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Author: Abdullah Jallow

[1] Ahlul Bidah Are More Evil Than the People of Sinful Deeds

Shaikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) 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. (Ref 1) 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 (Ref 2)]: “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 (Ref 3)]; for indeed there is a reward on the day of judgement for the one who kills them. [Majmoo 20/103-105]

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[Ref 1] See article here: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

[Ref 2] 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] 

Question to Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz (Rahimahullaah):

Is enjoining Ma’ruf and forbidding Munkar, namely correcting the wrong by the hand, a right for all Muslims or is it just confined to those in authority and their deputies?

A: Correcting the wrong is a right for all Muslims according to their ability, because the Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Anyone of you who sees Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), let them change it with their hand (by taking action); if they cannot, then with their tongue (by speaking out); and if they cannot, then with their heart (by hating it and feeling that it is wrong); and that is the weakest of Iman (faith).”(Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi & others)

However, changing by the hand must be based on ability that will not result in greater corruption or evil. Man has the right to rectify matters with his hand (by taking action) in his home, with his children, wife, and servants; and a manager has the authority to make changes with the hand within the organization they are responsible for, in accordance with the instructions that were given to them. Otherwise, people should not change with their hand anything they are not authorized to change.  If they do make changes in matters that they have no authority over, this will result in more evil and great corruption between them and the people and between the people and the state.

In this case they should make the change with their tongue (by speaking out). They may say: “O so-and-so! Fear Allah! That is not permissible,” “This is Haram (prohibited),” or: “That is Wajib (obligatory) on you,” and clarify it with Shar’iy (Islamic legal) evidence. This is what can be done by the tongue. As for changing matters with the hand, this should be done where one has authority, such as one’s home, with those under one’s responsibility, or those authorized by the ruler, such as organizations given permission and authority to enjoin Ma’ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). They should make changes in accordance to the degree of authority that has been given to them, in the way prescribed by the Shari’ah (Islamic law), without exceeding their jurisdiction. The same applies to the governor of a city; he should make changes with his hand, in accordance with the instructions he has. http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=16&Topic=9751

[Ref 3] See article here: http://salaficentre.com/2014/07/imaam-barbahaaree-speaks-about-the-khawaarij-terrorists/

Ponder upon This Overwhelming Proof Based on This Short and Clear Statement’ by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

Allaah (The Most High) said:

مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ ۚ إِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَٰهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

‘’No son (or offspring or children) did Allah beget, nor is there any ilah (god) along with Him; (if there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!’’ [Quran, 23:91]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

Ponder upon this overwhelming proof based on this short and clear statement; for indeed a true god has to be a Creator and a performer of actions-benefitting the slaves and averting evil from them. Had it been that there was another god alongside [Allaah (The One Free from All Imperfections)], then that god would have had his own creation and actions, but [Allaah (The One Free from All Imperfections)] is not pleased that another god is associated as a partner of His. That is because (if such a god was existent) and able to overcome Allaah, he would have done so. And if (such a god) was unable to overcome Allaah, he would have taken away what he created and depart, just as the kings of this world isolate themselves from one another when they are unable to overcome and gain authority over others. Therefore, there has to be one of the (following) three affairs: Either that each god departs with what he has created and with his authority; or that some of them gain authority over others, or that all of them are placed under the authority of one god, who controls the affairs and they do not control His affairs, and they are restricted by His judgements, but they cannot restrict Him. So Allaah He (alone) is the true God and they are His nurtured and subjugated slaves.

The organization of the affairs of the world- above and below- the connection between them and their establishment upon a well-planned and perfect organization neither clashes nor becomes ruin. This is the most confirmed evidence that the controller of its affairs is one (i.e. Allaah) and that there is not another god besides Him; just as evidence makes it impossible for its creator to be more than one and that there is not another creator for it. And just as it is impossible for the universe to have another Lord and creator, likewise it is not possible for it to have another god that has the right to be worshipped (except Allaah). [Source: Badaa-i’ul At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: page: 376: Vol: 1…slightly paraphrased and abridged]

 

They Restrict You to Two or Three Scholars! – [Is This a Laughable Obvious Hizbi Hoax or a Pathetic Hizbi Lie?!]

