement of Shaikh Rabee [hafidhahullaah] as follows: “In the view of these people, the leaders of Misguidance and Bidah are just like the Imaams of Guidance and Sunnah”, and then read this article by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh [hafidhahullaah]: http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/series/the-false-comparison-between-hadith-giants-ibn-hajar-an-nawawi-and-20th-century-ignoramuses.cfm

Finally, Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyah [rahimahullaah] said: Rather what is obligatory is to clarify that which Allaah sent His Messengers with and (revealed) in His Books; propagate that which the Messengers brought from Allaah and fulfil the covenant which Allaah took from the scholars. Therefore, it is obligatory to know that which the Messengers brought, believe in it, propagate it, call to it, striving with it, weigh up all that which the people embark upon – [statements, actions, religious fundamentals and subsidiary issues pertaining to the apparent actions of the Limbs and affairs related to actions of the heart]- under the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger; neither following desires [through] customs, a school of law, a religious order, a leader or a predecessor; nor following conjecture through a weak hadeeth or corrupt analogy, regardless whether it is an analogy that offers some degree of certainty or not; or blindly following someone whom it is not obligated to follow his statement and action; for indeed Allaah -in His Book – has censured those who follow conjecture and that which their souls desire, whilst they abandon following that which came to them from their Lord of Guidance. [Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/467-468]

Footnotes:

Footnote 1: “This Ummah will split in 73 sects, all in the fire except one”. Read here: https://salaficentre.com/2021/03/06/all-the-sects-in-the-fire-except-one-a-precise-clarification-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-in-baaz/

Footnote 2: https://soundcloud.com/masjidsunnahheathrow/distinguishing-signs-of-the-people-of-sunnah-by-abu-khadeejah-abdul-wahid – By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]

Footnote 3: The Religion of all the Prophets and Messengers is one:

Allaah [The Most High] said: [شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ – ’He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad)].

Allaah mentions the first Messenger who was sent after Aadam, that is Nooh [peace be upon him] and the last of them is Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. Then Allaah mentions those who came in between them who were the Messengers of firm resolve, namely Ibraaheem, Musa and Isa Bin Maryam – [وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ  – and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and ‘Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikun , is that to which you (O Muhammad) call them].

This above verse mentions all five (Prophets and Messengers), just as they are also mentioned in the verse in Surah Al-Ahzaab, where Allaah says:

[وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍ وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ – And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you (O Muhammad), and from Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)].

The Message which all the Messengers brought was to worship Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate, as Allaah says: [وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ – And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)].

And according to a Hadeeth [the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said]: ‘’We Prophets are brothers and our religion is one’’. [Fat’hul Baari 6:550] In other words, the common bond between them is that Allaah Alone is to be worshipped, with no partner or associate, even though their laws may differ, as Allaah said: [لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا – To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way].

Muhammad Is The Final Messenger and The Qur’aan Abrogates all Others Previous Laws

Allaah (The Most High) said: [[مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا – Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything].

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) stated in Sharh Mumti that [the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] being the seal of the Prophets necessitates that he is the seal of the Messengers and that is due to the fact that ‘Every Messenger is a Prophet whereas not every Prophet is a Messenger’. [For further details see Sharh Mumti 1/250]

The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) also said: “By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, there is not one of this nation, Jew or Christian, who hears about me and dies without believing in what I have been sent, except that he will be one of the dwellers of Hell fire.” [Reported by Muslim’ Number 153]

The Qur’aan Abrogates All Other Previous Laws

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۚ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۖ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ ۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so strive as in a race in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ. [Surah Al-Maa’idah Ayah 48]

Reminder By Imaam As-Sadi regarding the above Verse

The Qur’aan gathers all the (good, excellence) in the previous books (i.e. before they were distorted). The Qur’aan contain an increase in all that will lead to the pleasure of Allaah in this life and the next, and the (most beloved and honourable) manners. The Qur’aan gathers every truth found in the other books, and it commands and urges mankind towards it. The Qur’aan is a book that gives news about the earlier and later generations. It contains (perfect) judgements and (perfect) wisdom. Whatever the Qur’aan declares to be truth in the previous Books is to be accepted, and whatever it rejects has to be rejected because it would be something that has been distorted and substituted by those who received it. etc [Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]

