Some Details Added To A Da’ee’s Emphasis- Part 2

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In this second post, I would like to briefly elaborate on what the Da’ee – (Shamsi Al-Jazaa’iri – may Allah aid us and him in to attain everything beloved to Him) – touched on when speaking about what to give precedence to, namely, giving precedence to calling to Tawhid over other matters. However, because he mentioned Fiqh Al-Awwaliyyaat, while discussing what is to be given precedence, it reminded me that this subject is exploited by the hizbiyyun, harakiyyun, and mu’mayyi’un for their own dubious objectives, as they pursue it based on their whims and desires to decide what to give precedence to whenever it suits them. When I mentioned it yesterday to my friend, confidant and colleague Shaikh Abu Tasneem, he expressed the same sentiment. To begin: 

When one returns to the speech of the scholars regarding this matter (Fiqh Al-Awwaliyyaat), one finds them discussing what is “more entitled to” or “more deserving of” being given precedence. Sometimes, this is based on clear texts, such as those concerning foundations of the religion and obligations, and at other times, it is based on what is recommended or permissible, or what should be delayed due to circumstances, while seeking to achieve the greatest goal, repel a greater harm, or choose the lesser of two harms. There are fundamentals of the religion and obligations which all Muslims know very well, such as the five daily prayers etc. However, there are circumstances one may find himself that requires the specific guidance of the people of knowledge, especially when weighing up harms and benefits.

Also, in their discussions, based on clear texts and sometimes Ijtihad, you will find them speaking about objectives; identifying the types of actions to be completed first or last; determining the means to be adopted and selecting the appropriate method; establishing a time frame for achieving the objective; the principle of prioritising well-being when two matters conflict, or choosing the lesser of two evils; giving precedence to foundational matters over subsidiary matters, and obligatory duties over voluntary acts of worship; determining actions whose benefits extend to others over those whose benefits are limited to the individual; and consistent and continuous actions that are better than those that are intermittent, etc. You will find all these topics discussed by the upright scholars, based on clear texts or Ijtihad, in matters of worship and Dawah. However, all of them make it very clear that the foundations of the religion must be established first. In this regard, let us first share a statement of Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, as follows:

Society- Muslim and Non-Muslim- is greatly in need of rectification. However, from a certain perspective, the Islamic society is greatly in need of adhering to an upright path by way of which it would be rectified – the path that was followed by the most virtuous human being in the Muslim Ummah, the friend of Allah and the most righteous amongst His slaves, our leader Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. It is well known that the path through which the Islamic and non-Islamic societies will be rectified is the path that was established by Muhammad -the leader of the Messengers and seal of the Prophets.  This path was also established by his noble companions-foremost amongst them were the Rightly Guided Khulafaa: Abu-Bakr As-Siddeeq, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and the other companions of the Messenger, may Allah be pleased with all of them and include us amongst those who follow them in righteousness]. It is well known that this path was established by our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Makkah- first and foremost- and then in Madinah.

“The latter part of this Muslim nation will not be rectified except through that which rectified its early part’’, just as the people of knowledge and sound faith have stated. This is a statement of Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy upon him, – the well-known scholar of sound understanding and piety. Many other people of knowledge reported this statement during and after his era and they all agreed with it- that ‘’The latter part of this Muslim nation will not be rectified except by way of that which rectified its earlier part.” This means that the path followed by its earlier generations -the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His noble Messenger- is what will rectify its future generations until the Day of Judgement. The one who wishes to rectify an Islamic society, or any other society in this worldly life through other than the path and practical steps that rectified those who have preceded [i.e. the Prophet and his companions], then such a person is mistaken and has spoken untruth. There is no path [to rectification] other than the path [of the Messenger and his companions]. The only path of rectification and uprightness is the one that was followed by our Prophet and his noble companions, and then those who follow them exactly in righteousness till this era of ours.  And this necessitates:

-To give close attention to the Great Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger and convey them to the people.

-To acquire understanding of the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah and convey both of them with knowledge and clear-sightedness.