Ibn Abdi Rabbihi (rahimahullaah) said:

”Choosing speech is more difficult than authorship, and indeed it is said: The choice of a man (in speech) is in harmony with his intellect. [1]

Here are a few articles selected at random to show the fact that the Salafis utilise the works of the Salafi Scholars where needed in the subject matter being discussed.

 

Shaikh Uthaymeen

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/zmhyr-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-ibn-uthaymeen-2.cfm

 

Shaikh Bin Baaz

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/wvnjp-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-abd-al-aziz-bin-baz.cfm

 

Shaikh Fawzaan

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/illhh-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-4—takfir-of-the-raafidah.cfm

 

Shaikh Abdullah Ghudayyaan

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/cajxz-is-tazkiyah-or-graduation-required-before-one-teaches-and-gives-dawah-part-7.cfm

 

Shaikh Abdul Muhsin

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/fpjyl-is-tazkiyah-or-graduation-required-before-one-teaches-and-gives-dawah-part-1.cfm

 

Shaikh Albaani

http://www.salafis.com/articles/nsphcpi-imaam-al-albaanee-compelling-argument-for-the-usage-of-the-term-salafi.cfm

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[1] Source: quoted by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Umar Saalim Baazmool in Manhajul Bahthi Al-Ilmiy Wa-Kitaabah Fee Uloom Ash-Sharee-ah: page: 17]

 

Some Virtues of the Sound Islamic Creed

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

The Religion cannot be established except by way of sound creed. The (sound) creed in the Religion is like the roots of a tree and the foundation of a building. And just as a tree cannot stand (firm) except by way of its roots, and just as a building cannot stand (firm) except by way of its foundation; likewise the Religion cannot be established except by way of (sound) Eemaan and Sound Creed. A person without sound creed is similar to a body without a soul. Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَوَمَنْ كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَنْ مَثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِنْهَا كَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

”Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do.”[Soorah Al-An-aam: Ayah: 122]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُم

 ”O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (Muhammad) calls you to that which will give you life” [Soorah Al-Anfaal: Ayah: 24]

This is why Allaah called the revelation ‘Rooh’.  Allaah said:

 وَكَذَلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَكِنْ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ صِرَاطِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَلَا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَصِيرُ الْأُمُورُ

”And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Roohan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism).” [Soorah Ash-Shoorah: Ayah: 52-53]

And why did Allaah (The Most High) call it Rooh? It is because the real life of the hearts cannot exist, except by way of the revelation, and the sound creed is the greatest affair in the revelation.  Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَتَى أَمْرُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ (1) يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ بِالرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنْذِرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاتَّقُونِ

”The Event (the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islamic laws or commandments), ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate as partners with Him. He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases (saying): “Warn mankind that La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so fear Me (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds).” [Soorah Nahl:Aayaat: 1-2] 

This (i.e. the sound creed, Tawheed, sincerity in worship) are the greatest affair in the revelation.

Some Virtues of the Sound Creed

[1] (The sound creed) is the basis upon which the Religion of Allaah is built. This is manifested in the parable in the  Ayah:

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ تُؤْتِي

أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

”See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.” [Soorah Ibraaheem: Aayaat: 24-25]

”Whose (i.e. this tree) roots are firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high)”

The firmness of these roots are [the (sound) Creed, (sound) Eemaan, and Sincerity in worshipping Allaah alone]. Then the branches are made strong and the fruits are produced. Its roots are firmly fixed, and what is well known is that a tree cannot be of benefit when its roots are not firmly fixed. If the roots are firm, the branches will be strong and the fruits are produced. This is a parable in explanation of the Religion of Islaam and the status of the sound creed in the Religion.