Footnote 4: Ruling on the one who drinks alcohol: Anas (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) flogged the one who drank wine with palm branches stripped of their leaves and with shoes. [Saheeh Muslimm 3281] [i.e. the Muslim ruler is the one who will apply this punishment and none else]

Footnote 5: Ijtihaad: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/tolerated-differing-and-impermissible-differing-in-islaam/ ]

Footnote 6: What is Hizbiyyah – illegal partisanship: https://salaficentre.com/2015/03/a-precise-definition-of-hizbiyyah-by-shaikh-rabee-may-allaah-preserve-him/ ]
https://salaficentre.com/2019/01/what-is-the-meaning-of-hizbiyyah-and-what-is-the-ruling-upon-it-shaykh-ubaid-al-jaabiree/

Footnote 7: What is Al-Haakimiyyah?
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ07&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

Footnote 8: Who are the Murji’ah?
http://www.sahihalbukhari.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=GSC&subsecID=GSC05&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/shaikh-rabees-advice-on-interacting-with-ahlul-bidah-in-the-west/

[Ref 1a An Excerpt from Al-Bayaan Li-Akh’taa’I Ba’dil Kuttaab. Vol 2 page:173-174. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref b: Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin Nus’hi Wal Irshaad Wat-taw’iyah. pages 45-46]

[Ref c: Tasneefun Naas Aw Ar-Radd Alaa Munkiriy At-Tasneef’ page 6. by Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess [rahimahullaah]

[Ref d: Al-Ajwibah Al-Athariyyah’ pages 18-19. By Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi (rahimahullaah)]

[Ref e: Al Ajwibah Al Mukhtasar Alaa As-ila Al-Ashrati’ Pages 43-44]

[Ref f: Tafseer Al-Baghawi 3/689]

[Ref g: Excerpt from Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 4/189-190]

[Ref h: An Excerpt from (الذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة ) Vol 1 pages 192-193. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref i: An Excerpt from: لذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة للإمام المحدث أبي بكر محمد بن الحسين الآجري   pages: Page: 162-slightly paraphrased]

[Ref j: Majmoo 20/103-105]

[Ref k: Al-Ibaanah 2/438]

[Ref l: Siyar 11/231]

 

Continuous Numerous Gatherings By Nations to Find Solutions to Global Challenges, But Majority Either Ignore or Are Oblivious of The Only Perfect Solution]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The First Differing and Its Perfect Solution

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فِيمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ‌ۚ وَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَتۡهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتُ بَغۡيَۢا بَيۡنَهُمۡ‌ۖ فَهَدَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَهۡدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ

Mankind were one community 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. And only those to whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it after clear proofs had come unto them through hatred, one to another. Then Allah by His Leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed. And Allah guides whom He wills to a Straight Path. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 213]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفُواْ‌ۚ وَلَوۡلَا ڪَلِمَةٌ۬ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ – Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion – Islamic Monotheism), then they differed (later), and had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed]. [Surah Yunus. Aayah 19]

Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] said: “There were ten generations between Nooh and Aadam – all of them used to be upon the true path [i.e. upon Islaam – worshipping Allaah alone], then they differed and started worshipping idols, false deities and images, so Allaah sent Messengers with clear proofs and evidences. (1)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khalee [may Allaah preserve him] said: Shirk is the greatest sin that can be committed in disobedience to Allaah. The Prophets brought the greatest knowledge and that is the knowledge of Tawheed, and they warned against the greatest wrong doing and that is to ascribed partners to Allaah. Allaah said: [ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬ – Verily! Associating partners to (Allaah in worship) is a great wrong indeed]. [Surah Luqmaan’ Aayah 13] (2)

