[2] Statements That Bring Solace to the Heart When Firmness Is Needed
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
I have left you with two matters; you will not go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet. [Al-Muwatta 2/899]
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
Indeed, the one who lives long amongst you will see a lot of differences, and beware of newly invented matters (in the religion) because it is misguidance. So whoever amongst you reaches that, upon him to adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa, and bite onto it with the molar teeth. [(a)]
Imam Ibn Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
In this hadith is the command that when splitting and differing occurs, adhere to the Sunnah of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the Sunnah of the khulafaa after him. The Sunnah is a path that should be adhered to and it includes that which the rightly guided khulafaa were upon in creed, actions and statements. This is the complete Sunnah”. [(b)]
Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
Whoever wants to follow a path, let him follow the path of one who has passed away, for indeed the living are not safe from trial, and those (who have passed away) are the Companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. They were the most virtuous of this Ummah, the purest in heart, the most profound in knowledge and the least the sophisticated. Allah chose them to accompany His Prophet and to establish His religion, so recognise their status and follow in their footsteps and adhere as much as you can to their manners and conduct, for they were upon upright guidance”. [(c)]
Imam Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:
There is not to be found in the statements of those who came after the pious predecessors (any) truth, except that it is found in their statements with a more concise wording and a shorter expression. There is not to be found in the statements of those who came after them (any) falsehood, except that there is in their statements that which clarifies its falsity for the one who understands and contemplates. There are wonderful meanings found in their statements and precise observations, which those who came after them were neither guided to nor knew about it. The one who does not take knowledge from their statements will miss all that goodness, alongside the many falsehoods he will fall into due to following those who came after them. [(d)]
The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
The devil has despaired of being worshipped in your land (i.e. The Arabian Peninsula); however, he is content to be obeyed in other matters that you may consider trivial in your actions. Therefore, be cautious. I have left with you that which, if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet”. [Sahih at-Targhib 40]
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to Tawhid, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to (our) opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this affair regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allah –The Most High, The Most Great. [Badaa’i Al-Fawa’id 3/525-526]
Imam Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy on him, stated:
“Know, my brother, that death is an honour for every Muslim who meets Allah while adhering to the Sunnah. Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. We turn to Allah to express our sorrow over the loneliness we feel, the departure of our companions, the scarcity of supporters, and the emergence of Bidah. To Allah do we complain about the grave situation that has befallen this Ummah with the passing of scholars and the followers of the Sunnah, and the emergence of Bidah.” [(e)]
Imam Al-Awza’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Adhere to the traditions of those who came before you, even if people reject you. Be cautious of the opinions of men, no matter how they may embellish them with persuasive words; for the truth will eventually become clear, and you will remain on the right path. [(f)]
[(a)] Reported by Ahmad 4/126. Abu Daawud 4607. Tirmidhee 2676. Ibn Maajah 43
[(b)] Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page: 249
[(c)] Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm Wa Fadlihi 2/947
[(d)] Fadl Ilm As-Salaf Alaa Ilm Al-Khalaf’ page 61
[(e)] Al-Bidah Wan-Nahi Anhaa 95 by Ibn Wadaah
[(f)] Siyar 7/120