And if you wish to know the status of the sound creed in the Religion of Allaah, then look at the date palm tree because the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said that the goodly tree which has been compared to the believer is the date palm tree. Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) narrated: While we were with the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), he said: ‘’Inform me of a tree which resembles a Muslim man. Its leaves do not fall and it does not, and does not, and does not; and it gives its fruits every now and then.’’ It came to my mind that such a tree must be the date palm, but seeing Abu Bakr and Umar saying nothing, I disliked to speak. So when they did not say anything, the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’It is the date-palm tree’’………[Al-Bukhaari: Vol 6: Number: 4698]

This (hadeeth) shows the nobility of this tree amongst the trees, because Allaah specified it and compared it to the believer. The date-palm tree has roots which are firmly fixed and deeply rooted, and it seeks after water by way of which it is given life. And whenever there is water, its roots seek after it; likewise the heart of the believer seeks after Allaah’s revelation by way of which it is given life. Allaah (The Most High) said:

 أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا أَنْ تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ  اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الْآَيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

”Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed We have made clear the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to you, if you but understand.” [Soorah Al-Hadeed: Ayah:16]

Allaah revives the dead earth by way of water; so just as a tree is given life by way of water and dies when deprived of water; likewise, the hearts cannot be alive, except by way of the revelation. And if (the hearts) are deprived of the revelation, they become dead. And that is why whenever a person is distanced from the revelation, he comes closer to death (i.e. his heart comes closer to corruption), and whenever he comes closer to the revelation, his heart is given life (i.e. obedience to Allaah, worshipping Allaah alone, distanced from sin etc) in accordance with his closeness to the revelation.

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[Source: Al-Madkhal Lidiraasat Aqeedah Al-Islaamiyyah’ by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr ‘ lesson 3..Abridged and Extracted benefits]

 

From the Miracles of the Messengers- Hud [alayhis-salaam]

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) said:

And had it been that there was nothing else from the miracles of the Messengers other than the religion they were sent with, then this would have (sufficed) as the greatest evidence that the religion is from Allaah because of its (perfect) rulings and regulations, which (perfectly) measures all beneficial affairs and the truthfulness of its information in every era; its command towards every good and prohibition of every evil.  Every Messenger (spoke) about the truthfulness of the (other) Messenger who came before him or was to come after him and bore witness for him.

And from the special miracles of Prophet Hud (alayhis-salaam) was that he was alone in carrying out his call; (alone) in discrediting their superstitions; declaring them misguided and rebuking their idols.  They were a people of violence, strength and tyranny, and indeed they did threaten him with their idols that he will be afflicted with madness or evil if he did not stop (calling them to Tawheed); so (Allaah informed us that Hud) challenged them in public and said to them openly:

قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُشۡہِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشۡہَدُوٓاْ أَنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تُشۡرِكُونَ

مِن دُونِهِۦ‌ۖ فَكِيدُونِى جَمِيعً۬ا ثُمَّ لَا تُنظِرُونِ

إِنِّى تَوَكَّلۡتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم‌ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِہَآ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

”I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship; With Him (Allah). So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path (the truth).’’ [Hood; Ayaat: 54-56]

They were not able to harm him, so what miracle can be greater than this challenge to those enemies- those who were eager to destroy his call through every means! And when their transgression was to come to an end, he turned away from them and warned them of the arrival of a punishment.  The punishment came upon at a time in which they were greatly in need of rain.  So when they rejoiced, as (Allaah) said:

[فَلَمَّا رَأَوۡهُ عَارِضً۬ا مُّسۡتَقۡبِلَ أَوۡدِيَتِہِمۡ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا عَارِضٌ۬ مُّمۡطِرُنَا‌ۚ- ”Then, when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: “This is a cloud bringing us rain!” but Allaah said: [بَلۡ هُوَ مَا ٱسۡتَعۡجَلۡتُم بِهِ- ”Nay, but it is that (torment) which you were asking to be hastened!” due to your saying to Hud: [فَأۡتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ -”Then bring us that with which you threaten us, if you are one of the truthful!] And Allaah said (about the punishment that finally came upon them): [رِيحٌ۬ فِيہَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬] ”A wind wherein is a painful torment!” [تُدَمِّرُ كُلَّ شَىۡءِۭ بِأَمۡرِ رَبِّہَا- ”Destroying everything by the Command of its Lord]’ [Ahqaaf: Ayaat: 22-25]

