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A Severe Warning From Allah and His Messenger Against All Unjust Killing

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

A Severe Warning From Allah and His Messenger Against All Unjust Killing!

None Excluded From This Warning – Muslim or non-Muslim, Whether Carried Out by Individuals, Groups, or State-Sanctioned Killing; Committed Directly or Indirectly, Openly or Discreetly, at Home or Abroad; and a Warning to All Those Who Excuse, Appease, or Downplay Such Crimes by Diverting Attention From the Intentional Murder of the Innocent In order to Shield The Rich and Influential

Allah, The Most High, said:

مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. [Al-Ma’idah. 32]

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

If a person is bold enough to kill someone who does not deserve to be killed, this implies that he does make a distinction between the one he killed and other than him; rather he would commit this act whenever his evil calls him to that. Therefore, his bold attitude that led him to kill is as if he has killed all humankind. On the other hand, if a person saves a life and does not kill – whilst his soul calls him to do so – due to fear of Allah, this is as if he has saved the lives of all humankind because the fear of Allah he possesses stops him killing one who does not deserve to be killed. [1]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا * يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا * إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا

And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Al-Furqan. 68-70]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَنْ يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا

And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him. [An-Nisaa. 93]

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

And that which is established with fact regarding this matter is that murder is attached to (violation) of three rights: the right of Allah, the right of the victim and the right of the heir. If the murderer voluntarily hands over himself to the heir, shows remorse for what he has done out of fear of Allah and repents sincerely, then Allah’s right is waivered through repentance. And the heir’s right is that he can seek retaliation (i.e. via the Islamic Shariah courts), reconciliation or can pardon. Then what remains is the victim’s right, (which) Allah will recompense on the Day of Judgement for His servant who is a repentant and a good-doer, and rectify affairs between them (i.e. the murdered and the repentant murderer), so neither the right of the victim nor the repentance of the murderer is nullified. [2]

Abdullah Bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “The first (thing) that will be decided among people on the Day of Judgment will pertain to bloodshed”. [3]

Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This hadith shows the severity of bloodshed and that it will be the first thing that will be judged between people on the Day of Resurrection because of its greatness and extreme danger. This hadith does not contradict the well-known hadith in the Sunan that “The first thing a person will be questioned about is the prayer”, because this hadith is about a matter between Allah and the person, whereas the first hadith (i.e. judgement in matters related to bloodshed) is a matter between the people. [4]

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “The termination of the world means less to Allah than the killing of a Muslim (i.e. without right)”. [5]

Amr Ibn Al-Hamiq, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Whenever a man promises safety for another man’s life and then kills him, I disavow myself from him even if the victim was an unbeliever”. [6]

Uqbah Ibn Aamir, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Whoever meets Allah while neither associating anything with Him nor spilling sacred blood will enter Paradise”. [7]

The people said to Jundub, may Allah be pleased with him: “Advise us”. He said: “The first thing of the human body to putrefy is the abdomen, so he who can eat nothing but good (halal) food (earned lawfully) should do so, and he who does as much as he can that nothing intervenes between him and paradise by not shedding even a handful of blood [i.e. unlawful killing], should do so”.[8]

A man wrote to Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, and asked him to write down all knowledge for him; so he replied to him, saying: “Indeed, knowledge is plentiful, but if you are able to meet Allah while not shedding people’s blood, not taking their wealth (unlawfully) and violating their honour, then do so”. [9]

 

Do Not Support Oppressors

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, pease and blessings of Allah be upon him, said : “Two are the types of the inhabitants of Hell whom I did not see: people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people, and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and making others inclined towards evil. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance. [10]

Imam an-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“This hadith is from the miracles of Prophethood. Certainly these two types of people have appeared and they are present”. [11]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Men having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people”, such as the police and other than police who beat people unjustly. These are from the people of Hell. This is a threat that calls for caution. A soldier and non-soldier must not hit people except based on a justified reason”. [12]

Anyone who takes on the responsibility to beat people unjustly is included in this hadith, whether it is by the order of the state or without the order of the state because the state is to be obeyed only in good. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Indeed, obedience is only in that which is good. There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator”. [13]

“And the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked”.

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

It has been clarified that they will dress in short attire that does not conceal the obligatory parts of the body. It has been elucidated that they will wear clothing that exposes the woman’s skin. Furthermore, it has been expounded that they will don tight clothing that covers the body but still reveals that which leads to trial through a woman. [14] [End of quotes]

Regarding the statement: “They will not enter Paradise, nor smell its fragrance, even though it can be found from a distance of five hundred years of travel”, here is the belief of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah as clarified by Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him:

والخلاصة أن من مات على الشرك لا يغفر له، والجنة عليه حرام، من عرب وعجم، ومن جن وإنس، ومن مات على ما دون الشرك من المعاصي، فهو تحت مشيئة الله خلافًا للمعتزلة والخوارج، ومن سار على مذهبهم من سائر المبتدعة، فإن الخوارج والمعتزلة ومن سار على مذهبهم يرون العاصي مخلد في النار، وأنه لا يغفر له إذا مات على الزنا يروه مخلدًا في النار، أو الخمر يروه مخلدًا في النار هذا باطل، بل هو تحت مشيئة الله، إن شاء الله غفر له، ومحا عنه سيئاته، وأدخله الجنة بتوحيده، وإسلامه، وأعماله الصالحة الأخرى.

وإن شاء عذبه على قدر معاصيه، يعذب في النار ما شاء الله، ثم يخرج من النار، عند أهل السنة والجماعة وهم الصحابة  وأتباعهم بإحسان، يعذب ما شاء الله قد تطول مدته، وقد تقصر على حسب أعماله السيئة، ثم يخرج من النار، لا يخلد في النار، لا يخلد في النار إلا المشركون إلا الكفرة.
أما العاصي الموحد المسلم لا يخلد في النار إذا دخلها، يعذب على قدر معاصيه التي مات عليها لم يتب، ثم يخرجه الله من النار إلى الجنة، عند أهل الحق عند أهل السنة والجماعة بإجماع أهل السنة والجماعة خلافًا للخوارج والمعتزلة ومن سار على منهجهم من الإباضية

The one who dies upon Shirk is not forgiven; Paradise is forbidden for him — among the Arabs, non-Arabs, the Jinn, and humankind.

The one who dies upon a sin that is lesser than Shirk is under the Will of Allah. This is the opposite of what the Muʿtazilah, the Khawarij, and others who follow their path believe — that the sinner will dwell in the Fire forever, and that he will not be forgiven if he dies with the sin of fornication or alcohol consumption. They hold that he will dwell in the Fire forever. This belief is false. Rather, he will be under Allah’s Will: if He wills, He will forgive him, erase his evil deeds, and enter him into Paradise due to his belief in Islamic monotheism, Islam, and other righteous deeds. And if Allah wills, He punishes him based on the level of his sin — punished in the Fire as Allah wills, then removed from the Fire.

This is the belief of Ahlus Sunnah, such as the Sahabah and those who follow them in good. He is punished as Allah wills, and the period may be long or short in accordance with his evil deeds. Then he is removed from the Fire and will not remain there forever.

None remains in the Fire forever except the polytheists and those who disbelieve (in Allah or His Messenger, or died upon a sin that is tantamount to major disbelief). [15] [Paraphrased]

 

Be Warned Against The Danger of Selective Justice

Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Quraish had been anxious about the Makhzumi woman who had committed theft, and said, “Who will speak to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about her?” They said, “Who dare it, but Usamah, the loved one of Allah’s Messenger?” So Usamah spoke to him. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger said, “Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?” He then stood up and addressed (people) saying, “O people! Those who have gone before you were destroyed, because if any one of high status committed theft amongst them, they spared him; and if anyone of low status committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him. By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut of”. [16]

“Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?” Meaning, it is not permissible to intercede regarding the divine prescribed punishments.

“Those who have gone before you were destroyed because if any one of high status committed theft amongst them, they spared him; and if anyone of low status committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him”.

