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Some Scholarly Clarifications on Certain Rotten Apples Who Preceded the Blazing Bid’ee Daniel Haqiqatjou

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Shamsuddeen Al-Afghaaniy, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah guided mankind through Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the manifest proofs given to him – guidance that surpassed the knowledge of those with great perception and could not be described by those who were well-versed in the art of description. Allah opened the hearts of the heedless, the ears of the deaf, and the eyes of the blind through this guidance. They were in a state of disharmony, harboured animosity toward one another, and adhered to perverse creeds before Allah united them under a single religion. Allah united their hearts, and as a result of this great blessing, they became true brothers in Islam. Following that, everything worshipped besides Allah, such as graves, trees, stones, and idols, ceased to exist, and all worship was established for Allah alone. [Footnote a]

People followed the true religion of Islamic monotheism and worshiped Allah alone, except for those whom Allah decreed would remain as polytheists, hypocrites, and adherents of the altered and distorted previous scriptures. The darkness of polytheism was dispelled, and the banner of Tawhid was raised in Arab and non-Arab lands. Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] died while Islam was established and in authority, superseding all other ways of life and creeds. The Messenger’s rightly guided khulafaa [Footnote b] continued to follow the Messenger’s path until the two powerful and great nations at the time, Rome and Persia, ended up in humiliation, degradation, and fear after they had been in security, and thus Caesar was restricted and besieged, and Chosroes was subdued and destroyed.

When the enemies of Islam realised they couldn’t destroy the religion, they planted agents within it – those who pretended to be Muslims -to sow confusion, trials, and tribulations, and spread polytheism by exaggerating the status of the pious and exalting their graves. As a result, the Ummah was exposed to temptations by Abdullah Bin Saba’s plots, who claimed that Ali Ibn Abi Talib deserved to be worshipped. The Saba’iyyah were Abdullah Bin Sabah’s followers, who were later known as the Rawafid, Ismaliyyah, Nusayriyah, and others among the Batiniyyah. They worshiped the graves and their inhabitants and erected places of worship and shrines over them. As a result of these practices, they revived the (corrupt) practices of the Jews, Christians, and idol worshippers (i.e. those among them who abandoned the correct path of their Prophets). This is how grave worshippers’ practices manifested in this Ummah, through practices initiated by the Rawafid. [Footnote c]

Furthermore, Greek philosophical texts that promoted the concepts of grave worship and idolatry were translated into the Arabic language and gained significant attention among individuals identifying with Islam, such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina Al-Hanafi, and Naseer At-Toosee, who advocated disbelief and polytheism, and those who sought to manipulate the teachings of Islam, akin to Paul’s manipulation of Christianity. The Greek Philosophers influenced and led them to advocate for grave worship through Greek Philosophy. The practices of these individuals were prevalent among the followers of rhetoric among the Hanafi Maturidiyyah and the Ash’ariyyah Kullabiyyah, as they immersed themselves in the works of the Philosophers. Consequently, they became proponents of grave worship and adhering to the Jahmiyyah creed. Among these individuals were Taftaazaanee Al-Hanafi, who was renowned as a philosopher of the Maturidiyyah and a follower of grave worship, and Jurjaanee Al-Hanafi, a proponent of superstitious beliefs. [Footnote d]

Another group of people arose within the Muslim community who posed an even greater threat and were more misguided than the aforementioned groups. These individuals adopted an outward appearance of piety, donning the attire of righteousness with tearful eyes, lengthy beards, towering turbans, and clutching large prayer beads. They deceitfully claimed to advocate for the teachings of the Prophet, while clandestinely engaging in despicable practices inherited from false religions. They attempted to mix blatant lies with the Qur’an and the authentic narrations to corrupt the clear proofs found in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. These deviant heretics are known as the Hululiyyah, Ittihadiyyah Grave Worshipers, such as the likes of Al-Hallaj (309AH), Ibn Al-Farid (632AH) Ibn Arabi (638AH), Ibn Sab’in (669AH), etc [Footnote e] [1]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated that the ultimate outcome for those who engage in theological rhetoric is a state of uncertainty and perplexity, while the ultimate outcome for the followers of the Sufi paths is characterised by erratic and irrational behavior along with false claims. The innovators in religious matters among the proponents of theological rhetoric have something of a resemblance to the Jews and those who innovate acts of worship in religious matters have something of a resemblance to the Christians [i.e. those Jews and Christians who deviated after the departure of their Prophets]. That is because these ones [proponents of theological rhetoric] deny the truth and are led to doubt, and those ones [those who innovate acts of worship] believe in falsehood and are led to irrational behavior. These ones are like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed by a great wave topped by another great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another; and those ones are like a mirage in a desert, the thirsty one thinking it’s water until he comes up to it and discovers it’s nothing. [2]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated that the people in their pursuit of knowledge and religion have two innovated paths and a path legislated in the Shari’ah. The path of Islamic legislation involves examining the teachings of the Messenger, utilising them as evidence, and implementing the necessary actions. Therefore, it is imperative to possess knowledge based on the teachings of the Messenger and to act upon them, and merely possessing one of these two is insufficient. As for the two innovated paths, one of them is the path of people who engage in innovated theological discourse and this path is fraught with falsehood. Many of its adherents neglect the obligations prescribed by Allah and His Messenger, leading them to remain in a state of corruption in knowledge and action. Consequently, these individuals deviate towards false Judaism. The second path is taken by people who adopt methods to enhance their spiritual well-being, namely the followers of the Sufi paths, who introduce new forms of worship. These individuals tend to deviate towards false Christianity as they claim that by purifying one’s soul according to their prescribed methods, one will effortlessly acquire extensive knowledge of religious sciences without learning. The worship practices of many of these people are innovated, rather, they contradict the teachings of the Messenger. As a result, they continue to engage in corrupt actions and corruption due to their lack of understanding of the Messenger’s teachings because they do not know what the Messenger conveyed. Neither Allah’s Messenger nor his companions followed the path of those who introduced innovations in religion, such as the proponents of theological rhetoric, nor the path of the proponents of innovated worship and Sufiyyah. Instead, he adhered to what Allah had sent him with, which is based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. [3]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, Abu Al-Wafaa Ibn Aqeel Al-Faqee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, our Shaikh Ab Al-Fadl Al-Hamdani, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, ”The individuals who innovate in Islam and the fabricators of Hadeeth are worse than the heretics, as the latter seeks to corrupt Islam externally, while the former aims to corrupt it internally. They (the former) are similar to the people of a country who attempt to corrupt it from within, while the heretics are similar to those who lay siege from outside, so, the ones from within open the fortress. Thus, they are more harmful to Islam than those who do not openly associate themselves with it”. [4]

Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “There is none more harmful to the people of Islam than the Jahmiyyah. They do not desire other than to nullify the Qur’an and the (authentic) narrations of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]”. [5]

Al-Hafidh Abdul Ghaniyy Al-Maqdisi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “(You) should know – may Allah have mercy upon you – that Islam and its people are undermined by three groups and the group that rejects the (authentic) narrations regarding the Attributes of Allah and belie its (reliable) narrators are more harmful to Islam and its people than the disbelievers”. [6]

Ibn Aqeel [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “There is none more harmful to the Shariah than the innovators among the proponents of theological rhetoric and the ignorant Sufis”. [7]

Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Exhortations are mostly employed when addressing the general public, particularly the common people, thus, the ignorant storytellers managed to find a way to achieve their objectives. Their innovations in the religion continued to escalate until it resulted in significant harm and they initiated evil through their deeds, statements, and goals”. [8]

Yunus Ibn Abdil A’laa, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: I heard Ash-Shafi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, saying, “It would be better for a man to be tempted by everything Allah has forbidden, except for the sin of associating partners with Allah in worship, rather than involving himself in theological rhetoric. This is because I have encountered certain matters from the proponents of theological rhetoric that I never expected to encounter”. [9]

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated, “May Allah curse Amr Ibn Ubaid because indeed he initiated this innovation from theological rhetoric. If theological rhetoric was knowledge, the companions of the Messenger and the Taabi’een would have spoken about it just as they spoke about rulings and laws of the religion, however, it is falsehood and leads to falsehood”. [10.a]

An Example of a Misguided One Called Al-Jahiz Who Was Known to Read a Lot and Wrote Many Books, But Well-known For Jesting and Twiddling With The Religion

Ibn Qutaybah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated about Al-Jaahiz: “You find him arguing at times for the Uthmaniyyah over the Rafidah, and sometimes for the Zaydiyyah over the Uthmaniyyah and Ahlus Sunnah, and sometimes he gave precedence to Ali,  may Allah be pleased with him, and sometimes he placed him behind others. He wrote a book in which he mentioned the arguments of the Christians against the Muslims, and when he embarked upon refuting them, he relinquished some of the proof as if he wanted to alert them to what they did not know and to cast doubt on the weak (people) among the Muslims, and you find him intending in his books to mock and twiddle. He mocked at hadith in a way that was not hidden from the scholars, while he was one of the Ummah’s greatest liars, fabricators of hadith, and the most supportive of falsehood”. [10.b]

Imam Adh-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said about Al-Jaahiz: “He was an insolent person, one who was very negligent in his practice of the religion and held strange views”. [10.c] “It was apparent from his traits that he used to fabricate”. [10.d] “He was from the figureheads of Bidah”. [10.e] Al-Baghdaadee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Al-Jaahiz used to transmit a lot of innovated beliefs in his books”. [10.f] “Neither reliable nor trustworthy, rather, he was one of the figureheads of Bidah”. [10.g]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan,  may Allah preserve him, stated:

It is not permissible to transmit false and fabricated narrations and then attribute them to the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. That is because many amongst the people of misguidance and (vain) desires fabricate narrations, utilise them as proof, and declare them authentic when (such narrations) agree with their desires. But when the authentic narrations oppose their desires, either they belie or distort and explain them (in a manner other than what is intended by) their correct meanings. This is the state of affairs of the people of misguidance. They search for fabricated and false narrations, present them to the people, and utilise them as proof if it agrees with their desires. Also one of the characteristics of a hypocrite is that he lies when he speaks, therefore, do not speak to the people unless you are truthful (in what you say), and do not speak too much regarding the narrations in that which is no benefit out of fear of falling into lies. The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “It is enough (to be considered as) lying that a man speaks about everything that he hears”. [Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Number 4992] [11]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, stated:

Ahlul Ahwaa, such as the Mutazilah, the khawarij, the Rawafid, and others, are the ones responsible for causing the wars and discord. Fitnah (turmoil) only arises from them and is a result of them. Who was responsible for the assassination of Uthman? Who was behind the murder of Ali? Who were the ones that ignited turmoil among the Muslims thereafter? It was none other than these individuals driven by their desires. Who misled Al-Mamoon and those rulers who came after him to persecute Ahlus Sunnah, and ultimately led to the beating and imprisonment of their Imam – Ahmad Bin Hanbal? It was none else other than Ahlul Ahwaa! Who initiated the imprisonment of Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah until he died in prison? It was none else other than Ahlul Ahwaa! It is our responsibility to exercise caution towards these people, as their fitnah ultimately results in the fragmentation of Muslim unity, rebellion against Muslim leaders, and splitting within the Muslim community, leading to the emergence of divergent groups and parties. This stands in stark contrast to the concept of a united Ummah. [12]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhali, may Allah have mercy upon him said:

After speaking about those who make Takfeer based on falsehood [f] amongst the different factions of the Jahmiyah [g], the Khawarij [h], the Rawafid and the Qadariyyah [i], and the reason behind such Takfeer, Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

“On the opposite side of these people who make Takfeer based on falsehood, there are people who do not know the creed of Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah as it should be, or they know some and are ignorant of some. And perhaps what they know of it, they do not clarify for the people, rather they conceal it. Neither do they forbid Bidah nor censure ahlul bidah and punish them; rather, perhaps they would censure speech related to the Sunnah and the fundamental principles of the religion – completely – and would not differentiate – in that – between what Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah say [i.e. adherents to the sound Prophetic Sunnah and sound unity] and what ahlul bidah wal furqah say [i.e. the proponents of innovation in religious affairs who split (disunite due to their opposition to the correct path)], or they would affirm all their differing Madhabs [creeds, paths] in a manner similar to how the scholars would affirm the different opinions related to affairs of Ijtihaad about which difference of opinion is justified. [j] This path has overwhelmed many of the Murji’ah, some of the jurists, those pursuing the path of asceticism and the philosophers, just as it has overwhelmed – first and foremost – many amongst the people of (vain) desires and rhetoric. Both these paths are perverted, outside the Book [i.e. The Qur’an] and the Sunnah”. [End of Quote]

After quoting the above statement of Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Allamah Rabee said, “I say, may Allah have mercy on Ibn Tamiyyah. Indeed, he clarified the situation of the people of his era and those before them, then what if he saw the situation of many amongst the Al-Jamaa’aat Al-Hizbiyyah Wal-Bid’iyyah [The Groups of Illegal Partisanship and Bidah] [k] who ascribe themselves to Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah and take cover behind them – in particular – to promote their falsehoods! What if he saw them whilst they have definitely gathered between the Madhabs [creeds, paths] of the two groups- the khawaarij and those who follow their way in pronouncing Takfeer in the subject matter of Al-Haakimiyyah [l] and the way of the Mur’jiah [m] in the manner they approach the affair of people who are upon the big and numerous innovations in religious affairs, and equating innovation in religion to those affairs of the religion in which Ijtihaad is justified, whose people are rewarded alongside a refutation against their mistakes! In the view of these people, the leaders of Misguidance and Bidah are like the Imams of Guidance and Sunnah. [n] [13]

Finally, Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said, “Rather what is obligatory is to clarify that which Allah sent His Messengers with and (revealed) in His Books, propagate that which the Messengers brought from Allah and fulfil the covenant which Allah took from the scholars. Therefore, it is obligatory to know that which the Messengers brought, believe in it, propagate it, call to it, striving with it, weigh up all that which the people embark upon – [statements, actions, religious fundamentals and subsidiary issues pertaining to the apparent actions of the Limbs and affairs related to actions of the heart]- under the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, neither following desires [through] customs, a school of law, a religious order, a leader or a predecessor, nor following conjecture through a weak hadeeth or corrupt analogy, regardless whether it is an analogy that offers some degree of certainty or not, or blindly following someone who it is not obligated to follow his statement and action because Allah -in His Book – has censured those who follow conjecture and that which their souls desire, whilst they abandon following that which came to them from their Lord of Guidance”. [14]

Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يَتْلُونَهُۥ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ

Those to whom We have given the Book (the Torah and the Qurʾān), recite it as it truly should be recited (through sincere, honest implementation of its teachings, without distorting them). They are the ones who (truly) believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it, then they are the losers.