-To clarify the rulings found in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, including – first and foremost – the sound creed and the views that must be accepted by the Islamic society. On the other hand, one should clarify the forbidden creeds and views that are to be avoided.

-To clarify the boundaries of Halal and Haram that have been legislated by Allah and His Messenger, so that they are not violated. Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] said: [تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا – These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not] [Al-Baqarah. 187]

These limits are the unlawful deeds forbidden by Allah because they lead to sins. Just as Allah forbade mankind from going beyond the boundaries of Halal and Haram, He also legislated acts of worship and rulings in the religion.

The first obligation and foundation established by the Messenger was the call to Tawheed. This is the first obligation and fundamental he spoke about, proclaimed and followed. He called the people to worship Allah alone and guided them to its details. The statement upon which this obligation is founded is the testimony of faith [لا إله إلا الله- None has the right to be worshipped except Allah]. This is the solid foundation, alongside the testimony [محمدا رسول الله – Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah].  These two important fundamentals and foundations are the basis of Islam and the basis for the rectification of this Ummah.

Therefore, whoever adheres to these two foundations and acts upon them steadfastly with knowledge, calls to them and exercises patience [whilst facing hardships in this path], he will become upright and Allah will rectify the Ummah through him depending on the level of his efforts, strength and the sound legislated means he employs whilst following such a path. And whoever neglects both these fundamentals or one of them, he will be ruined and destroyed.

When Allah sent His Prophet and revealed the Qur’an, the first [Surah] revealed to him was Iqrah and then Muddath’thir; so he started to warn the people against Shirk and called them to Tawheed [pure Islamic Monotheism]. He warned them, saying: “O people! Testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and you will be successful [i.e. testify with your tongues, sincerely believe in your heart and carry out acts of worship sincerely for Allah alone and keep away from every other deity worshipped or invoked besides Allah]. However, the polytheists were haughty and rejected his advice because they were not prepared to accept it. It was something they never heard from their predecessors [i.e. forefathers] and thus they turned away. Allah [The Most High] informed us in the Qur’an that they responded to the Prophet, saying:

أَجَعَلَ ٱلۡأَلِهَةَ إِلَـٰهً۬ا وَٲحِدًا‌ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىۡءٌ عُجَابٌ۬

Has he made the aliha (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God – Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!

And Allah [The Most High] also informed us that they said:

وَيَقُولُونَ أَٮِٕنَّا لَتَارِكُوٓاْ ءَالِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرٍ۬ مَّجۡنُونِۭ

And (they) said: “Are we going to abandon our aliha (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?

They responded in such a manner because they were told to testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, just as Allah said:

 إِنَّہُمۡ كَانُوٓاْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ

Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha ill-Allah “(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it)]; therefore, Allah replied to them (saying):

 بَلۡ جَآءَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَصَدَّقَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ

Nay! he (Muhammad) has come with the truth (i.e. Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism and this Qur’an) and he confirms the Messengers (before him who brought Allah’s religion – Islamic Monotheism)].

Due to the negligent attitude of some of the people of knowledge- the students of knowledge and individuals amongst the people of Islam- towards the call to Tawheed, Shirk [i.e. polytheistic beliefs, acts of worship, views, opinions] spread in many lands, and thus the graves and its inhabitants [i.e. the dead in the graves] are invoked besides Allah.

Acts of worship that should be carried out only for sake of Allah are instead carried out for the graves and their inhabitants. [You find] some people invoking the inhabitant of a grave and others beseeching him for help; some make vows to him and others seek assistance from him just as the Quraish pagans and other than them used to do during Al-Jaahiliyyah [i.e. during the period of pre-Islamic Ignorance], because they used to invoke Al-Uzza, Al-laat, Manaat and other idols; and likewise the polytheists-in every era-invoke their idols and those images they worship besides Allah. They exalt them; invoke, seek assistance and blessings from them. This practice is a plot of shaytaan because what he eagerly wants to achieve is to distance people from the sound Islamic creed through every means.