Meaning, destroyed through punishment due to their sins. They were destroyed due to this matter because they said, “This is a person of high status and it is not possible to cut his hand”. When a person of high status amongst them stole, they let him off, (but) when a person of low status stole, they established the punishment on him, thus the implementation of Allah’s prescribed punishments was carried out based on their desires. In this hadith is proof to show that the nations before us committed theft, and that there was much theft in their midst including the wealthy, the poor, the one of high status and the one of low status.

The Messenger then made an oath – even though he is the righteous and truthful one without making an oath – that “By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut of”.

O Allah! Send Your Salutations and blessings upon him (i.e. the prophet). This is how justice should be and the manner in which Allah’s rulings are to be applied, and not through desires. He made an oath that if Fatimah – who was of a higher status than that Makhzumi woman, both in nobility and lineage, because she is the leader of the women of paradise, the daughter of Muhammad – stole, he would cut her hand. [17]

Imaam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated that Imam Muslim, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned narrations in the chapter regarding the forbiddance of interceding in the divine ordained punishments and that this was the cause of the destruction of the Children of Israel. The scholars unanimously agreed that – due to these narrations – interceding in the divine ordained punishments – after the affair has reached the leader – is prohibited. As for before it reaches the leader, most scholars have permitted intercession if the one being interceded for is not an evil person and harmful to the people. As for the sins (or acts of disobedience) for which there are no prescribed punishments, then intercession regarding them is permissible whether the affair has reached the leader or not. Intercession in these affairs is desirable if the one being interceded for is not a harmful person and so on. [18]


[1] Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Jawab Al-Kaafee. page 102

[3] Sahih Muslim. 1678

[4] Sharh Sahih Muslim. 11/139

[5] Sahih Al-Jami 9208

[6] Sahih Al-Jami 6103]

[7] Silsilah As-Sahihah 2923

[8] Sahih Al-Bukhari 7152

[9] Siyar A’lam An-Nubulaa 3/222

[10] Sahih Muslim. 2128

[11] Sharh Sahih Muslim 14/92

[12]https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/10311/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%89-%D9%82%D9%88%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7

[13]https://binbaz.org.sa/index.php/fatwas/6333/%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7

[14] Fataawaa Shaikh Muhammad Bin Utrhaymeen. 2/825

[15]https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/18158/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%BA%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83-%D8%A8%D9%87

[16] Saheeh Muslim. 1688a

[17] An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen 6/525-530 By Imam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him)

[18] An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Saheeh Muslim’. 11/155

Salafi Ideologies – Brief Response to a Misconception of Ohad Merlin at Jerusalem Post

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ

They follow but presumption and what their souls desire. [1]

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.” [2]

In an article published at Jerusalem Post on January 18, 2024, and updated the following day, the writer named a particular individual, and said that this person “also faces attacks from anti-Islamist actors who reject Salafi ideologies and based their disdain on his roles in several al-Qaeda offshoots”. [end of quote]

In this article, we are not going to address the conflict between that individual and his opponents, instead, our aim is to briefly clarify the term “Salafi/Salafiyyah”, and that linking either of them to the concept of ideology is a misconception. 

First, it is necessary to examine the definition of the term “ideology”. Whoever researches will find that ideology, is a form of social or political philosophy in which practical elements are as prominent as theoretical ones- a system of “ideas” that aspires both to explain the world and to change it; or a set of “opinions” or “beliefs” of a group or an individual. It can also refer to a set of “political beliefs” or a set of ideas that characterise a particular culture. Capitalism, communism, socialism, and Marxism are ideologies. Furthermore, even if social scientists define ideology in a broader sense to include religious beliefs, the Salafi says that religious beliefs are subjected to scrutiny as to to whether they were initiated by an individual without precedence or that that they were from a previous Scripture but corrupted. The basis of determining what beliefs or religious rites are correct or incorrect are the sources of the final infallible revelation – the Qur’an and Sunnah – as understood and practiced by the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.  

Second, every person with some knowledge of the infallible divine revelation- the Qur’an and Sunnah, as understood and implemented by the Sahabah – knows that the ideas of philosophy, theory, opinions, capitalism, communism, socialism, and Marxism originate from the inherently flawed nature of human thought. Thus, they are inherently debatable, with their inconsistencies and shortcomings clearly visible to everyone acquainted with them.

Third, as for “belief”, it may be either fabricated or innovated by individuals who stray from the teachings of the Prophets, or they may be rooted in the pure, infallible final revelation – the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Thus, when the word “belief” is mentioned without clarifying its foundation, it becomes ambiguous. This is why we scrutinise the language and terminology used by all intellectuals, and in particular more scrutiny is applied to the language and expressions of the well known anti-Islam ideologues, demagogues, journalists, or provocateurs when they seek to impose their flawed interpretations or judgments on the term ‘Salafi’ or ‘Salafiyyah’. 

The term ‘Salafi’ or ‘Salafiyyah’ can never be categorised as an ideology or a set of ideas, as these can be contested, debated, or labeled as right or wrong. Instead, Salafiyyah represents the path of infallible revelation—the Qur’an and Sunnah as understood and practiced by the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Therefore, those who assert that ideology encompasses belief and then assess Salafiyyah by the same criteria as other beliefs either lack understanding of Salafiyyah and the path of a true Salafi, or have utilised ambiguous language – whether intentionally or unintentionally – that leads to an absurd and dangerous confusion. As it’s the norm in some cases with regards to writers who subscribe to different ideologies, they are genuinely confused about Salafiyyah and the path of a true Salafi, and perhaps Ohad is genuinely confused and misguided in this matter. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: 

“The basis of Banee Adam’s misguidance is as a result of general terms and ambiguous meanings, especially if they come in contact with a confused mind, so how about when desires and misguided enthusiasm is added to that? Therefore, ask the One Who keeps the hearts steadfast [i.e. Allah] to keep your heart firm upon His Religion and not allow you to fall into this darkness. [3]

One of the core principles in Islam is the understanding that words or terms fall into two categories: those found in the Qur’an and Sunnah, which every believer is required to affirm, and those that are negated by Allah and His Messenger. The terms affirmed by Allah represent the truth, while those He has negated are also rejected as false, since Allah speaks only the truth and guides us along the right path. The terminology of Shariah is sacred, and it is essential for one to seek the accurate meanings intended by the Messenger to affirm what he affirmed and reject what he negated. It is our duty to believe in and testify to everything he has conveyed and to follow his commands. Regarding terms that do not appear in the Qur’an or Sunnah, and where the early scholars have not reached a consensus on their affirmation or negation, individuals are not obligated to side with those who affirm or deny them until their intended meanings are clarified. If the intended meaning aligns with the revelations and commands of the Messenger, it is accepted; if it contradicts his teachings, it is dismissed. [4]

Salafi ideology, or rather the notion of multiple Salafi ideologies, does not exist. What truly exists is Salafiyyah, a path rooted in the infallible teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, as understood and practiced by the Prophet’s companions. Any deviation from this path—whether in creed/belief, worship, or methodology—cannot be considered part of Salafiyyah, regardless of the claims made by various groups, individuals, or the author of the article in question. While innovations in religion are linked to ideologies, opinions and ideas of men, Salafiyyah is anchored in infallible divine revelation as understood by the Prophet’s companions. Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said:

Salafiyyah is to follow the path of pious predecessors – the Sahabah, the Tabiin and the virtuous generations. Allah, The Most High, said:

وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِـإِحۡسَـٰنٍ۬ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ

And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhaajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhaajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. [at-Tawbah 100]

Allah, The Most High, said about the Sahabah:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَـٰهَدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٲلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِہِمۡ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَواْ وَّنَصَرُوٓاْ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ بَعۡضُہُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءُ بَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ

Verily, those who believed, and emigrated and strove hard and fought with their property and their lives in the Cause of Allah as well as those who gave (them) asylum and help, – these are (all) allies to one another – up to His statement:

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدُ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَـٰهَدُواْ مَعَكُمۡ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مِنكُمۡ‌ۚ

And those who believed afterwards, and emigrated and strove hard along with you, (in the Cause of Allah) they are of you.

Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all Imperfections, said in Surah Al-Hashar:

لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ ٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُخۡرِجُواْ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمۡ وَأَمۡوَٲلِهِمۡ يَبۡتَغُونَ فَضۡلاً۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضۡوَٲنً۬ا وَيَنصُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلۡإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ يُحِبُّونَ مَنۡ هَاجَرَ إِلَيۡہِمۡ

(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking Bounties from Allah and to please Him. And helping Allaah (i.e. helping His religion) and His Messenger (Muhammad). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say); And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrated to them, up until the statement of the Most High:

 وَٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ 

And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith.

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “This ummah will split into seventy three sects; all of them will enter the fire except one. They said, ‘which is that (saved sects) O Messenger of Allah? He replied: ‘those who are upon that which I and my companions are upon today’”. [Footnote a] The Prophet said: “Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafaa after me”.

Therefore, Salafiyyah is the methodology that has been obligated to us to follow and we are to abandon all other methodologies that are in opposition to it. The (people of Salafiyyah) are the saved sect- Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah, and they are the aided group till the Day of Judgement. May Allah include us amongst them.

However, ascription to this methodology requires knowledge of its fundamentals in order that the Muslim may adhere to it. [One is] required to have knowledge of the other methodologies that are in opposition to Salafiyyah in order to avoid them. Therefore, Salafiyyah upon the path of the pious predecessors has to be upon knowledge and clear sightedness. It is not enough for a person to ascribe himself to [Salafiyyah] while ignorant of it or being in opposition to it. For this reason, Allah said:

 وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِـإِحۡسَـٰنٍ۬ 

And also those who followed them exactly (in Faith)].

They follow based on knowledge- neither fall into extremism nor negligence. They neither exaggerate nor fail to give the matter its right like those who ascribe themselves to the Madhabs of the four Imams whilst being in opposition to them in creed and worship. And like the one who ascribes himself to the methodology of the Salaf, yet he either declares the Muslims to be disbelievers or rebels against the Muslim rulers, or he follows other orientations towards extremism. This person is not a Salafi, rather he is named a khariji or a Mutazili. Or like the one who ascribes himself to the methodology of the Salaf, but utters the statements of the Murji’ah in the subject of Iman and Kufr. This is not Salafiyyah. Therefore, it is obligatory to pay attention to this matter and not to mix the Salafi methodology with the other methodologies that are in opposition to it, and then says, “All these methodologies are not from Islam”. This is reckless speech, an oppressive judgement and deception against the people. [5]

Finally, there is no such thing as a quietist or Jihadist categorisation of Salafiyyah or Salafis. Read here by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah- may Allah preserve him. https://abukhadeejah.com/a-response-to-western-academics-who-categorise-salafis-into-quietists-politicos-and-jihadists-and-why-this-is-a-false-categorisation/

It is therefore important that the author seeks knowledge before making statements. The sincere seeker of truth must refer to the following links: http://www.salafis.com/index.cfm

What is Salafism? Read about the most important aspects of Salafiyyah- By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, may Allah preserve him. https://abukhadeejah.com/what-is-salafism-and-salafiyyah/

The Ideological Origins of Al-Qaeda: https://abukhadeejah.com/the-evils-of-modern-day-terrorism-and-its-roots-al-qaeda-isis-the-nusra-front-etc/

———————————————-

Footnote a:   https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/12/28/all-in-the-fire-except-one/


[1]https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/verse/53/23

[2]https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/11/leaving-doubt

[3] An Excerpt from ‘As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah Alal Jahmiyyah Wal Mu’attilah’ 3/927

[4] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Haqeeqatus Shar’iyyah Fee Tafseeril Qur’aan Al-A’dheem Was-Sunnatin Nabawiyyah’ page 17

[5] An Excerpt from Al-Bayaan Li-Akh’taa Badil Kuttab. 2/173-174

Reality of the Rafidah – By Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan and Al-Allamah Rabee

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

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, was asked:

Is it correct that the first to innovate the path of the Raafidah was Abdullah Ibn Saba – a Yahudi?

Response:

Yes, without a doubt. The Rafidah or the Shiites in general are of two types: The Shiites from the fire worshipers and the Shiites from the Yahud. They hide behind Islam to corrupt it. The Yahud plotted through Abdullah Ibn Sabah and the first thing he began with was to ignite fitnah against Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him. Listen below:

https://safeshare.tv/x/krhxTksllR

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked:

Our Shaikh, may Allah preserve you. The questioner says: What is the ruling on the common people of the Rawafid and how do we deal with them?

Answer:

The questioner differentiates between the common people and other than them. This is a good approach. The common people who neither speak ill of the wives of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, nor do they declare the companions to be disbelievers, nor do they believe that the Qur’an is distorted; however, they have some Rafd [i.e. beliefs of the rafidah] and some hatred for the companions without declaring them disbelievers and what is similar to (these deeds), these ones are misguided innovators in religious matters and we do not declare them disbelievers. (But) whoever joins their heretics in declaring the companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to be disbelievers, speaking ill of the wives of Allah’s Messenger, and the filthy belief that the Qur’an has been distorted, and that there is an addition and deficiency in it, this (person) is a disbeliever similar to the disbelievers of the Yahud and Nasara. There is no distinction between their common people and their scholars (in this affair).

Question: How do we deal with them?

Answer: If dealing with them is with regards to a worldly affair—business transactions and what is similar to that— it is permissible to trade with a Yahudi, a Nasrani and a Rafidi. However, as for co-operating with them in issues of religion, no.

وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٲنِ‌ۚ

Do not help one another in sin and transgression. [5:2]

Rather their scholars and callers are boycotted and they are warned against.

An Excerpt from Adh-Dhari’ah ilaa Bayan Maqasid Kitab Ash-Shariah 3/595

Two Inevitable Reflections in the Face of Useless Conflicts Initiated by Corrupt Creed Advocates and Wealth Worshippers

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

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

A longing for the afterlife can only be fulfilled by refraining from the superfluous pleasures of the worldly life, and this abstention from such pleasures can be realised solely through two types of contemplation.

The First Contemplation: Reflect on the worldly life its fleeting nature, disappearance, inherent inferior status, hassles, ordeals, frustrations and troubles, and finally a conclusion marked by loss and remorse. Thus, the individual pursuing such a life finds no protection from sorrow, both prior to and following its acquisition, nor after it has faded away. This constitutes the first reflection.

The Second Contemplation: Reflect on the Afterlife- its proximity, its inevitable arrival, its permanence, the dignity of the goodness and joy it encompasses, and the distinctions between it and this worldly life, as Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, said:

وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓ

Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting. [Al-A’laa. 17]

It is perfect and everlasting, whereas the (worldly life) is deficient and transient.

If a person accomplishes these two reflections, they will naturally favour what sound reasoning dictates and avoid what should be reliquished. No one who is inclined to forgo an immediate gain and a readily available pleasure can do so unless their aspiration for something greater and more virtuous is more compelling, and the merits of the anticipated virtue are evident when compared to the immediate gratification. If an individual chooses what is deficient and will (ultimately) face extinction, it may be due to either the absence of awareness regarding the merits of the afterlife or a deficiency in the desire for that which is more virtuous. Both scenarios reflect a weakness in Iman, intellect, and discernment. This is because the person who desires the worldly life, prioritises it over the temporal world and is eager for it, either acknowledges the existence of something more virtuous and eternal or he does not acknowledge it. Should he choose not to acknowledge, he is entirely devoid of Iman. And if he does acknowledge but fails to prioritise it, his reasoning is flawed, and he has made a poor decision for himself. These two are inescapable, as a servant of Allah cannot evade them. Prioritising the worldly life over the hereafter stems either from a deficiency in Iman or corruption of intellect, and often, both issues coexist within (an individual). As a result, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, along with his companions, distanced themselves from the worldly things (which one can do without) and redirected their hearts away from them. The Prophet said:

“What is the world to me? What am I to the world? Verily, the example of this world and myself is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind”. [Ahmad 3701]

The Prophet said:

“What is the example of this worldly life in comparison to the Hereafter other than one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth”. [Muslim 2858]

Allah, The Most High, said:

نَّمَا مَثَلُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِمَّا يَأۡكُلُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمُ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ زُخۡرُفَهَا وَٱزَّيَّنَتۡ وَظَنَّ أَهۡلُهَآ أَنَّہُمۡ قَـٰدِرُونَ عَلَيۡہَآ أَتَٮٰهَآ أَمۡرُنَا لَيۡلاً أَوۡ نَہَارً۬ا فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهَا حَصِيدً۬ا كَأَن لَّمۡ تَغۡنَ بِٱلۡأَمۡسِ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَڪَّرُونَ
وَٱللَّهُ يَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ دَارِ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيَہۡدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

Verily the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat until when the earth is clad with its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our Command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, laws, etc.) in detail for the people who reflect. Allah calls to the home of peace (i.e. Paradise, by accepting Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism and by doing righteous good deeds and abstaining from polytheism and evil deeds) and guides whom He wills to a Straight Path. [Yunus 24-25]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَصۡبَحَ هَشِيمً۬ا تَذۡرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحُ‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مُّقۡتَدِرًا
ٱلۡمَالُ وَٱلۡبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَٱلۡبَـٰقِيَـٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ خَيۡرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابً۬ا وَخَيۡرٌ أَمَلاً۬

And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allah’s obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allah with glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope. [Al-Kahf. 45-46]

Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لَعِبٌ۬ وَلَهۡوٌ۬ وَزِينَةٌ۬ وَتَفَاخُرُۢ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَتَكَاثُرٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَمۡوَٲلِ وَٱلۡأَوۡلَـٰدِ‌ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيۡثٍ أَعۡجَبَ ٱلۡكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ۥ ثُمَّ يَہِيجُ فَتَرَٮٰهُ مُصۡفَرًّ۬ا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَـٰمً۬ا‌ۖ وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ۬ وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضۡوَٲنٌ۬‌ۚ وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡغُرُورِ

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment, and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure, whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment. [Al-Hadid 57]

Allah, The Most High, said:

زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ ٱلشَّهَوَٲتِ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡبَنِينَ وَٱلۡقَنَـٰطِيرِ ٱلۡمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ ٱلذَّهَبِ وَٱلۡفِضَّةِ وَٱلۡخَيۡلِ ٱلۡمُسَوَّمَةِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ وَٱلۡحَرۡثِ‌ۗ ذَٲلِكَ مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُ ۥ حُسۡنُ ٱلۡمَـَٔابِ
قُلۡ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيۡرٍ۬ مِّن ذَٲلِڪُمۡ‌ۚ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ جَنَّـٰتٌ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزۡوَٲجٌ۬ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ۬ وَرِضۡوَٲنٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ

Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him. Say: “Shall I inform you of things far better than those? For the pious there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home) and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the (His) slaves”. [Aal Imran. 14-15]

Allah, The Most High, said:

 وَفَرِحُواْ بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعٌ۬

And they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment. [Ar-Rad. 26]

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُواْ بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱطۡمَأَنُّواْ بِہَا وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا غَـٰفِلُونَ
أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مَأۡوَٮٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ

Verily, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who are heedless of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.); Those, their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn. [Yunus 78]

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَا لَكُمۡ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱنفِرُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱثَّاقَلۡتُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مِنَ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ۚ فَمَا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ

O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah you cling heavily to the earth? [Footnote a] Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter. [at-Tawbah. 38]

Allah, The Most High, said:

أَفَرَءَيۡتَ إِن مَّتَّعۡنَـٰهُمۡ سِنِينَ
ثُمَّ جَآءَهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يُوعَدُونَ
مَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡہُم مَّا كَانُواْ يُمَتَّعُونَ

Tell Me, if We do let them enjoy for years; And afterwards comes to them that (punishment) which they had been promised! All that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them. [Ash-Shu’ara 205-207]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ كَأَن لَّمۡ يَلۡبَثُوٓاْ إِلَّا سَاعَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلنَّہَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيۡنَہُمۡ‌ۚ

And on the Day when He shall gather (resurrect) them together, (it will be) as if they had not stayed (in the life of this world and graves, etc.) but an hour of a day. They will recognise each other. [Yunus 45]

Allah, The Most High, said:

كَأَنَّہُمۡ يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمۡ يَلۡبَثُوٓاْ إِلَّا سَاعَةً۬ مِّن نَّہَارِۭ‌ۚ بَلَـٰغٌ۬‌ۚ فَهَلۡ يُهۡلَكُ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقُونَ

On the Day when they will see that (torment) with which they are promised (i.e. threatened, it will be) as if they had not stayed more than an hour in a single day. (O mankind! This Qur’an is sufficient as) a clear Message (or proclamation to save yourself from destruction). But shall any be destroyed except the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]. [Al-Ahqaf. 35]

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَسۡـٴَـلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلسَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرۡسَٮٰهَا
فِيمَ أَنتَ مِن ذِكۡرَٮٰهَآ
إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ مُنتَہَٮٰهَآ
إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُنذِرُ مَن يَخۡشَٮٰهَا
كَأَنَّہُمۡ يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَہَا لَمۡ يَلۡبَثُوٓاْ إِلَّا عَشِيَّةً أَوۡ ضُحَٮٰهَا

They ask you (O Muhammad) about the Hour, – when will be its appointed time? You have no knowledge to say anything about it; To your Lord belongs (the knowledge of) the term thereof? You (O Muhammad) are only a warner for those who fear it; The Day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning. [An-Nazi’at’. 42-46]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَيَوۡمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُقۡسِمُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ مَا لَبِثُواْ غَيۡرَ سَاعَةٍ۬‌ۚ

And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the Mujrimun will swear that they stayed not but an hour. [Ar-Rum. 55]

Allah, The Most High, said:

قَـٰلَ كَمۡ لَبِثۡتُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ
قَالُواْ لَبِثۡنَا يَوۡمًا أَوۡ بَعۡضَ يَوۡمٍ۬ فَسۡـَٔلِ ٱلۡعَآدِّينَ
قَـٰلَ إِن لَّبِثۡتُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬‌ۖ لَّوۡ أَنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

He (Allah) will say: “What number of years did you stay on earth?” They will say: “We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account.” He (Allah) will say: “You stayed not but a little, if you had only known! [Al-Mu’munun 112-114]

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَوۡمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ‌ۚ وَنَحۡشُرُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ زُرۡقً۬ا
يَتَخَـٰفَتُونَ بَيۡنَہُمۡ إِن لَّبِثۡتُمۡ إِلَّا عَشۡرً۬ا
نَّحۡنُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذۡ يَقُولُ أَمۡثَلُهُمۡ طَرِيقَةً إِن لَّبِثۡتُمۡ إِلَّا يَوۡمً۬ا

The Day when the Trumpet will be blown (the second blowing): that Day, We shall gather the Mujrimun, (criminals) Zurqa (blind or thirsty); In whispers will they speak to each other (saying): “You stayed not longer than ten (days).” We know very well what they will say, when the best among them in knowledge and wisdom will say: “You stayed no longer than a day!” [Taha. 102-104]

Allah’s Aid is sought and upon Him we place our reliance!

An Excerpt from Al-Fawa’id. page 148-152

Footnote a: https://abukhadeejah.com/salafi-shaikh-fawzaan-on-jihaad-in-our-times-and-the-guidelines-of-jihaad-according-to-islam/

One of the Many Reasons Why Tawhid Holds Paramount Importance

In The name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

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

The first Surah of the Qur’an [i.e. Al-Fatiha] and last Surah of the Qur’an [i.e. An-Nas] gather the three categories of Tawheed; namely: Tawheed Ar-Robubiyyah [The Oneness of Allaah’s Lordship], Tawheed Al-Uluhiyyah [Allah is the only deity worthy of worship] and Tawheed al-Asmaa Was-Sifaat [The Oneness of Allaah in His Names and Attributes].

Surah Fatiha

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).

Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).”

Surah An-Naas:

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ

مَلِكِ النَّاسِ

إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ

Say: “I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind. The King of mankind. The Ilah (God) of mankind. From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who withdraws (from his whispering in one’s heart after one remembers Allah). Who whispers in the breasts of mankind. Of jinns and men.