Imām al-Ṭabarī brings the following reports: Ibn ʿAbbās and ʿIkrimah: “They follow it as it truly should be followed.” Ibn ʿAbbās: “They accept as lawful what it makes lawful, accept as unlawful what it makes unlawful, and do not distort its words from their proper places.” Mujāhid: “They act upon it as it truly should be acted upon.” Ibn Masʿūd and Qatādah: “They treat as lawful what it makes lawful and treat as unlawful what it makes unlawful. They recite it as it was revealed by Allāh. They do not distort its words from their proper places and they do not explain anything of it with other than its (true) explanation.” Al-Ḥasan: “They act upon its decisive verses (muḥkam), believe in its ambiguous verses (mutashābih), and entrust the knowledge of what is difficult for them to its knower”. [15]

 


 

Footnote a: Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَآءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِۦٓ إِخْوَٰنًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided. [Surah Al-Imran. Ayah 103]

Footnote b:

https://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/kyvik-the-khilaafah-lasted-for-30-years-then-there-was-kingship.cfm#:~:text=The%20Prophetic%20khilaafah%20will%20last,Abu%20Dawud%20and%20al%2DHaakim

Footnote c:

http://www.shia.bs/index.cfm

The Devil’s Deception Of The Rafidah Shi’ah — Know Their Beliefs From Their Own Source References

Footnote d: Al-Faraabee: Al-Faraabee said that Philosophy is more perfect than Prophethood. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said about him: ‘’Misguided; a disbeliever’’ Ibn Sinaa adopted his books and ideas of disbelief. [For further details concerning Al- Faraabee, See Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 2/67—86] [Dar At-Ta’aarud 1/10] [Ighaathatul Luhfaan 2/372-373] Ibn Sinaa: Imaam Ibnu Salaah (rahimahullaah) said about him: ‘’He was a devil amongst the human devils.’’ [See Fataawaa Ibn Salaah 1/209] [Also see: ‘Ar-Radd Alal Mantaqiyyeen’ of Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah 278-279] [‘Ighaathatul Luhfaan’ of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim 2/373-380] [Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah’ of Imaam Ibn Katheer 12/43] Naasir At-Toosee: He was a magician and a minister of the Tartars. He rejected the ‘resurrection’. For further details, see: As-Sawaa-iq Al-Mursalah of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) 2/790; 3/1077-1078] Followers of the Jahmi Abu Mansoor Al- Maatooreedi Al-Hanafi [For further details, see the Book of Shaikh Shamsud-deen al-Afghaanee titled: ‘Al-Maatooreediyyah’ 1/205—376]

Footnote e: Hulooliyyah and Ittihaadiyyah (i.e.Wahdatul Wujood); see link for further details:
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Fo rum=8&Topic=3528
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Fo rum=8&Topic=3528

Footnote f:What is Takfeer? Read here by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah: https://abukhadeejah.com/no-muslim-leaves-islam-unless-he-does-something-that-nullifies-it/

Footnote g:Who are the Jahmiyah? https://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/xiyvh-the-first-deniers-of-allaahs-speech-a-chain-of-evil-narrators.cfm

Footnote h:https://abukhadeejah.com/isis-in-iraq-syria-ibn-kathir-died-774-ah-if-the-khawaarij-ever-gained-strength-in-iraq-and-syria-there-would-be-mass-killing/

Footnote i: Who are the Rawafid and Qadariyyah? https://abukhadeejah.com/the-devils-deception-of-the-raafidah-shiah/ http://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/hxnhe-the-splitting-of-the-muslim-ummah-part-3.cfm

Footnote j: What is Ijtihaad: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/tolerated-differing-and-impermissible-differing-in-islaam/ ]

Amr bin Al-Aas [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] saying, ‘’If a Mujtahid gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct, he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, even then he will get a reward.’’ [Bukhari Number 7352]

Few Issues From This Hadeeth

[a] A Mujtahid (a scholar who strives to reach a judgement) is not deprived of reward. [b] The judgement of a non-Mujtahid is different from that of a Mujtahid. Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said that the one who speaks about the religion without knowledge and out of ignorance [is guilty of] lying and sinning. The one who intentionally speaks to oppose the truth is threatened with entry into the fire of hell, as opposed to the affair of the one who speaks based on permissible Ijtihad, for indeed he strives, fears Allah as much as he is able, desires to seek knowledge as much as he was able, speaks for the sake of Allah, knows the stronger proof and speaks based on that. This person is given two rewards if he is correct; but if he is mistaken, he receives one reward. [c] A Mujtahid can be correct or mistaken. [Arba’oona Hadeethaa Fee Usoolil Fiqh. pages 32-33]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee said, “We do not say that there are people of ijtihaad amongst ahlul bidah because they are followers of desires, and Allaah and His Messenger have testified to this. The misguided innovator stirs up discord and errs, and then says to you, ‘This is ijtihaad’. When Hikmatiyaar and the misguided parties [in Afghanistan] murdered Shaikh Jameel Ur-Rahmaan, they said: ‘This is ijtihaad.’ They do not fall into an affair of misguidance or a calamity except that they say, “This is ijtihaad.” This is [tantamount] to diluting Islaam, falsehood, misguidance, bidah and confounding truth with falsehood, when the mistakes of the [true and qualified scholars of ijtihaad]- for which they are rewarded- are placed at the same level with innovation, about which the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] declared to be a path that will lead to the hell fire”. [Ajwibatul Allaamatush Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee Al Madkhalee Alaa As-ilah Abee Rawaaha Al-Manhajiyyah. page 20]