Therefore, it is obligated on the students of knowledge to call to pure Islamic Monotheism, with wisdom, sincerity and truthfulness. They have to give concern to this foundation and should know that the only thing which must be firmly established through which other [praiseworthy achievements] will be established, is the call to Tawheed- sincerely worshipping Allah alone and having a firm belief that Muhammad is truly the Messenger of Allah, and that it is obligatory to follow his path. in Baz continued….. It is obligated on a student of knowledge or a leader to venerate the commandments and prohibitions [legislated by] Allah. He should cultivate the fear of Allah in his heart above everything else. He should not be worried about the rumours being spread by the rumour-mongers to oppose the truth and its people. He should rely upon Allah and affirm that which Allah has promised His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and all the Messengers, just as Allah [The Most High] said:

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ لِرُسُلِهِمۡ لَنُخۡرِجَنَّڪُم مِّنۡ أَرۡضِنَآ أَوۡ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِى مِلَّتِنَا‌ۖ فَأَوۡحَىٰٓ إِلَيۡہِمۡ رَبُّہُمۡ لَنُہۡلِكَنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

وَلَنُسۡڪِنَنَّكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامِى وَخَافَ وَعِيدِ

And those who disbelieved said to their Messengers: “Surely, we shall drive you out of our land, or you shall return to our religion.” So their Lord inspired them: “Truly, We shall destroy the [wrong-doers]. And indeed, We shall make you dwell in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing before Me [on the Day of Resurrection or fears My Punishment] and also fears My Threat.”

The student of knowledge – the scholar, the one who gives clear guidance, the leader with insight- should neither worry about the rumours of the grave worshippers nor that of the deluded ones, nor [the rumours] of the one who has enmity towards Islam, regardless who such rumour-monger or enemy is affiliated with; rather he [i.e. the scholar, student of knowledge etc] should carry on in the arena of struggle – exercising patience; attaching his heart to Allah; fearing Allah and hoping for assistance from Allah [The Most High]. That is because Allah is the true Helper and Protector, and He has promised to give help to the one who aids the religion of Islam. Allah [The Most High] 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.”

Allah [The Most High] said:

وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيۡنَا نَصۡرُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

And (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them)]. However, this [victory and help] has conditions and they are: One should firmly adhere to the Religion of Allah and being steadfast, and firmly believe in Allah and His Messengers. This is the path and prerequisite that will bring about Allah’s Help, just as Allah [The Most High] said:

وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۥۤ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ

ٱلَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّـٰهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ وَأَمَرُواْ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَنَهَوۡاْ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ‌ۗ

Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden).

In another Ayah Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَيَسۡتَخۡلِفَنَّهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ڪَمَا ٱسۡتَخۡلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ دِينَہُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱرۡتَضَىٰ لَهُمۡ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّہُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ خَوۡفِهِمۡ أَمۡنً۬ا‌ۚ يَعۡبُدُونَنِى لَا يُشۡرِكُونَ بِى شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۚ

Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. [1] [end of quote]

Now, when this matter enters into more serious issues, you find the scholars expressing themselves in a tougher manner. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This subject (or discourse) is of very great benefit. Due to ignorance, great errors have occurred in relation to (people’s dealing with) the Sharīʿah, resulting in such hardship, difficulty, and the imposition of obligations that there is no way to fulfil, which the magnificent Sharīʿah—being at the highest level of what serves the interests of the people—could not possibly bring. For indeed, this is because the Sharīʿah is founded upon wisdom and the welfare of the servants in their worldly life and the Hereafter…” He then gave examples of this, including the following:

The Prophet legislated for his Ummah the obligation of denouncing evil, so that, through denouncing it, what is good and beloved to Allah and His Messenger would be attained. Therefore, if denouncing an evil would lead to something more evil than it, and more detested by Allah and His Messenger, then it is not permissible to denounce it in that manner, even though Allah hates that evil and detests those who engage in it. This is like denouncing the kings and rulers by revolting against them, for this is the foundation of every evil and tribulation..” [2] [end of quote]