Source: Mukhtasar Al-Mufeed Fee Bayaan Dalaa’il Aqsaam at-Tawheed. Audio lesson: 2.

Kufr, Dhulm, and the Illusion of Invincibility: Patterns in the Downfall of Tyrannical Nations and Empires

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

Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

As for ‘Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?” See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.)! [Fussilat 15]

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

This is a detailed account of the story of the two nations, Aad and Thamud. As for Aad, they were arrogant in the earth, together with their disbelief in Allah, their denial of His signs, and their rejection of His messengers. They subdued those – the servants of Allah – around them, oppressed them and were self-amazed with their strength.

وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”

In response, Allah reminded them of a fundamental truth known to all:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them.

If Allah did not create them, they would not have existed. Had they contemplated their situation in a correct manner, they would not have been deceived by their own power, thus, Allah punished them in a manner befitting the strength in which they had placed their misguided trust. [1]

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

The statement of the Almighty:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”

This was in response to Prophet Hud, peace be upon him, who warned them of impending punishment. They arrogantly claimed that their strength could protect them from such retribution, boasting of their tall and powerful physiques. In response, Allah said to them:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.)] [2]

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah, The Exalted, said:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ

As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right.

Meaning, rebellious, insolent and disobedient.

وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?

Meaning, believing that their physical strength and capabilities would protect them from Allah’s punishment.

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them.

Meaning, they did not reflect on the fact that Allah, who created them, is indeed stronger than they are! Did they not contemplate the One whom openly declared their enmity against? For indeed, He (Allah) is Al-Adheem (Footnote a) who created all things and endowed them with the strength to exist, and His punishment is indeed severe. [3]

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

The statement of Allah, The Exalted:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land – without right – towards the servants of Allah, (towards) Prophet Hud, peace be upon him, and those who believed in him.

وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً

They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”

They were deceived by their physical stature when faced with the threat of punishment, saying: “We are able to avert the punishment from ourselves by virtue of our strength”. This was due to their tall and mighty physiques. It has already been stated in the explanation of Surah Al-A’raf” (based on a report) by Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, that the tallest among them was one hundred cubits, while the shortest was sixty cubits. In response, Allah said to them:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

“See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them” and in ability, rather, the ability of a person is contingent upon Allah’s power, and indeed, Allah is the most capable. [4]

فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِىٓ أَيَّامٍ نَّحِسَاتٍ لِّنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْخِزْىِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَخْزَىٰ وَهُمْ لَا يُنصَرُونَ

So We sent upon them furious wind in days of evil omen (for them) that We might give them a taste of disgracing torment in this present worldly life, but surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more disgracing, and they will never be helped. [Fussilat 16]

Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, said, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah will give respite to the oppressor until when He seizes him and he cannot escape”. Then he [i.e. the Messenger] recited the verse:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَخۡذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَخۡذَهُ ۥۤ أَلِيمٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ

Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe]. [Hud. 102]

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

There is a warning against oppression in this lofty hadith- oppression against oneself through different levels and types of sins. The one whom Allah has given wealth, good health, safety and stability while he persists upon sin, this is Allah’s plan in stages against this sinner because he deserves it;

 وَلَا يَظۡلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدً۬ا

And your Lord treats no one with injustice. [Al-Kahf. 49]

There’s a warning – in this hadith – against oppressing others because the one who oppresses others is called an oppressor and the one who oppresses himself through sins is called an oppressor. Therefore, the one who oppresses himself and the one who oppresses others are (exposed) to great danger in this life, in the grave and in the afterlife. If Allah gives him respite and does not hasten punishment against him, then indeed Allah reserves for him the punishment he deserves due to the statement of Allah:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَخۡذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَخۡذَهُ ۥۤ أَلِيمٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ

Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe.

This is how the hadith is in agreement with the noble verse, that if Allah gives respite to an oppressor, it is not that Allah has neglected his affair. If Allah delays punishment against him in the worldly life, Allah multiplies it for him in the hereafter, thus, he is recompensed based on what he did and the evil deeds he committed. Allah is the possessor of (perfect) wisdom, because He recompenses a doer based on his deed- good recompense for good deeds and evil recompense for evil deeds. [5]

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

Everyone with a bit of (sound) intellect knows that the corruption of the world and its ruin occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over the divine revelation and (vain) desires over sound intellect. These two corrupt motives are not entrenched in a heart except that its destruction becomes inevitable nor in a nation except that its affairs are completely corrupted. [6]

The Imam also said:

Whoever contemplates the state of the world will recognise that every instance of rectification stems from Tawhid, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger, Muhammad. Conversely, every form of evil, trial, hardship, scarcity in sustenance, and subjugation by adversaries, among other issues, arises from opposing the Messenger and the pursuit of paths other than those prescribed by Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly  contemplates this matter and examines the world’s conditions from its inception until the time Allah ends it, he will realise this about himself and others, both in general and in specific situations. Indeed, there is no might or power except with Allah – The Most High, The Most Great. [7]

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

Industrialisation and modern inventions; everyone has participated in it – the righteous, the wicked, the believer and the disbeliever. As for religion and manners in this era, it has greatly declined. When this industrial advancement is devoid of (sound) religion and faith, it became a great harm from two angles: firstly, it beguiled many people, who – due of their ignorance – think that worldly advancement is proof to show that its people are more worthy of achieving every good than others. They are clearly misguided because a person maybe from the most skillful in matters related to the material world, whilst he is one of the most ignorant people in matters related to the (sound) religion, virtuous manners and the (other) beneficial affairs in this life and the next. Secondly, when these inventions are devoid of (sound) religion, its mercy and wisdom, it becomes a great disaster for humankind due to the wars that resulted from them- killing, destruction and other matters related to it. Its overseers and scholars are unable to laydown – for humankind -a stable, just and good life; rather they have not ceased moving from one miserable state to another. This is inevitable and the continuous state of affairs shows this. Therefore, all good is found in the sound religion and all evil is found in rejecting and willfully denying (Allah, His Messengers, His Laws, Guidance, Commands, Prohibitions etc).

Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls, which is the determinant of (sound) rectification and success.

The Remedy: What the Religion of Islam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification; it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge, guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts, urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity.

The essence of that which the religion calls to – regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islam. Thus, even if the worldly sciences rectify (some) matters based upon that which people know in detail, it will still not be equal to the knowledge of the Messengers- neither will it reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done, because indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature. [8]

The followers of truth will remain until the end of time. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

A group of people from my Umma will always remain manifest upon the truth. They will not be harmed by those who forsake them until Allah’s Command comes to pass (i.e. the Day of Judgment). [9]

Why Ponder Upon The Story of The Nations of Old?

قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ

Many similar mishaps [troubles, problems] of life were faced by nations that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Verse 137]

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

Indeed, there were nations like yourselves before you, so look to their evil end. You have to know that the reason behind their evil end was due to their disbelief in the revelations of Allah and disbelief in Allah’s Messengers. They were the forefathers and you are the descendants. The main affair that connects you to each other is your disbelief and the ruling on that disbelief is destruction. [10]

Imam Muhammad Bin Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If it is said, “What is the benefit in narrating to us the stories of the destroyed nations despite the fact that this Ummah will not be completely destroyed in a manner similar to the destruction of the previous nations before it?”

The Answer: Indeed, this has two benefits: The first benefit is a clarification of Allah’s blessings upon us that the occurrence of a complete destruction is removed from us, and that were it not for Allah’s Benevolence we would have been deserving of it. Second, the likeness of the punishment they received may occur in the hereafter for the one who did what they did, if punishment was not received in the worldly life. And this may be understood from the statement of Allah: “Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the population of towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful and severe. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter.” So what is apparent from this Aayah is that what is similar to the punishment they received will happen in the Hereafter, and Allaah knows best. [11]

Footnote a:

Al-Adheem: [The Tremendous One, or The Magnificent. The One Tremendous in Greatness, and The Only One deservingly held in awe and venerated by the creation for His Greatness in every sense]. By Shaikh abu Talhah, may Allah have mercy upon him and his wife.