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: And 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 prioritising necessities. Therefore, due to this Allaah [The Most High] commanded us to return to the revelation in times of dispute. Allaah [The Most High] 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] Therefore, 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]. [Dar Ta’aarud Al-Aql Wan-Naql: 9/17-18]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكۡمً۬ا لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُوقِنُونَ – – And who is better in judgement than Allah for a people who have firm Faith]. [Surah Al Maa’idah. Verse 50]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Whoever utilises sound intellect to examine what the Messengers brought [i.e. the revelation] – what they commanded and guided the people to, such as knowledge and Awareness of Allaah, the worship of Allaah alone, turning to Allaah in repentance and obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) and the command to fulfil all the rights (of the people) based on courteous good will, perfecting one’s actions (i.e. based on sincerity to Allaah alone) and treating others with kindness (by sincerely seeking to benefit them though one’s knowledge, wealth or position), and that which they (i.e. Messengers) forbade; then thereafter he examines what the Mul’hidoon [i.e. who either deviate from the path of the Messengers completely or to some extent) call to, he will know that good (outcomes), success, sound rectification of the hearts and deeds, (sound rectification of) the worldly affairs and (sound rectification of the religious affairs and their end results in the afterlife) are all in agreement with what the Messengers called to. On the other hand, he will know that the call of the Mul’hidoon is designed to do away with good manners (traits, characteristics etc), whose end result is nothing but complete chaos and a state in which one goes along with lust (or evil desires of the soul) until the animals become more noble and beneficial than humans. This is no doubt their state of affairs – clearly manifested by what they are upon and what they proclaim with their tongues. Among the most amazing of affairs is that many contemporary writers and politicians seek to remedy the many social ills and try to do so do from many angles, however as for the problem related to deviation from Allaah’s revelation and the call of the Messenger -whose surge has carried away the majority of young people, they have not rushed to stop it by returning to sound Eemaan and certainty; rather they have been abandoned to wander blindly in their misguidance and wavering in beguilement, and thus the social ills they seek to remedy gives birth to other social ills- because if the path to remedying social ills is not based on Eemaan and sound Deen, they will increase and become worse. (3)

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] stated: I praise and thank Allaah, who knows everything about what He has created and He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves), All-Aware (of everything). He is praised with all good – praised for His commands, prohibitions, divine legislation and what He has created. It is He who guided humankind and commanded them with what will lead them to perfection and wellbeing in their worldly life and afterlife. He alone is deserving of abundant (unlimited) praise just as He bestowed on us abundant (innumerable) blessings. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone and He has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah’s slave and Messenger. May Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family and companions. To proceed:

O my brothers! Indeed, these are blessed hours when one learns something about his religion which he did not know or he (recalls) and consolidate what he forgot after a period of time – affairs he forgot unintentionally due to the many affairs and being preoccupied with other things.

There is no doubt that no other divine legislation came to the people that is more perfect than the Islamic legislation. Allaah gave every Prophet a law and a path, and He made Muhammad’s law a complete and perfect law, perfectly suitable until the day of judgement- suitable for every era and place. (a) Muhammad’s law solves every problem, preserves every obligation that should be fulfilled, raises every affair that honours the human being, honours the Muslim and raises him because he carries the message of pure Islamic monotheism. So due to this, it is obligated on everyone to be acquainted with the virtues of this divine legislation, know its rulings, its goals and underlying wisdoms, the obligations it has laid down and what inspires them to preserve and call to it, and that they do not pay attention to any caller to misguidance – those who want to hinder humankind from the truth through different terms and slogans. [i.e. Those who are eager to ridicule and make it look repugnant, in order to make people flee from it. See Tafseer As-Sadi. Surah Ibraaheem. Verses 1-3]

We praise and thank Allaah for including us amongst those who have accepted and submitted to this divine legislation- those who learn and strive to follow the behaviour of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah upon him].

Allaah created the heavens and the earth for the fulfilment of two obligations – His Rights and the rights of His servants. Every Messenger and the divine scriptures were sent to explain these two obligations- worship Allaah alone, disbelieve in all the rivals and dieties that are associated with Him as partners, and obey His Messenger in that particular era and place. Allaah revealed His Books and sent His Messengers to establish these two obligations.