Similarly, regarding people’s behaviour in personal religious matters, particularly in relation to what they give precedence to or delay, you sometimes find the scholars expressing themselves astutely. We share one such stern statement by Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him, as follows:

Among such examples is when one of them occupies himself with the odd recitations of the Qur’an, acquiring them and spending most of his life in gathering them and classifying them, and teaching them to others, while this distracts him from learning the prescribed shares of inheritance and the obligatory duties. You may even see an Imam of a mosque undertaking the task of teaching Qur’anic recitation while not knowing what invalidates the prayer. His love of prominence may even prevent him from seeing his own ignorance, to the extent that he does not sit in the presence of the scholars and acquire knowledge from them. If only they reflected that the intended purpose is to memorise the Qur’an, perfect its pronunciation, understand it, act upon it, turn their attention to that which rectifies the soul and purifies its character, and then occupy themselves with the important branches of the religious sciences! It is a tremendous disadvantage to waste time on matters when there are others that are more important. [3] [end of quote]

Now, let us enter into a more serious matter, one whose determination affects everyone. We will suffice with one example, while bearing in mind that there are many examples in this subject matter wherein one upright scholar would opt for immediate action, while another scholar would delay engagement based on his Ijtihad.

After Amir Al-Muminin Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, received the pledge of allegiance, he gathered the Ansar regarding the matter over which they had differed, he said that the army of Usamah must be dispatched. At that time, the Arabs had apostatised, either generally or among particular tribes, hypocrisy had emerged, and the Jews and Christians had raised their heads. The Muslims were like sheep on a cold, rainy night, due to the death of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, their small numbers, and the great number of their enemies. The people said to Abu Bakr: “These people constitute the bulk of the Muslims and the Arabs, as you can see, and they have turned against you. Therefore, you should not isolate yourself from the main body of the Muslims.” He said: “By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Abu Bakr, even if I thought that wild beasts would snatch me away, I would still dispatch the army of Usamah as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded. Even if no one remained in the towns and villages except me, I would still dispatch it. By Allah, I will not untie a knot that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah, tied, even if the birds were to snatch us away. [4]

Al-Allamah Ibn Al-Athir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Its deployment (i.e. Usamah and the army) at that time was among the greatest of benefits, given the circumstances. They proceeded, and whenever they passed by any Arab tribe, they struck fear into them. They would say, “These people would not have set out from their own people unless they possessed great strength.” They remained away for forty days, though it is also said that they remained for seventy days. They then returned safely, with spoils of war. [5] [end of quote]

We will suffice with these examples, while bearing in mind, as we mentioned earlier, that we will always find scholars exercising their own Ijtihadat when matters are very serious, whether in giving precedence to action or delaying it. Therefore, in my humble opinion, the Da’ee’s touching on this topic of Al-Awwaliyyat, from what I heard in the video, needs more detail and clarity. This is because he mentioned correcting one’s brother if he falls into Bidah, but not going overboard at the expense of more serious matters, such as Shirk Akbar in some lands. However, he did not mention any specific individual, which left the affair ambiguous. Indeed, even if there is Shirk Akbar in a land, but someone who ascribes to the Sunnah, or a caller to Islam, also falls into Bidah, then, depending on what that Bidah is, how it affects matters, or how it splits the ranks of Ahlus Sunnah, the scholar or experienced elder student of knowledge who knows the circumstances would decide what to do to the best of his ability and knowledge. Therefore, merely mentioning the matter in general does not address the issue holistically. This is where we thought details should be added to the Da’ee’s emphasis on the issues of Al-Awwaliyyat.

Finally, we have a beautiful statement by Shaikh Fawwaz Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, regarding what has been observed in recent years in connection with correcting mistakes and refutations. We conclude this article with his speech as follows:

[1] An Excerpt from forth coming publication by Salaficentre: “Awaamil Islaah Al-Mujtama’ah” pages 1-3

[2] I’lam Al-Muwaqqi’een 3/12

[3] Talbis Iblis 137

[4] Tarikh Al-Umam Wal-Muluk 2/245

[5] Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah 6/308