[1] Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Tafsir Al-Baghawi

[3] Tafsir Ibn kathir

[4] Tafsir Al-Qurtubi

[5] at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaith As-Saheehah. 1/100

[6] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69

[7] An Excerpt from Bada’i Al-Fawa’id 3/525-526

[8] An Excerpt from “Al-Adilladul Qawaati Wal Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen”. Pages 45-50

[9] Sahih Muslim 1920

[10] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/181

[11]Al-Muntaqaa Min Fawaa’id Al-Fawaa’id 123-124

Verse 94 Surah An-Nisaa

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰ إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ اللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

O you who believe! When you go (to fight) in the Cause of Allah, verify (the truth), and say not to anyone who greets you (by embracing Islam): “You are not a believer”; seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah. Even as he is now, you (yourselves) were like that before; then Allah conferred on you His Favours (i.e. guided you to Islam), therefore, verify. Allah is Ever Well-Aware of what you do. [An-Nisa 94]

He (Allah), The Most High, commands His believing servants that when they proceed for Jihad upon His path and seeking His pleasure, they should seek clarification and verification regarding the ambiguous matters. For indeed, the affairs are of two categories: those that are clear and those that are unclear. The clear and evident matters do not need verification and clarification because that is self-evident. As for the ambiguous matters – the unclear matters, then indeed, a person needs to verify and clarify regarding them in order to know whether to pursue or not. For indeed verification in these matters bring many benefits and prevents great evils by way of which is known the (upright) religion of a person, his intellect and self-possession, as opposed to the one who rushes into matters at their onset before their their rulings are clarified for him, for indeed this leads to that which is not befitting (or permissible) as happened to those whom Allah admonished in the verse when they failed to verify and killed those that greeted them with the salutation of peace- who had spoils of war in their possession or someone else’s wealth- thinking that it was justified to kill them. This was a (grave) mistake and due to this, Allah reproached, saying:

وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَعِنْدَ اللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ

And say not to anyone who greets you (by embracing Islam): “You are not a believer”; seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah.

Meaning: Do not let the transient and little things (of this worldly life) make you commit what is not permissible (or befitting), thus, you miss out on the abundant, everlasting rewards that Allah are with Allah, for that which is with Allah is better and everlasting.

In this is a demonstration that it is obligated to a servant of Allah that when he perceives the urges of his soul inclining towards a state wherein it desires (something), while it is harmful for his soul, he should remind it regarding that which Allah has prepared for the one who forbids his soul from its (vain) desires and and gives precedence to Allah’s Pleasure over the pleasure of his soul, for indeed in this is an encouragement for the soul to fulfil Allah’s command, even if that is difficult for it. Then He (Allah- The Most High) reminded them of their initial situation before they were guided to Islam: [كَذَلِكَ كُنْتُمْ مِنْ قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ- you (yourselves) were like that before; then Allah conferred on you His Favours (i.e. guided you to Islam).

Meaning: Just as He (Allah) guided you after your (state of) misguidance, similarly He can guide others. And just as guidance came to you little by little, similarly is the case for other than yourselves. Thus, the observation of the person- who has accomplished the obligatory and recommended aspects of faith- regarding his initial deficient state, his dealing with the one who is in a similar situation based on what he knows regarding his initial situation, and calling him to (guidance) through wisdom and fine admonition, is one of the greatest means of benefiting himself and the other person. Due to this, He (Allah) repeated the command [فَتَبَيَّنُوا – Therefore, verify].

When it is the case that one who embarks upon Jihad in the path of Allah and to strive against Allah’s enemies – having prepared in various ways to confront them- is commanded to verify when someone greets him with the statement of peace, while there is a strong indication that he (merely) greeted with peace in order to protect himself from being killed and out of fear for himself, then indeed this demonstrates the command to verify and seek clarification in all situations where there is some type of ambiguity, so the person verifies in this situation until the matter becomes clear to him and what is upright and correct is clarified.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

Allah is Ever Well-Aware of what you do.

He will recompense everyone according to their actions and intentions.

An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased

Who Among Creation Knows Allah Most Profoundly?

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

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

There are those who know Allah as the one who is magnanimous, kind and bestows favours in abundance.

There are those who know Him as the one who is forgiving, forbearing and expiates the sins of the servants.

There are those who know Him as the possessor of perfect Strength and punishes the wrongdoers justly.

There are those who know Him as the posssessor of Perfect, All-Encompassing Knowledge and Wisdom.

There are those who know Him as the possessor of perfect Might and Magesty.

There are those who know Him as one with perfect mercy, benignity and graciousness.

There are those who know Him as the possessor of absolute dominion and that everything is subjugated to Him willingly and unwillingly.

There is one who knows Allah as the one who responds to his supplication, relieves his anxiety and fulfil his need.

The ones- among these people -with the most comprehensive knowledge and awareness about Allah are those who know Him by His Speech (i.e. the Qur’an) because they know a Lord who possesses unlimited Perfect Attributes and Perfect Exalted Descriptions – free from every similarity, dificiency, weakness and fault; the possessor of every sublime Name and perfect Attribute; does what He wills (based on perfect knowledge, justice and wisdom); above everyone – (above His throne in a way that befits His Majesty and everything is under His absolute control); knows, hears and sees everything, able to do everything, everyone and everything depends on Him for their subsistence and survival, while He depends on none; gives commands and prohibitions, perfectly ordained all the religious affairs, and spoke about everything (He wants the servants to know regarding) the events that will take place in the universe – present, past and future- based on His perfect knowledge, Perfect Justice and Wisdom). He is greater than everything – (free from all similarities, dificiencies, imperfections, weaknesses and faults). He is the most Merciful of all those who show mercy and the most able to do what He wishes, the best and the only perfect judge (whose judgments are based on absolute certainty, perfect justice, knowledge and wisdom).

The Qur’an was revealed so that His servants may know Him- know the path that leads to His Pleasure as well as about those who follow this path that leads to His (Pleasure and reward in this life and the next).

An Excerpt From Al-Fawa’id. page 258-259

Beyond Slogans: The True Causes of Every Calamity in the World

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

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

The basis of all sins – major and minor – are three: the heart’s attachment to other than Allah, going along with the intense strength of one’s anger and the intense urge of one’s desires. These three things constitute shirk, injustice and indecency (immorality). Shirk and invoking other than Allah is the heart’s attachment to other than Allah, murder is (related) to going along with one’s intense anger and fornication is going along with the intense urge of one’s desires. And because of this, Allah mentioned the three together in the verse:

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَ

And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse. [Al-Furqan. 68]

These three invite to one another – Shirk leads to injustice and indecency (immorality), just as Tawheed and Ikhlas turns a person away from them. Allah, The Most High, said:

ڪَذَٲلِكَ لِنَصۡرِفَ عَنۡهُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَٱلۡفَحۡشَآءَ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ

Thus it was, that We might turn away from him (Yusuf) evil and indecency. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves. [Yusuf. 24]

Meaning: turned him away from infatuation and illegal sexual intercourse.

Injustice leads to Shirk and indecency (immorality), because Shirk is the greatest injustice, just as Tawheed is the greatest justice. Justice is a companion of Tawheed and injustice is a companion of Shirk, and this is why Allah mentioned both together.

As for Tawheed and justice, Allah said:

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ

Allah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice]. [Aal Imran. 18]

As for injustice and Shirk, Allah said:

إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬

Verily, Shirk is great injustice. [Luqmaan. 13]

Indecency (immorality) leads to shirk and injustice, especially when there is a strong desire that cannot be reached except through some type of injustice, such as seeking help through magic and shaytan. And indeed Allah mentioned both fornication and Shirk together in the verse:

ٱلزَّانِى لَا يَنكِحُ إِلَّا زَانِيَةً أَوۡ مُشۡرِكَةً۬ وَٱلزَّانِيَةُ لَا يَنكِحُهَآ إِلَّا زَانٍ أَوۡ مُشۡرِكٌ۬‌ۚ وَحُرِّمَ ذَٲلِكَ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

The adulterer marries not but an adulteress, or a female polytheist and the adulteress none marries her except an adulterer or a male polytheist [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely he is either an adulterer, or a polytheist)]. And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a male polytheist or an adulterer, then she is either a prostitute or a female polytheist)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers [of Islamic Monotheism]. [An-Noor. 3]

These three [Shirk, indecency and injustice] can either be the cause of one another or lead to one another. And this is why whenever Tawheed in the heart is weaker and the Shirk in it is greater, it commits more indecency (immorality), becomes stronger in its attachment to images and infatuated with them. And what is similar to this is the statement of Allah:

فَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَبۡقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّہِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ

So whatever you have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah (Paradise) is better and more lasting for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and put their trust in their Lord (concerning all of their affairs). And those who avoid the greater sins and indecency, and when they are angry, they forgive. [Ash-Shuraa. 36-37]

Allah informed us that what He has with Him is better for the one who believes in Him and relies upon him, and that is Tawheed. Then Allah said:

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ

And those who avoid the greater sins and indecency.