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [لَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ – Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice]. [Surah Al-Hadeed. Aayah 25]

Allaah said: [وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ – And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah).”] [ Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 36]

And because of this, the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: “O Mu’adh, do you know what is the right of Allah upon His servants?” I said, “Allah and his messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “To worship Him alone and to associate none in worship with Him. And do you know what is their right upon Him?” I said, “Allah and his messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “Not to punish them if they do so.” [Bukhaari 6938]
The obligations which all the divine laws brought in general and the Islamic legislation in specific are: To fulfil Allaah’s Right, fulfil the rights of the creation and the rights of the human being. There is no doubt that this will be made very clear when you contemplate on Allaah’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger. (4)

Footnote a: The implementation of Sharee’ah Law is the responsibility of Muslim governments and not the insurgents, such as ISIS and their ilk. Likewise, the call to Islaam does not begin with the call to establish an Islamic State nor the implementation of Sharee’ah Law on the people, rather it begins with the call to pure Islamic Monotheism. See here the Methodology of the Prophets in calling to the path of Allaah: http://www.troid.org/media/pdf/methodology.pdf

Rectification of Society – By Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him]: https://salaficentre.com/2021/01/10/rectification-of-modern-societies-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

The Perils of Desires and Opinion

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. (5)

Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [may Allaah preserve him] said: “If you say that the intellect is to be given precedence over the revelation, then which intellect should we follow? Are the intellects of the people combined in the intellect of one man or do they differ? There are intellects of the philosophers, the atheists, the heretics, the people of evil desires and those who confound truth with falsehood; and due to this one of the Salaf said, “Had the desires been one, it would have been considered to be the [basis of] truth”; therefore, we say, “Had the intellects been one, it would have been considered to be the [basis of] truth”.(6)

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

فَأَعۡرِضۡ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكۡرِنَا وَلَمۡ يُرِدۡ إِلَّا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا
ذَٲلِكَ مَبۡلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ

Therefore withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who turns away from Our Reminder (this Qur’an) and desires nothing but the life of this world. That is what they could reach of knowledge. Verily, your Lord it is He Who knows best him who goes astray from His Path, and He knows best him who receives guidance. [Surah An-Najm. Verses 29-30]

When it is the case that this is the abiding behaviour of these polytheists – that they do not have any aim to follow the truth; rather their only aim and intent is that which their souls desire, so Allaah [The Exalted] commanded His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] to turn away from the one who has turned away from Allaah’s Reminder, which is the Wise Reminder- the Great Qur’aan and the Noble News. They turn away from the beneficial subject matters and they do not want except the worldly life, and this is the beginning and end of their desire. It is well known that the servant does not act except for something he wants, so their deeds are limited to the worldly, its pleasures and desires. This is where their knowledge stops and its purpose. As for those who believe in the Hereafter- those who testify to the truthfulness of it, the people of sound understanding and sound intellect, their utmost concern and desire is the home of the afterlife. Their sciences are the most virtuous and the loftiest, and that is knowledge taken from the Qur’aan and the (authentic) of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him].

Allaah knows who deserves guidance and guides him; and the one who is not deserving of it, he is left to himself and forsaken, so he deviates from the path of Allaah. And due this due Allaah said: [إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ – Verily, your Lord it is He Who knows best him who goes astray from His Path, and He knows best him who receives guidance – Meaning, Allaah [The Exalted] places blessings exactly where it should be. [An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The Creation [i.e. Humans and Jinns] find themselves within two types of neediness. The first type of neediness is inevitable. It is a type of neediness that applies to everyone – the righteous and the wicked. It neither necessitates praise nor dispraise, neither reward nor punishment; rather it is solely due to the fact that the creation are created beings [i.e. absolutely in need and completely dependent on their Creator in every way].