Footnote k:What is Hizbiyyah – illegal partisanship:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2015/03/a-precise-definition-of-hizbiyyah-by-shaikh-rabee-may-allaah-preserve-him/ ]

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/01/what-is-the-meaning-of-hizbiyyah-and-what-is-the-ruling-upon-it-shaykh-ubaid-al-jaabiree/

Footnote l: What is Al-Haakimiyyah?
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ07&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

Footnote m: Who are the Murji’ah?
http://www.sahihalbukhari.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=GSC&subsecID=GSC05&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

Footnote n: Read this article by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh: http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/series/the-false-comparison-between-hadith-giants-ibn-hajar-an-nawawi-and-20th-century-ignoramuses.cfm

 


[1] An Excerpt from “Juhoodu Ulamaa Al-Hanafiyyah Fee Ibtaal Aqaa-id Al-Qubooriyyeen” 1/19-25. slightly paraphrased

[2] An Excerpt from “Al-Mukhtaaraat Al-Bahiyyah Min Kutub Shaikhil Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah”. Page 281. slightly paraphrased

[3] Al-Mukhtaaraat Al-Bahiyyah Min Kutub Shaikhil Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah. 290-291. Slightly paraphrased

[4] An Excerpt from “Al-Mahajjah Al-Baydaa Fee Himaayati As-Sunnati Al-Gharraa’i Min Zallaati Alhlil Akh’taa Wa Zayghi Ahlil Ahwaa”. page 47

[5] Tabaqaat Al-Hanaabilah 1/47

[6] Al-Iqtisaad Fil I’tiqaad page 223

[7] As-Sawaa-iq Al-Mursalah Alal Jahmiyyah Wal Mu’attilah 4/1346

[8]كتاب القصاص والمذكرين- page 290

[9] Aqeedah Ash-Shaafi’ee. Page 86

[10.a] Dhammul Kalaam – by Al-Harwee 5/73

[10.b] An Excerpt from “Ta’weel Mukhtalif Al-Hadeeith”. pages 71-73

[10.c] Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa 11/527]

[10.d] Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa 11/528]

[10.e] Al-Meezaan Al-I’tidaal 3/247]

[10.f] Al-Farqu Baynal Firaq page 175-178]

[10.g] Al-Meezaan al-itidaal 3/247

[11] An Excerpt from ‘It’haaf At-Tullaab Bi-Sharhi Mandhoomah Al-Aadaab’ page 103

[12] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2016/02/02/reminder-ahlul-ahwaa-i-e-the-people-of-bidah-are-the-ones-who-start-the-wars/

[13] An Excerpt from “Al-Mahajjatul Baydaa Fee Himaayatis Sunnatil Gharraa Min Zallaati Ahlil Akhtaa’i Wa Zayghi Ahlil Ahwaa” 117-118]

[14] Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/467-468

[15 https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/2_121 Shaikh Abu Iyaad, may Allah preserve him.

A profound realisation of those granted Tawfeeq

The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When those granted Tawfeeq realise the (inferior) status of the worldly life and its short period of residence, they kill their (vain) desires. When they become heedful of (that state of) heedlessness, they make streneous effort to recapture that which the enemy (Iblees) snatched from them during the times of idlenesWhen the path towards (obedience) is prolonged, they understand and remember the goal (behind their efforts), thus, that which seems to be far away (i.e. the Afterlife) becomes close. Every time their lifespan is prolonged, they are reminded of the statement of Allah:

هَـٰذَا يَوۡمُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى ڪُنتُمۡ تُوعَدُونَ

This is your Day which you were promised.

An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id. Page 77

My intention is not to resemble them!

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Brief Commentary – By Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin – On The Hadith: “Whoever resembles a people is from them”.

The Shaikh: Among the (extracted) benefits from the narration of Ibn Umar is encouragement to resemble the righteous based on the statement of the Messenger: “Whoever resembles a people is from them.” This benefit extends to encouragement to follow the pious predecessors in worship, belief, methodology, and all aspects of life, so that an individual may be from what?

The student: From them.

The Shaikh: Is a person (considered to) resemble them in actions that are not performed as acts of worship, such as the manner of walking or dressing, or if it is stated that resembling them in attire means that an individual may wear what is customary worn by the people of his country, provided it is not prohibited?The answer is the second (statement), and due to this, we say: following custom in the manner of dress is Sunnah, provided it (such type of dress) is not prohibited.

One of the benefits of this hadith is the caution against resembling disbelievers or a warning against resembling the disbelievers due to the statement of the Messenger: “He is from them.”

Is this (resemblance deemed) hated or forbidden? What is correct is that it is forbidden, and that it is forbidden for a person to resemble the disbelievers. One of the benefits of this hadith is that whenever resemblance takes place, the ruling is established (forbidden), regardless of whether it (the act) is intentional or unintentional.

If someone were to say that he wears the clothing of the disbelievers (i.e. what is not allowed Islamically) but he does not intend to resemble them. We would say: but resemblance has indeed occurred. The place of one’s intention is the heart; we disapprove of him based on what he has manifested of resemblance. As for his relationship with his Creator, this is not for us to judge. This is because at present when some person is prohibited, he says: “I dont intend resemblance”. For instance, you find him styling his hair in a partucular manner that is known to be from (the unlawful) adornment of the disbelievers, so if you tell him about it and he said: “I don’t intend resemblance”, what do we say to him? We say: Resemblance has occurred; resemblance has taken place while intention remains a hidden matter that cannot be known (i.e. it’s hidden in your heart). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, stated, “Whoever resembles a people is from them,” thus linking the ruling to the act of resembling.

