In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Shaikh Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] was asked about the statement of a person who says: ”I am free [or liberated?]”
Answer: If a liberated [or free person] says this and intends by it freedom from slavery to the creation, then yes he is free from slavery to the creation. However, if he intends by this that he is liberated (freed) from servitude to Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], then indeed he has erred in his understanding of servitude and he does not understand the meaning of freedom. That is because servitude to other than Allaah is bondage. As for the servitude to Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], then this is real freedom because if he does not humble himself to Allaah, he will humble himself to other than Allaah. So he deceives himself when he says that he is free [or liberated]- meaning: he is liberated from obedience to Allaah.
[Source: Al-Manaahiy al-Laf’dhiyyah: page: 117. abridged and slightly paraphrased]
The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: ‘’The best of the people are those living in my generation, then those who will follow the latter and then those who come after them. Then there will come after them people who will be treacherous and will not be trustworthy, they will bear witness without being asked to do so [Ref 1], and they will vow, but will never fulfil their vows, and fatness will appear among them.’’ [Ref 2].
Shaikh Rabee [hafidhahullaah] said: They [i.e. the people mentioned in this hadeeth] give false testimony, act treacherously and deceitfully. They behave in a very sinful manner and follow evil desires, except those whom Allaah safeguards amongst the Taa’ifatul Mansoorah [i.e. the aided group of Muslims upon the straight path] – those whom Allaah’s Messenger [alayhis salaatu wassalaam] praised. Therefore, it is obligated on us to acquire knowledge for the sake of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] and act upon it. Ignorance is a deadly disease and knowledge is a weapon that will destroy you if you do not act upon it, and Allaah’s refuge is sought. [Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm pages 268-270]
[Ref 1]: Regarding the statement, ‘’They will bear witness without being asked to do so.’’ This can mean that they bear witness before being asked, or they bear witness based on falsehood, or they give witness without being from those who are worthy of it. [For further details see Sharh Saheeh Muslim 12/17)]. However, there is another Hadeeth in which the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stated: ‘’Should I not inform you about the best of witnesses, they are those who bear witness before being asked.’’ The scholars say that what is intended by this hadeeth is for example: someone has a witness to give on behalf of another person based on truth, but the person does not know about it, so he [i.e. the one who should give the witness] informs the person about it; or for example, a person has already passed away and another person knows what the deceased person has left behind as inheritance, so he bears witness to that and makes it known. [For further details see Fat-hul Baari 5/260]
[Ref 2: And regarding the statement, ‘’And fatness will appear among them.’’ – Meaning: These people give importance to the means of fattening themselves – food, drink and over-abundance. So, their only concern is their bodies and fattening themselves. As for being fat without choice, then one cannot be blamed for that, just as a person cannot be blamed for being tall, short, black or white…[For further details, see Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 10/1056 -By Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)]
Unity is based on the Book and the Sunnah and not bidah. We do not look for a common enemy and unite against him… because as soon as we overcome him, we will start to fight amongst ourselves.
And [remember] when Musa [Moses] said to his people: “Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow.” They said, “Do you make fun of us?” He said, “I take Allah’s Refuge from being among Al-Jahilun [the ignorants or the foolish].” [2:67]
That is because the Jaahil [i.e. an ignorant person] is that one who speaks with a speech that contains no benefit and he is that one who mocks at the people. As for the sensible person, he sees that one of the most blameworthy traits -which is rebuked by [sound] religion and intellect- is to mock at someone who is a human being like himself. And if he has been favoured over that other person, then this favour necessitates that he thanks Allaah and shows mercy to Allaah’s servants. Therefore, when Musa [alayhis-salaam] said this to them [i.e. I take Allaah’s Refuge from being among the ignorant], they knew that it [i.e. what he commanded them] was truth, so they said: [ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِيَ -call upon your Lord for us that He may make plain to us what it is! [2:68)]
[Source: Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Edition 1424AH (Year 2003). abridged & slightly paraphrased]