The second type of neediness is one based on choice from which emanates two noble aspects of knowledge. The first one is the servant’s knowledge and awareness of his Lord and the second is knowledge and awareness of oneself in reality. As soon as one acquires these two types of knowledge, it brings about a type of neediness that becomes a person’s distinguished and most precious source of wealth, the means to success and happiness in [this life and the next]. The people’s different stations in this type of neediness depends on their different stations in these two affairs of knowledge.

Whoever knows that his Lord is the only One Who is Self-Sufficient [absolutely free from all wants and to Whom everyone and everything depends, and cannot do without in the twinkling of an eye], then he will know that he is completely in need.

Whoever knows that his Lord alone is the Possessor of Perfect Ability [possessor of All-encompassing Ability and able to do all things], he will know that he is completely unable [cannot do anything in the twinkling of an eye without the help of] his Lord.

Whoever knows that his Lord is The All-Mighty, he will know that he is one completely in a state of [complete poverty, weakness and want unless his Lord provides for him etc]. Whoever knows that his Lord is the possessor of All- Encompassing knowledge and Wisdom, he will know that he is ignorant.

Allaah brought the servant out of his mother’s womb whilst he knew nothing, not able to do anything and owned nothing; neither able to give nor take; neither able to harm nor benefit. This state of neediness until he reached a more perfect state is something witnessed and tangible for everyone [to see], and i is well known that this is the very essence of the human being and he remains upon that state. He does not move from this state and enters into a state of Lordship – a state in which he becomes absolutely self-sufficient and not need of anyone and anything; rather he does not cease being a slave, a needy one to his Rabb [Allaah the Creator, All-Provider and the Only One Who Controls and Sustains Everything] and His Faatir [Allaah, The Originator and Creator of Everything].
However, after the human being was granted blessings, shown mercy, granted the means to reach a more perfect state, and Allaah -out of His Perfect Kindness and Generosity- granted him apparent blessings [i.e. to recognize the Messengers who were sent with Islamic Monotheism, granted him the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.] and the hidden blessings [i.e. granted him the innate disposition to recognize his Lord when the Messenger calls him to Eemaan, and granted him knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.], granted him hearing, sight and a heart, and taught him [i.e. gave him the means to knowledge], granted him ability, subjugated things to him, granted him [the desire and enthusiasm to pursue what is beneficial, and take action], enabled him to receive the service of those of his kind [i.e. gave him authority over other humans], subjugated to him horses and camels, gave him the ability to capture the animals in the sea, drop birds from the sky, subjugate wild animals, dig wells [irrigate water etc], plant trees, dig the earth, learn how to build, acquire the things that are of benefit to him, guard against and protect himself from that which is harmful to him; then the Miskeen [i.e. this absolutely poor, dependent human being] thinks that he has a share of authority and claims – for himself – a kingship [or authority] similar to that of Allaah [Glorified be Allaah and free is Allaah from all imperfections, partners, coequals, similarities etc], and begins to see himself in a manner other than what he was at first, forgets his [prior] state of non-existence, poverty and neediness, until he becomes as if he was not that poor and needy thing. (7)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee [may Allaah preserve him] said: We must know the value of this [sharee’ah] knowledge in our possession, which many people deliberately ignore and seek to degrade its value. They do not consider this knowledge to be anything, and those who study the sciences of the Sharee’ah – in their view- are deficient and unadvanced [or unprogressive] because they do not possess knowledge of medicine and engineering. If medicine, engineering and chemistry are not placed below [and regulated by] the knowledge which the Prophets brought, they become nothing; [rather] they will only increase the people in corruption. The knowledge brought by the Prophets is [a means of] rectification for the people [in their religious and worldly affairs], a guide for them towards the right path and removes them from the darkness they are living in – the darkness of kufr and ignorance.