Also, caution must be exercised with regards to following Ahlul Bidah because if you follow them, then indeed you’ve resembled them and are from them. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Every innovation (in religion) is a misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire”. (1)

The Shaikh, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said: (This) refers to what makes one resemble them by engaging in specific practices associated with them. Resemblance can occur in beliefs, acts of worship, clothing, and customs. This hadith  is general, and when it is the case that it is applied generally, the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, “He is one of them” can be interpreted in light of other evidences. For instance, one who resembles a people in their beliefs is from them, as he believes what they believe (right or wrong)- whether related to acts of worship, belief in Allah’s Lorship, or His Names and Attributes. The one who resembles them in worship is from them, the one who resembles them in customs is from them, especially if the Shariah specifically prohibits such (action or thing). If an individual adopts the clothing of the disbelievers, resembling them in their clothing, wearing similar to what the disbelievers wear, we say: “He is from them”. The important thing to note is the resemblance and that is to engage in what is specifically associated with those being imitated. As for shared practices (i.e. which the Shariah has not forbidden), it does not constitute resemblance. [2]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said: “The resemblance and similarity in outward matters lead to a corresponding resemblance and similarity in concealed matters (in the heart), in a subtle and gradual manner. We have observed that Jews and Christians who live with Muslims tend to exhibit less disbelief than those who do not. On the other hand, Muslims who frequently engage with Jews and Christians tend to demonstrate a lower level of faith compared to others.” [3]

Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “External  resemblance can lead to a form of affection and love, as well as internal allegiance; just as love that exists internally can lead to external similarity. This is a matter witnessed both through sensory perception and experience.” [4]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon  him, said, “The resemblance in outward appearance urges conformity in internal mannerisms, as demonstrated by religious texts, (sound) reasoning, and sensory perception. Therefore, the Shariah prohibits resemblance to  disbelievers, animals, devils, women (i.e. men who imitate women), and Bedouins (i.e. not to follow the un-Islamic manners and traits).” [5]

Imam Al-Albani, may Allāh have mercy upon him, stated: “One of the aspects of Islam’s perfection is its establishment of laws and divine regulations to help Muslims maintain their Islamic identity and avoid adopting the (un-Islamic) identities of other groups”. [6]


(1)https://www.alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=32008 (paraphrased)

[2] Fath Dhil Jalaali Wal Ikraam 6/335

[3] Iqtida Sirat al-Mustaqim 1/548

[4] Iqtida Sirat al-Mustaqim 5/149

[5] Al-Furusiyyah 122

[6]https://youtu.be/iKlyiyjwyRw?si=YsflY1MMblo8c8hr

Verses 22-24 Surah Al- An’am

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَيَوْمَ نَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ نَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا أَيْنَ شُرَكَاؤُكُمُ الَّذِينَ كُنتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ

ثُمَّ لَمْ تَكُن فِتْنَتُهُمْ إِلَّا أَن قَالُوا وَاللَّهِ رَبِّنَا مَا كُنَّا مُشْرِكِينَ

 انظُرْ كَيْفَ كَذَبُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ

And on the Day when We shall gather them all together, We shall say to those who ascribed partners in worship (with Us): “Where are your partners (false deities) whom you used to assert (as partners in worship with Allah)?” There will then be (left) no excuses or statements or arguments for them but to say: “By Allah, our Lord, we were not those who ascribed others in worship with Allah.” Look how they lie against themselves! But the (lie) which they invented will disappear from them. [Al-An’am 22-24]

Look” with astonishment their condition; “How they lie against themselves”– Meaning, they tell a lie that ultimately lead to their own detriment, causing them immense harm. “But the (lie) which they invented will disappear from them“, such as those whom they ascribed as partners with Allah, and Exalted is Allah above this. (1)

Look how they have lie against themselves,” through false excuses and declaring themselves innocent of Shirk. “But the (lie) which they invented will disappear from them” – Meaning, depart and cease, referring to the idols they once hoped for their intercession and support, but all of that proves futile on that day. (2)


(1) An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi.

(2) An Excerpt from Tafsir Al-Baghawi

Goodness Endures Through Every Turmoil

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Abdur Razzaq Al-Badr, may Allah preserve him, said:

It has been reported in Shu’ab Al-Iman by Bayhaqi, may Allah have mercy upon him, from Abee Mas’ud Al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, who stated: “A time will not come upon you except that the subsequent time will be worse than it.” The people said: “Indeed, there has been times when we had harvests (or earnings) in abundance and a time in which we did not have”. He said: “By Allah! I do not mean your times of abundance or scarcity, rather I mean the disappearance of knowledge or the scholars. Indeed, before you, there was Umar, may Allah be pleased with him;, then show me a time comparable to his?!”

