He (sallal-laahu – alayhi – wasallam) commanded that during splitting and differing, one should adhere to his Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa after him. The Sunnah is the path that is adhered to, and that includes adhering to what he (sallal-laahu-alayhi wasallam) and his rightly guided khulafaa were upon with regards to creed, actions and statements. This is the complete Sunnah. [Jaami-ul uloom wal hikam page:249]
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saalim Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) stated:
It is widely known with some of the people, that Al [ٱلۡوُسۡطَ] is only that which occupies the middle position between two things, and they do not call to attention the other meaning of this word, as mentioned in the Magnificent Qur’aan and the Prophetic Sunnah. [ٱلۡوُسۡطَ ] in the Islamic legislation is that which is ‘Superior.’ [Allaah (The Most High)] said: said:
”Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawaat (the prayers) especially the Salatul Wustaa (the Asr prayer)” [2:238]
[ٱلۡوُسۡطَىٰ]; meaning: the best, more excellent etc.
And [Allaah (The Most High)] said:
مِنۡ أَوۡسَطِ مَا تُطۡعِمُونَ أَهۡلِيكُمۡ
[مِنۡ أَوۡسَطِ ] [On the scale] of the average of that which you feed your own families” [5:89]
That is: The best and most just.
And [Allaah (The Most High)] said:
وَكَذَٲلِكَ جَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَسَطً۬ا
”Thus We have made you [أُمَّةً۬ وَسَطً۬ا] [2:143]
That is: the best and most upright.
The intent behind all this is to understand that [الوسطية] in the context of the Religion is that which is ‘best’ and the ‘Justice of the Religion’—(and it is) to follow that which Allaah (The Mighty and Magestic) has commanded and keep away and refrain from that which He has forbidden. As for the explanation of [الوسطية] in the religious context with a meaning other than this meaning; then it is (something founded upon a foundation) ready to crumble down. It is a mirage which the thirsty one considers water (i.e. an illusion). [Source: Al Haqeeqatus Shar-iyyah Fee Tafseeril Qur’aanil Adheem Was-Sunnatin Nabawiyyati page: 186]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) stated:
He [i.e. the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi-wasallam)] legislated for his Ummah the obligation of disapproving evil, in order that by disapproving it, the good beloved to Allaah and His Messenger is reached. And if disapproving evil will necessitate what is eviler and more hateful to Allaah and His Messenger, then it is not permitted to disapprove of it, even if Allaah hates it and loathes those who carry out (such evil). And this is similar to the disapproval towards the kings and those in charge of the affairs—by rebelling against them; for indeed it is the foundation of every evil and trial till the end of time.
And indeed the Sahaabah sought the permission of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) to kill those rulers who delay the prayer from its prescribed time, and they said: ‘’Should we not kill them?’’So he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ’’No; as long as they establish the prayer.’’He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam) said: Whoever sees something from his ruler which he hates, then let him exercise patience and not remove the hand of obedience to the ruler.’’
And whoever ponders upon the greatest and smallest trials that have taken its toll on Islaam, he/she will observe that (such trials occur) as a result of neglecting this principle and (due to) the absence of exercising patience in [the face of] evil. So he (i.e. the person) seeks to stop it and what is of greater evil emanates from it.
And indeed, Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam) saw the gravest evils in Makkah and he was unable to stop them; rather when Allaah (enabled the Muslims to) conquer Makkah and it became an Islamic Land, he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was determined to alter the Ka’bah and rebuild it based on the foundations it was built upon by Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam). However, he refrained from (it) even though he had the ability to do so, fearing that that which is greater (disadvantage) will ensue due to the Quraish not been able to bear it; because they were new converts to Islaam and had abandoned disbelief not so long. And because of this (reason), he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) did not permit disapproval towards the rulers by way of using one’s hand (i.e. through fighting) due to what may result from it—affairs of greater (evil) that may come about thereafter.
Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:
“It is obligated upon a slave that he remains firm, exercises patience and adheres to what he performs of remembrance of Allaah and the Salaah, and he should not be irritated; because shaytaan’s plots are averted from him when he perseveres upon that. [إِنَّ كَيۡدَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا] ”Ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaitan (Satan).” [Nisaa: Ayah 76] [Majmoo 22/608]
”And know that, among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you (i.e. follow your opinions and desires) in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble, but Allah has endeared the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones, (This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Soorah Hujuraat: Ayah 7-8]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said:
Your love for Imaan, desire for it and its beautification in your hearts is not from yourselves; rather it is Allaah who placed it in your hearts. He is the one who made it preferable and pleasing to you; therefore do not put yourself before Allaah’s Messenger–neither speak until he speaks nor act until he commands you. The One (i.e. Allaah) who made you love Imaan is the most knowledgeable concerning what is of benefit for His slaves than yourselves. And had it not been the Tawfeeq of Allaah upon you, your souls would not have yielded to Imaan. Imaan would not have been (acquired) through your consultation and bestowed from yourselves, nor would you have given it precedence; because your souls are unable and weak to (do that), and cannot reach it…. [For further details, See ‘Madaarij As-Saalikeen 1/414—415]
We ask Allaah for truthfulness, firmness and a good end. Aameen
Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:
Indeed, there has been much confusion in this subject matter just as it is the case in the subject matter of halaal and haraam. Indeed a group of people make permissible some of the things which Allaah has declared impermissible and others declare impermissible some of those things which Allaah has made permissible. Likewise some people innovate acts of worship that have not been legislated by Allaah; rather He (The Most High) prohibited them.
The foundation of the religion of Islaam is that the permissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made permissible, and the impermissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made impermissible. It is not allowed (or befitting) for anyone to leave the straight path which Allaah sent His Messenger with. Allaah (The Most High) said:
”And verily, this 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 pious’”[6:153]
Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) drew a line for us and said: ”This is Allaah’s Straight Path.” Then he drew lines to its right and left and then said: ”These are other paths. Upon every one of them there is a devil calling towards it.” Then he recited:“وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ”Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow other paths; they will separate you from His Path.” [Hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad in Al-Musnad 4437]
Indeed Allaah has mentioned in Soorah Al-An’aam, Soorah Al-A’raaf and other them regarding the deeds the idol worshipers were rebuked for, when they made impermissible the things that Allaah (The Most High) have not declared impermissible, such as the Baahirah (i.e. a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it) and the Saa’ibah (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods, e.g. idols, etc., and nothing was allowed to be carried on it). They (also) made permissible those (deeds) which Allaah made impermissible, such as the killing of their children, and they instituted a religion which Allaah did not allow. Allaah (The Most High) said:
”Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed.” [42:21]
And there were impermissible affairs which they established as acts of worship, such as shirk, and lewd behaviour, such as Tawaaf around the Kabah, whilst being naked.
To be continued In-Shaa-Allaah
[Source: Al-Ibaadaat Ash-Shar-iyyah Wal-Farq Baynahaa Wa Baynal Bid’ah (page 7-8). Abridged and partly paraphrased]
How would the slaves (i.e. Mankind and Jinn) know what Allaah loves and what Allaah hates?
Answer:
They know it through Allaah sending the Messengers and revelation of the Books [i.e. the Zaboor, Tawraat, Injeel, and the Qur’aan (the final revelation)]— commanding what Allaah loves and is pleased with; and forbidding what Allaah hates and disdains. And by way of this, Allaah’s irrefutable proofs are established against them (i.e. Mankind and Jinn) and His Perfect Wisdom is manifested.
”Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [3:31]
[Source: 200 hundred questions and answers on the Islamic creed by Haafidh Hakami (rahimahullaah) page: 14]
‘’And Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth, in order that each person may be recompensed what he has earned, and they will not be wronged.’’ [45:22]
And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play; We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones), but most of them know not. [44:38-39]
[Source: 200 Questions and answers on Islamic Creed by Haafidh Hakami (rahimahullaah)]