As for the knowledge of the philosophers and the heretics, then what Allaah has stated [i.e. in Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83] truly applies to it. [Allaah said]: [فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ -Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad [and proud] with that which they had of the knowledge [of worldly things]: And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them [i.e. the punishment]. [Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83]

It is the knowledge which the people boast about nowadays, whether it is medicine, engineering, astronomy, [modern] politics and economics. After the Prophets came to them – to remove them from the darkness of ignorance and enter them into the light of the knowledge [of divine revelation] and Eemaan- they became glad and boastful with the knowledge they possess, [just as Allaah has stated]:

[فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ -Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad [and proud] with that which they had of the knowledge [of worldly things]: And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them [i.e. the punishment]. [Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83]
[Likewise, Allaah informed us that] Qaaroon said: [إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِىٓ‌ۚ – This [i.e. vast wealth] has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess. [Surah Al-Qasas’ Aayah 78]

They [i.e. the people] rebuke him [i.e. Qaaroon] because he did not want to spend from his wealth based on what Allaah has commanded and Allaah’s revelation, so Allaah said that he said: [إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِىٓ‌ۚ – This [i.e. vast wealth] has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess. [Surah Al-Qasas’ Aayah 78]

Likewise, Allaah said: [وَإِذَآ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنِ أَعۡرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِ – And when We bestow Our Grace on man (the disbeliever), he turns away and becomes arrogant, far away from the Right Path. [Surah Al-Israa’ Aayah 83]

[Allaah said]: [ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلۡنَـٰهُ نِعۡمَةً۬ مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمِۭ‌ۚ بَلۡ هِىَ فِتۡنَةٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ – Then when We have (rescued him from that harm and) changed it into a favour from Us, he says: “Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it.” Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not! [Surah Az-Zumar’ Aayah 49]

Allaah said that he [i.e. the ungrateful human being says after being rescued from hardship]: [قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمِۭ‌ۚ – he says: “Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it]; but Allaah said: [ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ – Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not!]

These sciences become a trial and tribulation if they are not placed below [and regulated by] the knowledge which Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] brought. (8)

Allaah [The Most High] says in Surah Al-A’raaf Verses 100-102:

[ أَوَلَمۡ يَهۡدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَهۡلِهَآ أَن لَّوۡ نَشَآءُ أَصَبۡنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمۡ‌ۚ وَنَطۡبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِہِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ- Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth in succession from its (previous) possessors, that had We willed, We would have punished them for their sins. And We seal up their hearts so that they hear not?]- Meaning: Allaah [The Most High] informs those who inherit the earth in succession from those who preceded them, that He [The Most High] destroyed their forefathers due to their sins, yet they commit the same sins that were committed by their forefathers! Do they not take heed that had Allaah willed He would punish them due to their sins, for this is the manner in which Allaah deals with mankind – both the previous nations and those who inherited the earth after them. Allaah [The Most High] warned those who inherited the earth from the previous nations, but they did not take heed; sent them reminders but they did not reflect; showed them guidance through signs, but they did not follow guidance, so Allaah punished them by sealing their hearts – neither did truth enter their hearts nor did good reach their hearts; nor did they give an attentive ear [to the truth]; rather they only heard that which established the proofs against them.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said:[تِلۡكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآٮِٕهَا‌ۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡہُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا ڪَانُواْ لِيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِمَا ڪَذَّبُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ – Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you (O Muhammad). And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before. Thus Allah does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers (from each and every kind of religious guidance)]-Meaning: Messengers came and called them to that which will lead to happiness [in the life and the next]. Those Messengers were given manifest signs and clear evidences to clarify the truth, but the people did not listen and thus were not benefited. And because they belied those manifest signs and clear proofs after being well aware of them, Allaah [The Most High] prevented them from accepting the sound and infallible creed ordained by Allaah. This was punishment on them because they rejected the truth, just as Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-An’aam Verse 110]

[وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفۡـِٔدَتَہُمۡ وَأَبۡصَـٰرَهُمۡ كَمَا لَمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦۤ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ۬ وَنَذَرُهُمۡ فِى طُغۡيَـٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ – And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance), as they refused to believe therein for the first time, and We shall leave them in their trespass to wander blindly].