Meaning, avoid the intense urge towards lowly desires. Then Allah said:

وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ

And when they are angry, they pardon.

This opposes the intense strength of anger.

Therefore, Allah mentioned Tawheed, pardon and justice together, and they are that which gathers every good. [1]

Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to Tawheed, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to (our) opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allah –The Most High, The Most Great. [2]

Every sin is a legacy inherited from a nation that was destroyed by Allah. Taking more than one is entitled to is a legacy from the people of Shu’ayb, peace be upon him. The corruption and arrogance displayed on earth are inherited from the people of Pharaoh, and the pride and tyranny are legacies from the people of Prophet Hud, peace be upon him. Thus, the sinner is adorned in the garments of these nations that are enemies of Allah. [3]

The pursuit of (vain) desires and prolonged (covetous) hope are the ingredients of every corruption, because the pursuit of (vain) desires blinds (one) from the truth in knowledge and intent, while prolonged (covetous) hope (makes one) forget the afterlife and hinders from making preparations for it. [4]

Everyone who possesses even a modicum of (sound) intellect is aware that the corruption of the world and its destruction are caused by placing human opinion ahead of divine revelation and desires ahead of sound reasoning. These two evil objectives cannot be deeply ingrained in a heart without causing its complete deterioration, nor exist in a nation without entirely corrupting its affairs. [5]

Allah, The Most High, said:

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness in the earth or corruption. And the good end is for the pious ones. [28:83]

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ

“That home of the hereafter” – Meaning Paradise.

نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ

“We shall assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth”.

Saeed Ibn Jubair said: “It is (those who do not desire) transgression”.

Ad-Dahhaak said: “It is (those who do not desire) oppression”.

Yahyah Ibn Sallam said: “It is (those who do not desire) shirk” and Muqatil said: “It is (those who do not desire to be) haughty by rejecting Iman”.

وَلَا فَسَادًا
“or corruption”.

Ikrimah said: “It is (those who do not desire) disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger)”.

Ibn Sa’ib said: “It is (those who do not) call to the worship of other than Allah”.

وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِين

“And the good end is for the pious ones”- Meaning, they will have a praiseworthy end. [6]


[1] An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id 131-132

[2] Excerpt from “Bada’i Al-Fawa’id 3/525-526

[3] Ad-Da’u Wad Dawa’u. page 142

[4] Al-Fawa’id page 156

[5] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69

[6] An Excerpt from Zad Al-Maseer Maseer Fee Ilm at-Tafseer by Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi. Page 1074. Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm’ 1st Edition 1423AH (2002)

Strangeness and Resilience in the Face of Misidentification of Error and Popular Opposition

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

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:

“Islam began as a strange (thing) and it will return to be something strange just as it began”. [1]

Yunus Ibn Ubaid, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“How remarkable today are those who call to the Sunnah. Even more remarkable are those who respond and accept the Sunnah”.

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, said: The Sunnah has become strange and those who call to it have become strange, and even stranger are those who act upon it. No doubt there will be times when there will be strangeness with respect to the Sunnah and its people. As time elapses the Sunnah will become strange and Ahlus Sunnah are the strangers; for that reason he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Islam began as a strange thing and it will return being strange. So Toobaa is for the strangers. They said, ‘Who are the strangers O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Those who will rectify when the people become corrupt'”. And in another narration: said, “They rectify that which the people have corrupted”.

These are the strangers during the end of time. They hold onto the Sunnah when the people become corrupt. They exercise patience upon that which touches them of harm. They exercise patience upon (this) strangeness amongst the people because those who oppose them are numerous, for they are in strangeness amongst the people. [2]

Imam Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Indeed, Islam will not vanish, but Ahlus Sunnah will vanish until only one man remains in a land”. This meaning can be found a lot in the speech of the pious predecessors, who praised the Sunnah, described it as strange and described its adherents as few. Al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say to his companions: “O Ahlus Sunnah! Be gentle (to one another), for you are the fewest among the people.”

Yunus Ibn Ubaid, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “There is nothing stranger than the Sunnah, and even stranger is the one who is acquainted with it”.

Sufyan Ath-Thawri, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Treat the people of the Sunnah with good, for they are indeed strangers”. The intent of these Imams regarding the Sunnah is the path of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, which he and his companions adhered to, free from Shubuhaat (beliefs and views that are made to resemble truth but are falsehood in reality) and Shahawaat (vain desires).

Then, it became a common thing (or understanding) among many later scholars, both from Ahlul Hadith and others, that the term “Sunnah” refers to that which is free from Shubuhaat and Shahawaat in beliefs, particularly concerning matters of belief in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Day of Judgment, and also issues related to Qadr and the virtues of the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Scholars have written in the knowledge of (this affair) under the title of Sunnah because its danger is great and the one in opposition is at the very edge of destruction.

As for the complete Sunnah, it is the path free from Shubuhaat and Shahawaat, as stated by Al-Hasan, Yunus Ibn Ubaid, Sufyan, Al-Fudayl, and others. Due to this, its adherents are described as strangers during the end of time because of their small number and strangeness (upon the complete Sunnah). Due to this, it has been transmitted in some of the narrations previously mentioned in the explanation of the (word) strangers (that they will be) “A righteous people, small in number among a large number of evil people. Those who disobey them are more numerous than those who obey them”. [Silsilah As-Sahihah. Number 1619]

This demonstrates their small number, the few that will respond and accept them, and the numerous people who will oppose and disobey them. Due to this, commendation has been transmitted in several hadiths regarding the one who adheres to his religion during the end of time that he’ll be like one grasping hot coals; [a] and that the reward for one among them will be equivalent to that of fifty among those before them, as they will not find helpers in goodness (righteousness). These strangers (adhering to the Sunnah and righteousness) are two types of people: the first rectifies himself amidst the corruption of the people, while the second is the one who rectifies what has been corrupted by the people, and of the two, he is loftier and more virtuous in status.

From the speech of Ahmad Ibn Aasim Al-Antakee – a senior figure among those who were devoted to worship, a possessor of knowledge, wisdom, and insight into issues of the religion, who lived in the era Abu Sulayman Ad-Daaraanee – was that he said: “Indeed, I witnessed an era from the eras when Islam returned to being strange as it began and the description of truth during it was strange just as it was at its beginning. If you sought after a scholar, you found him captivated by the love of worldly things, love of exaltation, and leadership. If you turn to one devoted to worship, you found him ignorant in his worship, deceived and ensnared by Iblees, who led him to the pinnacle of worship while he was ignorant of its most fundamental aspects, so how about its loftiest aspect?! The rest were merely the rabble—disorderly and predatory, akin to wolves and ferocious beasts, as well as cunning foxes”. This is the description of the people of your era among those who carry knowledge of the Quran and the callers to wisdom. Abu Nu’aym reported this (statement of Ahmad Ibn Aasim) in Al-Hilyah. This was the description of the people of his era, so how about the calamities and disasters that took place after him which he could not have possibly imagined or conceived?! [3]

