[12] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear, Unambiguous, Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah, The Most High, said:

سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَاثَةٌ رَّابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًا بِالْغَيْبِ ۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ ۚ قُل رَّبِّي أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ ۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَاءً ظَاهِرًا وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدًا

[Some] say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, guessing at the unseen; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say (O Muhammad): “My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few.” So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you). And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave. [Al-Kahf 22]

Allah informed us of the differing between the people of the scripture regarding the number of the people of the cave- a differing out of guessing at the unseen, forging statements and speaking about that which they have no knowledge. Some of them said that the people of the cave were three in number and their dog was the fourth, and others said that the people of the cave were five in number and their dog was the sixth. Allah said that these two statements are tantamount to guessing at the unseen, thus this indicates that they are false. Amongst them were those who said that the people of the cave were seven in number and their dog was the eighth. This statement- and Allah knows best- is what is correct because Allah declared the first two statements false but did not declare this third one to be false, indicating that it is correct.

This differing is one that neither carries any benefit nor are the people benefited by knowing the number of the people of the cave. It contains neither a benefit related to religion nor the worldly affairs and that is why Allah stated:

قُل رَّبِّي أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ ۗ

Say (O Muhammad):My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few; and they are those who know what is correct and known for being upon what is correct.

فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَاءً ظَاهِرً

So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you) –

Meaning, based upon knowledge, certainty and about that which contains benefit. As for debating based on ignorance and guessing at the unseen or about that which has no benefit- either the debater being obstinate or the affair being debated having no benefit- neither any religious nor worldly benefit, such as the number of the people of the cave and what is similar to it, too much debate and continuous research regarding it is a waste of time, and it makes the hearts have a strong love for that which has no benefit.

وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدً

And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture, Jews and Christians) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave] – Meaning, because their speech regarding it is based on guessing at the unseen, and conjecture can be of no avail against the truth.

ففيها دليل على المنع من استفتاء من لا يصلح للفتوى، إما لقصوره في الأمر المستفتى فيه، أو لكونه لا يبالي بما تكلم به، وليس عنده ورع يحجزه، وإذا نهي عن استفتاء هذا الجنس، فنهيه هو عن الفتوى، من باب أولى وأحرى. وفي الآية أيضا، دليل على أن الشخص، قد يكون منهيا عن استفتائه في شيء، دون آخر. فيستفتى فيما هو أهل له، بخلاف غيره، لأن الله لم ينه عن استفتائهم مطلقا، إنما نهى عن استفتائهم في قصة أصحاب الكهف، وما أشبهها.

In this is proof for the prohibition of seeking fatwa from one who is unfit to give Fatwa, either because of his deficiency in the matter being asked about, or because he speaks carelessly without giving concern to what he says, and does not possess the [ورع – i.e. the fear of Allah that stops a person from avoiding ambiguous matters out of fear of falling into Haraam] that would restrain him. If people are forbidden from consulting such a person, then his being forbidden from issuing fatwas is even more appropriate and worthy.

Also in the verse is that a person may be prohibited from being consulted for Fatwa in one matter but not in another. Thus, he may be asked about matters in which he is qualified and not others, for indeed, Allah did not prohibit consulting them absolutely; rather, He only prohibited consulting them regarding the story of the People of the Cave and similar matters. [Paraphrased] [end of quote] [An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan]

This is indeed a beautiful and clear matter. Where is the ورع of those who concoct scenarios, misrepresent words, distort them, and remove them from their context, then proceed to pass a verdict against a man who is well known for his Salafiyyah and defence of it for over three decades? Yet everyone is expected to remain either a passive bystander or an aider in the oppression. We ask Allah for safety. Once again, we ask: “Where is the clear, unambiguous, knowledge-based proof for the tabdīʿ against Shaikh Abu Iyaad and the other claims made about him without proof?” May Allah protect us and him from every evil. Āmīn.

[1] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear Unambiguous Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee?

[2] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear Unambiguous Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee?

[3] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear Unambiguous Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[4] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear Unambiguous Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[5] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear Unambiguous Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[6] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear Unambiguous Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[7] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear, Unambiguous, Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[8] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear, Unambiguous, Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[9] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear, Unambiguous, Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[10] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear, Unambiguous, Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

[11] Still Waiting! Where’s The Clear, Unambiguous, Knowledge-Based Shariah Proof for the Tabdee

Contemplating Some Reasons Behind Stubbornness After Being Guilty of False Tabdee or Erroneous in Other Matters