Then Allaah [The Most High] says in Ayah 102 Surah Al-A’raaf: [وَمَا وَجَدۡنَا لِأَڪۡثَرِهِم مِّنۡ عَهۡدٍ۬‌ۖ وَإِن وَجَدۡنَآ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ لَفَـٰسِقِينَ – And most of them We found not (true) to their covenant, but most of them We found indeed Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]-Meaning: The majority of the nations -to whom Allaah [The Most High] sent Messengers – were not true to their covenant. Neither were they steadfast nor did they adhere to the commands of Allaah, nor did they submit obediently to the commands of Allaah which the Messengers ordered them to obey; rather they followed their desires, except a very few of them. The majority of them turned away from guidance out of arrogance, so Allaah sent them various types of punishment. (9)

Finally: Reflection On This Tremendous Supplication

يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغيثُ أَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِيَ كُلَّهُ وَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ

O Ever Living! O The Self Subsisting, Upon Whom Everything Depends! By Your mercy I seek assistance; rectify for me all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye. [Imaam Albaani declared it Hasan in Silsilah As-Saheehah Number 227]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This is where those forsaken have been forsaken and those granted success [well-being, guidance etc] have been granted well-being [guidance etc]. The forsaken one is veiled from his reality- he forgets himself; he forgets his poverty [in the presence of Allaah]; his need of [Allaah] and his [state of absolute dependence on his Lord for all his means of subsistence], therefore he transgresses all bounds [in crimes, sins, disbelief etc], becomes insolent and thus deserves a wretched end. [Allaah (The Most High)] said:

كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَيَطْغَىٰ
أَن رَّآهُ اسْتَغْنَىٰ

Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.). Because he considers himself self-sufficient. [Surah Al-Alaq. Verses 6-7]

Allaah said:

فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَاتَّقَىٰ
وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَىٰ
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ
وَأَمَّا مَن بَخِلَ وَاسْتَغْنَىٰ
وَكَذَّبَ بِالْحُسْنَىٰ
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْعُسْرَىٰ

As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him; And believes in Al-Husna; We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient; And gives the lie to Al-Husna; We will make smooth for him the path for evil. [Surah Al-Layl. Verses 5-10]

The most perfect [person] is that one who is more perfect in his servitude [to Allaah], the greatest in his acknowledgement of his poverty, dependence and neediness [in the presence of Allaah]. (10)

Listen to lecture by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh [may Allaah preserve him] titled: An Explanation of the Aayah ‘Evil has appeared on land and sea’. https://www.masjidbinbaz.co.uk/an-explanation-of-the-ayah-evil-has-appeared-on-land-and-sea/

[Ref 1: Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Ta’dheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
[Ref 2: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 104-106]
[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Adillatul Qawaatiq Wal-Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen. 48-49]
[Ref 4: https://youtu.be/wRkeYjcJ728 ]
[Ref 5: I-laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69]
[Ref 6: Muqaddimah Fee Diraasah At-Tawheed. Lesson: 3]
[Ref 7: An Excerpt from Tareequl Hijratayn. pages 9-10. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 8: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages99-100]
[Ref 9: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]

[Ref 10: An Excerpt from ‘Tareequl Hijratayn pages 25-26]

Robust Home-grown (Independent) Defense Industry Needed to Deter Aggressors: [Advice Given By Erudite Saudi Arabian Salafi Scholar (Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Pearls of Wisdom, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

New Additions

 

 

Quote: Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “Fighting our enemies with what is in their possession is very difficult to obtain. If the enemy prevents you from acquiring weapons, then what do you fight with alongside poor insight and little knowledge?”

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

One of the dangerous causes (of weakness)- their (bitter) fruits and what they necessitate – is that which has occurred in terms of weakness in the presence of the enemy and being delayed in everything, except that which Allaah wills to remain, inclining towards forbidden desires, preoccupation with what hinders from the path of Allaah and guidance, lack of preparation for the enemy in the arena of industry, lack of sufficient weaponry that frightens the enemy- to help fight him, strive against him in Jihaad and taking one’s rights from him; not preparing the bodies for Jihaad and not spending money in what is obligatory (or befitting) to prepare against the enemy, guard against his evil, defend the religion and the homeland. The preparation is weak or nonexistent and the goals are skewed, except that which Allaah wills.