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

أهل الإسلام في الناس غرباء ، والمؤمنون في أهل الإسلام غرباء،وأهل العلم في المؤمنين غرباء ، وأهل السنة الذين يميزونها من الأهواء والبدع هم غرباء ، والداعون إليها الصابرون على أذى المخالفين هم أشد هؤلاء غربة ولكن هؤلاء هم أهل الله حقا. فلا غربة عليهم وإنما غربتهم بين الأكثرين الذين قال الله عزوجل فيهم : (وإن تُطِع أَكثر مَن في الأرض يُضلّوك عن سبيلِ الله ) ( الأنعام : 116)
فأولئك هم الغرباء من الله ورسوله وغربتهم هي الغربة الموحشة
مدارج السالكين
٣/١٩٥

The people of Islam are strangers among the people, and the believers are strangers among the people of Islam. The (upright) people of knowledge are strangers among the believers, and those who adhere to the Sunnah, distinguishing it from (vain) desires and innovations in religious matters are strangers. The callers to it (the Sunnah), who exercise patience with the harm of those who oppose them, are the strangest of all by far. However, they are – in truth – [أهل الله – the allies of Allah – truly devoted to Allah in righteousness]. Thus, there is no strangeness regarding them (in reality), but rather their strangeness is among the majority about whom Allah, The Most High, said:

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ

And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. [Al-An’am: 116]

So, these ones [i.e. the majority upon misguidance referred to in the Ayah] are (in reality) the strangers to Allah and His Messenger, and their strangeness (is one characterised by) alienation. [4]

Imam Abu Shamah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “When the command to adhere to the Jama’ah (the main body) is (mentioned), then the intent behind it is to adhere to the truth, even if those who follow it are few and those who oppose it are numerous. That is because the truth is that which the first Jama’ah was upon- the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them- and one does not give consideration to the numerous people of falsehood”. [5]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers [of people upon such and such idea, view, belief, way of life, etc], whilst saying, “Indeed, the people have become such and such, and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them”. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this [i.e. blindly following the majority]. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated on you to examine yourself; take account of yourself and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed: just as Allah [The Most High] said: “And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path”. [Al An’am 116]

And Allah, The Most High, said: [وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ – And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly]. [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103] [6]

 

Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi Al-Waadi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If numbers are the scale by way of which you judge, then the majority are mostly blameworthy; and if persuasive speech and eloquence is the scale by way of which you judge, then indeed Allah described the Munafiqun that they have tongues that utter beautiful speech. Allah said: [وَإِن يَقُولُواْ تَسۡمَعۡ لِقَوۡلِهِمۡ – And when they speak, you listen to their words]. [Al-Munafiqun. 4]

Therefore, what is given consideration is that one knows the people of truth by their characteristics – that they call to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, and companions], and they neither desire reward from the people nor seeking to be thanked. [7]

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

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah is not harmed by those who oppose them. If you are with them- all praise is due to Allah, they are pleased with this because indeed they want good for the people. If you oppose them, you cannot harm them and due to this the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “There will not cease to be a group of my Ummah who will be manifest upon the truth- not harmed by those who forsake them until the command of Allah comes to pass (i.e. the day of judgment) whilst they are (still) upon that (truth)”. The one in opposition does not harm except himself. What is given consideration is not the great numbers; rather what is given consideration is to agree with the truth, even if a small number of people were upon it. And even if in some eras there is only one person (upon truth), then he is the one upon truth and he is the Jama’ah. The Jama’ah does not necessitate great numbers; rather the Jama’ah is what is in agreement with the truth – in agreement with the Book and the Sunnah, even if those upon it are few. However, if many come together and (upon) truth, then – all praise is due to Allah- this is strength. But if the majority oppose it (i.e. the truth), then we side with the truth even if only a few are upon it”. [8]

 

The Ta’ifah Al-Mansurah – The Aided Group

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “There will not cease to be a group amongst my Ummah upon the truth; neither will they be harmed by those who betray them nor those who oppose them until the command of Allah arrives [i.e. the day of judgment]”. [Al-Bukhari]

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

This group will not cease to exist in the Ummah. The Ummah will not be deprived of this Sunni Group. This group can be one group. If it adheres to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, it is the Taa’ifah Al-Mansoorah [The Victorious Group], even if it is only one. The Ummah will not lose this Sunni Group, this good group, and all praise be to Allah – until the command of Allah comes to pass [i.e. the day of judgment]. ‘They will not be harmed by those who forsake them’. Among the people are those who forsake them and those who oppose them, but they will not be harmed. This is from Allah’s Grace upon His servants and He will establish the truth for the one who aids the truth and calls to it, even if evil is rife.

There will be those who adhere to good, call to it, and disseminate it amongst the people. Not all the Ummah will be misguided, but some will remain upon truth, but they might be strangers [i.e. their affair will be strange to the people], just as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Islam began as something strange and it will return as something strange, and glad tidings to the strangers”, so they said, ‘Who are the strangers O Messenger of Allah? He said, ‘They are those who will be upright when the people become corrupt’.. and in another version of this hadith, “Those who rectify what the people have corrupted’. These are the strangers because the majority of the people oppose them, belittle, forsake, and keep away from what they are upon, but this will not harm them, “They will never be harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them’. Allah will make them remain so that His Proofs remain amongst the creation until the end of time. This group might be in the East, the West, or the North, etc…

They are not in a specific place, but they are present. Whoever wants will find it. It is present and all praise is due to Allaah. All praises and thanks be to Allah, we – at present – are upon a correct methodology, upon a sound methodology; our methodology is that which the Qur’aan and Sunnah necessitate, our learning is based upon the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We study Tafseer, hadeeth and its explanation, the Aqeedah of the pious predecessors, and that which they were upon. All praises and thanks be to Allah at present we are on the correct path, a sound methodology and a straight path. We ask Allah to keep us firm upon it until we meet him, neither substituting nor changing it. [9]

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

It is obligated to the Ta’ifah Al-Mansurah [i.e. the aided group] – those whom Allah’s Messenger gave glad tidings that they will remain (upon truth) and will be aided; neither harmed by those who betray them nor by those who oppose them till the end of time – to establish brotherhood for the sake of Allah, co-operate upon righteousness and piety, roll up their sleeves and embark upon work, so that this great status is maintained, which is that they will be manifest upon the truth, neither harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them. And knowing the truth cannot be except through the knowledge inherited from the Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them, and from the seal of the Prophets [i.e. the Messenger Muhammad]. The scholars are the inheritors of the (knowledge left behind by) the Prophets in calling to the path of Allah, (in propagating) Allah’s Message and in enjoining good and forbidding evil. [10]

The Mujaddidun – The Revivers Every Hundred Years

The Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him- said, “Allah will raise for this Ummah at the end of every hundred years the one who will revive its religion for it”. [11]

“Allah will raise for this Ummah”– Meaning, the Ummah Al-Ijabah (the Muslims). “At the end of every hundred years”– Meaning, at the end of every hundred years when there is little knowledge of the Shariah and the authentic Prophetic Sunnah, while ignorance and innovation in religious matters is rife. “One who will revive its religion for it”– Meaning, a scholar who is alive and well known. He will clarify the authentic Prophetic Sunnah and distinguish it from Bidah. knowledge will be abundant again and its adherents will be aided, and the proponents of Bidah will be overcome and degraded. This reviver is none else but a scholar who has a sound understanding of the religious sciences that deal with acts of worship, the underlying wisdom of the religion, and the texts that deal with beliefs of the heart. [12]

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[a] Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal”. [Sahih Tirmidhee 2260]


[1] Sahih Muslim 145

[2] An Excerpt from It’haaf Al-Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharh As-Sunnah Lil Imam Al-Barbahaaree 2/310-311

[3] An Excerpt from Kash al-Kurbah Fee Wasf Ahl Al-Ghurbah page 6-9

[4] An Excerpt from Madarij As-Salikin 3/195

[5] Al-Baa’ith Alaa Inkaaril Bid’ah Wal-Hawaadith’ page 22

[6] An Excerpt from ‘Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412

[7] An Excerpt from Qam Al-Mu’anid 2/547

[8] An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14

[9] Paraphrased Excerpt: Listen to the audio here: https://safeyoutube.net/w/TlUI

[10] An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm’ page 200

[11] Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Hadith Number 4291.

[12] An Excerpt from Awnul Ma’bood Sharh Sunan Abee Daawud. 11/259-260