Perhaps, it can be said concerning our current era, “Ibn Baaz was present, show us someone like him?” Nevertheless, good still exists. Although these statements (i.e. Abu Mas’ud’s statement) are transmitted, it is also important to mention the texts that convey reassurance, the people of virtue, and that good will remain, such as the saying of the Prophet:

“There will always be a group from my Ummah who will adhere to the truth; they will not be harmed by those who oppose them nor by those who betray them until the hour is established”.

This demonstrates that good will remain, and the likes of these narrations [i.e., the narration by Abee Mas’ud] are not intended to make a person despair and become hopeless; instead, it is intended for encouraging a person to turn to Allah and to be among the virtuous, even if they are few.

An Excerpt from “Sharh Risalah Al-Mughniyah Fis Sukut Wa Luzoom Al-Buyut. Audio Lessons 2

Verse 24 Surah As-Sajdah

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ

And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).” [Sajdah 24]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah informed us that upright leadership in the religion is attained through patience and certainty. Patience repels lowly desires and corrupt wishes, and certainty repels doubts and Shubuhat.

An Excerpt from Bada’i at-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah. 2/323

Verses 267-268 Surah Al-Baqarah

In The Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَنفِقُواْ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا ڪَسَبۡتُمۡ وَمِمَّآ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُواْ ٱلۡخَبِيثَ مِنۡهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسۡتُم بِـَٔاخِذِيهِ إِلَّآ أَن تُغۡمِضُواْ فِيهِ‌ۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ
ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلۡفَقۡرَ وَيَأۡمُرُڪُم بِٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغۡفِرَةً۬ مِّنۡهُ وَفَضۡلاً۬‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٲسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ۬

O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise. Shaitan (Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.); whereas Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower. [Al-Baqarah. 267-268]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah commands His believing servants to spend from the good things He has facilitated for them and from that which He has provided for them from the earth. Just as Allah bestowed on you by making it easy for you to acquire these things, you should spend from it as an act of gratitude to Allah, fulfilling some of the rights owed to your breathen in faith and as a means of purifying your wealth. The goal behind this spending is that you give the good things which you love for yourselves, and not the bad which you neither want, nor accept, except with closed eyes (reluctance).

وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ

And know that Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise.

Meaning: Allah is absolutely not in need of you. The benefit of your charity and deeds returns (only) to you. Alongside the fact that Allah is the only one worthy of all praise, He praises you for fulfilling the praiseworthy deeds and upright characteristics which He has commanded you, therefore it is obligated to you to fulfil His commands because it is means of strengthening your hearts- a means of piety and delight for the souls.

And beware of following your enemy the Shaytan, who commands you to refrain from spending your wealth- frightens you with poverty and neediness when you are required to spend. This is not sincere advice, but rather it is deception at the highest level.

إِنَّمَا يَدۡعُواْ حِزۡبَهُ ۥ لِيَكُونُواْ مِنۡ أَصۡحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ

He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.

An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi

Must wage a constant and relentless war against the chief deceiver

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allāh, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ

O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah. Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire. [Al-Fatir. 5-6]

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ

“O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true”

Meaning: Allah’s promise regarding the resurrection and recompense for one’s deeds is true. There is no doubt, uncertainty and confusion about it because it has been established by the divine and intellectual proofs.

Therefore, when it is the case that this is true, then prepare for it, hasten by utilising your precious time to perform righteous deeds and do not be hindered from it by any hindrance.

فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا

“So let not this present life deceive you”.

Meaning: its enjoyment, desires and the pursuits of one’s soul, thus you are diverted from the purpose behind which you were created.

وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ

“And let not the chief deceiver deceive you about Allah”

Meaning: shaytan is an enemy of yours in reality, therefore:

فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ

“so take (treat) him as an enemy”

Meaning: take him as an enemy at all times and do not be negligent in waging war against him every time, because indeed he sees you while you cannot see him and he is always watching you.

إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ

“He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire”.

Meaning: this is his goal and intent, so that the one who follows him is severely humiliated through severe punishment. [1]

Allah,  The Most High, said:

وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ هُوَ مَوۡلَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۖ فَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡمَوۡلَىٰ وَنِعۡمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ

And hold fast to Allah; He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper! [Al-Hajj. 78]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When you hold fast to Allah, He will protect you. Allah will help you against shaytan and (the evil urges) of your souls – the two enemies that never isolate themselves from a person. Their enmity is more harmful than an apparent enemy. Therefore, being given help against them is the most important thing and a person’s need of this help is more than (his need for other things). And the completeness of this help is (granted) based on the level of one’s attachment to Allah”. [2]

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: Indeed shaytan said: “By Your Might O my Lord! I will not cease misguiding your slaves as long as their souls are in their bodies”. The Lord (Allah) said: “By My Might and Majesty! I will not cease forgiving them as long as they keep seeking My Forgiveness”. [3]


[1] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi

[2]: Jalaa Al-Af’haam. Page 154

[3] As-Sahihah 104

Verse 22 Surah Luqman

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَن يُسۡلِمۡ وَجۡهَهُ ۥۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ۬ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ‌ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ

And whosoever submits his face [himself] to Allah while he is a Muhsin [good doer], then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped except Allah)]. And to Allaah return all matters for decision. [Luqman. 22]

وَمَن يُسۡلِمۡ وَجۡهَهُ ۥۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ

“And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allah”

Meaning: This is the one who humbles and submits himself to Allah, sincerely carries out acts of worship and keeps away from what Allah has forbidden;

وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ۬

“while he is a good-doer”

Meaning: A good doer in the religion of Islam, who carries out acts of worship that have been legislated by Allah and in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger, or that person who submits to Allah by carrying out legislated acts of worship in a manner as if he seed Allah, even though (that is not possible in this worldly life), but knows that Allah sees him, or that one who submits to Allah by fulfilling the rights of Allah and fulfils the rights of the people. All the above explanations mean the same thing, because the performers of these (righteous deeds) accept such deeds and perform them perfectly. However, the only difference between them is the (level of striving and sincerity of each person).