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[Source: Qisasul Anbiyaa: page: 70-71]

 

The Arrival of The Unlettered Prophet with This Great Qur’aan That Reveals What They Used to hide amongst themselves is from the Firm Evidences of His Messengership

Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ قَدۡ جَآءَڪُمۡ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمۡ ڪَثِيرً۬ا مِّمَّا ڪُنتُمۡ تُخۡفُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن ڪَثِيرٍ۬‌ۚ قَدۡ جَآءَڪُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ۬ وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬

يَهۡدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَٲنَهُ ۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ وَيَهۡدِيهِمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much.  Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qur’an).  Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism). [Surah Al-Maa-idah Aayaat 15-16]

After Allaah made a mention of the covenant He took from the people of the scripture-the Jews and Christians- [i.e. in Aayaat 12-14 Surah Maa-idah] and that they violated it except a few amongst them, He then commanded all of them to believe in Muhammad (sallal-laahu – alayhi – wasallam).  He established the proof against them through clear signs that shows the soundness of Muhammad’s (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) Prophethood; and that is: He explained to them much of that which they concealed from mankind, even from the common people who follow their religion.

And if they [i.e. the Jews and Christians] were the ones with knowledge and none else possessed knowledge during that era except them, then an eager seeker of knowledge would not have had any access to it, except through them. So the Messenger’s arrival with this Great Qur’aan that clarifies for them that which they used to hide amongst themselves–whilst he was unlettered and could neither read nor write–is from the surest of evidences concerning the unequivocal establishment of his Messenger ship, and likewise his qualities mentioned in their books, the presence of the prophecies about him in their books, the verses concerning the divine legislated laws against adultery and what is similar to it.

[وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن ڪَثِيرٍ] ”And passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much;” That is: He abstained from explaining that which is not in agreement with the perfect and infallible wisdom contained in the divine laws.

[قَدۡ جَآءَڪُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ۬ وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬] ”Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qur’an).”   It is the Qur’aan that gives light in the midst of the darkness of ignorance and the foolishness of misguidance.

[وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬] ”And a plain Book (this Qur’an)” for everything needed by creation (i.e. Mankind and Jinn) in their worldly and religious affairs–such as knowledge and awareness of Allaah; His Names, Attributes and Actions; knowledge of the rulings of the divine Islamic legislation and His Rulings on recompense.

Then He (The Most High ) mentioned those who are guided by this Qur’aan and the reason behind the slave being guided, so He (The Most High ) said : [يَهۡدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَٲنَهُ ۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ] “Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace;’’ That is: It guides the one who strives and is eager to seek Allaah’s Good pleasure with a good aim; (to the) [سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ ] ”Ways of peace” that safeguards a person from punishment when he follows them and leads him to the abode of peace (i.e. paradise), and that is to possess knowledge of the truth and to act upon it- in its general and specific affairs.

[وَيُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ] ”And He brings them out” from the darkness of disbelief,  bidah, disobedience, ignorance and heedlessness, and enters them into the light of Imaan, the Sunnah, obedience, knowledge and remembrance of Allaah.  All these affairs of guidance are reached by the permission of Allaah– The One that whatever He wills has to take place and whatever He does not will cannot take place.

[وَيَهۡدِيهِمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ ] ”And guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism).”

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[Slightly paraphrased..for further details see Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sa’di (rahimahullaah)]

 

Nobility is Obstained In Accordance With One’s Taqwaa and Adherence to The Sharee’ah In Speech, Belief and Deeds

Imaam Ash’Shaatibee (rahimahullaah) stated:

Know that Allaah has established this sharee’ah as a proof against the creation (mankind and jinn) – the old and young alike; the obedient and the disobedient; the righteous and the wicked. He did not specify the proof against anyone in exclusion of another one. Also all the other revealed laws were established as a proof against all the other nations to whom those laws were revealed.