Therefore, the path of success, the path of progress against the enemies and the absence of weakness in front of them, the path of prosperity and success, the path to obtaining lofty status and the lofty things that are to be sought after, victory over the enemies- the path to all of this is to embrace beneficial knowledge and sound understanding in the religion, give precedence to Alllaah’s pleasure over His displeasure, give close attention to what Allaah has obligated, abandon what Allaah has made unlawful and repent truthfully to Allaah from one’s sins and shortcomings. Also there should be industry in the Muslim countries, preparation and strength that will enable every individual through every means, so that he has no need of the enemy – until the enemy knows what he has of preparation and talent, and so that the enemy is afraid of him, treats him fairly and gives him his rights. The bodies are to be prepared and should refrain from over-indulging in that type of luxury that will weaken strength and the hearts when required to fight the enemy, and so that one has strength to perform Jihaad. There should be full cooperation between the state and the people on what is required of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, refraining from what Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] has forbidden and also cooperating on what is required to make preparations, just as Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ۬ – And make ready against them all you can of power]. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Aayah 60]

It is necessary to prepare physically – prepare equipment (of defense and war), and other types of equipment in all respects so that we can suffice with what Allaah [Glorified be He] has given us and not to be in need of what our enemies have, because fighting our enemies with what is in their possession is very difficult to obtain. If the enemy prevents you from acquiring weapons, then what do you fight with alongside poor insight and little knowledge? It is necessary to prepare what is possible, and what is possible is sufficient as long as the Muslims intend to do without their enemy, fight their enemy, save their country, intending to establish the command of Allaah in the land, and intending (to gain reward) in the Afterlife as much as they can, because indeed Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He] says: [وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ۬ – And make ready against them all you can of power]; but Allaah did not say, “And make ready against them that which is equal to their power”, because that may not be possible to achieve. If the Muslims are sincere, join hands, prepare for their enemy with as much equipment they can and support the religion ordained by Allaah, then indeed Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He] will support them, place them in front and above the enemy, and not under the enemy. Allaah – the One who is truthful in His speech and promise – said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تَنصُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرۡكُمۡ وَيُثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَكُمۡ – O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm]. [Surah Muhammad. Verse 7]

Allaah is neither unable nor in need of the people, but He puts His good servants to trial by way of the evil ones, so that the truthfulness of the truthful ones is distinguished from the lies of the liars, the one who truly strives in the path of Allaah is distinguished from others, and the one desirous of safety (in this life and the next) is distinguished. This is the reason, otherwise Allaah is able to aid His allies and destroy His enemies without war- without the need for Jihaad, preparation and other things, as Allaah [Glorified be He] says:

[ذَٲلِكَ وَلَوۡ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنۡہُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَبۡلُوَاْ بَعۡضَڪُم بِبَعۡضٍ۬‌ۗ- But if it had been Allah’s Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others]. [Surah Muhammad. Aayah 4] (1) [End of quote]

NB: This address by the Imaam is directed at Muslim Rulers and Governments and not insurgents and terrorists, such as ISIS and other lunatics who have no authority in either religious or worldly affairs; rather they are khawaarij and blood-thirsty innovators in religious affairs. Read here ‘Jihaad in our times by Saudi Salafi Scholar Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him]: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/salafi-shaikh-fawzaan-on-jihaad-in-our-times-and-the-guidelines-of-jihaad-according-to-islam/

[Ref 1: https://binbaz.org.sa/discussions/42/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B6%D8%B9%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%88%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%89%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC ]

O Allah! Just as You Made My External Form Beautiful, Make My Character Beautiful as Well

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: [اللهم كما حَسَّنْت خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي – O Allah! Just as You made my external form beautiful, make my character beautiful as well].

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Admonitions of The Scholars Regarding Good Manners

Admonitions of The Scholars Regarding Good Manners