Therefore, whoever does this, then such a person has truly submitted to Allah and is one who has  ‘Grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold [i.e. that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah] that will make a person steadfast and lead (them) to safety – safeguards a person from destruction and lead to success through every path of good.

On the other hand, whoever does not submit to Allah willingly and is not a good doer based on the acts of worship legislated by Allah and are to be performed in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger, then indeed such a person has not grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And when it is case that such a person is not among those holding to this most trustworthy handhold, then indeed his end cannot be anything else but destruction.

وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ

“And to Allah return all matters for decision”.

Meaning: All matters will return to Allah, so that He judges between mankind and jinn, recompense them for their deeds and assign them their destinations [i.e. hell or paradise].

An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

The Daily Manifestation of Iblees’s Heinous Plots Within Human Behaviour

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَءَامُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ ءَاذَانَ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ وَلَءَامُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَن يَتَّخِذِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ وَلِيًّا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَانًا مُّبِينًا

Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse false desires in them; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah.” And whoever takes Shaitan (Satan) as a Wali (protector or helper) instead of Allah, has surely suffered a manifest loss. [An-Nisaa 119]

وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُ

“Verily, I will mislead them”– Meaning, from the truth.

وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُم

“And surely, I will arouse false desires in them”. 

Ibn Abbas said, “Iblees desires to hinder them from repentance and that they delay it”. [1]

وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ آذَانَ الْأَنْعَامِ

“I will order them to slit the ears of cattle”.

Meaning, cut off the ears of the cattle.

وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ

“And indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah”.

Ibn Abbas said: “Iblees intends by this the religion of Allah. And the meaning is that Allah created His slaves upon an upright fitrah (i.e. an upright natural disposition that enables them to recognise Him, accept the call of the messengers when it reaches them and worship Him alone), as He, The Most High, said:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا ۚ فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

So set you (O Muhammad) your face towards the religion of true Monotheism- Hanifa (worship none but Allah Alone)- Allah’s Islamic Monotheism with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in the Religion of Allah’s Islamic Monotheism, that is the straight religion, but most men know not.

مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُوهُ

(Always) Turning in repentance to Him (only), and be afraid and dutiful to Him]. [Ar-Rum. 30-31]

And this is why the Prophet said: “Every child is born on a Fitrah [a natural disposition to recognise Allah, accept the call of the messengers when it reaches them and worship Allaah alone], but their parents convert them to (abrogated) Judaism, (abrogated) Christianity or (the polytheism of) Magianism, as an animal gives birth to a perfect baby animal, do you find it mutilated?!” Abu Hurairah- after narrating this hadith- recited the verse:

فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

“Allah’s Islamic Monotheism, with which He has created mankind”.

Thus, the Prophet mentioned two matters: alteration of the sound natural disposition through (abrogated) Judaism and Christianity, and alteration of the natural physical appearance of the creation through mutilation.

They are two things that iblees said he must change- alteration of the natural disposition (through) incitement towards disbelief and alteration of the natural physical appearance through mutilation. He changes the sound innate natural disposition through incitement to Shirk and alteration of the natural appearance through cutting and mutilation. One is alteration of the sound innate natural disposition of the soul and the other is alteration of the natural appearance of the creation. [2]

Allah, The Most High, said:

قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأَقۡعُدَنَّ لَهُمۡ صِرَٲطَكَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ
ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَائِلِهِمْ وَلاَ تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ

(Iblis) said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You).” 7-16-17]

ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُم مِّن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ

“Then I will come to them from before them and behind them”.

Meaning, “I will bring doubts to them about the Hereafter”.

وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ

“And behind them”.

Meaning, “I will make them covetous for the worldly things”.

وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ

“And from their right”.

Meaning: “I will make their religion obscure (by making them hold onto doubtful matters which they would consider to be the truth)”.

وَعَن شَمَائِلِهِمْ

“And from their left”.

Meaning, “I will command them to commit evil deeds, urge them toward it and beautify it in their eyes”.

It has also been reported from Ibn Abbas who said that Iblees did not say, “And from above them” because he knows that Allah is above them. Qatadah said, “O son of Adam! Shaytan comes to you from every direction but not from above because he is not able to come between you and the Mercy of Allah”. [3]


[1] An Excerpt from I’lam Al-Muwaqqi’in 1-67-69

[2 & 3] An Excerpt from Ighatha Al-Lahfan 1/105-107