The Sharee’ah is the judge- restrictedly and unrestrictedly. It is (the means of judgement) and the judge on all those who have reached the age of responsibility. It is the path connected to (what Allaah has ordained) and the Greatest Guide. And have you not seen the statement of Allaah (The Most High):

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ رُوحً۬ا مِّنۡ أَمۡرِنَا‌ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدۡرِى مَا ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ نُورً۬ا نَّہۡدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا‌ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَہۡدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism).’’ [Soorah Ash-Shooraa. Ayah: 52]

He (alayhis salaatu wassalaam) was the first to be guided to the Book and Eemaan, and then those who followed him. The Book is the Guide and also the Sunnah which was sent down upon him explains that guidance (i.e. the Sunnah and the Qur’aan explain each other). All the creation (i.e. mankind and Jinn) are guided by it.

So when this is the case, the Sharee’ah is worthy of being a decisive proof against them and a beacon by way of which they are guided to the truth. Their nobility is established in accordance with how far they embrace its rulings- through acting upon them in speech, belief and deeds– and not merely due to the level of their intellects or their nobility amongst their people. That is because Allaah (The Most High) has determined nobility through Taqwa and not other than it. Allaah (The Most High) said:

[إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ- Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa] [49:13]

The one who is the firmest in adherence to the Sharee’ah is more worthy of honour and nobility, but it is not possible for the one below this (i.e. the one whose adherence to the Sharee’ah is below that of the one who is firmest in adhering to it) to reach the highest level of honour based on his adherence to the Sharee’ah. Therefore, honour is (measured) in accordance with one’s (level of adherence) to the Sharee’ah.

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[Source: Al-Itisaam 3/434..few paraphrased phrases]

Why The Salaf Named The People of Innovation ‘Ahlul Ahwaa’ (People of Desires?)

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

It is well known that the mere (act) of shunning by those who (show) aversion or the love of those who (show) agreement are neither an indication of the correctness nor corruption of a statement, except when it is based on guidance from Allaah. Rather merely (using) a statement as proof (without guidance from Allaah) is tantamount to following desires based on other than guidance from Allaah. Indeed a person following what he desires is tantamount to following a statement and action he loves, and rejecting a statement and action he hates without guidance from Allaah.  Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَإِنَّ كَثِيرً۬ا لَّيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهۡوَآٮِٕهِم بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍ‌ۗ

And surely many do lead (mankind) astray by their own desires through lack of knowledge. [6:119]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

فَإِن لَّمۡ يَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَكَ فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَمَنۡ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ بِغَيۡرِ هُدً۬ى مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ

But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? [28:50]

And Allaah (The Most High) said to Dawud (alayhis-salaam)

وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ

And follow not your desire for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. [38:26]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

فَإِن شَهِدُواْ فَلاَ تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاء الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالآخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ

Then if they testify, testify not you (O Muhammad) with them. And you should not follow the vain desires of such as treat OurAyat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) as falsehoods, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and they hold others as equal (in worship) with their Lord. [6:150]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ لَا تَغۡلُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوٓاْ أَهۡوَآءَ قَوۡمٍ۬ قَدۡ ضَلُّواْ مِن قَبۡلُ وَأَضَلُّواْ ڪَثِيرً۬ا وَضَلُّواْ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Exceed not the limits in your religion (by believing in something) other than the truth, and do not follow the vain desires of people who went astray in times gone by, and who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the Right Path. [5:77]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَلَن تَرۡضَىٰ عَنكَ ٱلۡيَہُودُ وَلَا ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَہُمۡ‌ۗ قُلۡ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ‌ۗ وَلَٮِٕنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتَ أَهۡوَآءَهُم بَعۡدَ ٱلَّذِى جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ‌ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ

Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) till you follow their religion. Say: “Verily, the Guidance of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur’an), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (protector or guardian) nor any helper. [2:120]

So whoever follows the desires of the people after the knowledge Allaah has sent with His Messenger, and after Allaah’s guidance which He clarified for His slaves, then he (i.e. such a person) is of this likeness. And because of this, the Salaf named the people of innovation and splitting-those who oppose the Book and the Sunnah (with their innovations)-ahlul ahwaa (the people of desires) due to the fact that they accept what they love and reject what they hate based on their desires without guidance from Allaah.

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[Source: Al-Fataawaa 4/189-190]